The sun was shining today

The sun had come out
There was lots to play.
We had to get out
On this sun-shiney day.

My apologies to Dr. Seuss . . . it was an absolutely lovely afternoon! Bennett and I had a great morning at the Buffalo Museum of Science. We met up with friends from our playgroup in the Explorations room and he was content for an hour and a half. After we left, we went to Michael's house and played and had lunch before coming home to crash. Unfortunately, Bennett must have known that the sun was shining because he only slept for one hour. I left him in his bed for the full two hour nap time.

When we got up - we went outside! First to join more friends from playgroup at a local playground. It was a bit windy, so we left after an hour to come home. Bennett and I took a walk in the wagon which was tons of fun and then he played in the backyard forever! He put on his farmer jacket and hat (totally imaginary, but he looked soooo good, y'all!) and dug in the dirt.

I've taken lots of photos and videos in the last month or so, since I got my new phone. I'll download them to the computer and then add them to the blog in the next couple of days.

Climbing a rock wall with daddy's help

Some of Bennett's artwork at school - notice the "title"

Building at the science museum

My ladybug!

Bowling with daddy - Bennett's new "flavorite"thing to do

My very favorite photo of him right now! CHEESSEE

I think he's ready for Mrs. Folger

Apparently he likes M. Gladwell, too.

This weekend, I heard silence. Not normal in our household filled with 'boy'. I came down the stairs only to find the picture of intelligence you see to the left. According to Brian, the little guy picked up the nearest copy of The New Yorker and sat down in his rocker to read. I promise I didn't pose this. (If I'd posed him, I'd have made sure to change the striped socks which clash so wonderfully with the bright red pants and prison striped shirt. Lordy!) Anyway - this afternoon, as Bennett was finishing up his nap, I picked up my latest issue of Parenting magazine (The Genius Issue) and read that kids who see their parents reading for pleasure are more likely to read for pleasure themselves. Hell yeah! We're doing something right.

That's a butt that just climbed itself up high!

Lest anyone think we're boring snobs, we also made a trip to McDonald's a part of weekend fun. It was snowing and cold and the trampoline park ("twampaYINE park" as someone little I know likes to call it) was full. I ordered a bottle of water and we let Bennett climb the ladders in the playplace. I am happy to report that he can finally climb up the web cage things all. by. him. self. Hallelujah! Neither Brian nor I has to step foot in one of those things ever again. I can't wait to see what he does with the climber at the zoo this summer.

For the record, Mrs. Folger is one of my high school teachers. I believe I had her twice, once for junior English and then again for AP American Literature. She's the one who forced me to read Jude The Obscure and Heart of Darkness. I do not remember those experiences fondly.

Holiday round-up

Whoopsie! I forgot to post these before the January ones. Enjoy!

Helping Mama make a cranberry garland

Our Tree

New Elmojamas and tool belt from Santa

Ear protection first!!

Playing Santa at Oma & Grandpa's

It's ART!

We're working on a praaahjeck, Mama.

Dancin' at Music with Mar

Watch my moves!

Two of his favorites - the "pull thing" and Lion's Club broom

Reading with Granna

Bennett's first full length movie in a theatre - The Muppets

 All in all - a GREAT holiday season for the Allman family. We had a lovely Christmas morning at home and then packed up to go to Canada for the Haupert family celebration on Boxing Day. Bennett really enjoyed playing with his older cousins, and Blythe & Brian had a good time catching up with their parents. And what a yummy dinner we shared in the basement. That was a lot of fun - especially the "poppers"! Bennett loves the gifts he got from Oma and Grandpa - Big Bird, Cookie Monster AND Snuffy. As a matter of fact, they each have a place of honor in the big boy bed. We also got a chance to skype with Brian's brother, Trevor and his wife, Cindy. It's always so nice to see everyone. I love that we have the technology to connect with loved ones so far away.

Two days later, Granna and Daddy-o arrived by car and plane and then Uncle Ben the next day. Bennett really enjoyed going to the airport to pick Ben up. Later in the week, when we asked Bennett where Uncle Ben lives, he said, "airport!" Almost, buddy.

We made fun Christmas memories with the "farts", which Bennett, Brian, Daddy-o and Uncle Ben each received in their stockings. Bennett also really enjoyed two name tag holders that Santa brought for him. Santa seems to know just what a two year old boy will love.

We took several fun "field trips" while my family was in town. The Darwin Martin House is a local architectural gem created by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is currently being restored so it was fun to see some behind the scenes things. Bennett was much better behaved in there than I thought he would be. We also went to see Niagara Falls. When we started our trek, the sun was out. By the end of our walk to the falls, the clouds had rolled in and we were all soaked to the bone!

And last but certainly not least, we took Bennett to see his first feature length film IN a movie theatre. The Muppet Show was still showing at one of our second run theatres, so we took in a matinee and the movie was good, but that was secondary to how much Bennett seemed to enjoy it. We were all impressed that he sat still for all but the last twenty minutes, when he stood up but didn't wiggle or complain too much. He didn't really like the guy who played the villain, but otherwise, he fell in love with Kermit and friends. Yay!

Thanks to all of you for making our holidays so memorable!