Super Heros

The kids got a bag of Super Hero costumes from their friend's garage sale and have been tearing around the house in them a lot recently. The other day Benjamin wanted me to play with them and I said I wouldn't fit into any of the costumes. He told me, "That's okay, mama. You can just be Mama Super Hero and put some undies on outside of your pants." I laughed my head off and then declined for fear of someone knocking on the door and seeing me like that.

The Life of a Rule Keeper

After school today, I opened up Benjamin's lunch and found that he hadn't eaten anything except for a granola bar. I asked him what happened. Through tears he said that he opened his granola bar and dropped it on the ground. He raised his hand and spent most of the rest of the lunch period waiting for one of the two cafeteria aides to come pick it up for him and throw it away. By the time someone came to help him, his lunch period was over and he didn't have time to eat anything else.

I said, "Benjamin, why didn't you just leave it on the floor and keep eating or pick it up and throw it away?" He said, "Mrs. Wright told us today that we were not to have any trash on the floor and we were not to get up out of our seats." Drew and I told him if that ever happens again it is totally okay to get out of his seat to pick up his food.

I happened to already have a meeting scheduled after school with his teacher and she told me that Benjamin seemed really sad after lunch like he was trying to hold back tears. I told her what happened in the lunch room. She of course felt horrible. There are a few boys in Benjamin's class that have been purposely making a mess of their food and drinks and running around the lunch tables instead of eating. She of course made this firm statement for them but Benjamin took it to heart and found himself in a very distressing situation.

My sweet boy. We pray he learns the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.

Other than that he did say it was the 'greatest day of Kindergarten ever' because he found two of his Kiddie Kampus preschool friends on the playground that are in another Kindergarten class and they played with him the whole recess.

First Day of Preschool

Isa was SO excited to go to preschool today. She had her backpack on at 8:20 and kept asking when we could go. She marched right in and never looked back. It is refreshing to see her so excited and confident. Sam and I didn't know what to do with ourselves after we dropped her off. Sam didn't want to get out of the van and kept saying, "Why we no going to preschool?" We came inside and just stared at each other for awhile before he said, "Mama, you wrestle with me?" It was a very quiet two hours. I loved every minute of it I must say. :)

Isa's 1st Day of Preschool from drewandbekah on Vimeo.

Not much longer

Our baby girl is due three weeks from today. Of my three pregnancies, this one has gone the fastest and I find myself hoping I am late. Don't take that the wrong way, little one. I do want to meet you but I just love feeling you move inside of me and I'm not in any hurry for that to end. The doctor said yesterday he thinks you are going to be a little baby which I am just fine with. I am 2cm dilated and 75 percent effaced which was a reality check for me that my body is getting ready whether my heart is ready or not.

One Week Down

Benjamin made it through his first week of Kindergarten. He did really well but it is going to take a few weeks for him to settle into the new routine. It's a long day. By lunch he is ready to come home and I wish he could. The first day I asked him, "What was the most fun thing you did today?" He responded, "Ummm, rest time." The second day a friend of mine asked him, "What is the best part about Kindergarten?" He responded, "I think all of it." That's a big improvement from rest time, I think.

On Friday, I went to the school and had lunch with him. I saw his class walk in on the other side of the cafeteria and watched as the boy behind him pushed him over and over in the back. I rushed over there and introduced myself to the boy as Benjamin's mom to which he responded with a disgusted look, "Who's Benjamin?" I told him Benjamin was the little boy he was pushing and he just looked at me and walked away. Come to find out this kid had just been moved that morning in class to sit in the empty seat next to Benjamin's. According to Benjamin, he needed to be separated from the other kid he was sitting by. I put on my happy face through Benjamin's lunch and he was delighted to have me there with him. I headed straight from there to a doctor's appointment and prayed my heart out for Benjamin and his classmate. I thought I prayed a lot before I sent a child to school but now I think it's all I do other than break up fights between Isa and Sam. (Does anyone else think the 11th commandment should have been, 'Thou shall not raise a 2 and 3 year old together in the same house'?!)

Cause Benjamin to love his enemies, to do good to those who hate him, to bless those who curse him, to pray for those who mistreat him. Help Benjamin do to others as he would have them do to him. Luke 6:27-31

Let Benjamin be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. Let Benjamin be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is your will for him in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 5:16-18

When Benjamin is confronted with grief, uncertainty, fear or pressure, remind him of your promise in Isaiah 41:10: 'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'

When I picked Benjamin up from school yesterday, he told me that tears rolled down his cheeks during rest time but he didn't know why. I asked him a line of questions and he finally said, "I just wanted to go home." Oh my. I have definitely shed more tears this week than Benjamin has.

