Best Date (Thus Far) Ever

Today was Mommy's company picnic at Kings Dominion. I had already got a babysitter (aka Nagypapa and Nagymama) for Alexis as I knew that having her at a theme park would be a little much at her age. Plus, I wanted it to be a day dedicated to Ben as he has been just an awesome kid and completely deserves some one on one time. What we both didn't predict was James getting sick with a horrendous cold and not being able to make it. However, Ben and I trudged on in the early morning hours down the road to our theme park adventure.

We made a pit stop an hour into our drive. I was hungry, but Ben was urging me to continue on. I knew he was ancy and just wanted to be at the park but I also knew if I didn't stop then we weren't going to eat until around one. We had a great breakfast inside McDonalds off 95. We even ate in the play place which Ben got to play in for a little warm up session to what we were really going to do that day. He was so thrilled with just the McD play area that he thought that was going to be it for the day. Little did he know he would be in for way more then that.

Once we got to the theme park, Ben could see the roller coasters going over the tops of the trees and squealed with delight. Literally Ben could not contain his laughter (pictured above) but promptly told me that he did not want to go on that ride. I told him it was our day and that he did not have to ride anything or do anything that he did not want to. He was content with that. Once we entered the park we were greeted by a couple Snoopy characters. He wasn't quite sure who they were since we aren't really into Snoopy, but he still wanted to hug them and have a quick photo taken with them.




Our first stop was the Kidzville section of the park, which I was pleasantly surprised to see so many small kid rides that I knew Ben would love to ride. He got on his first ride and just squealed with delight. Literally the smile on this kids face was ear to ear. Next we found a cave that we could explore. Ben loved that as it had a pirate like theme to it. It was quite dark, but he loved it and wanted to go in it over and over again. I think he thought the small car ride and the cave was it to the kid section until I told him there were more rides down the path that were also for him. This peaked his interest so together we made our way down the path and found Bens favorite rides of the day. The first was the pirate ship ride for small kids. He loved this as he loves EVERYTHING Peter Pan/Captain Hook. He wanted to know where Captain Hook was and I had to tell him he was taking a vacation and just wasn't at his ship. Why spoil the imagination? The next ride was an airplane ride, which he liked but could never get the plane to take off in the air but mainly because other kids kept putting it down when he was riding with them. He didn't mind though. The third favorite ride was the race car on a track ride. He thought he was driving and tried so very carefully to steer around the turns not knowing he really didn't have control of the car. He rode this ride over and over again eight times in a row. He deemed the green car as his because he usually got this car.



The rides were fantastic as there was zero waiting time. I don't think we ever stood in a line and waited for a turn to end . He just rode and rode and rode and squealed with delight. He hasn't been that excited in a long time.

After a while we made our way to the water park area. We played like crazy there in the tidal pool and in the water playground area. Ben wanted to stay longer but we had to get to the company luncheon. The bad part about the luncheon is that it was straight across the park. Not fun. We walked and walked and I to carry Ben part of the way because he was tired. I couldn't blame him. I was tired too. We had a quick lunch, but there was zero time to talk to anyone as Ben wanted to eat and beat. I couldn't blame him so we left. We played and played some more on the rides. We rode the same rides so many times I lost count.

After a while I saw that Ben was was starting to dwindle down. I told him he could pick out anything he wanted within reason in a nearby store for me to get him. He had a choice of a million things, but decided on a lollipop. I then told him after we left that we should start heading back. I think he was glad I said that and on the way back out of the park we bought a little gift for Ben's Dad, some fudge. Ben was having a glorious time eating that lollipop the entire way we were walking out of the park but we didn't make it even out of the parking lot before he was passed out with the lollipop still in his mouth.

Ben did wake up and hour into the trip and said, "Mom lets get Alexis." I asked him if he missed her and he replied with a yes. The moment he saw his sister he was so thrilled that he went over and gave her a little toy. He had the time of his life, but was certainly thinking about her. Its so wonderful to see how much he loves her.

