Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, yet still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute You didn't grow under my heart, but in it. -Fleur Conkling Heylinger
We had a "SUPER" Halloween this year. The boys had a great time dressing up in costumes weeks before Halloween. They kept changing their minds about which costumes they wanted to wear for the big night. Benson ended up being Batman and Brig was a fireman. We trick or treated around our neighborhood with some friends from Jared's CRNA program. We knocked on Brigham's friend's house and his mom answered the door. She told Brigham that because he was Vincent's friend, he could have THREE pieces of candy. Brig thought that was a pretty neat deal and began to tell all his friend's parents that he deserved three pieces of candy because he was their friend. He figured out how to work the system and came home with a huge bag of candy, including several full size candy bars for being a good friend. Benson loved knocking on the doors and if he was allowed to choose a piece of candy, he was very careful to only pick his favorites (chocolate and lollipops). My favorite part of the evening, however, was when Brig and his friend Shameem went to a house that was scaring all the trick or treaters. They were hidden behind a bush and car and didn't come out until the kids were already at the door. When Brig finally saw them he dropped his bag of candy and RAN!
New England has many great Halloween and Fall activities for families. We went for a hay ride and picked pumpkins from a pumpkin patch. We also went trick or treating at the "spooky" zoo and a carnival at our YMCA.
The Friday before Halloween was graduation day for the seniors in Jared's program. We attended the celebration dinner and dance afterwards. We had a good time and really looking forward to next year when it is Jared's turn to graduate!!
Graduation dinner
Trick or treating at the zoo. The boys liked the skeletons that were "fishing"
The boys waited patiently to have their faces painted at the carnival. Brig wanted a monster face and Benson wanted a T Rex on his cheek
Benson painting his pumpkin. He painted for close to an hour. He is my little artist.
Here are a couple pictures of downtown Providence that I took when we were out on a date
Some sisters and I in my ward made quiet books. We each picked a page and then made ten copies and then exchanged pages with each other. It was a lot less work this way and I have some very talented friends!!
It was a very warm October, with one week being in the 80's every day. So, we went to the beach one last time.
Our stubby carrots from our garden
Benson trick or treating with his friends Nixon and Keanna.
I had fun making some Halloween snacks for our party
We were so happy that Papa Choo Choo and Grandma came to visit us! They were here for five days in the beginning of October. Jared picked them up at the train station in Worcester, MA, while the boys and I had a fun time turning the play room into their bedroom. The boys decorated the windows with Halloween spider webs and spiders and tucked their stuffed doggies under the covers for papa and grandma to snuggle with. The boys cheered and giggled when they arrived and had a hard time going to bed that night. The next day we drove to Newport and showed them the ocean and mansions along the Cliff Walk. It was a nice day, and warm enough for Brig to play in the waves and collect the smooth white and black rocks that rattle when the waves go over them. The next day we went to the Roger Williams Zoo. We love having a pass so we can go whenever we feel like it. The zoo was getting hundreds of jack o lanterns ready for their Halloween display. On Columbus Day we went to the Hartford Temple open house. The boys were excited to finally see the completed temple and to tour it. We checked on it's progress almost every Sunday on our way home from church when we lived in Connecticut. It is a smaller temple and beautifully designed to look like some of the historic New England churches in the area. I asked the boy's what their favorite part of the temple was. Benson said the pictures of Jesus, he also told me three times how pretty the Celestial room was while we were sitting inside. Brigham told me he liked seeing the sealing room and hearing how our family can be together forever. We also had our friend Mark LaVoy tour the temple with us. Mark was baptized two weeks ago and its been a great spiritual experience for our family as we have watched him draw closer to our Savior and make changes in his life.
We also celebrated Papa's 62nd birthday! We ate out at Red Robin and were sure to have the waiters embarrass him with singing and the boys helped me make a yummy chocolate cake for him.We were all sad the day Papa and Grandma had to leave. We begged them to stay but I have no doubt they will be back soon!
