Nonni and Pop Visit

Nonni and Pop came to visit last weekend and we went to Linvilla Orchards. It was quite hot but we still managed to spend quite a lot of time on the playground and even got a train ride in. Choo choo!

Latest Passion

While this may look like Ben's previous hobby of choice, sweeping, it's not. He's currently obsessed with anything pertaining to lawn maintenance, specifically mowing, weed-wacking and blowing. This one time sweeper is now the weed-wacker, his play mower is the lawn mower and his golf club is the blower. "Lawn care" can go on for hours. Even more than playing landscaper, he likes watching it in real time. When the guys come to do our yard he watches, completely speechless, at the door for the full 30 minutes they are here. Pretty much nothing else shy of Elmo actually being in our living room would keep him that still for that long. He can hear a neighbor's lawn mower, weed-wacker or blower (yes, he knows the specific sounds each make) about a block away and requires that we rush outside to try and figure out where its coming from so we can watch. I was able to persuade him into a walk in his stroller the other day by saying we were going "lawnmower hunting".

In this pic he is weed-wacking. The second pic is of the weed-wacker over his shoulder as he brings it to the truck because he's done. At least he has a good imagination!

Message to Jon & Kate (+8)

Ben feels for you guys...paparazzi's everywhere!

Goodnight Comb and Goodnight Brush

Ben loves his routine. He knows it, he asks for it, he flips out if you miss any step. As a result we typically read the same stories over and over again because those are the ones he asks for. Two of the current faves are "Goodnight Moon" and "How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight." Well, I didn't realize just how much Ben is able to retain. The other night I asked him if he wanted to help me read and started pointing to things on the page, i.e. comb, brush, mush. I got to the next page where I pointed to the old lady (whispering hush) and he completely cut me off and said "Goodnight to the old lady whispering hush". Turns out he knows the stories almost verbatim! Ben shocks me a lot, but this was a jaw dropper. Just to hear him talk in full sentances is pretty great, but to know that he is retaining these stories and can completely repeat them is pretty awesome. He loves books just like his Daddy!

Weekend in Latrobe

We had a great weekend in Latrobe last week. We typically go out to Latrobe for the 4th of July, but both this year and last year we didn't get to make the trip out so this visit was long overdue. Ben had a fantastic time playing with all his cousins - Eliza, Josh, Jenna, baby Dominic, and of course, Ryan. Ben and Ryan had a little love affair going on and I don't think I've seen Ben give more hugs to any one person. Ryan let Ben wear one of his "cool" necklaces which was quite a thrill. On Saturday we took a trip to Idlewild Park, which had a whole area for little kid rides that was a huge hit (as can be gathered from the photos). Fortunately, Nate was able to sneak over to Steeler's training camp for a bit and picked up this "beatball" for Ben. We have no idea why he insists on calling it a "beatball"? We capped off the trip with a stop at Great Mimi and Great Papap's house to pick blueberries off the trees in their yard. Great Mimi packed us a to-go tub of homegrown blueberries that were completely polished off before we even got home! It was a great trip and fun to see all the family. Next year we must make it out for the 4th - Ben will love the parade!

I Wuv U

Typically, if you tell Ben "I Love You", you get a 15% chance of him saying it back to you. It's really rare, but totally worth the try in the off chance he might reciprocate.

This morning when he was in bed with Nate and I drinking his cup and watching the Today Show, out of nowhere he gave me a hug and said "Mommy, I wuv you". Ah, melt my heart. If he had asked me for pony right after that I can guarantee you I would not be writing this post, but figuring out if a pony could fit in our backyard. Just wanted to write it down so I never forget the memory.

PS - This pic is taken by Ben's Papap at Idlewild Park. More pics from our weekend in Latrobe to come.