Happy Birthday to You, My Sweet Ben Turns Two!

Well, one week ago today, sweet Ben turned two! What a wonderful two years it has been. He is one of three major joys in my life! I really cannot believe how quickly two years have passed and how big he has gotten. He is a riot and loves his bubba's so much! Throughout the day he will often say "buba school?" He is obsessed with tractors and boats (specifically daddy's canoe and kayak)! Like his buba's, Zac loves the outdoors and loves playing in water... puddles, creek, river, water hose, you name it! He is very loving and a good cuddle bug and he loves his mama and his daddy! He is a tough little cookie who can hold his own against his brothers! He truly can do everything they can do. It is with great excitement that I welcome the upcoming year, but with many tears that I close the door to his first two years as my baby! God could not have given me a greater blessing than the love of this precious little boy. I am forever grateful for Ben, Nate and Zac.

We had a little party on his birthday, the boys and I (Tim was in the throes of a stomach virus). We had cupcakes, sang "Happy Birthday," and opened some gifts. We then celebrated the next day with Nana and Papa Doc over pizza and yummy cupcakes! This boy sure is loved! We will celebrate his birthday with a big family party on October 3rd when we also celebrate the 2nd birthday of cousin Molly! So look for more pictures! Sweet Ben Ben, it has been a fabulous two years! I love you Bennie Boop!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY!

Ode to Peaky...

As you may recall, we acquired a new pet Peacock or Peahen named Peaky! Peaky stayed with us for about a month. She was a constant source of entertainment. She loved to hang out on our porch and poop all over it! We were starting to smell like a zoo. But she was still a cool pet to have.

While I was on my trip to Blytheville and my in-laws were here with the boys, they got to meet Peaky. One day when they were outside 2 peacocks walked out of the woods, Peaky joined them, and the walked back in to the woods. So Peaky is no longer with us but wondering the woods with his friends. Everyday Ben still says Peacock???? Peaky Poopy????? We miss you Peaky!

Lots Go'in on...

School Update!
Well let me just say that the first 2 1/2 weeks of school have "rocked"! It has been a busy couple of weeks. The Tuesday after school started I had to go to Blytheville for 3 nights and days and my fabulous in-laws came down to help shuttle the boys to and fro and to spend time with Ben Ben. The boys had a great time and I think they were pretty good for G & J! I'm so grateful to have such helpful in-laws, parents, and a wonderful husband who doesn't balk at the idea of keeping 3 urchins all by his lonesome! Love ya babe!

Nate's thoughts on school.... "it is fast" (translation it goes by quickly); I like it better than my old school; some days he wishes they still had nap time; he gets "good sticks" pretty regularly (as opposed to getting no sticks) but is bummed if someone gets more than him; he likes the new friends that he has made; oh yeah, and he really likes his teacher Mrs. Burness. As for me, I couldn't be happier with his experience thus far... I'm really having to work at carving out time for homework and spelling practice.... cannot imagine what it will be like in a couple of years.... yikes! Nate takes it all in stride and loves to do his homework. He is so smart and serious, but a goofball sometimes too.... he constantly amazes me and sometimes even reminds me of me (maybe not the soooo smart part but definitely the intense part)! Love him.

Zachy's thoughts on school... "I don't want to go to school today" (this before he gets out of the van); "I had a good day mom," to which I reply, "what was your favorite part?" to which he replies, "my sucker" (this almost every day... hmmmmmmmmmmm)! I only got "ONE minute" (I'm never sure what my reply should be.... not good Zac what did you do???? or thank goodness it was only one!!!!). Zac thinks school is a place for romance.... he has numerous girlfriends, one of which he is overly affectionate with (we've had to have a PDA talk)! My little loverboy.... I just love him so much!

My Sweet Precious Ben Ben. I haven't blogged much about this spectacular creature much lately but he is so funny. It took him several days to adjust to his brother's absence... seriously, the first 3 days were terrible (can't wait to see what Tuesday this week will be like when the boys go back to school after a 3-day weekend)! But now we have our little routine down and he is doing good. I must say, every day little Ben is turning more and more into a little Zac, with some unique variations! This kid does everything full out and doesn't let his age slow him down. I'm am serious when I say that he will attempt anything that his bubbas do and a lot of the time he is successful! He camps, canoes, plays in the creek, plays with the same toys they do, and today I saw him trying to ride the razor scooter... and he was doing it too! His favorite words are outside, tractor, dada, buck (as in deer) and the "most favoritist (ha)" word of all is NO!!!!!!!! (this usually said at the top of his voice in a very not so nice way)! He is very passionate & active! He is my baby and I'm in constant wonder as I watch him grow and change every day.

Watching B is bittersweet in so many ways. It is so fun to know that he can now go with the big boys and do most everything they do, but it is heartbreaking to know that he's not a baby any more. That means all my baby's are growing up. When they are little babies, screaming in the middle of the night with reflux, eating at all hours of the day, never wanting to be let down, spitting up all over everything, constantly dirtying their diapers, you never think that time will come to an end... and then it does..........(O.K. crying now, on to happier thoughts)! He's just so dang cute!

Outdoor Fun

Since I last posted, all 5 of us have camped across the street (this a couple of weekends ago) and had a great time! Ben made it through the night in his pack and play in a tent all by himself! Go Ben Ben! We often go to the creek or river after school to play! Many times we meet sweet Baylie there and play! The boys have also done a little fishing over the past couple of weeks. We grilled the fish below. My boys were not happy when I sat it in front of them and it wasn't covered in "all that brown stuff"! I was told not to cook it the new way again but to cook it the "old way"! Hmmmmmmmmm so much for being healthy!

Labor Day and Friends

This weekend we one of my best friends and her precious son and husband down for the evening to go camping with us! O.K. some camped out in the tents and others camped in the house/guest house! For any of you reading this blog who know my beautiful friend Mica... I just want to say, this girl can camp in a tent just as good as any granola girl! The boys enjoyed having Eli and Belle (Dog) around. And we enjoyed visiting with Mica and Greg and eating yummy BBQ from McClards (thanks guys)!

The next day (Sat.) we woke up and Tim, Greg and all of the boys went canoeing while Mica and I went for a jog and then did a little shopping at the "Farm and Ranch Store"!

After lunch we loaded up the van and truck and headed to Greg's farm in DeQueen! The boys made sure to dress in their western wear... as for me, I don't really have much, but I tried (I've got to get me some cowboy boots.... I'm looking... they will be my BDay present)! We had so much fun riding horses (Dreamer, Max, and Pete) and the Rangers! We got to feet cows, drive off-road road in the truck (hanging out of the windows, the back, the sunroof) feeding the cows and exploring the land. It was such a fun afternoon! I hope we can go back soon..... I looooooooooooooooved riding the horses (I say riding but I really just walked my horse in circles... but I loved it)! It was a wonderful way to spend the first 1/2 of Labor Day with wonderful friends! There are so many fabulous photos it is hard to pick!

One last funny thing.... one of the horses names was Dreamer, Zachy said, "I'll bet he's named that because he dreams a lot..." the other horses name was Pete, to which Zac said "I'll bet he's named that because he pee's a lot..."! That Zac has a lot of insight.... Ha Ha!

O.K., I'll close for now but will post again this week with pics of Benjamin Scott on his 2nd birthday!