2013

Ben,

Grama was staying with you when you had your spring school music show.  I just had to take a video of you.  This was the very first time I have ever been able to see you in a school program!


Sorry, Grama did not know how to load the video!!!








You have changed in so many ways!  You love to read books now and of course you have never quit building things!  I really had fun with you outside throwing a tennis ball to you and you hitting it back to me with  the racket.  You have just finished kindergarten and will be in 1st grade in the fall!  I hope you have a wonderful summer!  Love, Grama

The big Cuatro!

Ben-
It's just so crazy that you are now four years old! I can't hardly believe it. You have really grown so much so quick. You have now really developed your own individual style and personality. Anything green and mean is up your alley, but orange will suffice! I also learned that even though you want me to paint on your canvas that I should not! Nonetheless it was sure great to see you when you visited me and Aunt E in Texas. That was quite a trip for a four year old! You didn't seem to mind as long as someone had noodles for you and was willing to go swimming with you! I have never been a shark impersonator until you visited! I had so much fun chasing you and Eve around. I guess this means that I need to come visit you next! Happy Birthday kiddo. Love and miss you!
Aunt Jill

Texas

Ben, what a fun time we had in Texas together! You rode on an airplane to Texas to visit. Aunt Erin, Aunt Jill, Poppy and Grama were all there to see you! We went to Sea World and you fed the dolphins. We rode all kinds of rides and got splashed with water! Then you spent the night with me at the Bed and Breakfast in San Antonio. You spent most of your time in Aunt Erin's pool. You love to play in the water. Then we went and saw the sharks at the Houston aquarium. I wish we all lived closer so we could be together more often. You are growing up really fast and you love life and have fun in whatever is going on. I love you and will see you soon. Grama

tea partying

You recently took a small vacation to Colonial Williamsburg. While it's difficult to travel because of your tendency to scream and whine nonstop when you don't get something you want, it was a fun getaway. There was lots of walking, some swimming, learning, and shopping and it was nice for us to all get away together. You were enamored with the masses of guns you saw while there, but we still managed to escape with no more than a pink sweatshirt and small ghost keychain for you. So easy to please, it's hard to imagine how long this will last.

big boy bed

It seems that just recently you have realized you can write your name, draw monsters, recognize all your numbers and letters and recite "The Three Little Pigs." I don't know how it happened, but all of a sudden you've become such a big boy. We even bought you a new bed that may require us to remove the ceiling fan since it is so high.

I've been working in your classroom for a few months now and will stay in there until the end of the school year. There are a few moments that you need me to step out of the room in order to settle down, but otherwise it's been great. I get to spend the day with you and your friends.

You did recently have a bit of an accident. After a not-so-brief trip to the ER, you left with no stitches like we thought were going to be necessary and healed up in a few days. That doesn't mean you were happy about the whole thing, but it's behind us now and the next time you walk up the stairs at IKEA, I bet you'll pay close attention to avoid tripping.

All grown up

Ben, you are quite the little boy. You love your cars and dinosaurs. I am amazed how much fun you seem to have at school! You are always smiling! Grama loves when we video chat and you ask me to read you a book, then ask for another, and another, and another! I am going to have to get some new books to have at my house to keep you satisfied. You talk all the time now, but, I still have to ask your Mom to translate. You made a fantastic Thanksgiving music video about how you don't wanna be a turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Grama showed your video to all the teachers at her school and, of course, they all loved it! It has been a year since I have gotten to see you. I had to get a new hip, but now, I am ready to travel. I am coming to spend the holidays with you. We will make many new memories and have a great time. I love you and will see you soon! Love, Grama

anything goes

School seems to be working well for you and you have taken an interest in things other than cars, trucks, and anything else with wheels. You can now recognize all your letters and are drawing more pictures, which are mostly monsters. You have a few good friends at school that are mostly girls. I think having a big sister and playing games like dog family at home are having an effect on you. I've been substituting for your assistant teacher in school and you are fine with me being there as long as no one tries to hold my hand or sit on my lap. You've started doing more puzzles which is a fun thing to do with you.