4th of July

We had talked about the 4th of July for probably a whole month before it came. Ben was very excited about the parade, fireworks, etc. Then it got to be the day before the school parade. Ben was not so sure he was eager to hear the drum line that was coming from a local high school to lead his parade. He persevered though and was able to crack a smile as he marched proudly. By the end of the parade he even danced a little and started to loosen up. Elizabeth performed as predicted. She wasn’t upset about the parade, but looked stunned and confused. Her hair was done up in a blue ribbon though and she looked so cute! Ben had wild hair too with colored hair spray and sparkles. After the parade, we went to buy fireworks. Ben agreed to some fountains and smoke balls. He actually calls them snoke balls! After church on the 4th we had a birthday party for one of Ben’s friends to attend. Ben was glad to see his friend, but extra glad to see her dogs. He loved petting them and playing chase. The kids are definitely not exposed to animals very often. Ha ha! After the fun party we headed to Olive for a cookout with Mom’s family. The kids got to see even more animals and both seemed to enjoy them from the appropriate distance. Elizabeth loved the horses until they walked closer. :) Both kids enjoyed the fireworks that we had purchased and we even got to see some larger fireworks during our car ride home after the fun at Aunt Terry and Uncle John’s. When we arrived home, it was a different story. E was pretty easy to go to sleep, but there were lots of fireworks being shot in our neighborhood. Ben got out his ear plugs and sat in the living room to watch TV. He even requested to go take cover in the bathtub, but he was reassured that it was just as quiet and safe to enjoy the TV. He finally settled down as the fireworks slowed around 10 or so and made it clear that he only enjoyed the quiet ones and he would not like to hear any fireworks on the next 4th of July. He did request an extra bag of snoke balls for next year though.

June Happenings

The kids have packed lots in so far this summer. June was a busy month! Both kids did swim lessons twice a week all month. Elizabeth was in the pool with Dad. She liked it mostly, but wasn’t too keen on being on her back or “swimming” to the instructor. Picture day went so poorly that they didn’t even bother to print hers. Ben was in the pool solo for the first time. He loved Miss Jessica and really loved giving us thumbs up (where he often confuses his index fingers and it looks like he is claiming to be #1) through the viewing window. He worked hard on his “rowers” and “kickers”. He jumped in some and put his face in some, but those were his biggest struggles. He did not like the way his eyes felt under water!

We went to some fun events around town this month. Tulsa Tough started the month. We watched our friend, Jeremy, race Friday night in the Blue Dome Criterium - Cat I/II Race. The kids loved seeing the racers whoosh by us and we cheered loud for Mr. Jeremy (who according to Ben tied for first place). We also went to Taste of Summer at the Blue Bell ice cream factory in Broken Arrow on the last weekend of the month with Grandpa David. They had all you could eat ice cream in so many flavors, lots of crafts and activities for the kids, bounce courses and houses and live music. We also took a tour of their facility while we were there. Elizabeth was most interested in sharing ice cream with Daddy and Ben enjoyed the tour (because it felt cold in the air conditioning) and milking the pretend cow and the bouncy obstacle course.

They have spent a lot of time at splash parks, doing water play at school and playing in the pool. Our neighborhood pool has a shallow end where Ben can touch and he really likes that. There is also a much smaller wading pool that Ellie can splash in easily. Both kids are loving the water and stay in as long as we let them. Ben also heard a commercial for Big Splash on the radio recently and wondered what that must be like if he thought the other splash parks were big – it must be giant. Mom’s plan is to hold off on that venture as long as possible!

We’ve also squeezed in some fun play dates. Some of our special family friends have recently moved back from out of state and the kids have already gotten together for lunch. We also met up with some wonderful church friends for playing and pizza. The big brothers and little sisters are exactly the same ages, so they really enjoy playing together. Ben and Elizabeth also had their regular play dates with Grandma Lyn and Grandpa David. Elizabeth has started her own play date with them once a week and Ben still enjoys his special time. The kids had a special sleep over play date with Grandma Elaine and Grandpa Larry. Mom and Dad went out of town for the weekend and the kids had a great time playing, picnicking and hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

July is nearly here and we are looking forward to an equally busy and fun month. We have a few birthday parties to attend, a family vacation to Colorado, Fourth of July parades and parties and lots more.

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” . . .