Blue and Gold

   
     I didn't realize the Blue and gold Banquet was such a big deal.  I don't remember much from attending scouts with my brothers.  Crazy, I know, growing up with three brothers I probably should have picked up a lot more scouting knowledge than I possess.  Thank goodness for Dean.  He's already read through the Wolf handbook and has Ben well on his way to becoming a Bobcat and he's only had his uniform a week.

Hooray for uniforms, and neckerchiefs, and patches, and pocket knifes.

"Everything is awesome"... when you're eight!

     Happy Birthday, Benjamin!  It's great to be eight!  Ben, the special valentine Dean and I both share.  He came into this world reluctantly on a stormy afternoon eight years ago. His reluctance has turned into a steadiness that I envy.  Of all the holidays to celebrate your special day on, this one seems to have a perfect balance of being just special enough to set you apart and make people say, "oh, a valentine's birthday", and giving everyone else the chance to feel special and celebrate too.  It fits Ben, a pleaser to the max, (unless it's his parents) making him feel special, but letting him celebrate everyone else too.  There is always added thought that goes into his class valentines and he makes sure we have a special treat for the School Valentine Party that coordinates with his birthday theme. Pretzel rod lightsabers in Kinder, last year, glazed doughnuts (rings) for The Hobbit, and this year, Lego face cupcakes.  I'm not exaggerating, he comes up with this stuff himself. 

     He refused to deviate from our standard Friday fare, so pizza it was.  Heart shaped, of course. We've tried going out, but it is impossible to take Ben to dinner., the crowds are insane and no one believes it's his birthday.  They all think we're trying to score a free dessert for V-day.

It's supposed to be a giant Lego head.  At least Ben knew what it was.

     Perhaps the ultimate gift.  A pocket knife smuggled secretly through the mail from Utah.  The very one he had begged and begged Dean for this past summer. Of course it's his favorite gift, what eight year old boy doesn't want his own pocket knife?  I believe his actual words were, "Dad, this is the best gift ever, EVER!"

Ben at eight:  

Favorite color - gold

Favorite hobby/toy - Legos, the Golden Ninja

Favorite food - chicken nuggets

Favorite books - The Hobbit and Harry Potter

When I grow up I want to be a - scientist, so I can build a shrink ray

I want to serve a mission in - Utah!...or Hawaii

Favorite birthday present - pocket knife

Best Friends - Byrdie and Henry in Ut, Tucker in Al

Favorite school subject - math and recess

  

   
     Ready to watch the Lego Movie.  Five new friends went with us to see what Ben has dubbed, "the awesomest movie ever".  He was really torn up about not having three very cherished friends from Ogden there to celebrate with him.  We're learning there can be room for new friends even though we wish we were still with the old ones.  Dean and I came away with the knowledge that the questionable behavior and quirkiness we've noticed recently in Ben is TOTALLY normal as evidenced by Ben's birthday guests and their conversations too and from the theater. He's gonna be just fine!

     As we settle into eight, I'm optimistic.  There are lot's of new responsibilities and privileges that come with eight.  An upcoming baptism and a baseball season that required a "tryout" are just some of the new exciting things for this birthday boy.  He's got a pocket knife and 364 more days of being eight, so watch out!
Everything really is AWESOME!

Birthday Sneak Peek

     When the release of the new Lego Movie coincides with your big day, your birthday party pretty much plans itself...

Upscale Resale

     Sis and I had ourselves a "girls day" today.  Well, sort-of.  It started out as a "let's go find Benjamin a suit for his Baptism" day and evolved into a girls day with two boys in tow.  The flyer came home, "Upscale Resale, from one well dressed child to another."  Thinking this might be the perfect opportunity to score a blazer for Ben's big event, I piled everyone into the car even though Dean is on-call this weekend and that usually means we stay put.

     It's held at the Houston County Farm Center and I really wish I'd remembered my camera.  It's a large metal warehouse with rows of double hung children's clothes.  Imagine an industrial version of Kid to Kid.  Mostly little girl stuff, I can't quite figure out what people do with all their boy clothes in this city?  The thrift stores here have much more girl stuff than boy stuff too.  Speaking of thrift stores, I now know why the only clothing I find there have Faded Glory labels.  Because everyone saves their stuff for this event.  A tad overpriced for my taste, and all that smocking! (I know we're in Alabama, but little girls can wear an un-smocked dress.)  But we did score some sweet additions to our Summer wardrobe.   Mostly from the shoe department.

     I have not forgotten the sweaty baby feet, and their smell, from last summer.  I'm hopeful these will take us through 2015.  Gold and white, they'll go with everything.  I'm not sure how well picked over the shoes had been.   Today was the last day and some items were marked 1/2 price.  The cashier did comment that she was glad these "well loved" shoes had found a home.  Who cares how loved they are if they're leather and less than $5!
     And, we may not have found a blazer, seriously, moms of older boys, where do you find these things for a reasonable price?, but we did purchase the only shoes for a child older than 5.  A pair of handsome brown dress shoes for Ben.  At least his feet will look nice for the baptism.

     One last thing I took away from today?  The compliments I got on sweet Sadie's outfit.  Imagine my surprise when four different women stopped me to ask where I had gotten her leggings? sweater?  "Did you find that outfit at the mall? I love it!".  I honestly didn't know what to tell them.  The only thing purchased at retail price is the zebra print tunic still in use well after it's 9 mo tag.  The sweater pants, handmade.   Personally,  I always think she looks a little haphazard.  I try to imitate the beautifully mis-matched outfits I see in the Boden catalogs, but I always feel I come up short.  Anyway, today I left feeling satisfied that maybe the "well loved" shoes we purchased won't look so "used" when they're paired with a sweet thrifted sundress and a hand knit vest I have in mind.  

Thanks, Mom

     My sweet mom still sends me a Valentine.  Even now, pushing 36, I got a Valentine from her yesterday in the mail.  It's silly, but it's bulk pizza dough from Win-CO, and it's EXACTLY what I wanted!!  Thanks, mom.  I love you bunches.  

100 Days

 

     I'm not sure if you can see the tears, but Alan was one grumpy old man when he headed to school for his "100 Days" celebration.  He was convinced that no one else would be dressed up and then when we arrived and he realized I was right, he was even more unhappy.  

     They both went to school in tears.  Ben, upset because his class wasn't dressing up and Alan, because his was.  Two very different boys, both equally as stubborn when they really want or don't want something.

Groundhog Predictions

    We've celebrated our Groundhog weekend with short sleeves and lots of outdoor play during a very mild weekend.  We went from 25* on Thursday to 72* by Sunday.  Needless to say the yard and garden are in desperate need of some attention, but we shirked our duty Saturday morning and went to art class instead.  The boys practiced "art made from repeating shapes" as featured in the framed piece behind them.   The heart stamp was cleverly made from a toilet paper roll.  

     We hope our days get longer and warmer as we head into February.  

"Did the Groundhog see his shadow?" Ben asked this morning.  

"Um, I don't know, should we go check the internet?"  I answered.   

"No, it doesn't really matter because it's almost Spring here" said Ben, and Alan asked, 

"What's a Grindhug?'

 We don't know what Punxsutawney Phil the "Grindhug" did or didn't see , we were too busy enjoying what feels like an early Spring.  Either way, we'll soak up the warmth while we can.