Here is the view from the top of Bennett's dresser this morning. We have a vintage, naked baby doll slow-motion punching a plush capuchin monkey, all while two little ponies act as though they've witnessed nothing. I'm not even kidding about this. Bennett herself told me the punch is specifically a slow-motion punch. Why? Why not, I guess. Strange, strange girl we have on our hands.Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Bennett's Bedroom - Photo of the Week
Many of you know that all sorts of things can been seen in Bennett's bedroom. She is constantly pretending and arranging interesting scenes, the most recent of which is ridiculous. No surprise. 
Here is the view from the top of Bennett's dresser this morning. We have a vintage, naked baby doll slow-motion punching a plush capuchin monkey, all while two little ponies act as though they've witnessed nothing. I'm not even kidding about this. Bennett herself told me the punch is specifically a slow-motion punch. Why? Why not, I guess. Strange, strange girl we have on our hands.
Here is the view from the top of Bennett's dresser this morning. We have a vintage, naked baby doll slow-motion punching a plush capuchin monkey, all while two little ponies act as though they've witnessed nothing. I'm not even kidding about this. Bennett herself told me the punch is specifically a slow-motion punch. Why? Why not, I guess. Strange, strange girl we have on our hands.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Halloween Weekend Getaway
We took a trip to visit Uncle B. and Aunt J. for some Halloween fun over the weekend! The men completed some home improvement projects while the ladies headed to an amazing pumpkin patch for the day! 
Above are two little ladies, posing for a picture at the pumpkin patch. The mums were beautiful!
Cousin M. took part in the festivities with Bennett and Ainsley. Here they are, just getting ready to start their day at the patch! It was chilly, but the sun came out and it ended up being a lovely day.
This pumpkin patch was something else! It featured an automated pumpkin-eating dragon.
Bennett and Ainsley got to do something they love...ride ponies. At first, Bennett declined the offer to pony ride because she said the ponies were too small. What?! She quickly changed her mind, and then proceded to choose the smallest pony to ride. What?!
Ainsley had a blast riding her pony, Jellybean!
The pumpkin patch also offered a Storybook Land. Bennett and Ainsley enjoyed seeing a display for Hansel and Gretal.
We got to take a little train ride together. Ainsley got to ride and visit with Nana!
We also stopped by the pirate area of the pumpkin patch. Ainsley tried out the stockade! What a cute prisoner.
Bennett enjoyed jumping "off the plank" and into some hay!
And finally, a group shot with Nana, Cousin M. Aunt J. and Aunt C. while waiting for launch time at the pumpkin cannon! It was a great day!
Above are two little ladies, posing for a picture at the pumpkin patch. The mums were beautiful!
Cousin M. took part in the festivities with Bennett and Ainsley. Here they are, just getting ready to start their day at the patch! It was chilly, but the sun came out and it ended up being a lovely day.
This pumpkin patch was something else! It featured an automated pumpkin-eating dragon.
Bennett and Ainsley got to do something they love...ride ponies. At first, Bennett declined the offer to pony ride because she said the ponies were too small. What?! She quickly changed her mind, and then proceded to choose the smallest pony to ride. What?! 
Ainsley had a blast riding her pony, Jellybean!
The pumpkin patch also offered a Storybook Land. Bennett and Ainsley enjoyed seeing a display for Hansel and Gretal.
We got to take a little train ride together. Ainsley got to ride and visit with Nana!
We also stopped by the pirate area of the pumpkin patch. Ainsley tried out the stockade! What a cute prisoner.
Bennett enjoyed jumping "off the plank" and into some hay!
And finally, a group shot with Nana, Cousin M. Aunt J. and Aunt C. while waiting for launch time at the pumpkin cannon! It was a great day!Friday, October 30, 2009
Trick-Or-Treat!
Last night Bennett and Ainsley got to do some trick-or-treating. Mother Mary and Cat had a great time!
The girls wanted really simple costumes this year and I was more lazy than usual. This combination worked well! They still looked cute!
Bennett and Ainsley got to hang with Cousin S., Mr. Giraffe, for a bit. The poor boy doesn't know what to think of Mother Mary and Cat. Even when the girls are in normal, everyday dress, he isn't sure what to think about their company though. Bennett and Ainsley, however, love him to pieces!
Cousin M. did some trick-or-treating with them as well. She, like Bennett, was a cat...the preschool version. Once again, it appears my girls are thrilled and the little cousin is not so sure. I sense a theme developing. It's a good thing Cousins A. and L. weren't around. Bennett and Ainsley might have had an ill effect on them as well. We better work on our peer relations, Girls!
