Project Life March 1-20

Bennett's art show was on March 1. He worried that I might not like it - it was the most beautiful art work I've ever seen!

March 2 was the Living History Museum at school. Bennett was Charles M. Schultz and he did a GREAT job!

I complained (a little bit :) that we didn't have any daffodils in our yard a few days ago. SURPRISE!! We went outside this week and found some that Brad's dad planted for us last year. I love flowers!

Baseball practice... over and over and over again! He loves it - so I do too!

Brad worked all day long on paperwork for his church committee. He got it done!

Serious about the computer (and trying to ignore the camera in his face :)

He's learning cursive!! Please note the middle line - 'i love my parents' :)

The cub scouts too a field trip to the pet store. I think that our tour guide earned double that night!!

The daffodils again - with my NEW LENS! :)

Ash Wednesday. A super crowded service. Remembering the sacrifice make for me.

On the 10th we had a fun field trip to the zoo with Bennett's class. We were lucky that Brad got to spend some time with us too!

Finally - Evie is here! March 11 was a great day for a precious little girl! Bennett got to leave school early to visit her - a great beginning to Spring break :)

Bennett is the BEST at lego games! This is Anakin - great job!

We're getting the backyard worked on (started on the 11th) and had to move the grill out to the side. Brad grilled a delicious dinner for us! 

We had a great surprise visit from Pa on Monday - and there was a friendly game of Mario played. I *think* that Pa got his tail beat...

Bennett can't wait to hold his little cousin. She's adorable. 

When we got home from practice, Bennett said that he needed to do something. He was gone for a while, and I found him putting our cross in the yard. He was so proud. I'm thankful for his thoughtfulness.

 Happy St. Patrick's day!

Our date night tonight was pizza and yogurt. What more could I ask for?? :)

The backyard is not quite done... but it's good enough for a lightsaber duel!!

Brad surprised us this morning with a solo during church. What a wonderful surprise!

Project Life February 10-28

How can it already be March? Wow! 2011 is already flying by... I always seem to think that the next stage in life will be less busy, but it never seems to work out that way. I am thankful for all of the fun that we can have together - even in the everyday-ness of things.

Below are the pictures for the rest of February. Enjoy!

 A day of REAL snow. And they didn't cancel or even delay school! Booo! The boys got out and played for a few minutes, though. Thank goodness the boys are early-risers :)

 Today Bennett brought home this great drawing. It sat on the counter for a while until I turned it over and found this:

 Priceless.

 The Mercedes Marathon! Bennett ran the first 25 miles at school throughout the year and completed the final mile this morning. I'm so proud of him! He jogged the whole way... and no complaints about hurting legs this time :)

 I didn't get a picture of it, but he was met at the finish line by Aubie. Woohoo!

 On the way back to the car he was fascinated with the signs along the that detailed the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham. He stopped and read each sign with interest. They had been learning about it in school, so this was super cool to see in our own city. 

 I was reminded of his innocence. He has no idea that anyone would be treated differently for the way that they look. He came home from school a few days ago and asked me if I had known that some people were treated differently because their skin was brown. The thought had never crossed his mind. I am thankful for that.

 Finally! A baby shower for Gigi that Bennett can attend! He was so excited to be able to help Gigi open the gifts for Evie (and to have the cake!) We can't wait for Evie to get here!

 Happy Valentine's Day! Bennett got a few action figures, a M&M dispenser and an Auburn magazine.

 Brad got a homemake chocolate cake.

 And I got these beautiful roses... just like the one that Brad brought me on our first date:)

 As we walked downstairs this morning to go to carpool, Bennett said 'You know what mom? When I wear jeans I feel confident!' I love that! He looks so handsome in his jeans - and to think, just a year ago he fought me tooth-and-nail when I tried to get him to wear them. He sure is growing up!

 First baseball practice! We have a new coach and a new team! Here's hoping for a great season!

Brad and I took a walk this morning together. We dreamed about the house that we'll build someday. Brad is drawing up some plans... we'll work on the plans for the next 20 years or so to get it just right :)

 My jedi waits for me at the bottom of the hill. No Sith will be able to get to the house with this guard on watch!

 Brad left for Montana this afternoon...

 and Bennett got his first 'fat lip' at practice :(

 This afternoon Bennett had his friend Hughes over to play. As they were leaving, Hughes mentioned that he was saving his money up for a Ph1ten necklace. Bennett said 'Hold on just a minute!' and ran to get Hughes the necklace that he had bought for himself with his Christmas money. So sweet!

 He lost a tooth! (with a little help from that ball that caused the fat lip!)

Cheetos for dinner! He was so excited - we NEVER have cheetos in our house...

 This afternoon we had a haircut right after school. We stopped at Edgars to get a snack and do our homework. Then we were off to baseball practice. Busy day!

 My daily view from carpool line.

 Bennett had to wear 'nice clothes' for the fieldtrip to see a muscial today. He wasn't happy about the 'nice clothes' part, but he sure did look nice :)

Brad came home from Montana! (with a new hat!) We were REALLY glad to have him back home!

