Happy 3rd Birthday, Liam

Actually, Liam's birthday was Sunday but I'm just now getting around to posting the photos from his little birthday, party. I'm using the term "party" very lightly. We did have a good time with the Cardens, Hills and "Aunt" Robin. Everyone came over after church and we opened presents first, had chili and then cake which was lovingly decorated by Daddy - out of an icing can of course. This is the first year I haven't had a cake make by either Publix, Jen Jones or Grammy and WOW!! it was so easy, cheap and non-stressful for all involved! I'm not sure why I didn't have a cute cake made - I just never got around to it I guess. But all Liam cared about was the chocolate!

Speaking of Liam, I can't believe he is THREE! I don't have any more babies or toddlers :( It's a little sad and it makes me very nostalgic. He has grown up so much this year. He is so articulate when he talks and he picks up so much from his big brother and sister. He mimics Connor 24 hours a day! Poor Connor!! At Liam's party Connor asked, "Do 3 year olds copy everything you do?" I'm afraid so, dear Connor. I have a feeling this mimicking will last a long, long time!

Although Liam mimics everything that Connor does he and Connor are absolutely nothing alike! Liam is like a little tornado tearing through every day. You never have to wonder if Liam is around because he is continually talking or making noise of some sort. Although Liam is the youngest he will never be lost in the shuffle because he always makes himself heard. When Liam wants something he lets everyone around know it!

The funny thing is that Liam was unplanned. We though our family was done with Brooke and Connor. I can't imagine now not having Liam - he brings so much color and humor to our lives. So here's to you Liam Cooper Benson...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

The Birthday Boy

Lovin' the cake!!

Givng Daddy a big kiss!

We loved this turkey hat that Aunt Robin gave each of the kids.

Chad and Meg

Coulton and Mallory

Our sweet Connor

A Little Goes a Long Way...

This is a concept that my youngest, Liam, has not learned yet. We'll be working on that I think. He came to me the other day as I was scrubbing floors on my hands and knees, or some such thing, and told me he needed a wipe. Well after taking a look at him I quite agreed except that he needed quite a few wipes.

Bad, Bad Toothfairy

For some reason the tooth fairy that has been assigned to our house is completely deflicted in a mental way sort of way! She CANNOT remember to bring Brooke her little goodies at night and then I have to scramble around in the morning to fix the whole debacle!!

For instance, this past Wednesday Brooke lost two teeth - yes two! One came out at school and one at church. The one lost at school is literally lost - at school. We wrote a note to the tooth fairy telling her to go look there and of course we still expected the compensation for the tooth. The 2nd tooth was saved by one of the other moms at church until she found me to give it to me. So that one we still have.

We came home Wed night and promptly put the tooth and the note in the tooth pillow that Grammy made. However, the tooth fairy did not bring anything for the two teeth, or so it seemed. Low and behold Brooke went down to breakfast and there sitting in her spot was a kid's scrapbooking kit. Apparently, our toothfairy is much too small and weak and could not carry that kit upstairs. Now, I think this whole scrapbooking kit (about a $10 value) was a little hefty a payment for two teeth and I just think the tooth fairy was feeling a little unprepared and guilty about not putting compensation IN the tooth pillow so she had to come to my closet and pull out something that had been stashed for maybe Christmas, lets say.

So, if any of you all have really good tooth fairies at your house would you please send them to TN!?! And by the way, our tooth fairy's spouse is NO help at all in reminding the tooth fairy of her duties!

Trick -or-Treat

Once again we had a Peter Pan halloween at our house except the roles have changed. This year Liam was Peter Pan, Connor was Captain Hook/ Jack Sparrow and Brooke was Wendy. Tinkerbell showed up again in the form of Mallory. Richard Simmons heard I needed a good work-out so he dropped by as well. As you're looking at the pics pay special attention to Richard's chest hair - it is very nice indeed!

Peter Pan, Wendy & Hook aka Jack Sparrow

Tink dropped by for a while

And here's Richard - how about that chest hair!

Bragging a Little

Last night Dale and I went to the parent/teacher conference with Brooke's 1st grade teacher. She really seems to love Brooke and enjoys teaching her. She told us that Brooke is doing well in her subjects and that she is very helpful and compassionate to the other students. Of course Dale and I were glad to hear that Brooke is doing well because usually all we hear about is the warnings she receives at school. The moment she gets off the bus she tells me how many warnings she received that day! It's pretty funny how honest she is.

However, I think what Dale and I are most proud of is that Brooke truly is a friendly and loving little girl. She may barely know you but you will get a big hug from her if you engage her at all! As we were leaving the school last night one of the janitors walked by and Brooke yelled out his name and waved at him. His reply was, "You are really good parents. You have the nicest little girl." We said thank you and smiled and he said, "No, really, Brooke is the nicest child in this school."

I was so proud that he would say that about Brooke. He's not one of her teachers and she doesn't really see him that much but the way that she is warm and friendly to everyone really made an impression on him.

You are a Benson!

The other night during devotions Dale was talking about the ten commandments and the commandment that night was, "Thou shalt not lie." Dale explained to Connor and Liam what lying was and he gave them a few examples. At the very end he said, "We are Bensons, and Bensons do not lie."

Well several days later Connor and Liam were in my room and Liam apparently did something that Connor didn't like. I heard Connor say to Liam, "You are a Luke and Luke's don't do that!" Liam has no idea that he really isn't a Luke - Connor's middle name is Luke - but it seemed to do the job where scolding was concerned so who cares about the details anyway?

All about boobies

I knew the day would come that my youngest would embarrass me in public as my older two already have. That day was today. We were at church early tonight and so Liam and I were out in the foyer area dropping some coats off for a coat drive we are having. Well, we have a Haitian congregation that meets in one of our smaller sanctuaries and one of the boys was walking by. He looked to be maybe 13 or so and he was maybe a little chunky but nothing anyone would notice and stare at except my child.

Liam craned his head around as this poor, unfortunate boy walked by and he very distinctly said, "Mommy, he has boobies just like you!" (Have I told you before that Liam is obsessed with boobs?) Well, this poor fellow turned around and said, "HUH?" and once again my sweet little Liam said as clearly as ever, "Mommy, he has boobies just like you!"

Why, oh, why does this NEVER happen when Dale has the kids?!?! This poor pre-teen/teen who is probably just now going through puberty is going to have major issues from now on with his self-esteem and body image thanks to my 2 year old! I'm sure he'll never forget the Sunday night in Nashville, TN when some toddler pointed out his "boobies"!!