ben vs. will

it's amazing to me how 2 brothers who come from the same mother/father can be so different. but that's definitely the case with ben and will. ben is 7 and will is almost 5.

• WILL is affectionate. he loves being hugged, kissed and held. BEN wants affection on his terms. when he wants to be hugged and kissed, he'll ask.
• WILL is giving. he will always give ben the best. the best toy, the best sticker, the biggest piece of cake or candy. BEN is selfish. he takes the best for himself. he always has to go first, and always has to have equal everything that will has.
• WILL is protective. he worries about his family. he wants us all to be safe and gets upset if we do something that's not safe. he tries to keep us from being hurt (especially ben and andy). BEN is protective of himself. he doesn't care if will gets hurt or in trouble as long as he doesn't get into trouble.
• WILL is concerned about his appearance. his clothes must match, be clean and fit well. his teeth have to be brushed, his hair has to be nice. he won't be in front of people (other than his famly) not 'put together'. BEN doesn't care. he won't go in front of other people in his underwear - but he's not concerned so much about his appearance, being matched, etc.
• WILL is relaxed. he does just enough to get by. he's ok with not being the best at something as long as he has fun. BEN is an over-achiever. he has to be the best and works hard so that no one will to get to a "higher level" on anything than he is.
• WILL is thankful. his manners are impecable. he constantly tells me how much he appreciates me and how much he loves me being his mommy. BEN wants what he wants and he wants it now. he does say thank you and knows his manners - but he often has to be reminded.
• WILL is imaginative. he can create fun for himself out of nothing. he loves to dress up as a different hero - and do pretend play. BEN is more realistic. he deals more with how things are in real life. he can't use his imagination real well. everything has to be lined out and in order.

WILL gets his emotional side from me. he gets his giving, affectionate, protectiveness side of him from me. he gets his manners from his daddy. he gets his relaxed tendencies and imagination from his daddy. he gets the need to being concerned about his appearance from me (although that's not been the case w/me too much in the last 5 years : ).
BEN gets his selfishness from me (i'm not too proud of that one : ). he gets the lack of desire for affection from his daddy. he knows he's loved - so he doesn't need to be reassured as much. he gets the not caring about appearance and what people think - from his daddy. he gets the over-acheiver, realistic part in him from me. and for his manners - from me too. i am thankful - but like him, need to be reminded at times.
i am anxious to see how ANDY turns out. so far he is made up of the best of ben and will, and so far - doesn't have too many qualities that aren't good. i think ben and will are made up of the best and worst of david and i, and andy's made up of the best of both of us. hopefully - he continues and stays the sweet, loving, well-mannered boy that he is.

between brothers.....

today, on my way home from picking up ben from school - ben and will started having a conversation that was pretty intense...

ben: you know, i am the boss of you, will.
will: no, you are not. if you are the boss of me then you have to buy me shoes.
ben: i am not buying you shoes, but i am the boss of you.
will: no, you aren't. you aren't a parent.
ben: you don't have to be a parent to be a boss. jamie is our boss and she's not a parent.
will: yes she is.
ben (to me): mommy is jamie a parent?
me: no, she's not.
ben: see will, she is our boss and she's not a parent.
will: well, you have to be a grown-up to be a boss.
ben: whatever will ... i am still your boss. now pick up that penny for me.

it was much funnier than my illustration here. you would of had to hear their tone and the certainty in their answers to one another. sometimes, i get lucky and hear their conversations. it seems pretty intelligent to me and i'm amazed at how well they spar with one another and sometimes - only sometimes - i get lucky and it ends peacefully.

Swimming at the Gym

We have a membership at a local gym, not really so mommy can workout (which I SO need to) - but so that we can use their pool. They have the greatest pool area for kids. It's a beach type - so it has a large pool that is very shallow - which works for me having 3 boys under the age of 7.

The kids have been wanting to go to the gym to swim for quite sometime. Having a pool is essential here. It gets so hot that in the summer - you must be near the water. I finally agreed to take the boys to the pool - all 3 of them. I gave David some much needed time alone.

