Rudolph... by Ben

Since he wouldn't perform this for grandpa on his birthday - Here it is on video...

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

Highlights of the last few weeks:

Visit with Santa. The picture speaks a thousand words.

Attending Andy's family's Christmas party. The traditional 'Red Chair Present Opening' tradition continued... Fun times were had by all.

Cutting our Christmas Tree at Happy Day Tree Farm

3 Ben-isms and a story

#1 Scene: While working on the U.S. state puzzle, Ben was having some difficulty recalling the names of some of the states. I began giving him clues.

Me: Remember, it starts with Oak.....
Ben: Oh yeah - Oklahoma
Me: This one starts with Why.....
Ben: Oh - Wyoming
Me: Oh this is a tough one - It starts with I... (trying to get him to say Idaho)
Ben: Hmmmm. Hmmmm. (thinking, thinking - then declares) I-don't-know-na!

#2 Scene: The bathroom - Ben is on the toilet and I am standing with my back to him brushing my teeth...
Ben: Mommy, why do you have such a big bottom?
Me: (not even going to respond)

#3 Scene: my car
Frequently, while driving in the car, Ben requests some of my Burt's Bee's chapstick that I stash in the front console for daily use. He is able to get the cap off, apply the chapstick in some sloppy fashion, get the cap back on and hand it back to me in the front seat. Once, when he was more like 2.5 years old, he had borrowed the chapstick on the way to the grocery store. No big deal. He had used it just fine many times. Once we got inside, I got him loaded in the cart, pushed my cart to the deli, and finally had a chance to stop and look at him - he had pink chapstick ALL OVER HIS WHOLE FACE. He had the most innocent look on his face - it was priceless. I couldn't stop giggling and some grandma walks by and cracks up, too, telling me we made her day. You think I would have learned my lesson. Nope.

Nine months or so later, Ben had been having some chapped lips, and again requests some chapstick. I hand it back, he applies it, puts the cap back on and returns it to me. I look back and see he did a pretty sloppy job of putting it on - and I am reminded of the grocery store and kind of snicker. No big deal, right? Yeah - until an hour later when I go to use the chapstick. I take the cap off and notice the chapstick is gone. Hmmm.
Me: Ben? did the chapstick break off when you used it?
Ben: Oh - yes, it did.
Me: (concerned that I will have an ugly mess to clean up) So - where did it land?
Ben: What do you mean?
Me: When the chunk of chapstick fell off - where did it go?
Ben: I ate it.
Me: (squirming) YOU ATE IT???
Ben: yup.
At least it is made with pretty natural stuff...

#4 Scene: We decided to give a shot at a new Christmas tradition - we found a very nice 3.5 mile drive through a neighborhood Christmas light display in a town about 40 minutes away. The boys really did have a nice time ooohh-ing and aaahhh-ing over the Griswald inspired setups that we saw, but it was getting close to bedtime, so we headed back for home. We had nice Christmas music playing in the car creating one of those 'ahhh, aren't the holidays such a great joy' moments, but things quickly started spiralling downward. Eli started taking off his shoes and socks, and Ben followed suit. Halfway through, I warned them about their feet getting cold, but they proceeded on. Eli started making some Monica Seles inspired grunts proclaiming his disdain for being locked in his carseat for too long. Not too long afterwards, he starts adamantly requesting every item just out of his reach (in grunt fashion). I hand him 2 books, a bunny, a set of keys, a napkin to rip up (which he did - but then Ben of course demanded one for himself), and then I ran out of things to hand him so he begins wailing at the top of his lungs. Ironically, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" begins playing on the radio. So, I crank it up to overpower our screaming kid.

Radio: {It's the most wonderful time of the year. With the kids jingle belling, and everyone telling you "Be of good cheer".}
Eli: Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!
Radio: {It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's the hap-happiest season of all.}
Ben: Mommy, my feet are cold. I want my socks!
Radio: {With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings, when friends come to call. It's the hap- happiest season of all...}
Ben: Mommy! Make Eli stop crying!
Radio: {There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow.}
Eli: Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!
Me: (turing the radio louder...)
Radio: {There'll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.}
Me: (Looking at Andy and cracking up) At least we'll have a funny story!
Eli: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Radio: {It's the most wonderful time of the year. There'll be much mistltoeing, and hearts will be glowing, when love ones are near. It's the most wonderful time of the year.}