Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Benson at church




This little Benson is such a funny character. He is just sweet, even as a two-year-old. In fact, I often forget he's a two-year-old at all, except that he does try and test his boundaries. The thing is, his "fits" are all just an act. It's a bit like watching a play with bad actors, actors so bad that you feel they're reading you the script verbatim  That's Benson. He tries to get angry when he doesn't get his way. He stomps his foot and puts his hands on his hips. He will even shout, "No", "Can't do it", or "Nevo, evo, evo" (Never ever ever)--all statements that speak defiance. Recently he actually shouted, "I ate yo" (which we think was "I hate you" and don't worry, he got in big trouble for saying that) but underneath his frown is always a smile.

Last Sunday our family was visiting my parents church where BJ and I were singing a musical number. My parents congregation consists entirely of older families and empty-nesters, so when our family visits we are SO disruptive. Benson does not understand the concept of whispering at all, so every statement of his is at full volume. That, combined with the clamor of toys and snacks makes for, I'm afraid, a rather disturbing din.

So, there we were, making our usual clamor amid an otherwise silent sacrament service. At the appointed time BJ and I performed our number and then headed back to sit with the boys and my parents. As we sat back down next to Benson, he looked up at us and shouted in the silent meeting, "Oh no, not YOU gain!" Guess he was relieved to finally be rid of us and was quite disappointed when we returned.

On that note, McKay had a similar incident the other day. We were visiting my parents and McKay and Papa were deep in a game of Legos when BJ walked over to see what they were playing. When McKay saw BJ approach he said, "Go away, Dad!"
BJ replied: "It hurts my feelings when you say that to me, McKay."
McKay reflected momentarily then said, "Please go away Dad".

Problem solved.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Blitzen Boogie

Every year, BJ's mom tries to get the whole family to do a singing and dancing program. Rarely does it come to fruition. So, for this year, we decided to put it together for her and surprise her. This is the number with all the grandkids. Our kids are the ones dancing to their own beat. McKay is on the far left in green, and Benson is on the far right in red. Enjoy.


Monday, November 12, 2012

Thankful Family Home Evening

Tonight for Family Home Evening, we had a little lesson about being thankful. McKay remembered that being thankful means, "something that you love" or something you love that Heavenly Father has given you. So, tonight for FHE we traced our hands and made the pictures into turkeys. Then, on each feather we wrote things that we were thankful for.

Mckay's list included the following:
Spiders
Spiderman
Lions
Halloween Decorations
and...Jesus.

Benson's list was a little more concise:
Soccer
Trains
and...Jesus.

Papa was also here for dinner and FHE. His list was nice. It was:
soccer
Zuppa Toscana (the dinner I made tonight)
Air
Our roses

After we made the turkeys the boys colored them with markers (a big thrill around here) and then we played Charades. Both the boys LOVE to play and are getting pretty good at it. Benson was so funny though. I would give him a word, for example, "turtle" and as he's bending over to make a turtle he would say, "turtle, turtle, turtle" until we'd guess "turtle"? Then he'd do a victory lap around the family room, laughing we glee that we managed to guess.

Sure love these boys.