Ben's Birthday

Blowing out the candles!

Opening gifts.

Grandma JoDee, Kylee, Karylle, and baby Xyla

Grandma and Grandpa Hepworth

Handmade Stick horse from Grand- Hepworth's.

It wouldn't be a party without Dad falling through another chair.
I asked him how many this is now and he said he thinks it's #7.

Little Gracie said the water was Cold!

Tyson playing in the smaller pool.

Some of the neighborhood kids, playing with squirt guns in the larger pool.
Addi, Lexi, Ben, Eli, and Bailey.

Mom's and Dad's visiting and later playing in the water too.

Tyson again.

And again. He was so cute playing in the water!

Grandma Hepworth and Symi

Ben opening his gifts. He was spoiled!

His beloved pistol's that he constantly has attached to his hips.
He told me he's getting really good at shootin'.

He was so excited about his telescope, binoculars, and clock (compass).

Smiles!

He was THRILLED when he opened his shotgun!
Now he and Dad can go shootin' and huntin' together.

Ben wanted an Alligator cake. I started and the frosting was so warm and gooey it was all I could do to keep up and not make a huge mess. It wasn't what I was hoping for, but Ben was very happy! As long as we please the "Birthday Boy" we're good!

Happy Birthday to my little boy! I hope you had a wonderful day full of fun and friends!

Cookies

We have been buying different foods for Symi to try. And to see if we can get a variety of solids for her to eat. We finally found some sandwich cookies she can eat and brought them home. She doesn't like them very much. So lately Ben has been asking to have the "forbidden cookies" and because she's not eating them I give in.

So today he asked for some. I told him sure. He collects 3 of the cookies and goes back to watching his movie.

Symi spies the cookies and quietly crawls up next to him. Silently she watches both him and cookies. Ben is so engrossed into his movie that he doesn't notice her quietly sneaking his cookies out of his lap. She pulls them apart and picks out the inside eating the cookies one by one. Ben notices that Symi is smacking and turns to her.

"What are you eating baby girl?"
"MOM!!!!! MY COOKIES!!!!!!!"

Symi's sitting there smacking her lips, scrunched up in a proud sort of fashion and giggling to herself. She couldn't have been more happy.

Ben's bawling.

I'm laughing!

Then I inform Ben there are plenty more cookies in the pantry and he can go and get some more.

Life is so good!

Piggy Tails

My Pride and Joy! Not many babies can do this with their hair at 11 months old! She was so wiggly, squirmy, and grumpy about me doing her hair. I had to restrain her, hold her down, and cause many tears for 20 minutes to get this result. And alas it only lasted about an hour. I was tricky and entertained her with a napkin. Which she promptly tore into tiny pieces! I can't believe how grown up it made her look! She is growing and doing so well! We are very happy that both our kids are so healthy and happy!