Ben's Walking Shoes

Yesterday, Ben got his first real pair of walking shoes. My Mom offered to pay for the first pair of shoes for both my nephew and Ben, so as soon as Ben started really walking, I took up her offer.

Ben, my Mom and I were at Fair Oaks Mall shopping around in the later part of the afternoon yesterday and decided to make a stop at Stride Rite. There were lots of shoes to choose from, but I had an idea of what I wanted to get Ben. I didn't want to deal with laces, something sturdy and that matched with most of his fall outfits. I settled on a brown shoe that looks so cute on him. The picture hardly does any justice as it just looks adorable on my little guy. Ben's foot measured out to be a whooping 5 1/2.

As soon as Ben got his little shoes on, he was off. Since we had to leave to go home for dinner, I allowed Ben to lead the way out of the mall (with some guidance)and just loved listening to him giggle the whole way out. He just loves his new found freedom and shoes!

Family Day

This past Saturday, I challenged my husband to plan a family day. Typically weekends are planned out by none other then yours truely. Therefore, I let him call the shots on our little family date.

After a mid morning/afternoon nap James took the family out to lunch at Jackson's in Reston Town Center. It was a fabulous lunch and my new favorite restaurant. Its expensive, but soooooooooo over the top yummy. Everything I have had there has been delicious. Ben actually ate a good lunch too. He hasn't been eating meals that great, so I welcome every bite I can get into him. It was his first time trying grouper and he loved it. He ate almost his entire kid plate!

Next James decided that we should head over to Reston Zoo. We last went to Reston Zoo for Ben's first birthday. Ben was in awe of the animals, but didn't walk yet and didn't have too much interaction with them. Since Ben has become more mobile and he just loves to feed his dogs snacks, James thought this would be a hit. Ben LOVED it! James purchased a bucket of feed for Ben and Ben (with the help of his parents) feed all the sheeps and goats in the feeding barn. Afterwards we headed to the wagon ride and made friends with a camel. The camels were very friendly, but I was certainly afraid that they would spit on us. At one point, James told me to turn around and the camels head was literally inside the wagon and we were two inches from each other nose to nose. I screamed! I was pretty embarassed about being so scared, but I wasn't expecting it and the other passengers in the car got a good laugh.

In all it was a GREAT family day. I will have to get James to plan more of these outings!

Ben couldn't stop staring at the monkeys






At the Feeding Barn

















The Wagon Ride






This was the camel that was two inches from my face


Okay this girl was crazy


My new FAVORITE Photo

Lots of Little Updates

I can't believe I have been slacking on writing about the most beautiful thing in life, but I am back to talk about my wonderful son. Since the the last Ben post, Halloween has come and gone, November is officially here, we had an historical presidential election and my son has learned how to dance.

Halloween was on a Friday this year, so this meant getting out a bit early (to beat the other parents home) to pick up Ben from day care and head home for an afternoon of fun. We played, sang and he showed me (by pointing and saying) where the dogs were. I am glad he keeps track of them. Someone has to. Once Ben's Dad got home we all had a quick dinner because soon enough it would be Trick or Treat time! Ben was tired after dinner as usual, but I was determined to dress him in his costume and take him out trick or treating. So with a little resistance, I dressed him in his overly cute indian brave costume complete with a feather headband, got the same pumpkin pail I used as a kid, and headed out the door and left Ben's Dad in charge of handing out candy. Ben started walking a while ago, but not steadily enough to go walking around the neighborhood, so I got to carry him. He got heavy quick. After I walked up about a million stairs and made a complete trip around the block, I was done and so was Ben. Thanks Ben for being such a early sleeper! Ben's Dad was sitting outside giving candy and I handed Ben off to be put to bed and I took over the candy passing out until Ben's Dad got back. All in all it was a success. Lots of candy, a short outing to get candy and back home before 7.



I also can not believe that it is November already! Literally it was just a few months ago when we were all sitting on the beach as a family enjoying the warm sun and the ocean breeze. I also can't believe that my little man is turning 16 months old this Saturday. Time has seriously needs to slow down.

I couldn't write a post in Ben's blog without mentioning the presidential election. I can't say that I am 100% happy with the elected President since he supports unmentionable things being okay in terms of unborn babies, but I like his demeanor and charismatic personality. I hope that he will lead the people of this economic problem America has been facing and make a better tomorrow for my son. I can't get passed the baby thing, but it wasn't like I was in huge favor of the other candidate either. I just hope this President does our country right. I believe people have higher expectations of him then most elected Presidents generally have. Maybe he will be the JFK of my son's generation. We shall see.

On a different note, last night (on election night), my son learned how to dance. He used to do his usual side to side sway while sitting down, but he can now dance as a walking silly guy. Perhaps it was the sugar we gave him, as he ate his first candy bar, a Kit Kat, but it was hilarious. Ben will do his baby run from one side of the room to another and do some pivot turn. He loves dancing to Abba just like his cousin Ty. I am sure one day he might be mortified that I wrote about him liking Abba, but he does. So to the future love of his life, Ben liked Abba when he was 15 months old!