Crazy Auntie!

My Aunt Arlie is one of the kids... look at that spring in her step! :)

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great weekend in LA with my aunt and all of the cousins/extended family and then onto the Caputo family for Saturday lunch... here's a few fun pics!

The "Bebe"

Ben has always been a pacifier kid and when he started talking, he started referring to his pacifier as his "bebe" (pronounced BEE BEE). We have never been hyper parents around his bebe as we both know he'll eventually grow out of it and we just haven't been that concerned about it. In our opinion, there are bigger hills to cross on a day-to-day basis around shaping behavior and if this gives him some comfort, then so be it. He doesn't have it during the day, just for sleeping and in the car has been the baseline rule.

Lately, things have been changing in bebe land... We keep a few around in the kitchen drawer in case we lose one and Ben now knows right where they are and can open the drawer and get them out on his own. Not good. When he discovered the hiding place, he quickly learned that 2 bebe's is more fun than one! Um, I think we're going in the wrong direction here! The bebe's have been moved and he no longer can grab them on his own and do the "double bebe", as we call it.

Girls Weekend

Every year, my girlfriends Traci, Lori, Dawn and I have a girls weekend getaway in Paso Robles. Traci and I live in SB and Dawn and Lori live in San Francisco, so Paso is the perfect halfway meeting point. In years past, we have skipped all "girls activities" and gone straight to doing wine tasting, which usually ends up in a blurry, messy "R" rated evening that we lament over in the morning during breakfast. This year was a bit different as 2 of our girls are pregnant (Dawn & Lori). So, this year, we met on Saturday morning for breakfast at our fave The Cowgirl Cafe, then shopped a bunch, pedicures, minimal wine tasting, olive oil tasting at the fabulous Pasolivo Olive ranch and then onto a yummy dinner. It was great to hang, laugh and play together. This year, we all agreed was much more "G" rated and provided for a better Sunday for all! Can't wait til next year girls! :)

Laughter IS the best medicine!

Jackson was at our house today and Ben LOVED entertaining him.... listen to these kiddos giggle... if this doesn't bring a smile to your face, nothing will! :)

Get-a-way

Steve and I have created a ritual that we go away every year at this time for just 24 hours to rejuvenate, re-connect and refresh our souls... we say it's for Steve's birthday, but really it's a celebration of another year of parenthood for both of us (and Steve's birthday)!

Sunday was our day... We went to Ojai Valley Inn & Spa... it was delicious! 24 hours of spa, pool, reading, sleeping, eating, exercising and connecting.... Ben was in good hands with Erin & we only texted twice and had one phone call - pretty good!

Ben's 2 year check up

Ben is now 2... sigh. Seriously, where does the time go?

We went to the dr. for his 2-year check up today... Here's his stats: He's 35" tall, weights 29 lbs, and his noggin is 19 3/4 inches around. He got his flu shot and (preservative-free) H1N1 vaccine today... important for Ben because of having RSV as a baby and being very vulnerable to this particular flu, which loves to attack little lungs. He screamed for about 10 seconds and then let us know that he was "sad" (his new thing) and got over it really quick when he was offered a lollipop!

Great Job Bebo!

Congrats Steve!

Steve has become quite the runner and has the body to prove it! :) He started running again last year, ran the SB 1/2 Marathon on Ben's first birthday (pushing Ben) and then ran another 1/2 marathon this summer in Minnesota... his 3rd 1/2 was this last weekend in Santa Barbara... he did it 25 minutes faster than last year!

Official stats: 2 hours 12 minutes!

Way to go Steve - sooo proud of you! :)

Tool Man

Ben is completely in love with his new Black and Decker jr. tool set that he got from his buddy Colin for his birthday... it's the best - he drills, hammers, saws, measures and screws things together constantly.... of course with the goggles on always for safety! Go Builder Ben!

Ben's Birthday Week!

Having your birthday so close to Halloween is a total dream come true for a 2-year old.... this year, the party lasted 5 days straight!

Here's a rundown of the events....

On Thursday, we hit the pumpkin patch with Sophie & Jackson....

On Friday, Steve took Ben to Cottage Hospital's annual costume party - the bee & the beekeeper... they won second place!

On Saturday... we had a HUGE party for Ben's birthday/Halloween -- over 50 people came with kiddos and shared some serious love with Ben... it was a total blast and a party not soon to be forgotten... the costumes were incredible & this kid made out like a bandit - serious gifts!!

On Sunday... we went to Simi to celebrate with our California family (steve's family) and have lunch and celebrate more of Ben.... again, more gifts, cupcakes and a great lunch... Steve and his brother took the kids on a 2 mile hike that Ben walked almost the entire way... then they hit the park - Ben's idea of a great day!

On Monday... Ben got to wear a crown all day at school and they sang to him and celebrated him!
Thanks to everyone for your calls, texts, emails and gifts.... Ben is appreciative of your love and we are so greatful to have such an amazing community of supportive friends & family!

The pics are in reverse order with the video of everyone singing to him at his party...