The girls wanted really simple costumes this year and I was more lazy than usual. This combination worked well! They still looked cute!
Bennett and Ainsley got to hang with Cousin S., Mr. Giraffe, for a bit. The poor boy doesn't know what to think of Mother Mary and Cat. Even when the girls are in normal, everyday dress, he isn't sure what to think about their company though. Bennett and Ainsley, however, love him to pieces!
Cousin M. did some trick-or-treating with them as well. She, like Bennett, was a cat...the preschool version. Once again, it appears my girls are thrilled and the little cousin is not so sure. I sense a theme developing. It's a good thing Cousins A. and L. weren't around. Bennett and Ainsley might have had an ill effect on them as well. We better work on our peer relations, Girls!Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Nutcracker Wars
We had our cable disconnected last spring, which means that when you turn our television on you see nothing but fuzz. This has been one of the best decisions we've ever made, especially for our kids! They were creative before, but it's been fun to see how much time they spend pretending, reading, and creating instead of vegging out on the couch. Don't get me wrong, tv has it's purpose, and our girls still watch their fair share of videos. But, they spend most of their time doing better stuff. Stuff like...
....Nutcracker Wars!!! Bennett and I have been battling each other. I am the short general and she is the tall general. Our individual soldiers face off for one on one combat, but they usually strike up interesting conversations with one another and walk off the battlefield as buddies. Needless to say, most of our battles end in a tie or non-war, declared by Judge Abe Lincoln Nutcracker. This has been really fun, both for Bennett and me!
Nutcracker Wars take place in the very private room of Bennett. This is a typical doorway confrontation that is seen frequently at our house, war or not. Ainsley and Cousin M. were trying to smooth talk their way in for a peek at the battle, as if the look on Bennett's face, the "Do Not Disturb" doorknob pillow and the "Stay Out" sign weren't clear enough cues. They were not admitted access. But to Bennett's defense, there are many occasions when she is not allowed to play in Ainsley's room with Ainsley and Cousin M. It works both ways, and all parties seem to have accepted it. Two is company, three's a crowd.
....Nutcracker Wars!!! Bennett and I have been battling each other. I am the short general and she is the tall general. Our individual soldiers face off for one on one combat, but they usually strike up interesting conversations with one another and walk off the battlefield as buddies. Needless to say, most of our battles end in a tie or non-war, declared by Judge Abe Lincoln Nutcracker. This has been really fun, both for Bennett and me!
Nutcracker Wars take place in the very private room of Bennett. This is a typical doorway confrontation that is seen frequently at our house, war or not. Ainsley and Cousin M. were trying to smooth talk their way in for a peek at the battle, as if the look on Bennett's face, the "Do Not Disturb" doorknob pillow and the "Stay Out" sign weren't clear enough cues. They were not admitted access. But to Bennett's defense, there are many occasions when she is not allowed to play in Ainsley's room with Ainsley and Cousin M. It works both ways, and all parties seem to have accepted it. Two is company, three's a crowd.Thursday, October 22, 2009
Lax Parenting Pays Off
So, Grant and I recognize that we have become too soft in certain areas with child #2. The most noticeable is bedtime. Bennett was always forbidden to leave her bed at night unless it was an emergency. Rarely did she challenge this. With Ainsley it is quite a different story. She regularly gets out of bed, nearly always for a non-emergency, and we let it go. Why? Because she's so sweet and pleasant about it, and she's cute. We know we must remedy this. Anyway, last night, the non-emergency was that her nose was just too stuffy for her to fall asleep. She needed to stay up a little bit to...
...color her Cubbies mask! Right! I should have known that would remedy a stuffy nose. Grant, the softy that he is, went right along with it and the two of them colored away. Another vast contrast between Bennett and Ainsley. Bennett despised Cubbies. Ainsley adores Cubbies.
And, the finished product modeled by a wide awake Ainsley! I'm so glad we could promote a love for Cubbies by failing to be consistent with rules in our home. Way to go, Mom and Dad.
...color her Cubbies mask! Right! I should have known that would remedy a stuffy nose. Grant, the softy that he is, went right along with it and the two of them colored away. Another vast contrast between Bennett and Ainsley. Bennett despised Cubbies. Ainsley adores Cubbies.
And, the finished product modeled by a wide awake Ainsley! I'm so glad we could promote a love for Cubbies by failing to be consistent with rules in our home. Way to go, Mom and Dad.Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Finally!!!
