Recommended 8 Cups of Water a Day

With the help of Sponge Bob, Ben figures out life...

Last week, as Thom was loading up the dishwasher, he commented to Ben that it appeared he used every single plastic cup we have every single day.  I jokingly asked him if he thought the 8 recommended cups of water a day meant 8 DIFFERENT cups.  He looked at me confused, as if to say, "Wait, I don't have to use different cups?"

I found a presidential place mat at Saver's during their half off sale (whoo hoo!!)  We were talking about it last weekend and have decided that we are going to read a book about each one of the presidents.  Because it was Sunday, and the library was closed, we headed to St. Vinny's where we discovered a chapter book about, you guessed George Washington.  I just adore Ben's enthusiasm and gusto and willingness to embark upon an educational journey with me. 



Lotta finds the perfectly sized seat for herself (otherwise used as a tool shelf).

Lotta used to pronounce Ben's name, "Bay".  Which Ben only heard as any one else would say his name, he utterly refused to accept that she was saying his name differently.  This past week, she started pronouncing his name, "beN" emphasis on the previously missing "n".

Lotta is so eager to be a part of our conversations that at times now she will babble out a whole sentence that might sound like, "Mine in too mine you."  Which I might repeat back to her, saying it as a question, "Mine in too mine you?"  Which she emphatically responds, "Yes!"  Not sure what to do with that obviously important information! 

Last week, I dreamed I was staring into Ellie's big brown eyes, oh so wise.  And I knew in the dream what a gift this moment was and I knew that I didn't want to miss it and I knew that soon I would be awake and all this would disappear.  (A lot to know in a dream right?)  I continually have that feeling now as if I am driving in a car, speeding away from the time we had together. And I want to yell, STOP let me off, I want to go back.  Back to a time when I could see those big brown eyes outside of a dream, when I could hear all those silly made up words.  Back to insisting we go for walks together.  Back to reading and snuggling in bed for hours on end.  Back to finding crayon papers everywhere.  Back to having someone to peel the St. Vinny's stickers off of my purchases.  And I don't want to sound ungreatful for the time we had together, I just feel greedy wanting more.

As I was driving solo to Chicago this weekend, suddenly, I felt Ellie's presence.  It was as if she wanted me to know, "You haven't left me.  I am riding with you!"

 

Can You Feel MY Power?

Ben does not enjoy walking, which is challenging, since this is something Lotta and I do enjoy doing.  This summer we have been biking as our preferred form of transport (within a 2 and a half mile radius from home I mean I'm gonna have to get the 100 pounds I'm lugging home too, so I've got to save some energy for the ride home).  I strap Lotta onto me and Ben rides on his tandem bike.  At the beginning of summer I envisioned that by this point, it would be easier. Unfortunately, that has not happened.  What has happened is that when I am riding my bike solo, I feel like I am going incredibly fast.  I fell like I should be saying, "Look mom, look how fast I'm going!!"

On our bike rides, when we get ready to turn, I will put my arm out signaling our turn.  When I glance back, both Ben and Lotta are also signaling said turn.  Sometimes Lotta makes sure to signal with both arms, just to make sure.  Hills continue to be particularly challenging.  And boy oh boy do we ever have hills here in Madison!  As we struggle up hills now, Ben will start pumping his pedals hard and yell, "Can you feel my power?"  I just love that, that knowing how powerful you are, sharing it with those around you.

Our first summer in Madison I shared with my mom that I wanted to be Crazy Bike Mamma and just ride my bike with Ellie in her bike seat everywhere.  I think I've finally caught up with that dream and then some.