Benjamin's belated birthday party

Yesterday we finally had Benjamin's 2nd birthday party.  It was nice to have Benjamin's grandparents from Manitoba and his great-nan from Newfoundland there with us to celebrate.  I made Ben an Elmo cake as he is obsessed with "melmo".  Every morning after breakfast Ben asks to sit on the potty because he knows I'll let him watch Sesame Street while he sits there. So I thought it was appropriate for him to have an Elmo cake.  It's crazy how much red food-coloring it takes to make red icing!  It's amazing to see the changes in Benjamin from his first birthday...he's grown up into such a little boy...and he's definitely entered the "twos".  We are so incredibly blessed to have him in our lives!!

The "twos" have begun

It's so weird to think that we have a two year old!  Seem just like yesterday that we were shocked to hear that we were expecting a baby and now he's two already.  I know that the "twos" are famed to be the worst year...but I really think it's the newborn to one year has been the worst.  I guess Ben is just starting two so I may quickly change my tune in the next months...we'll see.  Ben is definitely busy and curious...but he is just so much fun!  There are no stresses of bottles, night waking, preparing pureed food, carrying him all the time...those are things I find so much more stressful...ei. Levi.  Ben's newborn time was really stressful and I found it really hard to enjoy my time with him...so now is so much fun!  He has no idea what today is and we are delaying his party until next week so that family can be around.  He does know that he's "du"...it's one of his growing number of words.  So all I can say is...I'm thankful he's such a happy healthy boy...he's such a gift!

Loving the small town life!

We've lived here in Langham 3 months already!  How time flies!  I was really worried that the winter months would drag being "secluded" out here...but it's turned out to be the opposite.  Being out of the city has put less pressure on me to be "out" all the time and that has meant bundling up the kids less with much less fussing!  I have thoroughly enjoyed just being here and not always urgently rushing out of the house to take a useless trip to Walmart. 

Yesterday we took our first family breakfast trip to Babalu's restaurant on Main Street. No traffic...it took us 5 minutes to get there...including packing up the kids in the van.  No having to beat the morning rush...as we were the only ones in the restaraunt...so nice!  Breakfast was decently priced and great tasting...can't ask for any more.  Then we drove to the post office...a 20 second drive across the street...yes it was kind of stupid to drive!  And no Id required to pick up a package...because they know who you are!  The church here has been so welcoming and it has been such a great experience...and it's right around the corner from our house...so we rarely have to start the vehicle.

We are looking forward to summer and being able to be outside enjoying the town more...biking, walking, going to the park...and worrying less about Ben being run down in the street!

Childhood friendship

I love it when Benjamin gets together with his best bud Gabriel.  Gabriel is 6 months older than Ben, but you'd never know it because Ben looks like a bruiser next to him!  When I drive up to Gabriel's house you can see the elation in Ben's eyes and he can't wait to see him.  They just love being with each other...and it's just wonderful as a mother to watch a friendship develop.  And as they get older they become more at the same developmental stage and get along better and better.  They love being with each other...they giggle, laugh and sometimes fight too. And the greatest thing is they keep each other occupied so us mothers can enjoy each others company too.  I hope they are best buds for a long long time. And I'm also hoping that Levi and Gabriel's little brother, Micah (who is 3 months older than Levi) will also be best buds...and then they can all play so we can drink coffee in peace.

I remember childhood friendship...it was the greatest!  We had 4 girls next door...Kendra and I were the same age and the bestest of friends.  There were very few days in over a decade that we didn't hang out...and even though I'm sure we had our moments...childhood friendships are pretty grand.  No matter what goes wrong, the next day all is right again and everything from the day before is forgotten.  We really need to remember this in our adult friendships sometimes.  We make such big deals over small petty things, that as kids we forget and forgive so quickly.

My boys...similar...and more unsimilar

The other day I walked around the corner to find Brad sitting on the couch with Levi and instantly it reminded me of a picture we have with Benjamin and Brad.  The resemblance was quite striking to me because I've never really thought the boys look alike.   If they look alike I think that is where the similarities end...they are such different boys!  Ben likes to be alone, he's very independent and easily follows the schedule we set for him.  Levi on the other hand...always has to be around people, loves to be held, smiles and smiles but only if being interacted with and is so frustrating when it comes to consistency with sleeping and eating.  I always hoped having kids close together that they'll glow up to be best buds so I hope this works for their relationship.  My sister and I are incredibly different and I couldn't ask for a better relationship with her.  That's what I hope for our boys.

Up till today I've always double posted the blog to facebook...but out of my own laziness I'm not going to anymore.  Just one more thing to do.  So for now I'll just keep up the blog here.