May 19, 2011: My Cautious Kid Out of His Comfort Zone!

Ben is so lucky to have both sets of grandparents close by and Jon's parents are retired so every now and then he gets to have a day with Grandma and Grandpa McCarthy. On this day, Dave and Flora were coming out to us in Langley and Dave was going to stay with Ben while Flora, Jacob and I went shopping for my birthday.

Of course Ben loves to wake up early so, while we waited for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive we headed to the park to kill some time.

Here are some of my favorites:


(We were so thankful for the beautiful weather and a nice park closeby!)



Ben was pretty tired even at 9 in the morning so, when Grandpa came and they got to go to the park again, Ben rode his bike there but Jon's dad had to carry Ben and his bike home. Sorry Dave :)



I couldn't believe how adventurous Ben is becoming. He's definitely a cautious kid and gets that from both of us but, while a lot of kids just need a few moments to warm up to something and give it a try, we're learning that Ben needs a few visits to a place before he'll really start to explore. We've been to this park countless times and the last few times we've been there he's gone a little bit higher each time on this wall. He doesn't like to be rushed but, when he's ready to try something, he goes about it methodically and with a mini version of my 'determined face' as Jon likes to call it. I love learning about the inner workings of my little boy!

Ben assessing the rock wall and deciding his plan of attack!



Mr. Smiles! (can't wait till I have more to write about this little guy but he's definitely making more sounds and letting me know what he needs these days....I'm sure it will go by so fast!) On a drive home today from Abbotsford, Jacob was chatting away in the car seat and Ben was copying his sounds. They were both giggling and I couldn't help but smile. I think we have  a lot of fun in our future!



One more of my boy looking so much older these days!



After the park, Ben got to play with his Grandpa while I shopped with Jon's mom and we had a great time. We enjoyed one anothers' company and had a great lunch at Olive Garden. I am very blessed with loving in-laws and am thankful for their acceptance of me, their love for their son and their love for our kids. Thanks McCarthy's!

May 17, 2011: Playdate at the Park

In this fabulous phase of my life on maternity leave, I'm so lucky to have friends who are off at the same time. Some of us ladies from home group decided to make a point of getting together as often as possible and set Tuesdays apart as our unofficial dates to hang out!

This Tuesday we headed to Kathryn's place to meet up and then walked to Starbucks and off to Douglas Park. The park was great and the sun came out to greet us as well. I loved having gorgeous weather and some beautiful little models! Here are some pics of Jonah and his gorgeous white blond curls that I not-s0-secretly covet and wish my boys had!



What an adorable kid!



I love watching moms with their kids and this sequence with Kathryn and Jonah was too adorable not to include! Kathryn, you are beautiful and you have a beautiful boy!

A few of my little man!



Ben found a nice dirt hole and set up camp!



Yep - it didn't take him long to start putting the dirt in his mouth :) Reminds me of all the times I've picked him up from the outside play area of daycare only to find dirt on his lips or chalk about to enter his mouth. Awesome.



Jonah joined him and brought a toy of his own so Ben was happy to welcome him into his dirt hole. I couldn't help myself and had to include most of these photos because their expressions were priceless.

I love how disgusted Jonah looks at the fact that he's getting dirty!

I find it absolutely hilarious when kids who are playing together look like they've just noticed that someone is there next to them.

Ali was telling me that she was trying to get Caden to smile for the camera to practice for Kyle and Lindsay's wedding so I thought I'd help too :)



Ali & Cole/Juliet & Ethan - seriously stunning moms.



A few shots of the youngest member of the crew - Cole Kooger. Smaller than his brother was when he was a baby but still so cute!

A few more that I couldn't resist!



Back to the blond, curly haired toddler :)



And more of Jonah!



A few of the two oldest boys - Ben & Caden. These two have just started to really play WITH each other and it's so cute. They run after one another and Ben tries to mimick what Caden says. Such good little buddies :)



Thanks ladies for such a great day together. I love hanging out with all 3 of you and your kids and, even though we're often running after one of our kids mid-conversation, I find that I'm truly enriched by your company and friendship. Love you guys and looking forward to more fun!

May 14, 2011: Kobe's 3rd Bday Party

Jon's best friend, Mike, had a little boy 3 years ago this May and I seriously couldn't believe that we were already going to his 3rd birthday party. We hadn't seen them in awhile and he had grown up so much! Ben was mostly enamored with the multitude of ride-on toys in Kobe's backyard and was too afraid of the bouncy castle and trampoline but he kept busy riding in the excavator, mowing the lawn with a toy mower and riding on a toy tractor. The poor kid is deprived on ride-on toys at home so he was getting it all in while he could!

The very handsome birthday boy, Kobe!



This kid has an awesome smile and the best hands or 'man-mitts' as I like to call them :)



Kobe is huge into transformers and this was a new birthday toy.

I think he just might be a bit of character, like his dad!



I wanted to get a few pics of Kobe and Ben and Ben was already riding the tractor so I told Kobe to hop on. Ben wasn't too sure what to make of it but I think the expressions on their faces are priceless!