Happy Birthday Nana!! 

 &

 Bennett's children's choir sang at a nursing home. They did a great job!

I love my phone! 

Project Life January 29-February 9

 Bennett was on fire on the basketball court! He played so hard - it is so much fun watching him! He never scored, but he sure did try his best :)

 January 30 marked my 30th consecutive day of my Paul Bible Study that Tonya gave me for Christmas. I love that I've stuck with it - and I love what God is teaching me about his servant Paul.

 Last Thursday night, at the Cub Scouts bird night, we made bird feeders. We didn't put it out until Sunday, and it sat untouched for the whole day (well, except for the licks that Sadie gave it when we weren't looking :)  Early Monday morning, this little guy found the feeder. Within about 3 minutes, he pulled it up on the banister, then took off with it into the forest. We laughed about the party that he must have hosted back at his house!

On the 1st we had our 2nd God and Me class. We learned about how Jesus' birth was alike and different from ours. Bennett loves to participate by drawing and answering questions :)

On Wednesday, Angie, Mom and I went to At Home and I spent my Living Social coupon. Love my new goodies for my undecorated shelves!  

.....

One funny story - At the God and Me class last night Bennett and the little boy across from us got to talking about how there wasn't any room in the hospital, so Jesus was born in the stable. I explained that there were no hospitals back then, and they promptly wanted to know just HOW did Jesus get out of Mary's stomach. The other dad and I quickly and gracefully (ha!) said that we would talk about that later... 

Fast forward to this afternoon. I knew that I needed to tell him the 'non-c-section' way that babies were born, so I asked him if he wanted to know. He said 'yes' and so I quite simply and succinctly explained the process. He sat there a minute, and then turned to me and said 'So, how'd you figure that out?' I said 'Well, I just knew it'. His reply: 'So, you just didn't want to talk about it in public?' HA! Such a smartie.  I also love that this conversation tells me that he trusts me to tell him things. I mean, he assumed that I didn't tell him because I didn't know. I hope that we can always keep that kind of communication open!

 Ahhh. a night at home. Those are so rare these days!!

 The only thing on the agenda for Thursday night was pajamas and snuggles. Love it!

 On Friday, Brad and I made a quick trip to Atlanta to IKEA. I had big plans to take pictures, but this is all I took. It was a very successful trip!!

Saturday was another basketball morning, and then we had a birthday party in the late afternoon for Lewis. Bennett drove me around the go-cart track. I screamed the whole way... but I didn't grab the wheel. I had visions of 8 years from now ;)

The IKEA shelves!! They're not close to being done yet, but look at those legos! My dining room table it looking better too! 

 The note I put in Bennett's lunchbox. He always saved them, which I love! I know that one day  notes in his lunchbox won't be cool. I'm cherishing these days.

 When I returned from errands, Sadie had terrorized the house by pulling Bennett's lapdesk and all its contents onto the floor. She also got into the garbage. Bad dog! Can you see the guilt on her face? Yeah, me neither.

I love getting a gem like this in the school folder. Bennett wrote me this sweet (and funny) valentine. Love it!

In case you can't read it, it says:

Dear Mom,

You are soooooooooo awesome! I love you very much! You should know how awesome you are! You deserve a better reward that cleaning dog slobber! :) Dog slobber is a terrible reward for such a GREAT Mom. You are very, very, very, very nice. You should be proud of yourself. You are a great person.

Love,

Bennett

.......

Hope you are having a great week too! 

Project Life January 21-28

 Pa's birthday was on Thursday, but we got to celebrate on Friday at LaPaz. Lucky for us, Pa wore his new cold-weather hat. Shockingly, he was the only one in the restaurant this hat :) Love you dad!!

Saturday was an exciting day! We started with a basketball game (we won!), had lunch at Tazikis and then went to the Pinewood Derby. Bennett's car won the Racer's Choice! He was SO proud. (I was too!)

 Me and my boy after church. He's showing off his lego creation ;)

 Bennett had a dentist appointment Monday afternoon... he got his last spacer removed AND had no cavities! Yea!

Look how big he is... I remember his first visit to the dentist when he couldn't even get on that chair by himself. He still likes the videos that they show on that little screen on the ceiling ;)

 The 100th day of school was Tuesday! The best pictures for this day are of Bennett and his square dancing partner (I won't post those since I don't know her mom)... He danced with her for weeks and never knew her name. I introduced myself to her on Tuesday - and she is a doll!! (I think Bennett *might* like her a little too ;)

 Yes this is my house. No it is not clean.

.....

In fact, no flat surface is safe. There. I said it. 

At Cub Scouts we climbed prayer mountain to 'listen for birds'. At night. In the cold. Brad was 'busy' at work. Have I mentioned that Cub Scout nights are my favorites?

On Friday, Nana was the Mystery Reader in Bennett's class. I'm not sure how, but we kept it a secret and Bennett was really surprised :)

Brad and I had a date night on Friday night! We saw 'The Kings Speech' (fabulous!) and had a great dinner at Stone's Throw. I'm thankful that we still like each other ;)