Pool and Pizza

We enjoyed a fun time of pizza and swimming at the pool with Gi, Pop and Uncle Robby on Thursday. Daddy got the day to visit with his family out at the farm in Athens. Daddy and Mommy then went to the hospital Thursday evening to visit with our good friends Heather and Erik and their new beautiful baby girl Autumn. We had a nice visit and got to hold her...she was soooo small. Even after having 2 of my own you forget how tiny they are!

Ben is 17 Months

Ben is 17 months old! He is so different than Will. I guess that should not surprise me but I did not realize they would be that different. Ben is very active with climbing and running everywhere. He is also extremely strong willed and has the occasional fit. (I guess we were really lucky with the fit business with Will.) Ben is using more signs and is also saying more words. He enjoys his baths, looking at books, stacking cups and of course bothering his brother!

Ben has been taking swim lessons for the past 2 weeks. He loves the water just like his brother. I have put him under a few times and he just smiles. Ben also likes to "jump" in. He sits on the side and I count to 3 and leans in while I am holding on to him.

Guess who is 60???

Pop turned 60 today! We celebrated with some yummy fried chicken and birthday cake. Will picked out 2 gifts for Pop from the Dollar store....some paint rollers and some fake sunflowers. Pop's big gift was an Ipod Touch from all of us. The boys enjoyed playing and taking a bath at Gigi and Pop's house. We all had fun and hope Pop had a great 60th birthday!

Father's Day

Will and Daddy with a carrot from Will's garden this afternoon!

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies, granddaddies and other father figures! We had to teach 3 year old wee-worship today. We then came home and had a nice nap thanks to our babysitters...Gigi and Pop! Ben was up for the majority of the night so we were zapped. Daddy and Mommy went to eat at the new Mellow Mushroom..It was very yummy and we did not have to wait! Will made Daddy a special card with some stamps and stickers. We did not buy daddy a gift but he did get to pick out lots of new clothes last week!

Here is a list of things that Will and Ben enjoy doing with Daddy.

Will
Baking bread
Working in the garden
Making breakfast on the weekends

Ben
Baths
Eating Popcorn
Reading books

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!

Bible School

Will participated in his first vacation bible school this week at our church. The theme was "Crocodile Dock". There were 1300 children (preschool through rising 8th graders) participating. Will had a wonderful time! His teachers were great and they said he behaved. Some of the children were a bit wild. Will told me that is favorite character from VBS was the crocodile and that "God is powerful."

I volunteered all week in the preschool crafts. I traveled to different rooms and helped 3, 4, and 5 year olds make crafts everyday. We used lots of paint, glue and even some dirt. It was kind of crazy but it was nice to see all the kiddos enjoying VBS and learning about God.

Ben on the other hand hated the nursery! He was not a happy camper. I pray this separation anxiety goes away soon! Luckily Gigi and Daddy both watched him some this week so Mommy and Will could participate in VBS (parents of preschoolers were required to volunteer and to remain at the church at all times).

I hope Will continues his love for reading bible stories. We look forward to participating in a mission week for preschoolers and their parents in July.

Slacking

I am slacking on the blog this summer. I guess I am enjoying taking it easy! Will completed his first art class at the local museum the first week of June. This week we have been hanging out at home and at Gi's house. Next week will be Will's first time at Bible School. I hope he enjoys it. We also start swim lessons in the afternoon next week. Needless to say we will be busy! Ben has been busy climbing up on everything....making mommy nervous. He is definitely not scared of anything except "real" dogs in person.

A special guest

Gigi's best friend from college, Patty Jo, came to visit Alabama for the first time. Mommy has not seen her since my last trip to Montana which was in 2005. She came by train all the way from Montana. Gigi picked her up in Birmingham and she stayed for the week. Will and Ben had so much fun playing with her. She got to visit the Space and Rocket Center, The Botanical Gardens, The Ava Maria Grotto in Cullman, and The Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, TN. Gigi took her to the Cracker Barrel twice (they don't have those in MT)! She spent 2 days at our house playing with the boys. Patty Jo was quite the sport and joined Will with his imaginary play. We are so glad she came down south to visit and hope she will return to visit again soon!