Update on Dr. Love

Here is the conversation I had with Benjamin yesterday after school:

B: Mom, E. said she loves me.
M: That was nice of her.
B: Not really. Everybody laughed at me.
M: Why did they laugh?
B: Because E. kept following me around and telling me she loved me and singing a love song to me.
M: Oh. So what did you do?
B: I told her that she could be my girlfriend as long as she doesn't touch me or talk to me or tell anyone. And she can't sing that song any more.
M: That's quite a deal. What did she say?
B: She said yes, of course!

(On a side note, Benjamin told me recently that he plays tickle monster with E. at recess. She chases him and if she catches him, she gets to tickle him. I guess if he didn't let himself get caught all the time, she wouldn't have been able to fall in love with him!)

A personal moment of gratitude

While blog hopping, I came across this blog. And it caused me to really stop and think about my "trials", which are nothing in the grand scheme of things.

So today, I am grateful for:
a son that doesn't like to listen
a son who is so tenderhearted it makes me crazy
a son who is trying to prove that it isn't only cats who have nine lives
a daughter who, for the past few days, is trying to beat her record for overall fussiness

And I promise myself to hug them a little longer each day.

A Conversation with Benjamin

This kid is so funny. He comes up with the most bizzare/amazing ideas. It's hard not to laugh when Benjamin is around.

This conversation was prompted by something that I found in his backpack. On the back of a homework paper was written "I know your full name. It's Christy Watley. I know your other full name. It's Christy R*****." (I can't remember it)

Mom: So, Benjamin, why did you write that?
Benjamin: Cause I wanted to tell Mrs. Watley I knew what her name was.
M: You really like Mrs. Watley don't you?
B: Yeah.
M: What do you like so much about her?
B: (Shrugs his shoulders and blushes)
M: Do you think she's nice? I think she's really nice.
B: Yeah, she's probably the best kindergarten teacher ever.
M: Do you think she's pretty? I think she's beautiful.
B: Yeah, she's pretty.
M: I'm glad you like her so much. You are lucky to have a special kindergarten teacher.
B: I'm lucky alright!
M: So what about the other girls in your class? Do you think any of them are pretty?
B: Well, we need to keep this between the two of us, because if any of the girls heard what I was going to say, they would try to attract me.
M: I promise I'm not going to tell any of the girls in your class.
B: Well, I think M is pretty of course. And I think C is pretty, and K and E and one more, T.
M: T has really pretty hair.
B: I guess, but I like her cause she's got the bling.
M: The bling? What is that?
B: It means she dresses with the bling. You know, she dresses appropriately.
M: Dresses appropriately - I don't get it.
B: It MEANS she dresses to attract! Do you get it now?

I already knew he was an early bloomer where girls were concerned. But after this conversation, it's clear that I'm going to have to really keep an eye on him!

Annual Bluebonnet Extravaganza

Here are some shots from our annual trip to the bluebonnets. Some are better than others, and some showcase the kids' personalities perfectly. Take special note of Benjamin's Egyptian arms and Nicholas pushing Benjamin's nose -- classic White House behavior!

8 Months Old

Eliana turned eight months old yesterday. What a sweet girl she is. And even though she still cries more than any baby I've ever known, and some days nurses more than she breathes, and only naps for 15 minutes at a time, I can't imagine not having her. She is a gift.

Happy Birthday Sam!

Yesterday Sam turned 8. I can't believe that eight years has gone by since I held my first baby for the first time. So in honor of Sam's birthday, here are some things about Sam:

1. When Sam was younger, he was incredibly patient. He never cried or was the least bit fussy. He was the perfect first baby.

2. Sam's first word was bear, because he loved to see "Bear in the Big Blue House." His next word was outside, because he loved to look out the window and be outside. Then came Daddy, and about 5 words later came Mommy. When he was a year old, he could say over 75 words clearly. (we should have sensed trouble at that point!)

3. Sam has been a daddy's boy from day one. We used to joke that he only loved me for my food. Even as a baby, he preferred his dad -- he would even reach for his dad immediately after nursing. And to this day, he's still a daddy's boy.

4. Sam was "Sammy" from the minute he was born. He's still called Sammy by most of our extended family. After his first day of Pre-k, he came home and told me that he wanted to be called Sam. It was a little sad for me.

5. Sam has the most incredible imagination I have ever seen. He can come up with the most elaborate games and "pretend worlds" for him and Benjamin to play. He can build the most amazing things out of paper and tape. He never ceases to amaze me with the things he comes up with.

6. Sam likes to be funny. It all started when he was about 2 and I would ask him a question. He would get this silly look on his face and say, "Do-de-da!" For example -- "Sam what is your favorite color?" "Do-de da!" " Sam, what do you want for lunch?" "Do-de-da!"
He still likes to be funny. And sometimes I get frustrated when it's time to be serious, but I do appreciate the fact that he likes to laugh and have a good time.

7. Sam can be a lot of talk, but little action. Like his run in with snakes.
He LOVES everything snakes, but freaked out a little when he saw one. He's the same way with spiders. He laughs at me when I get grossed out about a spider, but he won't go even put on his shoe if it has a cobweb on it for fear that there's a spider around.

8. Sam loves to learn new things. He went through a dinosaur phase when he was 4 or 5, and completely immersed himself in finding out everything there is to know about dinosaurs. He's loved anything science/technology for as long as I can remember. He loves to read anything science related. He loves to share his information too. I admire his passion for learning -- he jumps in with both feet and doesn't stop until he considers himself an expert.

So, happy birthday Sam. May your year as an eight year old be a good one with laughs and learning and many happy memories. We love you!