I had the most fantastic day with Ben. It was one of the best dates that I can think of. He was just a wonderful little boy and seeing how thrilled he was made the exhaustion part one thousand percent worth it all. I can't wait to do it all over again as family as we both certainly missed James being there with us. Hopefully we will make a day of it before the summer is over. I can't wait to have another date with him like this. Ben was just amazing and so sweet. I love you Ben!

What Ben Loves

Currently Ben is into a lot of things. His favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Scooby Doo, Imagination Movers, Little Einsteins and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Although Mickey Mouse ranks VERY high on Ben's level, something he can not get enough of is all things Captain Hook.

Ben and I have tons of conversations about Peter Pan, Captain Hook and pirate ships. It depends on the day who he is into. Sometimes he is all about Peter Pan and some days he seems to favor the famous villain Captain Hook. Tonight Ben asked me why Captain Hook can't fly. I told him he doesn't have pixie dust & doesn't think happy thoughts. He told me tonight we need to pray for Captain Hook so he can have nicer thoughts and asked me where we can come up with some pixie dust so we can use it for later. LOL. I love his innocence.

Happy Three Months Alexis!

I can't believe my little girl turned three months this past week. Time has really flown these past few months. She's getting bigger and bigger and more interactive. Her family and I are so blessed to have such a wonderfully behaved baby who loves to coo at you for conversation and smiles brilliantly winning everyone's heart.
Alexis is starting to have nights where she sleeps all night, which her Mom and Dad are REALLY thankful for. She is still drinking four ounces at a time. Her favorite thing right now is to bat at her little toys on her infant seat and grab the rattle on her doll Emily. Alexis also loves to be extremely warm when she sleeps. I almost feel like I'm over dressing her, but she doesn't quite settle if she's feeling cool at all. Who knew I'd be dressing anyone in fleece pajamas in June? She requires it though. Believe me, I've tried the cotton variety but I'd better pair that with a nice warm sleep sack otherwise no one is sleeping.

This past week I started my first full week back at work. It has been extremely tough on her Mom. I think of her and miss her and her brother every moment of the day. There have been some tears, but at this moment I know I need to work and she's not noticing anything. In fact, her teachers and all the ladies at her day care go on about how much she talks to them and always has a smile for everyone. I just wish I could see those smiles all day! However, seeing her and her brother remain the highlight of day.

One highlight of today was that I went to the Dollar Store to get a few items. I bought a few presents for her brother one of which was a Pez dispenser. I didn't get Alexis anything because there was nothing there for her age. Once I picked Ben and her up from school, I told Ben that there were some presents on his seat for him. He looked at them and of course was thrilled to pieces! He then asked what I got for Alexis. I told him I didn't her anything because there just wasn't anything there. Feeling sympathetic to his sister who unknowingly got nothing looked at me, handed his Pez dispenser and said "Mom she needs this." If you know how much Ben LOVES Pez then you would know this is a big deal. I was so proud of Ben for his unselfish act of kindness, but it just goes to show how much he loves and adores his sister. I'm sure in years to come there will be fights here and there, but my prayer and wish is for them to both always see each other as friends as well as siblings. A great bond with his sister has already started and she being the smiley pie girl she is usually has a smile for him each day.

I love the little being she is becoming. I love how sweet she is and how no one but her and her brother can make her Dad grin ear to ear in pure love. I love how she smells and even how she clings to my hair when she gets a good chunk of it. Life in our family wouldn't be the same without her and I am so thankful to God she is in our lives. We love you Alexis!

Proud Mama Moment

Today I bought a few dollar store gifts for Ben, one of which was a Pez. When I picked him up, I showed him there were presents in his car seat and he was ecstatic! Then he asked where Alexis' presents were. I honestly didn't get any as its the dollar store and there wasn't anything to get her. He said, "Mom she needs this" and offered up his Pez dispenser. If you know Ben's love of Pez, this is a HUGE deal. What an awesome brother! I couldn't be more proud!