The boys had a lot of fun. Ben and Will are swimming so well. They were doing well going under water and I feel totally comfortable with them swimming. Which is great b/c Andy is constant. I have to constantly watch him b/c he is not swimming yet. He had a great time. We brought some toys along for him to play with which he really enjoyed. He loves being in the water. He works really hard and plays hard. Which is why it doesn't take him long to get tired. I took Will and Andy into the childcare area and then Ben and i stayed in the pool together for alittle while longer. We went down the big slide a couple of times - which Ben enjoys. It is fun ... but I'm not a fan of heights and the stairs are pretty high to get to the top of the slide.

will and ben swimming together....


andy playing in the shallow end - playing in the sprayers. he loves those.


andy again, playing with his water pail.


andy and ben. i had to pull andy's drink out of his mouth to snap the photo. he didn't want to take a picture : )


ben, will and andy. playing...


will relaxing at rest time.


So after we were done swimming, we went and go the boys and went into the summer fun carnival they were having at the gym. They had blowups, face painting, animal balloons, tons and tons of fun games. The boys really enjoyed it.

andy getting a tattoo (drawing) on his hand of a ball. he kept yanking his hand away from the girl b/c it was tickling him. she was cracking up at him. (will's in the background).


will getting a tattoo of stitches on his forehead.


ben enjoying some popcorn.


It was a great day. It was fun to be with the boys and do something they love. i know we'll spend many more days at the gym in the pool this summer..... for our summer's just getting started.

kate's header....

we were outside playing in the backyard and on the trampoline and david was throwing andy in the air. andy was loving it. you can't actually see david ... he is there - just photoshopped out. pretty clever, huh?

this is my 3rd header for april ....

Ben's performance at school

Ben had his first performance at school. The 1st graders performed at the PTA meeting. Ben did great. He wasn't nervous at all. He had a speaking part and he spoke clearly and did well. We were so proud of him.

Andy, Will and I stayed home. I let David take Ben alone. I actually wasn't feeling well - so it worked out ok. Andy and Will would of been running around going nuts. David took Ben to his performance and then they went and had dinner together. It was nice time for the two of them. I was sad to miss it actually. I had a very hard time staying away. I almost packed up the boys and went to the performance. I didn't feel well - but i felt very guilty for not going. I felt like somehow I was letting him down (mommy guilt)! It turned out ok - Ben wasn't too disappointed with me. He said he was fine with me not going ... but i am still sad.

When he got home, I watched the video and I was very proud of him. His speaking part starts at 1:04. He's so cute and he really did great. He studied for his part all by himself and really took it seriously.

love notes with food...

whenever i make the boys food that require ketchup or some type of dressing - i like to spell out little 'love notes' to them. it's fun and they really appreciate it.

here's one i did for ben...

here i am with my top braces on....

i got my top braces put on april 9 and my bottom will go on may 21.

they put clear on top, but will put metal on bottom.

here's me w/just the top. it's definitely taken alittle to get use to. at first, i didn't know how i would eat - but now that's settled down and i'm doing ok w/them.

i anxious to get the bottom put on so that i can get them removed : )

i know the end result with be worth it - but right now, 2 years seems like a lifetime.

will ... my sweet boy!

will, most of the time, is very sweet. both will and andy love these little smoothies. i think andy had already had like 10 (maybe not quite that many, but it certainly seemed like it). i told andy he couldn't have anymore. but i allowed will one b/c he hadn't had any. he got a smoothie and got 2 straws so he could share with andy.

so sweet.... i love that andy's holding his hand.

andy's 2nd "Word World" birthday party

Andy turns 2 on April 23. We had his party early this year - April 18. When considering his theme - it was no question that it would be a Word World theme. It's a show that comes on PBS during the day. He LOVES it! He watches it over and over throughout the day. It's a great show and he's really learning a lot from him.

