Ptown Buddies

After a trip to the Oregon Zoo with Great Aunt Peg and Grandma Monday, we spent some time with B's Ptown buddies yesterday and today.

On Tuesday, we headed over to Katie's to visit Jack and Elie. B and Jack are eating crackers out of the muffin tin. Hey, it kept them busy for 10 minutes.

Bennett follows Jack around and wants to do everything he does. They play well together and are very vocal. Maybe it's b/c their mommies are such chatterboxes. :)

My good friend Molly came over with Jack and Lauren today which was such a treat! They started a 3 man band.....Jack on the drums, Lauren playing the guitar and B was supposed to play the piano but the slinky was more interesting.

Bday Wknd Part Deux

On Sunday my mom had a little birthday party for B. Kyle, Katie and the kids spent all day Saturday and Sunday at the house so the kids could be together. Thank goodness Auntie Val and Mark were there to help play zone defense. The three of them together wore us out.

Grandma's infamous 3 layer chocolate cake. Sad to say B didn't like it, but we all did! The boy doesn't like sweets......yet. :)

The kids were OBSESSED with the big wheel and kept having to take turns on it. B doesn't understand sharing quite yet, but we're working on it.

B and Kennedy playing peek-a-boo with Auntie Val outside. Notice B on his tippy toes....too cute. These two seriously have the CUTEST laughs ever! They were two peas in a pod.

Slumber Party

Last Thursday, Bennett and I flew up to Portland for 7 days to celebrate his bday with the fam. We spent our first night in town at Kyle and Katie's and had so much fun. On Friday morning I was woken up by my favorite nephew coming into the guest room and yelling, "Aunt Stacy, I'm up!" at 5:50 a.m. We rolled downstairs so we wouldn't wake the "babies" (as Carter refers to them), and cuddled on the couch reading books. He and I even took an early morning run to Starbucks to get coffees and donuts (the kid loooooves donuts). Once "the babies" woke up, we enjoyed a fun play day. Watching Kennedy and Bennett play together is a hoot. They are like little energizer bunnies.

Bath time Thursday night. Carter and Bennett splashed water all over poor Kyle and sweet little Kennedy just watched.

Having fun!

Kuddos to Kyle for handling three kiddos in the tub.

On Friday, Katie and I took the kids to the local library for story time. Here they are shaking their bells to some song. Carter does a whole dance routine to it. It's hilarious!

Bennett was loving it!

Bennett's Big Birthday

Last Wednesday (B's actual birthday), Justin and I took him to Red Robin to celebrate. It seems eating at chain restaurants with lots of kids are about the only places we go these days. B had a blast and inhaled his grilled cheese, but wanted nothing to do with his ice cream. Don't worry, Justin didn't let it go to waste. :)

Here are the big boy's latest stats at his one year check-up:

Height: 31 1/4" 90th%
Weight: 22 lbs 12 oz 50th%
Head: 18 1/2" 75th%

First Birthday Party!

We celebrated Bennett's first birthday (a few days early) with family and friends on Saturday. The weather was perfect and the margaritas were flowing! Even though Bennett was a bit overwhelmed with all the commotion, I still think he had a great time. He was showered with lots of attention and wonderful gifts. He is one lucky little boy!

Our special birthday boy

B's new ride from Mommy and Daddy

The cake.....

Birthday bib

Birthday plate

The table

Not into his cheese quesadilla :(

Didn't know what to think about the cake and then got upset to have frosting all over his hands!

Little Hands

Today was a big day for our little Bennett. He started Little Hands, a co-op preschool here in Belmont. We'll be going to school every Thursday for 2 hours. I must admit, we had quite an interesting morning before we left for school. Bennett was unusually whiny and clinging to my legs all morning so it was nearly impossible for me to get ready. He broke some of my makeup, dumped garbage all over our room, discovered how to unroll the toilet paper, refused to get dressed, kicked his shoes off 3 times before we got out the door, spilled milk all over his shirt, you get the picture! :) I was literally SWEATING by the time I got into the car. After a few deep breaths, I managed to pull it together and we had a great time at school. Bennett had fun exploring and playing with new friends, and I had fun meeting new mommies! I knew Bennett would excel in this new environment. I often found him in a completely different room from me or outside playing with a constant smile on his face. Teacher LaLaine commented on how happy he was and called him "Mr. Independent". I'm so glad our day turned around!

Playing inside with the cash register.

So busy and happy!

B walked up and down this little bridge for about 10-15 minutes while I chatted with my friend Lisa. Lisa and I grew up together in Hillsboro and went to school K - 12 together. Her daughter, Brooke, is in Bennett's class. What are the odds?! So fun to reconnect with an old friend.

Hanging with some of the boys in class.

"Circle time" at the end of class where we sing songs outside.

My bubby with George sound asleep :)

Walking

Bennett started "officially" walking over a week ago. I finally was able to catch him on camera yesterday after breakfast.

Virgo Boys

On Friday, Andrina and I took the boys to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito and out to lunch to celebrate their upcoming birthdays (they are just one day apart). Unfortunately, Bennett and Landon's birthday parties are on the same day at the same time -- bummer! I was really hoping Bennett would have his little buddy to play with at his party. Oh well.....The boys seemed to like the museum and I think they'll enjoy it even more as they grow and can do more things.

Playing the drums in one of the exhibits.

I think B will definitely be ready to start music class again in the spring.

Playing in the outdoor area called the "tot spot". Let's just say they got quite dirty. :)

Learning about streams and showing us his splash skills.

Talking to the rubber fishy.

Seattle!

We spent the holiday weekend with my parents in Seattle and had a blast! Although the weather wasn't great, we still had a great time and did a ton. My mom watched Bennett while Justin, Big Ken, and I went to the game so she was in heaven. Bennett ended up staying both nights in their hotel room, so we weren't complaining! I must say, it was nice to sleep in a little bit. :)

In the shuttle on our way to the airport. Notice B's LSU sweatsuit. Justin was so proud to dress him in it for game day.

Reading books with Grandma after nap.

We took B on a walk around downtown before we left for the game. There were an estimated 18,000 Tiger fans in town. They all would walk by us and say, "What a cute little Tiger." Some LSU fan on the street gave B these beads.

LSU tailgate on the UW campus.

Big Ken showed us around campus before the game.

Best view in all of college football.

Sunday morning walk to Pike Place Market. It felt weird to be a tourist in the town I used to live!

My parents took us to the Seattle Aquarium on Sunday. My mom told me they took us there when we were little with my Papa and Grandma Phelan. Glad we could keep the tradition alive!

B feeling the starfish. He is not shy!

Feeling the octopus with Papa.

After the aquarium, we enjoyed a nice lunch at Elliot's and then headed back to the hotel.

I crack up at my mom! She seriously brought everything for Bennett, including this bath towel. She had more stuff packed for him than I did!

Monday before lunch on Alki Beach. My Great Grandparents lived on Alki and I remember visiting them a lot when we were young. Seattle is such a special place to me. I loved walking all around and hearing my dad's stories of growing up there. It's neat to think that both sets of Bennett's Great Great Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Papa and mommy all lived there. :)