All in one week -

Life doesn't seem to slow down:

*Benjamin was sick with a high fever & bad cough for several days last week - now I think we're finally on the mend
*We got the garden weeded, tilled, rows planned & a few things planted
*We finalized our garden plans: lettuce, spinach, several kinds of peppers, green beans, sugar snap peas, butternut squash, yellow squash, & several varieties of tomatoes. Seeds are on their way.
*We pruned my 'year round' herb garden - gotta love our mild winters!!
*We helped cousin Breann celebrate her birthday
*Russ planted our new Meyer Lemon Tree
*Spring cleaning has begun!

Animalz

Have you ever heard of these adorable critters? With wooden bodies, cute artistic features, flexible legs & environmentally friendly - they are so fun - especially for a 2 1/2 year old! They have sure been a hit around our house. You can find them ON SALE at Target right now for less than $3 each! Here are more cute pictures found on Amazon. Brand name: animalz

So fun!

Happy (half) Birthday Benjamin

Today Benjamin is half way to 5 years! How is that possible? Here are some of his recent accomplishments -

1. Counting to 10
2. Completely potty trained
3. Naming colors
4. Knows all the words to 'Day by Day'
5. Takes naps at Nana & Papa's house when he goes to visit in the afternoon

He still loves -
1. to read books, books, and more books
2. trains, balls & farm animals
3. to "shoot big hoops with baskiskball"
4. help me water flowers
5. splash in the bathtub
6. sing in meeting
7. June & Diane
8. avocadoes & fruit
9. visiting Nana & Papa's house anytime

New interests -
1. stickers
2. puzzles
3. Bob the Builder
4. Baseball bats - used as a baseball bat to hit the ball on the floor
5. "tookies" = cookies (uh, oh!)

Words -
1. porcupine
2. armadillo
3. "I do" - instead of yes
4. "Borry Mommy" (while he puts his hands on my cheeks & looks me in the eye) - as he goes to the back room for a little education
5. "Mommy weally happy!!" - when he goes potty
6. His word for candles today sounded like 'clean nose' to me. He was so patient until I figured it out!

We enjoy every minute of every day with him.

Fair Pictures

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the Austin Fair/Rodeo. Despite the cold temperatures, it was still fun! Today Benjamin was asking to see some "big horses". I think he was referring to these...

Special Meeting Day

My boys in ties!

Petting Zoo

Fun times with the little animals

2 Grandpas

One is our grandpa, the other isn't. However - we really claim them both. They look the same(nearly!), talk alike, have similar smirks/grins, and they share the same birthday! Now as they grow old & gray, they aren't as tall as they used to be. However some things have not changed - their love for their family, for God's Way & growing tomatoes! As young boys about 80 years ago, serious thoughts about God caused them to stop & consider life. Their choices have affected even the lives of our children. It meant so much to hear their testimonies again today. We've had good family times with Joann, Denny, Delbert & Goldie.

Fun at the Fair

No pictures this time - I keep getting 'error' when trying to upload!

This weekend was FULL. Some fun things we did at the Austin Rodeo/Fair include:

• riding on "baby John Deere trackors" (ie JD lawn mowers)
• seeing lots of farm animals
• watching the competition of sheepdogs herding sheep
• "giddyup" to the pony (pony rides)
• petting baby animals in the petting zoo
• seeing some longhorns
• enjoying free ice cream in 40 degree weather

Group Picture

We loved having a little time Sara & Simon when they came back to visit friends in Austin. This picture was taken after lunch at our place.

Did you know...

After attending a Parent Meeting at our community center given by a a registered dietitian I used to work with, I learned some very interesting facts...

1. According to Dr. Sears, "Over 70% of disease is preventable through good nutrition."
2. Today's recommendations are for us to eat 9-12 servings of fruits & vegetables each day. Less than 7% of children eat 2 servings of fruits & 3 servings of vegetables everyday.
3. By age 3, children have fatty deposits in their arteries
4. By age 12, 70% have developed the beginning stages of hardening of the arteries.
5. 1 in 4 children is obese.
6. Our children on average consume 5 lbs of sugar each month (what??????)

Yikes - I must admit that we do pretty well at our household.

However I'm interested in this book to give me more tips for incorporating more fruits & veggies into our diet. Does anyone have this book? What do you think?