I began researching on the internet for ideas. There wasn't alot of information as the show is new. I knew I wanted the cake to be really cute and have the cow, the dog and the frog on it. Those are Andy's favorites. I corresponded with my friend, terri, who makes my cakes and she had some great ideas. I finally gave up and gave all the creativity to her and it definitely paid off. The cake was so cute. And Andy LOVED LOVED it! He was so excited to see it.

if you have never seen the show, everything is spelled out. it's really neat. here's some details from the party:

the cake..




i wanted terri to do something with his name. i wasn't sure what. i told her to make him an animal, any animal. she started thinking about it and then decided to make him 'just andy.' what a great idea. it turned out so cute. and i will keep the little 'andy' made of fondant for a very long time....


the food. light sandwiches, apples, and a vegetable tray.


got a few word world balloons...


goody bags. i couldn't think of an idea. so i got these white bags and thought we could print something on them. david stayed up late and made a template for them and printed 'fun bag' on these white bags and we filled them w/goodies.


balloons. lots and lots of balloons. i also made a banner from the invitation that david created. we hung it over the fireplace on the mantle.


The party started at 1pm and we had lots of guests. Granny and Papa; Aunt Linda, Tiffany, Courtney, mommy's BFF, Angie, and her 2 sons (Brayden and Jared); mommy's oldest friend, Aunt Misty, Uncle Nacho, and her two kids Trey and Adrianna; our neighbors the Guidry's and the Kratz's.

here's granny and you....


from left to right: aunt linda, tiffany, mrs. guidry, jacob, mommy, papa, and granny

Time for presents.... you got lots of great gifts. A big car and a airplane from Granny; coloring book, crayons from Aunt Linda, Tiffany and Courtney; little cars from the Guidry's; the movie Madagascar 2 from the Kratz's; mommy/daddy/ben/will got you a baby doll stroller (blue one); some cash from Misty and her family; and Angie and the boys got you a boy baby doll. You loved all your gifts.... Thank you to our special friends!

the car from granny...

opening a few more. from left to right: ben, jared, mrs. angie, brayden, mommy, jacob, will and you. (i adjusted this photo and thought the tint would be cute. it's not now - i see that. but we'll leave it : )

mommy and the birthday boy... trying to get him to smile.

cake time...

singing "Happy Birthday." We sang once and then you said and signed "more". And again, and again... you were so cute.

here you are blowing out the candles. you blew out one,

then two.... you were so happy!


you and mommy, the kratz kids, and the guidry's son and william. (more photo adjusting : )

mommy's BFF, Misty. she's enjoying a cold beverage... It was a complete surpise that she and her family stopped by. I'm so thankful that they did. It was great to see them and hang out.


And Mr. Misty... also enjoying a cold beverage ... but of a different kind : )

here's your daddy taking pictures and sporting his almost not there hair (that's a story for another day).... and you - crawling on the floor. sometimes you crawl - even outside you'll crawl. it's pretty funny!

Happy Birthday our sweet, sweet ANDY!

Will's trip to the ER

On Friday evening, Ben, Will and Andy were having fun playing in the rain. They were laughing and really enjoying themselves. It was time to come in and I wanted the boys to dry off at the door (as I'd just cleaned the floors to get ready for Andy's party the following day). Will was coming inside naked w/a very long towel wrapped around him. He tripped on the towel and fell on the hardwood floors. He hit his eye on the floor and it split just above his eyebrow. The verdict: 7 stitches.

First photo after the fall. My boys know if there's blood .... we must take a photo before we clean up. Have to document these memories....


Cleaned up a little.....


In the ER. When we first walked up to the doors, Will bolted in the opposite direction. He remembered having to get an IV for lung related issues. Luckily there were 3 policemen outside helping another lady to their car. One of them caught him before he ran into the street and the other showed him his scar from a injury he had in the same place. It helped to get Will through the doors.

Then - he had to talk to everyone, explaining how he and his brother were playing pretend pac-man and he fell and broke his head.


