Sleeping Peacefully

The scrap of dirty-colored cloth folded under his head is Doh the Dog, of course. The striped blanket covering him is the "blankie" that my mother recently made for *me* -- but it's the most frequently "borrowed" item in our entire house. I never know whether I'll find it wrapped around Benji or Aaron!  --Victoria

Cute PJs

That Can't Be Comfortable

Father and Son Lego Time

Things Benji Says (in response to a discussion about religion)

A few days ago, Aaron was driving with Benji to pick me up from work and singing a song to himself that includes the words "plastic Jesus." Of course, Benji asked him: "Daddy, what's plastic Jesus?"

Me, I would have said, "a statue of a guy" – because I'm lazy.

Aaron, on the other hand, rose to the challenge and explained, concisely and in terms that a four-year-old could understand, that some people believe in God (including the topic, what is God), and that some people believe God sent a part of himself down to earth in the form of a man named Jesus, to help people on earth be better people. And that some people believe different versions of this story, or other stories completely. Which is what we call "religion" and different people follow different religions.

In short, Aaron is an awesome parent and totally my hero.

What was Benji's response to this thoughtful encapsulation of some of the world's most complex theoretical topics? He said: "Daddy, dogs don't have long legs, do they?"

Make of it what you will. They picked me up from work, Aaron told me this story, and we laughed for a long time. Then we had a long discussion with Benji about how animal domestication occurs and how dog breeds develop, and why some dogs do, in fact, have long legs. 

–Victoria

Playing with Modeling Clay

Despite the kind-of-sad face in the photo, we had a great time playing with modeling clay that my friend Danielle gave us.  I showed him how to roll a clay tube and then we wrapped the tubes around each other to make striped snakes.  We flattened the ends and added eyes, and the finished product was pretty cute.  --Victoria

Blast from the Past: "Afternoon Activities"

This is a photo from last year that I only just now realized I've never posted.  Benji spent weeks working on this project:  how to spell "afternoon activities" on our fridge door.  I was mystified about why he would choose this particular phrase until I was at his preschool one day and saw the daily schedule.  Of course, it included "afternoon activities."  Not bad for a kid who was barely four at the time!  --Victoria

Apple Orchard Trip (from earlier in the fall)

I just realized that I never posted these photos from our annual visit to an apple orchard with Sarah and Yousef, and their children Xavi and Kai.  --Victoria

First Visit to Chuck E. Cheese

A few weeks ago, Benji was invited to a birthday party -- at Chuck E. Cheese.  Neither of us had ever been there before.  I really had no idea what to expect!  Benji had a ton of fun and came home exhausted and happy.  It was a cultural experience for both of us.  --Victoria

Family/Maternity Photo Session (preview)

My friend Angel, who is a professional photographer, did a great photo session with us last Sunday.  The weather was glorious and we had a great time.  These are just the preview photos!  --Victoria

Things Benji Says (not his job)

We were in the car a few days ago and Benji suddenly announced:  "Playing is not my job.  Sometimes, my job is cooking.  When my stomach hurts, I cook for myself.  Like hot salad."

Don't ask me where this came from.  I have NO idea!  --Victoria

New Haircuts!

Things Benji Says

In the car this morning, Benji said:  "Mommy and Daddy?  Can I come with you the next time you go to the doctor to see the babies' bones?  Because I want to see our whole family."

"Seeing the babies' bones" is how we explained the ultrasound photos to him.  We continue to be surprised at how excited he is about details of my pregnancy and his eagerly-awaited brother and sister.

--Victoria

Race Track

Gone are the days of "trains and tracks" all day, every day.  These days, it's all about race cars and race tracks.  Despite its resemblance to a parade, this was a grand race with multiple vehicles that Benji set up earlier today.  Unfortunately, the three monster trucks on the right were not spectators but trouble-makers who started a fight as soon as the race was over.  --Victoria

Things Benji Says

Conversation over dinner this evening (between many repetitions of "sit down," "stop complaining," and "eat your fish and broccoli"):

Benji:  "Daddy, how high is google?"
Aaron:  "What do you mean by google?"
Benji:  "Yes."

Life is never boring.  --Victoria

Things Benji Says

A few days ago, he brought home a leaf from outside.  Yesterday evening, he told me, "This is a Love Leaf.  It's for our whole family."  Awww... 

--Victoria

P.S.  Of course, now I can't get rid of it.  What does one do with a discarded Love Leaf?

Benji the Chef

The pants-free chef, that is.  Learning how to cook from Daddy.  Don't worry, it wasn't a meal that could splatter.  --Victoria

Things Benji Says

"Daddy, what happened to the government shutdown?"  Who knew he's been following current events?

--Victoria

Reading Blanket

Benji loves the new blanket made by Victoria's mother, Pauline.  He insists on cuddling under it every time we are reading in the evening.  Of course, it was supposed to be a "blankie" for me . . .  --Victoria

Ten Lego Puppies

Technically they are made of Duplo (the big Legos), not Lego.  In the second photo, he is looking sad and/or grumpy because I insisted that he take his thumb out of his mouth for the photo.  Such a tragedy!  --Victoria

Things Benji says (not a fan)

"Daddy, I'm not a fan of the asparagus."

--Victoria

Advanced Napping

"Look Mommy, it's you and me! I like you and me."

Things Benji says

"Daddy, can you tell me about Odin and Loki again?"

Aaron has told him this story about 600 times...  Best. Father. Ever.

--Victoria

First Day of Pre-K !!!

The photo at the end was taken at Sela, Benji's new school, where the students gathered on the first day of school.  Apparently Benji is already making friends.  --Victoria

Things Benji Says (in addition to the f-word, that is...)

Benji:  Mommy, I'm a big boy.  I'm FOUR years old!

Victoria:  Yes, you're a very big boy.

B:  (sadly) But I miss being three.

V:  You miss being three?  Um...  what do you miss about it?

B:  I miss playing trains and tracks.


NOTE TO READERS:  His giant box of trains and tracks is still in the living room and he does play with them sometimes, although they've certainly been eclipsed by race cars lately.

NOT awesome . . .

. . . when the summer camp phones you in the middle of the day to let you know that your four-year-old has been using the f-word.  Sigh.

Gaming with Daddy and his friends

"Mommy, look at my little outfit!"

He made both the hat (which he insists is a carrot) and the Fourth of July necklace at his summer camp.  --Victoria

Writing

He loves practicing his letters on these flash cards from Auntie Jennifer, which have a dry-erase surface.  --Victoria

Reading

Longwood Gardens, part 4 (friends)

Longwood Gardens, part 3 (water park)

Longwood Gardens

Every year, we gather with friends at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania for a BBQ and tour of the gardens.  This year, it was as wonderful as ever.  More photos in the days to come!  --Victoria

P.S.  I'm loving my new camera -- thanks Aaron!!!