I'm Blind!!!

During lunch today, Greg opened the blinds in the kitchen to let in some sunshine. Jacob said, "Oh, so we don't need this anymore" and turned off the kitchen light. 

Benjamin's whole body crumbled and he started sobbing, "I can't see! I can't see!"

Priceless.

Knock, Knock...

A friend told me a joke she heard on the radio recently... a potty joke. Jacob LOVED it. Benjamin is trying to tell jokes, too. He told the joke perfectly, but didn't realize he'd already given the punch line.

Benjamin: Knock, knock.
Me: Who's there?
Benjamin: Smell mop.
Me: Smell mop, who? (Say it out loud. This is where the joke's supposed to end.)
Benjamin: Aunt Sarah!

A Day with Jake

 Jacob had Spring Break this week. He still went to daycare Monday through Thursday, but today was our day together. :) Jacob got up, showered, and told me he'd combed his hair because "I wanted to look my best for you." So sweet. We started the day off with breakfast at Burger King (Jacob's choice).

 During breakfast, I got the scoop on all of the kindergarten drama. So.... Jacob talked a little about his girlfriend, Lindsay. I asked again about next year and if they'll stay boyfriend-girlfriend. He said probably, but that he didn't know. I asked what if he met another girl. He said he probably wouldn't want to change girlfriends. He said he and Lindsay "know the same amount of stuff." I said, "And that's what you want in a girlfriend?" He said, "Yeah, and someone who doesn't boss me around." I asked if he'd be sad if he didn't have a girlfriend. He said, "Yeah, sort of. Because she's the one who keeps me company when I'm alone." Then I asked, "What if you met another girl who knew as much as you and Lindsay and didn't boss you around? Would you want to have her as your girlfriend instead?" Jacob said, "The thing is, I just don't want to start a new life with a new girlfriend." This boy just kills me!

A couple of girls from class, Morin and Kendall, are trying to break Jacob and Lindsay up. Jacob doesn't know why, but says he doesn't want to break up. Lindsay knows about it, too, and told Morin and Kendall that it's stupid. Ha ha.

Next we ventured to the grocery store and bought our weekly supplies... Jacob wanted a photo to document it.

 Then to the best campus in the entire world. A beautiful, happy place!

 In front of the student union building.

 In front of the mascot.

 Attempt #1.

 Attempt #2.

 Attempt #3. Good enough!

 After buying team apparel, we went to our new bank, Forum Credit Union. They are SO nice! Last week Jacob came into the bathroom and said, "Can I have an envelope?" I said, "Yes, but for what?" Jacob said, with huge, serious eyes, "There was an earthquake in Japan. A really big one, like 9.1 10,000 people died. I want to send them my money to help." I told him we'd have to get a money order or cashier's check because we couldn't mail dollars and coins. I also told him it was a good thing for us to remember because we sometimes get upset over not having enough play time, which is a very small thing compared to not having a home. Jacob said, "Yes, and my number one thing is my family and being with you. You, Daddy, and Benjamin. I love you all." He said this with his very theatrical, dramatic way of speaking, and then held his arms out to hug me. Oh my gosh, I love this boy. He is so sincere, but it's like he's a living, breathing script for a Lifetime movie.

At Forum, Jacob put all of his coins into their coin machine and got a cashier's check for about $26 to send to the American Red Cross to use wherever it's needed most. I'm proud of my little guy.

After the bank, we made a quick stop for my eye appointment, and then on to one of Jacob's favorite restaurants for lunch! Japanese steakhouses... mmmm.

 They were super slow today, though, so we got to our movie a little late. We went to see Tangled, which luckily, was showing at a theater in the same parking lot.

After the movie, we stopped by the mall and had Jacob's feet measured and bought a new pair of tennis shoes.

They are suh-weet!!! I think I enjoy buying shoes for children way too much. 

Such a nice, busy day. :) 

For the Record

Benjamin's teacher told me a couple of weeks ago he'd been crying every time he had to poop. She had been sitting with him as he sat on the toilet and he cried the whole time. Jacob knocked on the classroom door and said, "Is that my brother crying?" The teacher said yes, and asked if he wanted to come in. Jacob went and sat with Benjamin and talked to him. Benjamin stopped crying and didn't cry anymore after that.

