Can’t Cut the Curls!!!!

The topic is widely discussed among those who see Ben.  The Curls.  Are they from my sister, Amy, or are they from Bubba’s brother, Chris?  I have no earthly idea but friends, these curls have lately become the signature of a fiesty, stubborn 18 month old, and I am obsessed!

From the front, Ben’s curls just peek out. 

And then he turns around.

And BOOM!  Curl Central! 

And the side view is a bit Bozo the Clownish at times but this momma is so in love with these curls!

Some may look at this uncut hair and think- “That girl needs to cut that babies hair, for pete’s sake!”  Others are on Team Curls and say “Don’t you cut that baby’s hair!”.  So seeing as how I am still totally attached, and seeing as how some people (of course myself included) still can’t resist these precious curls… They shall remain around a bit longer! 

Ben’s Backyard Adventures!

Good thing Ben can’t talk back to us because if I have told him once, I have told him twice!  “Ben, you are not as old as they are!”  I am sure if he could talk back, he would disagree because these days, Ben doesn’t just seem to think he can do everything the big kids do, he does everything the big kids do, just to prove me wrong! (At least I think!)

Whether it is the supper table where he refuses to eat in his highchair but instead proves he can eat at the big table with us or when you tell him it is bathtime and he tries so hard to pull his clothes off before heading upstairs or putting on his own shoes.  The kid is surrounded by older people and he is picking up things quick!

Take outside…our playground has a mini climbing wall that leads to the platform area where you sit in preparations for your trip down the slide.  I turned around the other day only to see Ben himself climbing up the climbing wall, crawl onto the platform and sit at the top of the slide.

At first I thought he was too scared to go until I realized he was waiting on me to say “Ready, Set, Go!”  It was then he yelled back in his most precious sounds - ‘Gah” (or GO in Ben talk) and slid down all by himself!  Of course I was there to pick up the shattered mess of a toddler I thought I was going to have but no friends, my little love, stood up, woodchip covered hiney and all and went right back for round 2! 

And don’t tell this baby he can’t ride a scooter!  His little legs might not make this scotter go the way it was intended but I can promise you this one can scoot around this yard!  He clearly was born  a natural scooter rider!

Finally, why swing in the baby swing when this double horsey swing is so much fun!  This little love can not only crawl up here by himself, but he can rock it until it swings too!  Who knew my 18 month old could be such a pro at playground equipment?!

I know my days are numbered here.  I clearly have a baby that can scale climbing walls and playground equipment without my help.  I know it is only a matter of days before his crib escape occurs!  God bless our souls when it does! 

Mommy Charlie Day

I am a horrible mother for just posting this!  AGHHH the woes of an iPhone.  My pictures end up on there and not on my computer like they should!!!

 

Recently, I promised Charlie that we would spend a special day together.  We were going to do one thing I picked and one thing he picked!  My pick was a given!  I adore special times together and I loved finding the perfect books to read with Charlie at the library!  He was so proud of how he signed his name on his library card! I practically was puddling at the counter!  Sappy I know!  The kid was beyond thrilled to find rows of books on dinosaurs, sharks, pirates and trucks!  He wanted every book to go into his bag and could barely make it through a whole book while we were reading because his eyes would be locked on a new book to enjoy! 

Charlie was very clear about where would we would be eating lunch.  He wanted a hot dog from the Country Club and a Coke.   Easy enough, I can handle that!  So away we went!  After our poolside feast, Charlie accomplished a summertime milestone!  The Diving Board!  Of course, I was sitting close nearby thinking my sweet baby was too small to do such a big boy thing!  Why I even though that is beyond me!  Does this look like a child who had any fears of a diving board?!  I think not…

He was SO proud of himself for jumping off the diving board into the deep end!  We had a little weepy moment about not being able to dive but I quickly reminded him his diving skills would come! 