Cake and games!



A little buzz lightyear pinata time! I love the middle picture on the right. It looks like Ben is having a conversation with Buzz before swatting at him!

A few more of the two buds.



I think this photo below is one for the books! If Kobe and Ben turn out anything like Mike and Jon, this will end up in their wedding slideshows!



The boys!



Thanks Mike and Meleaha for a great party. It has been so great getting to know you guys over the years and watching your family grow. Mike, thanks for being such a great friend to Jon and for welcoming me so kindly into your group of friends when Jon and I started dating. We can't wait to meet your new little girl in just a few short months and look forward to so many more wonderful memories made together while our kids grow up and become friends themselves. Lots of love to your whole family!

May 13, 2011: My boys

After the mom's event at Jericho Ridge in the morning, Ben, Jacob and I spent some quality time in the backyard so as not to waste the gorgeous weather!

We had a nice little A&W picnic and then I set up the tripod to get some pictures of the three of us....This first photo was my practice and, as you can see, I didn't quite get it right but I love Jacob and Ben's looks in this picture so I'll post it anyways!



Just to give you some context and perhaps show you how committed I am to making photo memories - just before I set the timer for these next 3 photos, Ben informed me that he was pooping. Did I stop and change his diaper? Nope, just tried not to take too many deep breaths, took a few more photos and then dealt with the diaper. Priorities, right?

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I really don't remember Ben being this smiley at 3 months!



And a few different expressions from the little 'big' guy.



Jacob had just got his 2 month shots a few days before and we found out that he was 14 pounds 4 ounces. This kid is growing so much faster than Ben. He already fits into a lot of Ben's 6 month and 9 month clothes and is in the 95th percentile for length and 75th percentile for height.



Just a few of the two brothers. Pretty sure these two are going to be great friends!



I love these little boys and, even when our picnic is interrupted by the voice of my 2 1/2 year old declaring 'I'm pooping,' there are still some fun memories to be captured and we had a blessed day in our sunny backyard.

May 12, 2011: Strong Start

This particular Thursday got a great start with my friend, Kathryn and her little guy Jonah as we headed off to check out 'Strong Start' - a FREE, pre-school-like set-up at some of the local schools in Langley. I had heard about it from another teacher friend and had been meaning to check it out with Benjamin. It was AWESOME and SO worth it!

We got there early (which apparantly wasn't as necessary as I thought...sorry Kathryn!) to ensure that we could get in, signed the boys up and they immediately were able to play at the various stations set up throughout the classroom. It was so much fun watching Ben in a kindergarten-like setting and it was definitely nice to be surrounded by new things to entertain and intrigue him!

I even got some time just to hang out with him as a grandmother, who was there with her granddaughter, wanted to hold Jacob for awhile. Ben and Jonah had so much fun checking out all of the cool stations, like dress-up, painting, cars, puzzles, coloring etc and it was so nice to be able to go with a friend. I don't think I would have branched out and tried it on my own so thanks, Kathryn, for making it a great experience with great company!

Jonah and Kathryn had to leave after a little while but Ben, Jacob and I stayed for snack time, circle time and a little walk where the kids held on to a rope with multi-colored circles designating each of their spots. As I watched Ben walk with the other kids while holding on to the rope, I couldn't help but get a twinge of what it will be like when he goes off to school. I didn't think I'd be one of those emotional moms who cry when their child starts kindergarten but I have a feeling I shouldn't count it out as a possibility and I guess that's ok :)

After we got home, Ben had a great lunch and an awesome nap so we decided to head back outside to the park until Jon got home. As usual, I dressed Ben in some photo-inspiring clothes and brought the camera with us!

This particular day Ben didn't mind posing for a few pics before we left the backyard!



Awhile ago, when I was home with Ben, I was leaning against the island in the kitchen with my feet crossed and Ben came up to me, leaned on a cupboard and crossed his feet. When I asked Ben to pose for the pictures below, he did the same thing. This kid definitely cracks me up :) I think the bottom left one is my fav!





Ben is growing up so fast and these photos below just make him look so much older than I feel he should be!



Snack time!



The ever-so-easy-going Jacob!



My little man stopping for a rest!



Ben is always showing me something new, pointing out an airplane before I even hear it or just telling me what to do ;) I think the photo below on the right captures that perfectly :)



Something must have caught his eye for me to get a few close-ups!



As much as I may dress Ben up, he really does love all of his fun hats and, if I take it off or it falls off, he has a very particular way of putting it back on that can only be done by him. The same goes for baseball caps and, I love how he puts it on the exact same way as his daddy. I think this kid already adores his dad and rightly so!



We love our local park!



I really love those eyes :)



When we got home, we made some cookie dough (I was feeling domestic), got supper ready, had some baths, put both boys to bed and then I was wiped!



It was a long day but such a great day and after 16 hours alone with my boys, I am so grateful for them but especially grateful for the help of my husband on every other day. Praise God for parenting as a team effort!