Ben doesn't know how high he must rate

to have his cousin share his Bob and his Pingu with him in an attempt to make him happy.
Too bad it didn't work so well.

Outtakes

This was how Sam wanted to pose for the picture taking.

Here I am demonstrating how when you are being asked to lay next to a nine-week-old baby, you "lock your hands and legs in place." (My sister-in-law was SO good to lay her baby down to my squirmy munchkins!)
And here are my children, dutifully following that direction.
Sam with his "cheese-iest" smile.
Is this what you want me to do, Mom?
Apparently, Sadie was a little worried about Spiderman still being on her underpants.
But by the time she is done checking, poor Ben seems to be on his way down to the ground.

3 cousins in one place

Since all 3 of my parents' grandchildren were in the same place at one time, we attempted to get some pictures of them together. Not sure what exactly we were hoping for, but these first 2 definitely were not it.

And that ended the morning photo shoot.

We attempted again in the afternoon - with much protest from Sam - but finally got some good ones.

Time with Ben

We had lots of fun waving toys above Ben's face - Sam couldn't quite get it in his head that Ben really didn't care to see the parrot (in Sam's hand) assault the monkey (in my hand). He seemed to prefer more gentle waving, much to Sam's dismay.
The boys and I - sorry Ben about the very uncomfortable appearance of your leg position.
A shot of the two boys...
...and a couple shots later when Ben has decided he has had enough of his mom and aunt trying to make him look at the camera.

Sam loves his little cousin.

Sadie is quite enamored as well.

All 3 boys hanging out- Sam can't wait until Ben is big enough to join him and Uncle Matt building with legos.

Quotes of the Day

We are in New Jersey visiting my brother, sister-in-law and 2-month-old baby boy and having a wonderful time. The kids and I made it through parking, the airport, and the plane ride without too much difficulty (funny how SHORT that plane ride seemed after Tasmania!).

On the plane Sam had to sit across the aisle from me and was such a grown-up little guy, which was nice since his sister was functioning on way too little sleep the previous couple days. She and I had a nice wrestling match for much of the flight over whether or not she was allowed to kick the seat in front of her and why it's not okay to play your Leapster without any headphones on a plane. There was a "very nice man" (as Sam dubbed him) sitting next to Sam who was wonderful about listening to Sam talk about his exciting trip to see his cousin, as well as a debriefing on various superheroes. He even colored with Sam in his coloring book and let Sam play with his Ipod when we were sitting on the runway for 30 minutes after landing (and all our supplies were packed up and Sadie was asleep - finally - in my arms.)

We've enjoyed our day with Ben (and Matt and Elisa). The kids are both so sweet with him - it is fun to see. A few quotes from the day....

Sam (having to leave Ben's side to go get dressed): Don't worry Ben. I'll be right back. I just have to go get ready.
Sam (batting at the toys on Ben's bouncy seat): There you go. Now it's your turn. Good job!
Sadie (while riding in the car with me to the drugstore - we left the boys at home - and looking at Ben's empty seat): Don't cry, Baby Ben. It's okay.
Sadie (looking at Ben sleeping as I hold him - and then pointing to his bouncy seat): Baby Ben, you go here. Mom hold me.

The best moment of the day was the kids serenading Ben with Jesus Loves Me, Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho, and the theme song from their new favorite show, Team Umizoomi as we rode in the car to the park and he was a bit unhappy. (Isn't that a lovely combo of songs?)

And he even stopped crying.

"He likes it!" they exclaimed.

from legos to trains

This is another post for my brothers, to show them I am becoming fairly competent at being a mother to a boy.

I completed the lego set.

Next up was moving the GeoTrax upstairs from the basement and adding in a new track.

Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

(Though I couldn't figure out how to work in Grand Central Station and still have it fit on the table...so it is still downstairs connected to a whole lot of nothingness.)


Sam wanted a picture with all the trains lined up, with their remote controls next to them. (He learned that from his grandma!)

More weekend fun

Learning about the solar system with Grandaddy
Playing another game with Grandmommie
Getting in some batting practice