Dad and Ben

Summer Water Fun

When we're not at the swim club, we've been visiting the fountains at Riverside Park and Osage Park. When we're not at the fountains, we've been playing in the sprinkler in our backyard.

Random Ben Pictures

Ben's First Cereal

Ben had his first non-liquid meal last Monday (June 18th).

He seemed to enjoy the "paper mache paste" meal of rice cereal.

He was much neater than Sam was with his first meal.

We have since added Sweet Potatoes (June 24th), can't tell for sure if Ben enjoys them, but they go down all the same. We also tried to give Ben a bottle with water in it to wash down his "paste." Not sure he actually drank much of it, but he did a great job of holding the bottle.

Updated blogs.....
If you've been wondering what was up with the picture only posts, I figured that I should get some pictures on the blog, for those of you who check to see if there is anything new, and are disappointed because another week has gone by without anything new being posted. So I started just uploading the pictures and figured I would add the text later. Well now 2 weeks later, I'm adding text. I can't figure out the formatting of this, so sorry for some of the large spaces between pictures. Maybe someday.....

Swim Lessons Level 1

Sam finished his first 2 week swim class last Friday at the swim club we belong to, Twin Rivers. Sam loves to be underwater, but he impressed his parents with his ability to sit and wait his turn, and his desire to please his teachers by doing what they asked. We love the swim teachers, they take so much interest in each child, and dole out an abundance of "high 5's" in every class, for even the least attempt to do what they ask. After an especially well done task, there might even be the "double High 5."

Sam with Ashley doing the front float.










The not so well loved back float.










Sam with Carrie doing the front float.










Sam with Carrie using his "big arms."













You might remember last year that Sam persuaded his teacher to let him jump off the diving board. This year on the last class day, after the kids had a chance to pass all of their tests, they got to jump off the board. His teacher Carrie helped him off the board, but I think he would have done it all by himself if given the chance. Sam passed all of the requirements of level 1, and has now begun the Level 2 classes this week. More level 2 pictures to follow!

The boys watching Shrek 3D.

Kid's Fishing Clinic 2007 - June 9, 2007

This is the 2nd year Sam participated in the fishing clinic sponsored by the Wichita Eagle (our newspaper). The weather was so much nicer this year than last year when it seemed to be 100 degreees! The kids are assigned a time to be at the Great Plains Nature Center where they are taught how to carry the pole, cast it into the lake, catch a fish, and throw it back in. Every kid catches a fish (wouldn't that be nice everytime we go fishing), and they take a polaroid picture of every kid with the fish they caught. Sam was a little timid, but once the guide helped Sam get his pole in the right place it didn't take long to catch a fish. The man unhooked the fish, and it flopped around on the ground. Sam quickly picked the fish up and threw it back in the pond. Wow!, his mom would have never done that!

What you talkin' about Willis?

Sam always wants Ben to "watch" his videos with him, and usually Sam holds Ben's hand while they are on the bed together. I love the last picture, to me it looks like Ben is asking Sam "what you talkin' about brother?"

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2007

(That just took forever!)

The first weekend in June we travelled to Baldwin City, KS to attend the 2007 Day out with Thomas. They hook up "Thomas" to an existing train and all the kids get to ride the train on about at 25 minute trip. There were also many other activities to keep us busy until our train departed. A magic show, jumpy rides, train tables, and of course a gift shop.

Thomas arriving at the station.

A hay maze.

Sam at the train tables, sporting his train sunglasses.

Sam got a tattoo of Thomas on his arm, and afterwards held his arm like this for a long time as not to ruin the tattoo. Here he is watching a Thomas video.

Sam the fireman, driving the Baldwin City firetruck.

Sam riding in the back of the firetruck (Where did he get those long legs?)

Here comes our train.

No trip would be complete without a picture with Sir Topham Hatt.

Sam and mom with Thomas.

Sam enjoyed the ride so much he slept the last 5 minutes or so.

Sam's gift shop purchase, a caboose with Day out with Thomas 2007 on it. We held on very tightly to it during the ride.

After the trip we went to Olathe, KS to spend the night. But first mom had to shop at the Great Mall of the Plains, which just happened to be across the street from our hotel. (How did that happen?) The boys enjoyed some playtime in an area they had for kids in the mall near the food court, while mom power shopped.

Hungry, Hungry, Hippos....

Those of you who know Sam at all, know that anytime he gets a new toy, he must take it to bed with him. Grandma Shaffer found this hungry hungry hippo game at a garage sale, and Sam fell in love with it immediately. He wanted to be the green hippo, Homer. The picture with his hand on Homer was taken at 1:30am when I went to check on Ben, I looked in on Sam, and he was actually touching Homer in his sleep. We went last night to the zoo to see what the hippos actually ate, and they were eating hay. So this morning Sam and I decided that the marbles that the hippos eat in the game were actually "hay marbles"

Fishing anyone?

Sam, dad, and Grandpa Shaffer went fishing at Buffalo Pond last Wednesday (May 30th) and caught EIGHT fish. Actually dad did the catching, but Sam was willing to pose with "his" catch. Afterall, it was caught on HIS tigger fishing pole. Sam enjoyed eating popcorn most of the evening, interrupted only when dad caught a fish. Rumor has it, Grandpa didn't catch anything.

5 Months

Ben turned 5 months last week, and he has mastered rolling from stomach to back ( May 25th) and from back to stomach (yesterday! June 5). As you can see from the picture, he has mastered the skill of drooling, and is usually sporting a bib these days. Near as we can see, it looks like teeth are ready to come through on the bottom AND top.

Ben was dedicated at church last Sunday, and Pastor Terry prayed specifically that Ben would not know rebellion. That would be our prayer too! Ben has been supporting his big brother by attending Sam's swim lessons this week, and by hanging out in the pool with him as he hones his swimming skills. And, oh yes, Ben has discovered his toes!