Williamsburg Trip

The family is finally back after a week long trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. It certainly was quite a busy trip and Ben was really a trooper with all the activities we had planned on a daily basis. I am pretty proud of him!

We met up with Nagypapa and Nagymama Sunday at the Wyndham Patriots Place timeshare my Uncle gifted us. We went out for dinner and mostly relaxed discussing plans for the next day. Ben was absolutely thrilled exploring the new space, but I believe he was a little confused although happy that his Nagypapa and Nagymama were there.

On Monday we visited Colonial Williamsburg. I think Ben loved getting on the bus from the visitors center to the site and back the most, as riding a big bus (he is really into school buses) is just the coolest thing to him. He did enjoy running around the magazine and was quite interested in the large barrels that were located on the second floor of the building. Ben also really liked looking in the different buildings and running around in the garden that was behind the building that had all the spinning wheels (the name of that building is escaping me now). He also enjoyed seeing the horses and oxen. We didn't allow him to pet the oxen, but he did thoroughly enjoy petting the horses and was quite gentle with them. After lunch Ben was pretty exhausted so our little family headed back to the timeshare place while Nagypapa and Nagymama explored more of Williamsburg.

On Tuesday we headed back to Williamsburg to look at the hospital and some area shops. Ben was pretty unsure of the hospital and to be honest the hospital freaked me out a bit. The shops of course were fun to gander at, but as anyone that has a toddler...you learn to look quickly at things.

Later that day after nap time we went to the indoor swimming pool. Ben surprised us after being such a fish in Miami to now being afraid of going into the water. We tried coaxing him and showing how safe he would be, but he wasn't having any of it. We decided that maybe he was too cold in the pool so we would try the hot top (without the bubbles) since it was just more warm then hot. He enjoyed that much more as it wasn't as massive and the steps were not as deep for him to step into. It just goes to show that toddlers frequently change their minds on what they like or what they don't like. I am not sure why he isn't liking pools as much right now, but hopefully with our summer pool passes we will get soon...he will soon be over his fears. We of course will take it slow. It could change again very easily.

On Wednesday we headed down to Norfolk. I loved seeing the water and Ben was quite impressed as we passed different water beds while we drove over the bridges and was pointing out all the different boats he saw. We took a tour of the Navy Base while we were there, which included another bus ride. Ben was quite happy riding the bus yet again! He loved looking at all the different destroyers and other various ships. He would point to them and call them "boats". After our tour we headed down to the harbor and had a delicious lunch outside. The weather was perfect and we even had a nearby quacking duck that Ben was enthralled with. After a quiet drive back and later that night, the entire family went to Christina Campbell's Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. Ben was pretty good for such a nice sit down meal and I couldn't of been more proud of him.

On Thursday Amy and Ty were to arrive later in the afternoon, so we planned an easy morning/afternoon activity. We went to the outlets for a while and did a few other little things that each of us wanted to do. Once Amy and Ty arrived we headed out to the indoor pool once again. Ben still was not having us take him deep into the pool, but happily played with us on the first two steps. He's a boy that likes control! : )

Friday was an extremely fun day. We had planned to visit Busch Garden's with the entire family. The boys both really loved the Sesame Street portion of the park. I rode several rides with both my nephew and son. Both boys had the sweetest smiles and giggles as they explored all the different things to explore and do. Ben was star struck once again in meeting all the Sesame Street characters (Elmo, Big Bird, Grover, Zoe, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie) and loved hugging each and every one of them. His little smile in seeing each of them and how thrilled he was has not yet left my mind. After we explored the Sesame Street portion of the park it was time for lunch and we all agreed to eat in Germany. As we headed into the German section of the park, we found a quiet, serene balloon ride that the boys wanted to ride. My sister and I were both a little surprised that parents could not ride, so we let the boys ride together...alone. It was the first ride Ben has EVER rode alone and I was nervous. I think he liked having that bit of freedom riding alone and did perfect! Once we made it to Germany it was time for one of their shows. Both Ben and Ty were eyeballing the performance and probably wondering what the heck was going on, but were awesome sports and very attentive for two little toddler boys. After lunch we headed to the bi-plane ride, which both boys got on very nicely. Ben did not quite get the concept of pulling the stick up (or maybe he did and didn't want to) so his plane would go up in the air. He rode by himself in the allies plane #7. In the next ride he rode with his cousin so he could go up in the air. That was a mistake. He hated the height and cried most of the way. Poor guy! He does have some height fear, but it depends per situation. I felt badly, but I wouldn't of known unless we tried. Next we rode a boat ride, which Ben was not too keen on. He didn't cry on the ride but he was not thrilled either. We attributed to him being tired, so after a semi melt down our family decided to part with my sister, nephew and parents as we were going to take Ben back to the timeshare place to nap. We didn't even make it out of the park before he was passed out in his stroller, so instead of leaving we went back to the German food hall and let him nap peacefully. After his nap we met up with the rest of the family again and rode a few more rides. Ben really loved the train ride and did great on it. He did however require that his Dad or I hold his hand, which one of us was going to do anyways, but it was still sweet.