They put a bandage on his head w/numbing medicine, and then gave him a little something extra to drink b/c I told them Will was anxious and would be very difficult otherwise.


A pulse-ox on his toe.... he wanted me to get it glowing.


The doctor beginning to stitch him up. They gave him shots of numbing medicine in the cut. It hurt him pretty bad. But the doctor said "count to 10 and it won't hurt." it didn't take till 10 and Will was saying "this doesn't hurt. hey - it's ok - it doesn't hurt."


a close-up....


another....


After he was stitched up. I took this photo and showed it to Will. He said "Awwweesssssoooommmmeee. Thank you doctor." The doctor, still in the room had a big smile and said "wow, that's the first time I've ever been thanked for stitches." Will of course thought he resembled that of a super-hero.


All -done and enjoying a popsicle while we wait on paperwork....


The medicine that they gave him by mouth made him sorta act as though he was 'drunk.' He was so funny. He couldn't walk well - he was stumbling; his speech was slurred; and he was cracking me up. He kept asking why he was walking funny. Then on the way home he said "can we go back there again. that was so much fun. i want to go everyday! can we go back now?" i wish i would of gotten that on tape....

he goes back in 5-6 days (Thursday) to get the stitches removed.

andy's 2nd birthday party invitation

andy's invite was actually very late going out. i sent out emails to our friends to remind them and give info about the party. we had many photo shoots with him trying to get the right picture, but nothing worked out. we got this photo by accident (as you can see he's wearing his drolled on bib).

david stayed up long hours - making this work.... that husband of mine - is certainly creative. i never doubt his abilities on the computer - he's awesome.

here's the finished result....




i had a banner made up as well....

Kate's headers

David has been designing the headers for the blog, b/c I don't really have the time and frankly he rocks at photoshop and I am still finding my way through it. I can do somethings, but he knows how to work photoshop and use it to it's elaborate ability.

This month (for April) I decided to change the header in honor of Andy. His birthday is April 23 so I wanted to spotlight that. My baby is turning 2! I can't even believe that 2 years has gone by already. He's the most wonderful little person.

So - here's my header I made.... simple, but sweet!

Mommy is getting braces - at 34!

Some of you know that soon - I will be getting braces. In fact, in just over a week I will get my top braces put on. I went last week and my orthodontist put the separators in my back, top molars - to basically stretch them out. Yes - I mean stretch. They told me the pain is worse for adults ... thank you mom! Today is actually the 6th day and my teeth still hurt.

The reason for the braces is because - I have a baby tooth that is not yet fallen out and a permanent tooth that grew in the wrong spot. My baby tooth has recently become loose and so therefore my dentist thinks I should be pro-active about taking care of it (would hate to be walking around toothless - definitely not pretty). After much thought, freaking out, more thought, more freaking out, lots of conversations with anyone who would listen - I decided to get braces.

I go into my dentist on Wednesday of this week to get 2 filings that I need, a wisdom tooth pulled and my baby tooth pulled (all on the top). I have been concerned about getting my baby tooth pulled and having lots of time being toothless. I know, I know - probably doesn't seem like a big deal ... but it really is. It's in the front of my smile and will definitely be noticeable. Luckily, I am a SAHM, don't see many people and can skate through the week before I get my top braces put on. My orthodontist said he would like a week in between the extractions and when he puts the braces on. So - on April 9, I will get my top braces put on. And then hopefully, soon after I will get the bottom. He says I shouldn't have to wait long and I'm counting on that. The quicker I get them on - the quicker I get them off.

I think I am excited about the end result of braces. It will be nice to have straight teeth - but I never thought at my age, I would get them. I guess I figured that baby tooth would stay in forever. After all it's been 34 years. I realized (in all my conversations w/myself and everyone else) that it's better to get them now - then have braces when I'm 50 or when one or all three of my son's get them. The orthodontist says that my overlapping permanent tooth is hereditary, so one or all could have the same problem.

My orthodontist says my treatment should be about 24 months or less. I'm counting on the less. I hope all goes well and it's not too painful for me.

