Things Benji Eats!

Benji is usually a pretty typical 4.5 year old and claims he despises food that he's never tried.  We don't make him clean his plate but we do encourage, bribe, and occasionally manipulate him to at least try a few bites of something he hasn't tried before -- which often ends up with him deciding that it's delicious (or at least okay).

A few nights ago, we had take-out Indian food from a new place on H street with our friends Nate and Katherine.  There was a delicious selection of food, including numerous very mildly-spiced vegetable dishes.  I made Benji a plate with some naan bread (which I know he likes) and a selection of other choices.  He took one look at it and said "YUCK," which was quickly reprimanded (you don't have to eat it, but you're not allowed to say "yuck").

A few minutes after we all sat down to dinner, Nate observed that Benji had completely polished off the curried chick peas!  We were all pretty impressed.

Last night, we had baked salmon, broccoli, and quinoa for dinner and the same thing happened -- before we realized it, there was no more quinoa on Benji's plate!  He declined a second helping of quinoa but ate most of the broccoli and was easily convinced to try to salmon, which he decided was okay.

Culinary hope springs eternal!  Of course, he does tell us that he wants to be a really good cook one day, "just like Daddy."  I love that.

--Victoria

Things Benji Says (carseats for babies)

Benji:  "Mommy, what's that big box?"

Victoria:  "It's a new carseat for one of our babies -- we will put it in the car next to your booster seat, to keep the babies safe while we drive."

B:  "Maybe we could just put seatbelts in the two cupholders of my booster seat and the babies could sit there?"

I think he may be underestimating the size of his siblings.  Even now they would not fit in the cupholders of his booster seat -- seatbelts or not.  But I love his creative plans for his little brother and sister!

--Victoria

Things Benji Says (what is real?)

Lately, Benji has been very interested in figuring out what is real and what is imaginary.  For example, sharks are scary and real (but only live in large bodies of water, not, for example, in bathtubs or puddles) but zombies are scary and imaginary.  What about imaginary superheros versus real heros?  Imaginary transformers (robots in disguise!) versus real robots and real trucks?  Even more confusing -- what about toy transformers? (real toys representing an imaginary thing)

My favourite quote of the day so far:  "Mommy, are meteorologists real?"

I hope he never asks me about astrology!  :)

Victoria

Reptangles, again (with Daddy)

Benji loves these toys, which snap together in thousands or more configurations.  This time, he decided to make a tall, color-coordinated tower.  As you can see, he was pretty happy with the result.  --Victoria

Snow Day Duplos

A few weeks ago, we had a snow day in DC and both the federal government (i.e. my job) and the DC public school system (i.e. Benji's job) were closed.  We had a fun day together, including a lot of time making things with duplo blocks (the bigger version of legos).

In the first photo, you can see that Benji was playing with his Fisher-Price classic village on his bed, then he set up a "party" for all his stuffed animals.  Then the duplo blocks came out!  Sitting on the bed, at the right, is a long shed that we made for one of his toy trains.  The second photo shows an xmas tree that he made for me.

--Victoria