Ben turns 5!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Ben Ben who just turned 5! How is our baby 5 years old already? For his birthday he insisted on getting 5 kisses, 5 hugs, 5 spankings and 5 high-fives. =-) He told everyone he could that it was his birthday!
Here are some updates on Ben:
- Ben is finishing up preschool at Liberty Heights in the Owl class with Miss Amy and Miss Tracy. He's done an awesome job at school this year. Loves Wednesday's because he gets to learn new sight words. He's even starting to read a little bit. He will start Kindergarten in August which is hard to believe!
- Ben is a Ninja. He loves his ninja class at Gymnation. And he loves watching America Ninja Warrior on tv. He is super strong and flies across monkey bars now. Even can swing and do rings now. He also just finished up Soccer Shots at preschool - really seemed to like it, but doesn't seem real excited about joining an actual soccer team in the fall. Think Dad is trying to talk him into it. Says he wants to play golf and tennis.
- Ben's favorite shows are Paw Patrol, Blaze and America Ninja Warrior.
- Ben is the slowest eater there ever was (except when it comes to desserts). Kind of drives us all crazy =-). He's always telling me to slow down! He is a chocolate man. Favorite foods are probably muffins, pancakes or waffles, peanut butter and jelly, pizza and any kind of dessert.
- Ben is riding his bike with no training wheels! We got him a new bike for his birthday that he's excited about. He loves to play outside - especially on the swing set.
- Ben doesn't really have a favorite stuffed animal. He likes to mix it up. Does love his beanie boos (which get lost in his bed and we can never find them!) He loves to bring as many as he can down to the couch every morning. Still loves his blankie too. Loves to sleep on the top bunk now every night!
- Ben is a goofball. Likes to be silly, say silly things and dance around naked while slapping his butt cheeks (definitely takes after his Dad)! He likes music a lot - says he likes "rock and roll" and will play his air guitar alongside his Mom's mean air guitar.
- Ben likes electronics and board games like Sam. Likes to play Peggle and his favorite board game right now is probably Monopoly Junior. He is also really into Lego's.
- Ben is crazy good at hidden picture searches in Highlights magazines. =-)
Ben is a great brother - has been so fun to see him get older and see him and Sam play more. He doesn't put up with Sam bugging him anymore - stands up to him which is fun to watch! Hard to believe that we were worried about Ben's speech being delayed. He is a total chatter box now! He's in a very loving and snuggly (thus the nickname Big Snug) phase that I hope he stays in forever! We love our Big Snug so much and are so proud of him!

Sam turns 7!

Well I'm having major issues uploading pictures for some reason, but wanted to wish our Sammy a Happy 7th Birthday. Here are some updates/fun facts about Sam =-)
- He likes to be punctual. Actually he likes to be early. He kind of freaks out if we don't get somewhere on time. I'm always late so we run into a little conflict. Glad he's like that, but also kind of drives me nuts.
- Sam has turned into a big eater - favorite foods are pancakes, eggs (loves and always asking for eggs), hamburgers, chicken fries, ramen noodles (though Dad won't let him eat anymore because he read some article how they are really bad for you), loves my meatloaf, tacos and anything sweet! He's a vanilla lover like his Mom.
- Sam is a little smarty pants - does really good at school and enjoys going. Reading at a 2nd/3rd grade level in first grade. He's very good at math and back in the fall we received a letter that his test score indicated he is "gifted" at math. Definitely did not get that from his Mom (or Dad for that matter) =-).
- Sam is a social butterfly - he loves playing with friends/loves being around people. Constantly asking to play with neighbor friends.
- Sam loves sports - he's doing Tae kwon do (orange belt right now), starting golf lessons and playing flag football right now. He likes soccer in the fall and basketball in the spring. He's asked to do others but told him no way Jose! Already too much on his plate - but he loves it. He also loves to watch sports - especially football and golf. Loves to watch the Bengals and would probably say his favorite golfer is Jordan Speith and Bubba.
- Sam is a good big brother (most of the time)- he and Ben play great and are now bunk bed mates.
- Sam loves electronics - his Nintendo DS, phone, xbox- he'd play all the time if we let him. Have to limit it for sure. He equally loves board games - Yahtzee is his current go-to.
- Sam loves his new puppy Hogan. It's so cute to hear him talk to Hogan. "Here buddy, give me a kiss" "Yes, I know...I love you too Hogan". I love it
- He is a sleeper - when he is out, he's out. He sleeps through bad storms, Hogan barking and Ben puking...
- Sam is goofball - likes telling jokes, likes to dance and be silly.
- Sam can be very blunt - says what he is thinking...not sure he has a filter. Kind of scares me as he gets bigger =-)
- Sam likes going to church and his Sunday school class.
- He likes his head rubbed every night (by Dad) and his back rubbed by Mom - "very very lightly" he tells me every night =-) His favorite stuffed animal is still Rufus and he loves his white blanket
- Sam's confidence has seemed to have grown in the past couple of months. He's doing awesome riding his bike and doing monkey bars.
Very proud of our 7-year old Sammy. Love him so so so much!!!!!!!!