Grandma Pam has been here with us while Drew is away so she treated us to Ivanhoes to celebrate Benjamin's first week of Kindergarten being done. Then the kids watched a movie and ate popcorn that Aunt Julie had sent along as a little treat. It was a nice and relaxing evening together. Below is Benjamin giving Aunt Julie a thumbs up.

We'll see what next week brings. We'll take one day at a time and just enjoy our weekend together. Thanks to those who have been praying for Benjamin!

First Soccer Game

Benjamin had his first soccer game (or is it match? Help me out TK) at 9:00am this morning. He really could have used a slow morning to relax and not be rushed out the door. Lots of tears flowed because Daddy wasn't going to be there to coach. Drew is on a bike trip with his PAs but Benjamin perked up after getting a pep talk from Drew on the phone. He is much more aggressive and confident when Drew is around but he had a great time and was really proud of his team that won '10 to 3'. I have no clue how many goals each team really scored. Benjamin is #5.

Benjamin and Andrew taking a break.

They play 3 on 3 on two different fields so there are two games going on at one time.

Benjamin's fan club.



The wait for the first corner kick was agonizing. I wanted to run out there and physically move the kids into their spots. Hilarious.

Soccer Game from drewandbekah on Vimeo.

Kindergarten

Benjamin did so well this morning. He got up with a little smile and didn't complain as we kept him moving through breakfast, getting dressed, pictures and loading up for school. I was able to walk him in. When I said I had to go, he clutched my hand a little tighter and came back for a second hug but then followed his teacher to his class.

Lord, protect his sweet and tender spirit and give him a wonderful year at Kindergarten. I pray that Benjamin would put his trust in You and never be shaken! (Psalm 125:1) Turn Benjamin's ear toward wisdom and his heart toward understanding. Give him a teachable spirit, one that calls out for insight and searches for it as for hidden treasure. (Proverbs 2:2-4) Oh how I love this child you have entrusted to us. Help us to rest in the fact that you are with him always.

LEGOLAND

Ben and I (Drew) headed up to Chicago for a big boys weekend. We met our good friends, Josh and Jack, stayed in a great hotel, went swimming, ate at The Rainforest Cafe, had some hot 'n now Krispy Kreme, and then went to LEGOLAND!!! That place is a kids' dream. We spent a solid 4 hours and there wasn't a dull moment. I'd highly recommend the trip if your kids are interested at all in Legos. Be warned though: the exit is at the other side of their retail store. $20 for 6 lego people? Sheesh...

The boys learned that there is a significant difference between a room temperature donut and a Hot 'n Now donut.

The resemblance is striking, no? This rendition of Van Gogh's Scream is made entirely of legos.

Downtown Chicago.

4D Lego/Bob the Builder Movie

Prego Friends

Isa and I had the privilege of attending my dear friend, Janessa's, baby shower this past weekend. Janessa is due 3 weeks behind me and our friend, Cindy, is 3 weeks behind her. Even slouching and bending my knees a little, I look like a giant next to these two.

Two Soccer Socks

Benjamin had his first soccer practice tonight.

Benjamin: "Why do I have to wear these socks? They scratch me when I run."

Drew: "In case you get kicked in the shins."

Benjamin: "Are kids really going to kick me in the shins?"

Drew: "Probably not. It would only be an accident if they did."

Benjamin: "Will there be yellow and red cards if they do that, daddy?"

Drew: "No, Ben. It's just practice."

It took until Benjamin got to practice for him to stop talking about his shin guards.

A Full Week

Benjamin has been requesting some 'alone time' in OH. On our way home from MI last week, we dropped him off with my mom and he was able to spend three nights in OH with family. He had a wonderful time and said, "I miss Grandma Pam" within 10 minutes of being home. It was sweet to see and hear him so excited about his visit and time alone with special people.

On Friday and Saturday, I finally cashed in on my Christmas present from Drew. He had given me a night away at the Edinburgh Outlets south of Indy with my friend Tai. We left Friday morning, shopped all day, had a long and quiet and uninterrupted dinner, slept for 12 hours, had brunch and then returned to the real world of 'mama! mama! mama! mama!' It was WONDERFUL. We are both pregnant and realized it's a good thing to shop when you can't try anything on. You spend a whole lot less. We unintentionally wore the exact same color. Funny.
Drew spent that time at his parents' house. They had some fun with S'mores and then Drew and Benjamin camped out in the back yard. Benjamin has been begging for a camping trip all summer and it just hasn't happened. Drew started back to work this morning (sniff sniff) so I suggested they just camp in Papa and Nana's yard and that way they could bail and go in the house if necessary. Drew said Benjamin was soooooooo excited. They played Uno, talked, read books and had a great time.