I meant to post this a couple months ago, but here are some things I want to remember about Benson at this fun age. I have really enjoyed spending more one on one time with Benson while Brig is in school. He is always so sweet and is good about going on errands with me. He is my cuddler and loves to kiss me on the cheek and put his forehead on mine. He is completely potty trained, HOORAY! He did it all on his own, easiest parenting experience so far. I think it helped to have an older brother to encourage him, and Benson is a little bit of a perfectionist. He likes things a particular way and sometimes I ruin his morning for giving him the red cup instead of the blue cup, or I accidentally bump one of his toys that he has lined up in a perfectly straight line. He is pushing for independence and tries to do everything himself. Which sometimes is very helpful, but more often than not, makes us late places. He can get dressed all by himself, including his socks and shoes. He is a lot less dependent on his "lovies" and can fall asleep now without sucking on the silky binding. They are slowly disappearing, thankfully. He loves listening to music, reading books, coloring, and playing with play dough. He tells everyone that he is "free" years old.
I asked Benson some questions today. Couldn't quite get straight answers out of him. Haha
How old are you? "Free, like you."
What do you like to eat? "Bugs."
What is your favorite show? "The puppy show. Paw Patrol."
What is your favorite animal? "We saw elephants at the zoo before."
What is your favorite drink? "Animals don't drink water."
Who is your hero? "Ninja turtles."
What is your favorite scripture story? "Poopy." Let's try that again. What story Daddy tells you from the scriptures is your favorite? "Samuel the 'mema-nite.'"
What is your favorite song to sing? "I love them!" Can you sing one for me? "I am a child of God..."
What does Daddy say? "Noah builds the ark."
What does Mama say? "She says eyebrows."
He is a funny boy and will do anything for a laugh.
Brig started Kindergarten on September 1st at Waterman Elementary. He was up bright and early for his first day and even though it was raining he insisted on riding his bike to school. His favorite thing about school is seeing his friends and recess. He also enjoys the math games and PE. Benson and I are still getting used to not having him around during the day. Benson is always excited to see him after school!
Brigham turned FIVE and loves to tell everyone he meets how old he is now. We started the celebration a couple days early with a LEGO birthday party/bbq with lots of friends. We played lego relay games, pin the face on the Lego dude, a water balloon fight, and a Lego brick pinata. On his actual birthday we enjoyed more cake and presents and a Pawtucket Red Sox baseball game (AAA minor league). Because Brig completed the library's summer reading program, he earned a free ticket to the game (which happened to be on his birthday). All of the kids got to go down on the field before the game started and said their name and what city they live in over the loudspeaker. When it was Brig's turn he said he was from Helena, MT. LOL! Once a Montanan, always a Montanan.
At age 5 Brigham likes to ride his bike and power wheels, eat popcicles, play with Legos, go to the beach, read books, and Kindergarten. At his last check up he weighed 36 pounds (he had lost 3 pounds from being sick with strep throat), and was 41.5 inches tall.
I asked him some questions the other other day:
What is your favorite thing to eat? Mac n cheese
What do you like best about school? Letters
What do you like best about being a big brother? I like showing Benson how to obey the law.
What is your favorite toy? My police car I got for my birthday.
What is your favorite book to read? Owen
What do you want to be when you grow-up? A worker guy
What does Dad always say to you? No, if I'm not getting it right now.
What does Mom always say to you? No, when I want something and I can't have it right now.
What is your favorite scripture story? Nephi building the boat
Where do you think you will serve your mission? Texas
What is your favorite thing about Primary? Singing time
Who is your best friend? Little Anna
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play Annie I Over
What's the best thing about being five? Showing Benson how to be reverent in church
Birthday pancakes!
Benson wanted to pretend it was his birthday too!
Legos! So many little pieces!
G&G Weishaar sent these Darth Vader pjs to Brig. The funny thing is he got to the mail before me, read his name on the package and opened it a week early! At least he can recognize his name, right?
My sad attempt to make a Lego cake. It was a little lopsided and ridiculously hard to frost with those oreos on top.
Pin the face on the Lego man. Nobody got close except for the toddle who didn't wear the blindfold.
Swinging at the pinata. It turned out to be a real "brick" and all of the kids got to take lots of swings at it.
Brig talking to the reporter
The best family mug shot we managed to get at the game.
