Ben's Book of the Week

Benedict's first ever pick for Book of the Week is...

Creating Clever Castles and Cars from Boxes and Other Stuff by Mari Rutz Mitchell

Ben's review:

I really like it because it shows me how to make so many things. We made a pirate ship and it was so fun to play in. Lots and lots of fun. Me and my uncles are saving milk jugs to make an igloo! I also want to make a sub in the bathtub.

Additional comments by Emanuel:

I want to make all the stuff!

A Spooooky Story by Emanuel

One day mom and dad and Ben and Isabel and Emanuel were walking in the woods. Then we found a smarshmallow and it went "wiggle, wiggle." We opened the smarshmallow bag and the smarshmallows jumped out of the bushes and said "BOO!" Was that spooooooky?

The Cutest Kids

Yes, I said it! They are. I love being their Mommy.

Easter Sugar Cookie House

Ever since decorating graham cracker houses on Christmas the boys have been hooked. Emanuel even wanted a cookie house instead of a cake for his birthday. Today we were at Target looking for Easter cookie cutters when the boys spotted it... an Easter Cookie House kit!
"Please, mom and dad, can we buy it? Please?" Dad said yes, and Emanuel got to hold it. He spent the rest of the shopping trip waxing on about the virtues of this cookie house and how thankful he was to have it. It's nice to have thankful kids!

For mom and dad, the virtue of the cookie house was as an incentive. They cleaned their room so well and quickly, lunch went by without a hitch (and without seconds and thirds, which NEVER happens), and they even cleaned up after themselves without being told more than once!

Who needs a bathroom

when you've got the great outdoors and an audience?

At a playdate today, the kids were happily playing outside in the backyard while the moms chatted inside.

Everything was going so nicely until someone standing by a window said, "Your son is going to the bathroom out there." Then she turned and looked at ME.

I turned around... no one was behind me.

"Mine?"

"Yes, yours"

I ran outdoors in time to see Emanuel with his pants down around his ankles, chest puffed out proudly, and a crowd of kids standing around watching him. He turned and saw me.

"Mom! I went potty! I'm all done now" Then up went his pants and off he went to continue playing.

I'm wondering if I've prayed for humility recently and forgotten. This seems to have been "Humiliate Mommy as Much as Possible Week."

Benedict's Point of View

A few months ago, Benedict picked up our digital camera and started flashing away. The kid's a natural. At 4 he can work the camera better than I can. He takes a lot of self portraits. There are usually many shots of his lego creations, and many other very random things. It is always interesting to look at his pictures, just to see what he sees and take in life from his point of view. Or to see his little brother doing something that makes me think, "Where were the adults when this picture was taken?" Here are a few examples.

Schramm Park

Today we decided to give Schramm Park a try. We're so glad we went. The hiking trails were great. The boys are good hikers and they really enjoyed the day. The trail ended at a playground... could it have been any better?!

The Joslyn Art Museum

Every few months, the Joslyn has a family day with crafts and activities for the whole family. We finally decided to go to one. It was so much fun! The boys made bead necklaces like the Native Americans and Possible Bags, which trappers would carry on their journeys to hold essentials. Isabel really had fun looking at all the art. We'll definitely be going back for the next one!

New Format

I decided that I like this format much better than our previous website. Much less work!

Happy 3rd Birthday Emanuel!

Emanuel woke up SO excited that it was finally his birthday!


Starting the day off right with blueberry pancakes. Yum!


There can never be too many party hats!

Present time- a pirate ship! Emanuel really likes pirates.

A giant sea baby attacking the ship...

A man-eating sea baby!

The guests arrive. Party time!

Blowing out the candles. What a great day!