I loved, loved, loved my special day with my little man!  I can not even believe he is a 4 year old jumping off diving boards!  I am pretty sure yesterday I was feeding him a bottle!!! 

Charlie, I loved my day with you and wished I could have your excitement and gusto for adventure!  You are fearless, tenderhearted and tough!!!  Never forget that I love you Lots & Lots!

The End is Drawing Near …

My how time flies!  In the blink of an eye it has gone from June to August or better known as Back To School! 

One more day to spend with my loves before reality sets in!

What will I do when I don’t have there loves to keep me laughing, smiling and pretty much crazy throughout the day? 

 

So sad summer break has only 1 day left!!!

Round 4

I suppose it is about time… The Bailey household is now experiencing their 4th round of …

That’s right friends, Ben has discovered Elmo!  And he is holding on tight every chance he gets!

 

This morning I dug from the depth of the TV cabinet an Elmo movie and I am pretty sure Ben thought the skies parted in the world of Ben!

So after his short attention span faded from the movie, he moved to lovin on Elmo! 

 

Today, Elmo has had a healthy dose of Diet Coke

 

and ample stroller rides!

 

Pretty sure if this Elmo could talk, he would say it is certainly bedtime around here!

Memories from Pawleys … continued

I don’t know of a human alive who can go to the beach and not feel as though all they do is eat themselves silly!  Eating always seems to be at the heart of a beach week!  My little eater Bess showed up her Uncle Jeffery when she polished off a carton of crab dip!  Who knew the child would eat crab dip?!  And just when you thought no one was looking… even when you were being extra sneaky… you got caught eating the cheese balls!!!

The afternoons at Pawley’s were perfect for the big kids to play and little man and one lucky winner to stay back home for a quick nappy!  It was calm, quiet and so relaxing.  After sweet Ben woke up, to the front porch we would head to see the sights of the marsh! 

 

After this year, I am truly questioning why we have ever gone to the beach without a wagon?!  Seriously the best item we had with us!  Each day, Bessie and Ben took to their seats, piled high with gear, and headed off to the sand that awaited us!  BEST.IDEA.EVER!!!

 

Bess was all over the place this year at the beach.  Although her boogie board is bigger than she is, it was never a problem for this surfer girl!  She was determined to ride the waves and show her moves! 

 

Ben continued to be amused by the sand in the puddles!  He loved to cover his hands up in it and watch it fall off!  He quickly learned you could cover others in sand and boy, did he find that amusing!  He was a happy camper in his puddles!

 

Charlie was anxious to learn to use the skin board this year at Pawleys.  Not that I could offer much support or guidance here, he did the best he could! 

 

When I say Wylie loved boogie boarding, I mean every word of it!  She was in the water from start to finish unless you gave her a snack and then Junkfood Jane was quick to break!  She absolutely loved it!!

Lucy and Bessie continued to be best buddies all week!  These 2 were never far from one another.  Their little giggles and screams were so much fun to watch and hear! 

These 3 were happy to kill many beach hours playing mermaid in the sand! 

 

I snapped this sweet pic of all 4 girls feet!  Wish I could have recorded the video of their sweet laughter too!

 

You aren’t relaxed on the beach unless you can fall asleep in your chair!  Clearly DooDad had no problem doing this and Ben was quick to show he could do it too!  Amen for catnaps on the beach!

 

In an effort to keep up healthy despite the disgusting amounts of beach junk food, Amy lead us in yoga on the rainy afternoons to entertain the children we so badly needed to settle down!  Clearly my children have the yoga moves!

 

What do you do when it rains and the beach and you have 5 antsy kids all inside a beach house.  Answer:  give them glow in the dark glasses and tell them to play in a closet!  Worked like a charm!  Thank you Dollar Store for all that you have!!!

 

Jeffery helped keep the moods of our lunchtime crew happy and patient while lunch was being served by playing pirates with the kiddos!  Just look at the many faces a pirate can have!!

  

Pretty sure… life at the family beach week is truly wonderful!