Spring Break Staycation!

The boys had a week out of school - David still had to work, so going away on a vacation wasn't really an option. Unless I wanted to take them alone - which I didn't.

My BFF, Angie, and I decided we would plan fun activities everyday to keep the kids busy. She, too, has 3 kids. Two of which are Ben and Will's age - and her middle one happens to be Ben's BFF. So it worked out great for a fun week.

Day 1: The zoo

I had Ben and Will (Andy was at home w/our babysitter, Jamie). Angie had her 2 boys, her teengae daughter and 2 of her friends. So ... we had a full house. We packed a lunch and headed to the zoo. We decided to go the first day of spring break hoping it wouldn't be that crowded. We were right. It was a great day (crowd wise) for the zoo. It had rained the week before - all week, so it was still alittle chilly out in the morning. It warmed up and turned into a great day.

Below: Will, Brayden, Jared, and Ben

The boys got to an animal encounter. They got to choose between the snake and this huge lizard. They chose the lizard.

Me, Ben and Will. An attempt to get a photo of us. You see Will didn't want to cooperate.

Ben and his BFF, Jared

I always have to bring somethign for Will to ride in. B/c of his lungs - he gets pretty tired quickly.


After it warmed up - the boys (and girls) decided to play in the water.


Here's Will enjoying himself in the water. He was the first one in and kinda the reason the rest of them were in. That's my boy. No fear Will!

Here he is - realizing he's all wet and hates to be all wet.

We had to check out the penquins before we left. Can see the one standing behind them through the glass? He came right up w/them standing there.


Ben, his BFF, Jared and the penquin.


Here's all of us for a quick group shot. The girls met up with us after lunch. They were exploring on their own for the first part of the day. From left to right: ____, Mariah, Me, Will, Callie, Brayden, Ben, Angie and Jared


This is us trying to get the boys out. After a long day - we were exhausted. In the very front, Angie's pushing the empty stroller; Callie and her friend are swinging Brayden, and Mariah is pulling Ben, Will and Jared in the stroller.


Day 2: Joe's Crab Shack

Ben and Will had dentist appointments in the afternoon so we decided to meet in the morning and play until I had to leave to go to the dentist. This time I had all 3 of my boys and Angie had just her 2 boys. Her daughter and friends were at the mall. We had a great time. Angie and I got an appetizer to share and the boys got kids meals - which were only $2 each. Great deal!

Below: Ben, Will, Brayden, Jared

Ben

Andy - he had a great time. Much more than I thought he would. At first he was upset about the sand touching his feet and getting all dirty. Then he surrendered and just jumped right in.


Will putting sand on the slide.

Day 3: Arboretum

I have a membership so I thought it would be a great (cheap) day for us. We again packed a lunch and headed for the Arboretum. I had all 3 of my boys again, and she had her 2 boys, her daughter and 1 of her friends. It's Dallas Blooms right now - so it was packed. I have never been before when it's been that crowded. Luckily, my membership saved us alot of time. There was no line for us - so we got to just go in. The blooms were beautiful and we got some great photos. The kids were able to play in the storybook playhouses that they have on display. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed our day.

Day 4: Mall and Ben's first sleepover

We decided to do something low-key since we had done big field trips a few times already. Angie and I were pretty worn out. We met at the mall. I had Ben and Will (Andy was w/our babysitter, Jamie), and Angie had her 2 boys, her daughter and one of her daughters friends. We let the boys play in the playarea and we ate lunch in the food court. We had a good day.

This was a special day for Ben because he was going to have his first sleepover without me. He's actually had 2 previous ones, but both times I was with him sleeping over as well. He spent the night w/Angie and his, BFF, Jared. They had a lot of fun. Ben went to soccer practice w/Jared and got to play also. Ben really enjoyed himself and said he may even want to play next season (which is awesome!). They played xbox, club penquin and really had a great time. I picked Ben up on Friday afternoon and he was ready to have Jared spend the night with us. He can't wait.