Benny loves Pink!

Best Day Ever. PINK day! Ben on right

Evidence of love for pink shirt, KC croquet at GG's

Sideline cheering on siblings

Fun in the fountains

After nap, laying in his monkey pj's

Will, Ben, Grandpa, and Jos on Saturday

This update is all about Ben. A couple of weeks ago the color pink was the color of the day at preschool. This meant the boys got to wear pink and bring a pink item to share with the class. Pink (and purple) are Ben's favorite colors. He was thrilled for color day! Ben had a hard time deciding what to bring... pink high heels or a pink princess light?! After much debate, he decided to go with the light. It really was the right choice. All the two year old ladies totally dug it. He also got to wear his sister's pink car shirt that he has been eyeing since Grammy got it for her. You could tell he was in heaven... in fact he has worn said pink shirt pretty much every day it's clean since. Except for today... Today he spent the day in a pink robe. The kids decided to run through the sprinklers at 10am. Afterwards I grabbed towels and the robe. I figured it'd keep someone warm while I changed the other kids. Once Ben put on the robe, he wasn't going to take it off. Why not?! It's mother's day, if I could get away with wearing a robe outside all day I would!

Ben is definitely my kid. Comfort is key. Every nap time, literally every day, Ben insists on putting his pajamas on. I used to fight it, I didn't want to deal with more clothes in one day. But in an effort of picking my battles, I figure why not let him... again if I could, I would!

We spent last weekend in KC. It was such a fun time with friends and family bonding. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. The water park was amazing. Ben went down the slide one time then decided he was happy cheering on his brother and sister. He sat on the side of the pool completely content watching them. It was so sweet. He'd clap for them and say "Go Will go! Good job Jos!" If he wasn't on the sideline, he was playing in the fountain. That was more his style.

Love you Benny boy.

EASTER!

Here's a few highlights from our Easter weekend.....

Will after following the bunny tracks to his basket.

Ben with his Easter basket, which was a bike helmet.

After church. Will is on the left acting like a monkey!

Bunny cinnamon rolls were a big hit with the kids. They each finished one, which was actually two rolls put together!

Pez dispensers!

Will, Josie, and Ben getting ready to color eggs.

Going on an Egg hunt.

Lots were hiding by the fire pit.

Will and Ben with their new hats on and ready for the hunt.

Note from Josie to the Easter bunny with carrots...

Before Easter Lunch the boys were rocking out.

Big Day

Will, Josie, and Ben before church. Swim lesson picture to come!

Today the boys started swim lessons. They've done them the past two summers, but today was different for many reasons:

• We went to the Y. This means indoors. No more frozen mama in the pool!
• We bagged the swim diapers. They went on the potty right before so I took a chance that they'd make it the whole 30 minute class. Ben even told me he had to go and we made it back to the bathroom in time. Score.
• We conquered these swim lessons with a ratio of one mom to two boys. Yes. I held both boys in water up to my neck. They did fantastic. We bobbed up and down in circles sang songs, splashed, blew bubbles, and kicked our legs like mad men. They did a great job taking turns jumping in the pool. I was a little apprehensive that one would get excited and try to skip a turn, but they listened well. I was so proud of my boys! The last five minutes of class Ben even went with the teacher. (which was great, because my arms were exhausted).

On another note.... We aren't doing as well on potty training. Will peed on the kitchen counter and Ben dropped a large load on my bathroom floor (at least it was on the tile!)

Seeing Double...

This is what it looks like when two boys are in time out. Look at those sad, "I'm sorry mama faces."

Ben is on the left and in blue. Will is in his FAV shirt that is getting too small. A.K.A. his tiger shirt.

This is what it looks like when you ask two boys if they are ready to get out of time out.

The boy's personalities shine through so much that at times I forget that they are identical. The series of photos below do a good job of showing just how identical they can be at times!

Will is on the left in white. When they wake up from nap they are fussy. Mostly because they want me all to their selves. One will want a drink the other just wants to snuggle so it is common if they are fussy. My best tactic is to lay them next to each other and tickle them. They start giggling and forget they are crabby and have to share me. Works like a charm....

Three weeks ago we watched the Superbowl. We don't watch much T.V. with the kids, so getting to watch this big game with snacks was a treat. To be honest, the kids and I didn't watch much of the actual game. But when the half time show started we all were silent and watching intensely. Madonna was the star. She must have left a lasting impression because we haven't seen her videos or listened to her music since yet Ben put on this princess crown and... well see for yourself.

Nightly Prayer

When we put the boys to bed we say a prayer. It usually is a rambling of what we are thankful for and all the great things we enjoyed during the day. We also thank God for the stars above our head, warm beds, and a safe house. This was put on at the end of our prayer awhile back when the boys were scared at bed time.

So tonight Ben decided he wanted to lead us in prayer. It went like this, "Dear God thank you for my Grandshe and Gigi (Gigi is our friend Gail who came up this weekend to visit), thank you for my Josie girl, and stars, and cozy cribby, and blankets.... and... (thinking really hard then giggles and whispers) and diapers. AMEN!" Will thought the diapers comment was the funniest thing. All we heard through the intercom was the two boys giggling about praying for diapers.

Music Mania

Last night we were listening to music while I made dinner. "All you need is Love" came on and Will exclaims "That's your married song mom!" like he does every time he hears it. Without skipping a beat (in an attempt to one up his brother) Ben starts singing "Will you marry me mom" to the tune of "Wedding Bell Blues." At this point I stop dicing veggies, grab both boys and cover them in kisses.

When Billy gets home I re-tell the story. After dinner he asked them if they'd like to hear the first song we danced to. And that's how the boys were introduced to the great Louis Armstrong. Since last night I've heard "What a Wonderful World" at least a dozen times. They begged me to play it this morning instead of watching a cartoon while I showered (thank you Mr. Armstrong). Will loves the beginning where he lists out colors. He tells me that's his favorite part. Ben keeps asking "what's his name again?"

Beatles, Jackson 5, and now Louis. That's usually what two year olds prefer to listen to, right?

After we played music this morning, the boys decided to tear off the couch cushions and make a fort. It's their latest fun thing to do....daily. They also love reading books which is the other thing we did while Josie was in school.

Ben playing the piano book, Will reading up on dinosaurs.

Bringing in the New Year with Style...

The boys were lucky to spend new year's eve with some good entertainers. Maybe too good to be honest. I'm already thinking about the expectations that are set for next year! (See pictures below)

After kicking off the new year in style, Will and Ben have been enjoying 2012 so far.

Will's latest comment that made me chuckle was when Josie told him no he said "Josie said a naughty word." I don't like when Josie tells me no either Will. Tonight "All you need is love" came on and Will ran over and said "This is your married song mom!" Oh and he still is telling knock knock jokes that don't make any sense, but hey he's two and he writes his own jokes.

Ben is Josie's little shadow. Which means he likes to sing too (see video below...yes he will kill me later in life). The other day I wasn't feeling well and he came over on his own, patted my back asked me if I was OK. Then he said "I take care of you mom." Suddenly my tummy ache disappeared. Ben still enjoys reading books to himself while Will would rather work on floor puzzles.

Flirting with the ladies scene one: Ben and Caroline.

Flirting with the ladies scene two: Ben, Will, and Jessica.

New Year's Eve - indoor basketball game!

Ben proving he is full of class...wearing his overalls backwards.

Will showing off the sunshine on a January morning.

Ben's video...