ben at three

Some amazing pictures of Ben at 3, from my favorite photographer, Heather Stokes, during a sunny day at the end of December.

Ben at 3 (according to him):

favorite color: blue

favorite animal: lions and tigers

favorite brother: Owen

favorite friend: Natalie

favorite place to go: the beach

favorite state: Oregon

favorite day: Sunday

favorite number: four

favorite food: chicken nuggets

favorite toys: Baby Dog and Blankie

beavers or ducks: ducks

orange or green: blue

favorite song: Old McDonald

favorite game: I Spy

what do you want to be when grow up: astronaut

Ben at 3 (according to Owen):

Ben likes to wrestle with me and pull me down.  Ben likes to cuddle.  Ben likes to play with me in the loft.

Ben at 3 (according to me):

a joyful, funny, curious, happy, beautiful, stubborn, sharp, articulate, and cuddly little boy.

natalie and ben's birthday party

 Natalie and Ben met in the hospital when they were both born- Natalie was the first baby of 2009, Ben came along 3 days later.  They have been in day care together for 2 years and are best friends.  Vivianne takes up the third spot in the Three Amigos of Monroe Center, and the three of them are a friendly, funny, happy group of kids.

We co-hosted the birthday party with Natalie's parents, Debbie and Tze, and invited all the kids in their room at day care, as well as the Delos-Reyes and the Muhlys.  The kids both like Curious George so we ran with that theme, Tze getting a super cute with George on it, and hats and monkey masks and the works.  We ended up having a dozen kids plus two of their favorite teachers from school- Lindsey and Lucy.

The kids and their parents played in the basement with the train set and the cars and a craft table.  They were all happy for cake time, where Ben blew out both his and Natalie's three candles.  Everyone went home with balloons and Curious George goodies.  Ben was SO excited to get to have his friends over.  He is planning a Cookie Monster party for his 4th birthday, but I hope we don't wait that long to have his friends over again.

Thanks for the "birthday boy" t-shirt, Grandma Sally!  He looked so cute!

ben turns 3!

After a relaxing 2 weeks at home, Ben returned to school on his 3rd birthday.  He celebrated with his class with cupcakes and singing.  We all got home early enough to open gifts from family and to have his birthday dinner of choice- spaghetti and meatballs.  The Muhly's joined us for cupcakes and more fun gifts.  Ben was so proud to tell everyone he had turned three.

closing out 2011

making chocolate mousse for New Years Eve

Just Dance 3 on the Wii

Post Christmas, we got to spend a couple of more days with Grandpa and play with new toys.  After Grandpa flew home, the four of us went to the coast to spend the night and watch the high surf.  There was a warm pool and a game room- boy heaven.  We had a fun New Years Eve with friends.  Ben stayed up much later then usual, and Owen stayed awake to watch the ball drop at midnight.  Needless to say there were two tired puppies on New Years day.

It's been a nice, laid back holiday vacation.   We de-Christmas'ed the house yesterday and Owen is back at school today. We are spending Ben's last day as a 2 year old playing around the house.  Tomorrow we will have a 3 year old, and on Saturday we will have a pile of 3 year olds running around the house to celebrate his birthday.