It's wonderful to hear things like this. In daily life at home, they are typical brothers, fighting over toys and pestering each other. :)
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Benjamin has been doing a lot (even for him) of gibberish lately. Really fast, hard-to-say sounds, like "skba-skidda-skidda-skidda-skidda." And then a silly grin that makes us crack up. :)
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Text from Jacob to George Bob:
Oh hi goerge bob i'd like to say hellow. I'm on my way to have a money order. After that were going to mom's eye appt. And after that we will go to kabuto. And after kabuto we'l go see tangeled. And mayby after that we will go to the mall. I love you good by.
George Bob's Response:
Wow! You are going to have such a fun day. I love Kabuto. You will have to tell me if you like Tangled. Have lots of fun. I love you too.
Jacob:
Oh I think it's going to be great!
George Bob:
Me too!
Jacob:
The movie was incredibly short! I & mom could not believe it! It was less then an hour! But awesome! almoste fell asleep! Cas i was tired! I even got new shoes! So werehedding home now. By!
Jacob:
Oop's love you by!
George Bob:
I'm glad you had such a good day. And new shoes too! Love you back!
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Text from Jacob to Auntie Anne:
Hi auntie anne. I'm going to see tangeled. Hope you had fun at papa's concert.
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Text from Jacob to Uncle Ben:
Hey uncle ben wen are you going to come back? I realy wanted to see you wen i was in st louis.
Response from Uncle Ben:
Hopefully soon buddy! I really miss you and baby b! Did you like our new cat?
Jacob:
Yeah she's cute.
Ben:
Love ya dude!
Jacob:
Love ya
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Text from Jacob to Greg:
Hey dad mom got a new purse! You exited?! You'll love it! Benjamin will love it to! I hope & another thingdon't tell ben we wached tangeled thank's
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Text from Jacob to Grandpa S:
Hi gpa stonehappy birthday! I want to sing happy birthday. Happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday dear gpa s happy birthday to you! I love you. How old are you? I'd like to know.
Response from Grandpa S:
Thank you Jacob, you rock! G'pa is 58 yezars young. LOL

Chalk and Hockey

Greg told Benjamin he could only use chalk on the sidewalk or the driveway. Benjamin looked him in the eye, drew on his face, and said, "I'm a sidewalk."

On our way to a hockey game!

Happiness all around!

And silliness!

One hunky husband.

I was told to take one of myself, too. I follow orders.

I love the rare moments when I can catch him just laughing freely.

 No analyzing, no worrying, no "trying" to be something in particular. Just laughing.

At the game.

Little troublemaker.

Making my insides feel all warm and mushy.

I love this little face.

Out of the Mouths of Boys

Benjamin told me tonight that I'm his best friend. He said Daddy is our best friend, too. And Jake.
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Benjamin said I have Miss Tosha hair. And eyes. And mouth. And face. And I am Miss Tosha. And he is, too. So then we had to play Miss Tosha by calling each other Miss Tosha over and over again. Silly boy.
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We heard a song by Carla Bruni. Greg told Jacob her name. Jacob said he'd heard the first name Carla before, but hadn't heard the last name Bruni. Greg told him it's an Italian last name but that she was married to the French president. Jacob said, "What? So they're mixing up two countries in Europe?" I was impressed.
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It's 8:54 p.m. Bedtime is at 7:30. They're both chatting away in their room, just being goofy. It's a huge improvement from before bedtime, when the spent most of the evening fighting.

Surprise Trip!

Last night we took the kids on a surprise trip. It started off as just a normal evening after school/daycare. We got in the car and drove for a couple of hours. The kids enjoy any trip when they can take off their shoes.

They requested several photos of their feet.

They're very happy to show their feet off.

Our hot driver.

At the surprise destination! A waterpark hotel!!! We got there too late to swim last night, but let the kids enjoy popcorn and TV in bed for a while.

Benjamin got to spend a few minutes on the top bunk. He was pretty happy.

A hotel room with a king bed and a set of bunkbeds? Pretty sweet.

Enjoying the breakfast buffet.

Benjamin wasn't sure what to make of it at first. I think he was in sensory overload. He stayed very close and didn't want to get wet at all. Jacob took off right away and didn't stop for several hours.

Look at this place! I can't imagine how massive it would seem to a 2-year-old.

My beautiful Jake.

It took a while, but Benjamin finally agreed to the inner tubes.

Jacob wanted to try the monkey bar rope/floaty things. He wasn't quite tall enough to reach the ropes, so two very nice older boys held it down for him. :)

About halfway through, he got scared, and jumped down. He made it to three floaty things. Not too bad for a boy who's too little to reach the rope by himself!

One of the tubes goes OUT of the building and back in. The dark blue one is pitch black inside!

Getting the hang of things and loosening up.

Jacob in the whirlpool area. He had fun for a while, but I made him get out when the big kids started making the water go around really quickly. 

Pure joy on Benjamin's face as he goes down the slide.

In front of the waterfall on our way back to our car.

Note how big the t-shirt is. This is a kids' medium. They had extra small, but Benjamin didn't want them. He made sure he chose a color that wasn't available in extra small. 

Super bands! 

To wrap up our fun trip, we went to one of our favorite restaurants. Our favorite server doesn't work there anymore. :( However, we still had good service.

They have a new dessert for kids! It's a fun-shaped rice krispie treat on a paint tray. The kids have a paintbrush and chocolate and strawberry "paint" with sprinkles!

Our first surprise trip was a success!