Conversations with Ben

Ben (first thing out of his mouth when he woke up): You were in my dream last night, Mom.

Mom: Was it a fun dream? What did we do?

Ben: It was right here (pointing to his neck).

Mom: Your dream was in your neck?

Ben: Yes, that is where you were last night.

Holly Dolly Take #1

Ben (first thing out of his mouth when he woke up): Mom, can we go to Holly Dolly to get strawberries today?

Mom: Do you mean Hobby Lobby?

Ben: No, I mean Holly Dolly.

Mom: Where is Holly Dolly? I don’t know that place.

Ben: I don’t know.

Mom: Did you dream about strawberries last night?

Ben: Yes! We went to a place called Holly Dolly to get them. Can we go and get more today?

Holly Dolly Take #2 (over a month later)

Ben: Mom, I want a Holly Dolly.

Mom (remembering the previous conversation and now confused): You want one? What exactly is a Holly Dolly?

Ben: It is a toy for girls.

Mom: What does it look like?

Ben: It is a person with pants that have straps and buttons.

Mom: Overalls?

Ben: Yes!

Mom: Who has a Holly Dolly?

Ben: No one.

Mom: Well, where did you see this?

Ben: It is on Wubbzy (http://www.nickjr.com/wow-wow-wubbzy/)

Sure enough in Season 1, Episode 12 – Widget wants a Hammering Holly Dolly and Wubbzy cannot afford it so he makes her a doll instead. Maybe we can get away with making a “Holly Dolly” . . .

Ellie Bellie: These are a few of my favorite things. . .

1. Sliding! I love to slide on any slide I can find at home, school or church.

2. Eating! I have a huge appetite and if I am not strapped in my booster seat for a meal, I am requesting a snack.

3. I still love to stir my tea and “taste” the pretend drinks I have made.

4. Brother’s cars (or really anything of his) – I now have my very own Hotwheels as Ben bought me one at the store so I wouldn’t go after his anymore. It is blue and very fast!

5. Going places – I love to get my shoes on to go to the store, for a walk, to school . . . anywhere you will take me!

6. Reading – I have been asking for books all the time and love to climb into Mom or Dad’s lap after dinner for story time.

7. Growling (or whatever bizarre animal noise it is that I make for every animal) – I love to “talk” to animals on TV, in my books, in real life, my stuffed animals, etc. It sounds like a mix between a hiss, a growl and some guttural noise from another language. I have finally added “Mmm” to my repertoire for cows and “Kack” for ducks.

8. Mirror time – I still enjoy looking in the mirror and brushing my hair. I am a girly girl!

9. Hiding – I have learned well from Brother and love to run behind the couch to hide or wherever I can fit. I giggle so hard when someone finds me!

10. Talking on the phone – it starts at an early age – I love my play phone and the real phone and Mommy’s cell phone. I have long conversations on them and will talk to anyone that calls.

Lessons from a Three Year Old

With all of the “educational” TV that Ben has watched in the last week while Dad has been out of town and Mom has needed to tend to Sister off and on, some of the “facts” have stuck. Ben declared at lunch to some grownup friends that ‘canoes (volcanoes) have lava fire, are very big and make very loud noises. He also taught them that they needed eyes to see. All were impressed. Ha ha!

On the topic of “learning”, Ben has also been asking to learn to read. He has been enjoying some letter games and activities and has a few books that he can “read” based on some sight words and picture context. He practices writing his letters and drawing new shapes. His favorites right now are hearts and crosses. His fave letters have not changed – they are still B, E and N. Go figure! While we are not reading in any real sense, he sure is excited to be able to read to all of us soon and loves to talk about rhyming, spelling and everything letters!