Trick or Treat!

Well, considering a week ago, I would have never guessed the boys would have even put their costumes on at all... I guess Halloween was quite a success, as the costumes were worn several times throughout the week for ECFE classes, daycare parties, and Halloween night.

"Puff" the Magic Dragon (cutest costume ever) Grant. What I love about this costume is that it never stops being hilarious, regardless of how many times Grant wore it. Each time, you just can help but laugh because it's so darn cute!

Digging in the orange rice at the daycare party.

Even Nana got to come to the daycare Halloween program. The kids introduced themselves and sang several songs about Halloween/Fall Season. Joel opted not to participate this time around.... he actually seemed a little freaked about all the costumes, but I'm not sure :)

Mitchell and three of his buddies (Jonathon, Matt, and Isaac), trick or treating.

"Buzz"... Joel definitely had the trick or treat thing down this year, but candy waiting at the door or not, apparently, he always stopped to admire each and every pumpkin!

Just Me!

Just in case any followers of this blog have forgotten what the person BEHIND the camera looks like... that's me!

Monday, Monday

I can tell it was a Monday with nothing on the calendar to speak of, by the number of pictures I took today! I guess it's a form of entertainment. Here's a few tid-bits from today's fun around the house.

Joel, unleashing this creative side building "houses", he said. I suppose it's a milestone of sorts, as he has just recently been doing some building of something with a purpose.

Grant, also using his imagination, feeding his many animals (mostly "teddys", of course). This little boy has some serious love for all stuffed creatures, and he lined them up on the stairs to feed them. (not so shabby imaginitive play for a 17 month old, I might add :)

The I need something/want something/must have something right now face. In this case it was a toy that had fallen behind the couch. Poor guy, instead of getting it for him right away, I took advantage of the opportunity to document the face that is VERY familiar to me....

And the Grand Finale, my personal favorite... I bribe the children with M&M's to try on their Halloween costumes. How could I resist... is that dragon not the funniest thing you've ever seen. (thank you Aunt Terri for borrowing it to us!)

The real miracle here is Joel succombing to any bribe. I never would have guessed it. Just when I think I have him figured out (or do not have him figured out), he totally mixes things up on me and surprises me everyday.

Black and Blue

Although there is definitely nothing unusual about Grant having a bruise somewhere on his forehead (in fact, it is extremely rare that he doesn't...really), and it is not something I normally post on the blog, since I'm not proud of Grant's bruised forehead... but when the wall somehow got in Joel's way last week, and made for a rare inperfection on his little cherub face, I thought it was worth documenting with a picture. Conveniently (what do you know), Grant just happened to have a matching one on the other side.

Rub-a-dub

Just because the blog is long overdue for some bathtime pictures, these will do :)

Dome Game 2009

I'm not sure if it was the fresh dome air, or the presence of football coach Uncle Jon, but Mitchell played the game of his life on Saturday night at the Dome, even scoring the first touch down of the game. The "Beasts" ended up defeating Maple Lake 12-0 in a great game to watch. What a way to end the 2009 season. Next year, it's on to Junior High football, playing different towns all the time, and all the fun that will come with that whole new season.

Bully

I was taking this video because I thought it would be funny to watch the boys stomp all over bubble wrap... the bubble wrap stomping really isn't funny, but I think the personalities shining through in the clip are hilarious. Watch closely, as the bully may not be who you think.... (click on red link below):

link to video

Bribery

I thought it was so exciting recently when Joel decided he wanted to be "Buzz" for Halloween... oh fun, the first time for choosing his own halloween costume! So, we quickly went to Target to make sure we got one of the Buzz Lightyear costumes, of course. When we got home, we started putting it on and only got the legs on before Joel demanded that we "take it off!" So... a couple weeks later and Joel still refused to try it on, I think I'm pretty smart and decide that for sure if I put it on Grant and make a big deal out of it, THEN Joel will want to put it on for SURE. I assure you this did not matter at all to Joel, but I thought Grant looked pretty darn cute in his costume. Wouldn't you agree?

2-2, and 2 to go

We'll see if these guys can make it 4-2 by the end of the season. I think both Mitchell (and Jeff) are having a fun season and hoping for another couple of wins. The games they lost were very close (I believe the other team scored one touch down in each of the games). Again, I cannot offer any commentary on these pics, as I have no idea what is going on at any given time during any football game, but... I can tell you that Mitchell is #11 and he has 2 wristbands (yes 2) on each arm.

(click picture to enlarge)

Grandpa Benson, always there with helpful advice after the game.

Plenty of fans, or course. Joel and Grant cooperating for a picture as usual, or course.

One of about 3 smiles Joel has ever given for a camera, nice!

School Spirit

Homecoming week in Buffalo was just last week... this was "Decade Day", and courtesy of his dad's famous hippy wig, glasses, and beads, here is Mitchell, setting the standard for COOL at the Buffalo Community Middle School :)

Whatever Works

Joel's bedtime routine after mom and dad tuck him snuggly in his nice new bed, with nice new mattress... get out of bed, make sure all lights are turned on, move everything to the floor, and go to sleep. I have no idea... but if I know Joel, he does this simply because, he can.

This is how we find him when we go in to check on him before going to bed. Whatever works Joel. But yes, of course, we move him back to his nice cozy bed :)

BCMS

Buffalo Community Middle School welcomes Mitchell Benson...

Per Mitchell:
Best part about middle school = "Prime Time", which is 15 minutes of free time to roam the halls and talk to your friends (from what I understand).

Worst part about middle school = being unable to open your locker in the morning (darn combination locks take some getting used to)

All in all, it sounds like things went well today for Mitchell. He said it was "wierd", and I asked if it was "good wierd" or "bad wierd". He said "a little of each". I'm sure it was completely different than the last 6 years in elementary school, and it's strange, but it seems like he's grown-up a little just today!


In case you've forgotten what Mitch looked like in prior first day of school pics, click here for a recap of grades K-5!

Orchards and Peppermint

We spent a beautiful morning on Sunday at an Apple Orchard/Farm in Delano. The little boys had SO much fun. It was a great farm with LOTS of animals. I think we'll definitely visit again sometime. We ended the outing with lunch at the crazy Peppermint Twist drive-in in Delano. They have a GREAT completely fenced in area ("fenced in" is the key), with picnic tables and all sorts of random toys outside for LITTLE kids to play on. I can honestly say that I didn't have to get up off my chair the whole time.
(Click on pictures to see them bigger)...



Just arriving, walking up the road to the farm.


Baby goats

Turkeys, chicken, cows

Feeding the goats

Tractor ride

Climbing on tires

Chickens, chickens and more chickens...

Piles and piles of corn!

Joel and his new friend at the Peppermint Twist. Seriously, it was a little scary how BIG he was smiling the entire time they were dancing... :) And yes, that is a concrete slab, painted with polka dots, an old pink building with a jute box tucked in it, complete with some sort of dancing bear on the side. Stuff like this is everywhere at this crazy drive-in.

2009 Baseball Season Wrapped-Up

Well, baseball season has obviously come to a close (since football started last week). Mitchell enjoyed the season with many great teamates and a good coach. The team came out okay, with some wins and some losses (please don't ask me their exact record, as I was mostly tending to the unruly fans while watching the games (see below)). Mitchell did well with pitching (which he enjoys), and showed that he can keep his head in the game when he needs to :)

The Unruly Fans
Do NOT let this picture fool you. They sat in their chairs for about 2 minutes of each entire game. Grant spend the remainder of the time ON A MISSION to break into the dug-out, and Joel spent his time just being Joel, running full speed in one direction or another.