Benisms

Ben shocked us in the car the other day on the way to school with a memory verse. He heard a commercial for the John 3:16 mission and said, “Hey! I know that!” He then recited the verse John 3:16 and got everything down pat except for switching “begotten” to “forgotten”. Something to work on for sure, but what a pleasant surprise that the verse had stuck with him. (It was not something we were practicing at home.) Mom told him it was tucked in his heart forever now. That had to be explained immediately as Ben was concerned what exactly "tucked" meant in this sentence and what it did to his heart. Such a literal and logical little guy!

In bible class, they were discussing how God made animals and Ben announced that he knew a lot about animals because he was “part scientist”! He probably is part scientist because he also frequently announces at bedtime that he is now nocturnal (so he can stay awake all night). It is hard enough not to laugh, but even harder because his pronunciation is “nocjournal”. Too cute!

Mom picked up Ben from school the other day and he came out with some extra drawings he had made. Ben proceeded to share with Mom that he had also taken two crayons in his pocket. He explained that he took them because we didn’t have any like that at home. Mom was concerned that he just took the crayons like it was no big deal and explained that we would need to return them to the classroom and let his teachers know. Ben replied, “Don’t worry Mom! They were free!” At least he is budget conscious? We’ll have to work on that one. . .

A Two Year Old's Favorite Things

E’s favorite toys – Horses, baby dolls, play food, phones, jewelry and purses

E’s favorite foods – yogurt, chicken of any kind, pizza, bananas, there really isn’t much food that she doesn’t like

E’s favorite phrases – “Night night brudder” is what she starts saying around bedtime to Ben and then usually several more times before she actually gets in bed. “Candy?” – Elizabeth has a sweet tooth and especially loves Smarties. “I did it!” is what she exclaims nearly any time she does anything from throwing away a piece of trash to playing with toys to flipping a light switch.

Elizabeth is talking more and more and her sentences are increasing to 3 or more words now. It is amazing how her communication has taken off in the last month alone. She is probably ready for potty training, and Mom and Dad will need to commit to working on that soon. She tries to change herself, has had many successes on the potty and asks to go all the time. Elizabeth is also more interactive in her play these days. She loves a good game of chase or peekaboo. She and Ben are also known for throwing dance parties in the living room in the evenings. That girl could spin and clap and march for hours!

She is a delight and helps us discover something new each day. Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth's Two Year Checkup

Elizabeth went for her two year old checkup this week. She hadn’t been to the doctor since her 18 month checkup. The doctor was pleasantly surprised since she was used to seeing Ben more frequently with ear infections at that age. Since Elizabeth hadn’t been to the doctor in so long and is often fearful of strangers and new situations, she was not too thrilled with this experience. She started by pinching and hitting Mom while screaming and crying. After a while she determined that Mom was her only hope to get out of there, so she clung for dear life and couldn’t even be separated so Mom could take her coat off. She calmed down after we got to read a book between the nurse and the doctor and somewhat tolerated the doctor. After we left she was very excited to show off her stickers and tongue depressor and talk about her visit to the doctor. She must have been relieved that it had ended without too much actual trauma.

She now weighs 23 pounds and 2 ounces (9%). She is gaining well, and remains on the low end of the growth curves as she has been her whole life. She is now 35.25 inches tall (86%). That is an increase of three inches in six months! And her head is still on the high end of the growth chart at 90%. The nurse told her she was tall, skinny and had a big brain. :)