Who's Smarter?

Benjamin:
Tell me about thunderstorms Mama.

Me:
Well, Ben, thunderstorms have thunder and rain.

Benjamin:
I don't think so. Let's ask Dada when he gets home because he's smart.

Me:
Benjamin I'm smart too!

Benjamin:
Yeah, well, Dada is smarter.....especially about guns.

Me:
Okay, I can't argue with that.

First Day of Homeschool Kindergarten

Benjamin is attending a private school one day a week for his homeschool.  This school actually provides the curriculum and assigns his lessons and homework that I teach him the rest of the week that he's here with me.  It's such a WONDERFUL arrangement.  He went last week for orientation, to meet his teacher, and to get his first week's assignments.  Let me tell you, it has been an awesome week for us.  He's been doing so well at his lessons.  I'm really enjoying it too.  Savannah even joins us at times too so she's learning stuff as well!  The only complaint Ben has right now about his lessons is of all the coloring he has to do.  He hates, let me say that again, hates coloring.  But we're not backing down on that one because he has to color to develop strength in his hands for writing and to work on his fine motor skills.  Now Savannah on the other hand would color all day if she could.  So funny how boys and girls are different.

He had his first official day at school today.  There were no tears and he was totally fine to be there.  Now let's just see what he says after I pick him up today. 

Here's a picture of him right before we left for school this morning.  He LOVES his Star Wars backpack!

Mommy and Daddy's Little Get-A-Way

David and I took a trip out to Wimberley recently.  We had a great stay!  Relaxing and quiet.  I came to 2 conclusions on this trip....life is too short to wear uncomfortable clothes and life is too short to drink bad wine (pardon the cliche).


Here's a picture of the house.

The river in our backyard that we swam in.

I thought this was funny....he called it his Red Neck cooler.

I loved this painting in the house.

The people that owned the house were very artsy. They had this rooster by our front door. Interesting......

This is the highlight of the trip for David. He caught a Cottonmouth snake. Yes, in the same river we swam in. Yikes!!!!!

Smile for the camera!

Savannah, say cheese.....

Ireland

We had a great time in Ireland and Northern Ireland. We started out in Dublin.  Stayed there for a few days and then headed south to Cork.  Stayed there for a week and then headed up to Northern Ireland and stayed in Belfast for a few days.  Here are some pictures of our adventures!


One of Benjamin and Savannah's favorite things to do? Chase birds.

A breathtaking view of one of the cathedrals we visited.

Benjamin and Savannah playing on a cannon that was located just feet from where the Titanic made it's very last stop in Cobh (pronounced Cove).

Of course, had to lay eyes on the Guinness factory!

Benjamin, Savannah, and me having some juice on our patio in our second house in Cork.

The view from our kitchen in Cork.

This is Kiera. She is from London and was one of our neighbors while in Cork. The kids had a great time together.

Yep, that's exactly what you think it is...Kiera planting a kiss on Benjamin. They were playing Prince and Princesses. Actually, just moments before Benjamin grabbed her and kissed her. David and I were watching and our jaws dropped and we were in utter shock for a few moments until David gathered his senses and grabbed the camera. This is their second kiss.

Here's Savannah's favorite site while visiting the Cliffs of Moher.

This is at the Cliffs of Moher. Savannah loved her viking hat and wore it a lot of our trip. She got lots of smile from strangers because of it.

The Cliffs of Moher. David took this picture standing right at the edge of the cliff. I was adamant that the kids were NOT allowed anywhere close. I was having an anxiety attack just thinking about it. Whew.

The three of us at the Cliffs of Moher. Notice Benjamin is extremely upset. He was wanting to go all the way up with Daddy to the edge of the cliff that I strictly forbid.

Benjamin and his shellaillagh (pronounced sha-lay-lee).

Savannah and me having a good time in a pub.

Benjamin played his games in the pubs.

David kissing the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle.

Benjamin and Savannah at the entrance to the dungeon at Blarney Castle.

Blarney Castle

Benjamin, me, Savannah, and Grandma Nancy at Blarney Castle.

Benjamin and Savannah sitting next to the Blarney Stone. They weren't allowed to kiss it. The stone is at the top and edge of the castle so it was too dangerous for them.

The four of us at Blarney Castle.

I love this picture of Granddaddy and Savannah. Granddaddy was teasing Savannah with ice cream.

We stopped at this place and got to feed goats, horses, and donkeys. The kids had a blast! As you can tell by Ben's expression.

Enjoying the animals.

Awesome cliff. Not sure what it is.

This is the neighborhood cat that made itself at home our last day in Cork.

Benjamin at the Cliffs of Moher

Belfast, Northern Ireland

More of the Cliffs of Moher 

The family at Cliffs of Moher

A castle we visited in Northern Ireland.

Benjamin at a castle we visited in Northern Ireland.

Our Prince and Princess

One of the rooms in the castle.

And finally, on our way home. He's tuckered.

But she's ready to GO! As Savannah would say it "Let's Go, Let's Go, G-G-G-S-G-O!!"

The Ten Commandments

Sorry for the lack of postings lately....been in Ireland. Stories and pictures of that trip coming soon.

On another note, Benjamin is learning about the Ten Commandments in Sunday school. When I asked him which commandment he has the most trouble with his response was "the one that says you shouldn't kill". Ummm......maybe that's because of his video games??? Silly boy.

Ben's Dream

Benjamin: "I had a dream last night that the toads out in our pond were fighting rattlesnakes with their tongues. But then the toads got distracted by a fly and then the rattlesnakes ate them."
 
This is one of those "had to be there" moments. To see his facial expressions telling this dream was hilarious. He's got a great imagination!

Bowling

Thanks to his long time friend Christopher, Benjamin went bowling for the first time a couple of weeks ago for Chris' birthday party. He had so much fun! He said as we were leaving that it was the BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER! He did a great job too! I see more bowling in our future. Yay! I took bowling in college, yes you heard me right, I took it in college. It was an 8am class 3 days a week and I can't recall that I ever missed a class. I'm not good but I love it and haven't done it in years. I'm so happy with Ben's enthusiasm with it.