Saturday was our last day and man I think I was already exhausted from the long day before. We all decided to visit Jamestown. The boys really liked the Indian village. Ben LOVED running from house to house looking at all the different settings. Next we went to see the ships, but Ben was having no part on going on any of them. I am not sure why, but he was fearful so we didn't go. After everyone else explored the ships we went inside the fort. The boys both enjoyed looking at houses, but in my opinion I think they liked the stage area that held the cannons the most. Jamestown concluded our trip and made our way home escaping the hot, humid air to the comfort of our air conditioned cars.

Williamsburg was a lot of fun. It was certainly busy, but I think trips like this in showing Ben a new place he has never been too is important. I am sure we will be back someday as he gets older. I am glad to be home, but glad to have another set of wonderful memories to look back on.

Benjamin Mikes

Just thought I would write a fun blog on why I LOVE Benjamin.

I love his beautiful, bright green eyes. I love that he reminds me so much of the way I was when I was little...a firecracker. I love that his expressions are often the same ones his Father gives me...confusion, worry, happiness and excitement. I love the way he makes a sound to kiss me and gives full body hugs. I love the way he puts his fingers in his mouth when he is in trouble or is unsure of something because it is so darn cute. I love that he loves dogs. I love that he is confident and will usually dive into an activity. I love his beautiful smile and the little laugh he does when he's so excited for something. I love the way he says "hello" and "yellow", as he reminds me of my Nagypapa (how he ended up with a two word yankee accent is beyond me). I love that he will choose fruits or veggies over pasta. I love the way he likes to help out. I love the relationship he has with my parents and my husband's Mom. I love the mischievous looks and the cute way he tries to ask for things he knows he isn't suppose to have. I love the way he prays and blesses himself. I love how caring he is towards others and how he thinks of doing that all by himself. My son is an amazing, beautiful, sweet, little individual who is so full of life. He amazes me every day and has taught me more things about life and the grace of God's hands then anything or anyone ever has. I love you little man.

Weekend Fun

Last weekend was a busy weekend, but man was it fun! After I got over one horrendous migraine from the work week, it was time to have some together time and enjoy one another.
This weekend also marked another little milestone in Ben's life, which further proved that my baby is not suck a baby any longer.

During my migraine/days of feeling over medicated as medicine frequently does to me, Ben spent an evening at his Nagypapa and Nagymama's house so he could have some one on one quality time and his Dad could have a small break. As he usually does, he sleeps in my old twin bed at my parents house during over night visits. However, once he came home, he refused to sleep in his crib. Thankfully we had a guest bed that he was more then happy to sleep in. His Dad and I knew it was time to buy our little guy the bed we have both been eying for months.

On Saturday morning, we had a delicious breakfast at IHOP. Ben was finished with his meal, so to occupy him I gave him some of those half and halfs restaurants serve with coffee to stack. I remember that occupying me when I was a kid, so I figure it was a harmless activity. What I didn't know was that it explodes if you bite it. Thankfully there was a small partition that blocked most of the half and half splatter, but the people next to us did receive a few droplets on their face. They had no reaction other then just to sit there stunned. We were of course mortified and embarrassed. Obviously we made our apologies and shortly after we made our exit. Upon leaving, I laughed...and am still laughing at the explosion of half and half and those people's reactions. It is not something I necessarily want to relive again, but it was priceless.

After the half and half event, we headed to Potomac Mills to buy Ben's bed. He was thrilled with the bunk beds in the store and constantly wanted to go to the top bunks. Thankfully he calmed down after seeing the bed we wanted to purchase and got involved with the door and taking his stuffed dog in and out of the cabinet. Shortly after, we made the purchase and it is expected to be delivered on May 18th! I can't wait to see Ben's reaction when he sees his new bed all set up in his room. Many thanks goes out to his Nagymama and Nagypapa for buying the awesome Star Wars sheets (Ben's Dads choice) and to his Gaga who bought the mattresses. We have such generous and wonderful Grandparents! : )

On Sunday we had another event scheduled, which was to hear a 90 minute timeshare presentation so we could eventually cash in our 3 day/2 night stay in Massanutten. Both James nor I have never been there, but the drive was beautiful and the grounds were pretty awesome. It reminded me of going to camp when I was a young kid with my Dad. There is just something about mountain air that just refreshes me. I will say that Ben was so awesome during the 90 minutes with our friendly sales rep even after seeing a huge playground a pool right outside of the building we kept going in and out of. I know that had to be hard on him. However, he earned his brownie points so afterward we all headed to the indoor water park and had a blast! We tried to get Ben to go down some of the small water slides (he was not old enough for the tube water slides), but he had no interest. He also did not care much for the lazy river, but in his defense I can see how it could look scary to him and he also did not care for water squirting on his head during the different parts of the river. He did thoroughly enjoy the toddler swimming area and we all spent most of our time there. His Dad and I did take turns checking out the bigger water slides, but in all it was a perfect family day and I can't wait to go back!

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On another note Ben is learning more and more words each day. He can now say "yellow", which sounds more like "yell woah". It is too cute. He is also starting to form more words he already knows together like, "No more Dada" when he doesn't want anymore food instead of just saying "No".