The past couple of days have brought the kind of fall weather we've been waiting for! Ainsley and Cousin M. ventured out on a neighborhood walk with me today and we took in some of God's beauty!
Two little cousins, posing in front of a beautiful tree...one of several we saw.
Another pose in front of a fiery red burning bush.
The girls collected several leaves for a craft projects. These happened to be bright green and yellow.
After our walk, we raked some leaves to create a nice pile for jumping!
The pile was also good for laying down to relax.
Newsflash...leaves are great for tossing as well! Who knew?!?!
Two little cousins, posing in front of a beautiful tree...one of several we saw.
Another pose in front of a fiery red burning bush. 
The girls collected several leaves for a craft projects. These happened to be bright green and yellow.
After our walk, we raked some leaves to create a nice pile for jumping!
The pile was also good for laying down to relax.
Newsflash...leaves are great for tossing as well! Who knew?!?!Saturday, October 10, 2009
"Snow" Way!!!!
We woke up to snow this morning. Seriously. Mom and Dad were not as thrilled as Bennett and Ainsley were, but it was fun to go out and enjoy it for a few minutes.
First snowball fight of the season!
First snowball fight of the season!
Monday, October 5, 2009
'Tis the Season
Ainsley is in the Christmas spirit. It's October, come on! Shouldn't we all be? She has already begun requesting Christmas music, and she is frequently watching Christmas cartoons. Of course, she MUST be dressed as Mary while watching Christmas cartoons, and she MUST have a baby Jesus on her lap. Any guesses who she wants to be for Halloween this year?
Friday, October 2, 2009
A Little Pick-Me-Up
Well, things are kind of dreary and blah around here. Here are a few fun photos to warm your heart on a cold, wet Friday!
Bennett recently had the opportunity to go over to play with some fun little neighbor boys. She was so pleased to hang out with them, and she especially enjoyed their "boy" costumes. She chose to wear a teeny tiny Scooby Doo suit. My neighbor said it is a size 18-24 months or something. Bennett obviously didn't mind!
Ainsley continues to blossom as an artist. Today she drew a girl scarecrow using a shape template and some free-hand. Nice job, Ainsley!!!!
Ainsley LOVES tools! Real tools, not plastic toy ones. She enjoys helping her dad with projects and she really likes to change the dead batteries in anything and everything. She does a fine job! Here she can be seen changing the batteries in her sister's camera. Cousin M. is watching and learning.
Bennett recently had the opportunity to go over to play with some fun little neighbor boys. She was so pleased to hang out with them, and she especially enjoyed their "boy" costumes. She chose to wear a teeny tiny Scooby Doo suit. My neighbor said it is a size 18-24 months or something. Bennett obviously didn't mind! 
Ainsley continues to blossom as an artist. Today she drew a girl scarecrow using a shape template and some free-hand. Nice job, Ainsley!!!!
Ainsley LOVES tools! Real tools, not plastic toy ones. She enjoys helping her dad with projects and she really likes to change the dead batteries in anything and everything. She does a fine job! Here she can be seen changing the batteries in her sister's camera. Cousin M. is watching and learning.Thursday, October 1, 2009
Delayed Birthday Post
Ainsley celebrated her birthday a while ago. It's taken me some time to get these highlights posted...my apologies!
Ainsley awoke to the traditionally decorated birthday bedroom. She was so thrilled, and still a little bit out of it when I took this picture. Of course, her limelight-stealing big sister had to have her Webkinz in the shot. Thanks, Bennett. Your Webkinz look fantastic.
Bennett got Ainsley a new mermaid toy to play with in the bathtub. Ainsley was tickled!
Ainsley got to choose one special friend to have over to play, in honor of her big day. Ainsley and K. posed for a shot, just prior to playing the "spider web game."
I took the girls out for birthday lunch, Ainsley's choice. She chose Subway and both girls chose to wear dress-up shoes!
Enjoying some turkey, cheese, pickle and black olive subs!
Ainsley awoke to the traditionally decorated birthday bedroom. She was so thrilled, and still a little bit out of it when I took this picture. Of course, her limelight-stealing big sister had to have her Webkinz in the shot. Thanks, Bennett. Your Webkinz look fantastic.
Bennett got Ainsley a new mermaid toy to play with in the bathtub. Ainsley was tickled!
Ainsley got to choose one special friend to have over to play, in honor of her big day. Ainsley and K. posed for a shot, just prior to playing the "spider web game."
I took the girls out for birthday lunch, Ainsley's choice. She chose Subway and both girls chose to wear dress-up shoes!
Enjoying some turkey, cheese, pickle and black olive subs!
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