Happy 3rd Birthday Ben!

Big Snug is officially 3! We had a day long celebration (to go along with the 2+ week celebration since Sam's bday)! Ben was really kind of confused I think that it was his actual birthday. They had multiple parties so I think he was 3 a long time ago! The best part of the day was when Sammy, Dad and I went into his room in the morning and started singing Happy Birthday to him- he got the biggest smile on his face and kept saying "Thanks guys" "Thanks for the birthday song". It was the cutest thing ever! I'll never forget it!  We had a special breakfast at home - Dad was there, but then he unfortunately had to work. We met Grammie at Kings Island and were there most of the day. It was absolutely beautiful outside and the boys had a really fun time. They were so happy to be back at KI! Ben got to ride some new rides that he is now tall enough to ride - the swings, pumpkin roller coaster and then two new rides to the park this year (that I can't remember what they are called). We ran to Lowes to get some flowers where Ben proceeded to repeatedly dip his fingers in the muddy flower water on the ground and put them in his mouth - barf! Then we went to Holly Hills for dinner on the deck to watch the airplanes (kind of for his birthday and an early Mother's Day celebration) with the Smith fam. We somehow even made it home in time to play with the neighbor friends - what a day! Some updates on the Big Snug:
- WILD MAN - that is what Sam calls him (and Mom and Dad)! He is especially wild at night. He loves to get a bath and pretend he's shamu and thrash water out of the tub, be naked and run up and down the hall screaming "I'm naked". Tonight he even turned naked somersaults down the hall while I tried to tackle him and put lotion on him, while hysterically laughing. He has definitely earned the title of "Wild Man" in our house!
- Bedtime - still jacked up from his nakedness, Ben doesn't always go straight to sleep. We first do prayers where he likes to very quickly say the "open shut them" prayer and finish with a deep scary "Amen" that sounds hilarious. He won't go to sleep until Daddo rubs his head and Mom rubs his back and elbow. Yes, I said elbow. It's a new thing - he asks me to rub his elbow. Weird, but so funny!
- Mr. Talker - it's hard to believe Ben wasn't really talking 5 months ago. He seems so much happier now that he is able to communicate (who wouldn't be). He loves to ask "what's that"? Even things we know he knows, he likes to ask it anyway. And he likes to ask about weird things that I can't explain all that well - likes pipes and parts of a toilet. =-)
- Favorite Toys - His favorite toys are trains, trucks and cars - he will go sit and play with them and not need anyone's attention (especially if it's his brother who wants to just come in and take them to annoy him). He especially likes playing with his trucks in the backyard where he can pick up dirt and dump. He likes to jump on his "big boy" bike and ride. He loves Zingo and is starting to get into other board games. He loves any Thomas engine and track. He also likes to play on his leap pad and he is starting to try and do PacMan when Dad and Sam play. While he still loves Barney and blankie, every morning he likes to pick different animals to bring downstairs. You never know who he's going to pick!
- Favorite Foods - his go-to breakfast of choice is cheerios with bananas, strawberries and blueberries. And don't forget the milk and spoon Mom! His favorite lunch usually consists of PB&J. Not so much a dinner guy- but he loves his rice krispie treat or M&M yogurt for dessert! Or chocolate cake, ice cream or brownies - he's definitely our chocolate man!
- Favorite Shows - he loves Paw Patrol, Mickey, Thomas, Team UmiZoomi. He also loves his movie and popcorn night - gets so excited!
- Sweet Ben - our Ben Ben is the sweetest! He just has a such a sweet demeanor about him. He gets so excited to see family/friends. He loves his big brother and definitely misses him if he's not around. We love you Big Snug!!! Hoping you'll also enjoy reading this when you get older! XOXOXO Mommy and Daddo

Here are some party pictures - Boys are so fortunate to have such loving family and friends! 

Happy 5th Birthday Sammy!

Can't believe our Sammy is 5! He had a really good day - celebrated at school by taking in his favorite donuts and book. Then we went to the Zoo - beautiful day and hardly anyone there! Then we came home to eat dinner and went to the Cone! His buddy Addy came too. Here are some updates:
- Mr. Competitive: You could say Sammy is a little competitive. Well, that's probably an understatement. Sammy is VERY competitive! You name it - he wants to win. I have to hold him back so Ben can win a race once in awhile. We do need to continue to work on our sportsmanship skills! He even gets bent out of shape when you just start a board game and he's behind after a couple of turns. Yikes. He likes any and all games - bingo, chutes and ladders, zingo, trouble, candyland, paw patrol game, superwhy - you name it, he's ready to play it! He loves racing (and he's freaking fast!) anybody/anytime. Up the steps, into the house, across the yard, race n chase - he's a racin fool!
- Eating Machine: Our Sammers has turned into quite the eating machine! Of course pancakes are still his favorite breakfast food and he has his go-to PB&J, Ramen noodles and mac n cheese - but he'll eat just about anything you put in front of him now which is awesome! His favorite dessert is vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.
- Sports of all Sorts: Sam seems to really enjoy sports. He loves playing just about anything. Would probably say basketball is his favorite right now, but he likes playing t-ball, tennis, golf, soccer and he's doing Taekwondo right now. He also loves to watch sports - football, basketball, golf, baseball - again, you name it and he's up for watching it, which Dad obviously loves! It was fun watching him get into The Master's this year - "go Rory" "Come on Bubba" - Dad was so happy! =-) And he already loves cheering for The Reds and Bengals!
- Smarty Pants: Sam is already excited about Kindergarten! "Graduates" pre-school in a few weeks which I cannot believe. His teachers have had nothing but great things to say about him. He is starting to read a little bit. His new thing is doing math in the car. He wants to me quiz him and Ben...Sam, what's 12 + 5? Ben, what's 1 + 1? He's really good at math (and Ben is even getting the hang of it!). He also likes to play "I spy" in the car - "I spy something that starts with the letter R". He loves getting on the phone to play games, computer, plays pac man really well - freaks me out. He's going to be teaching me things before long.
- Extrovert: Ok so I know he's just 5, but Sam loves to be around people! He's constantly wanting to play with friends/see who's home. While Ben is content playing on his own a lot, Sam wants someone to be playing with him/doing something with him at all times!
- Snuggle Buddy: While Sam prefers to be on the go most of the time, he enjoys his snuggle time with blankie, Rufus and some of his other animals. His favorite shows include Paw Patrol, Blaze and Team UmiZoomi. He loves movie and popcorn nights - watched the Dolphin Tale movie this past week and he loved it.
We just love our Sammers and are so proud of him! He is a great big brother to Ben! He's such a fun-loving, sweet and caring kid! And goofball! Hoping he'll enjoy reading this one day when's older!
Love you Sammy!!!! XOXOXO Mommy and Daddo

Spring!

So happy it's Spring! Starting to get outside a lot - boys like going out to Shaker Run. We had a great Easter and a fun trip down to Atlanta. Boys getting excited for their birthday's coming up! 

Florida Trip

We had the best trip to Florida in late Feb/early March. Met Dad down at the end of a work trip in Orlando and so glad we did. Ben had his first plane ride - it's something I'll never forget. He kept saying "get me outta here" and "go home and see Bunk and Jax" most of the flight. Sam went to the bathroom about a dozen times. We spilled almost a whole bottle of water and the boys found great entertainment in kicking the seats ahead of them! =-) Saturday when we got down there Dad was finishing up his tournament so the boys and I explored the condo and went swimming (even though it was rainy and pretty cold). Probably wasn't a great decision, but they had the best time and the water was as warm as bath water. Then while Dad had a break we went over to the Boardwalk where he was staying to eat pizza and check it out. Sunday we went to Sea World - weather was beautiful and boys loved it. They had 3 great shows - Shamu of course, a neat dolphin/diving show and a hilarious "pets ahoy" show. Monday Aunt Terrie and Uncle Dick drove up and we did putt putt golf, went swimming again and then to Downtown Disney where we ate at the T-Rex Cafe and Ghiradelli ice cream shop! Tuesday we sent to the Magic Kingdom - favorite rides included the race cars (rode 3x), dumbo's, Buzz Lightyear, the rocket ships and the Jungle Cruise. Ben also loved the Goofy Roller Coaster and rode it twice. Sam was scared and didn't want to go on =-) Ben kept saying "goes around and around and so fast". They loved the Parade - it was so cute seeing Sam wave to all the characters and get excited about them. Ben was just in awe of it all - not quite sure what to think. We were sad to go home Wednesday, but the boys were definitely exhausted and probably ready. It was such a fun trip - couldn't have been any better! I wanted to document it all so we will always remember. There's nothing like having all that time together!!!