Dog House, in progress

Last week, we got the supplies and yesterday, Pat put them to use. He spent most of the day putting together a dog house for the yet to be found dog :) He did a great job!

Sand Box

As part of Alex's birthday present, Abuelos and Mommy & Daddy got Alex a sand box. Since we filled the flower bed, Alex needed a safe place to play. He seems to enjoy it :)

Jelly Beans...week 8?

This Thursday, Pat went into school with Alex and they made the tow truck (at the bottom). Pat got to enjoy the craziness of it all :) We also had a conference and were shown observations that Alex is fairly well into the 48 m. category on skills. Not too bad for a 36m. old :)
Alex also made this cute showbox about dinosaurs and can name all the dinasaurs included.

Memorial Day Parade

Last Monday, Alex and Abuela went to the Gettysburg Memorial Day Parade. Alex apparently did really well and his favorite was the ONLY firetruck in the parade.

Monarch Butterfly Release

Today, Saturday, May 23rd, Alex, Mammaw and I visited Aunt Janet for the Monarch Release in New Oxford. They had a nice presentation that Aunt Janet and Mammaw enjoyed but Alex and I explored. We got to see a lot of the butterflies before release and then Alex got to chase them with his butterfly catcher. He did manage to stun one and then I put it on his hand. He was great with it and was sad when it gained its senses and took off. Over all, a nice morning :)

Week 7

This week, in Jelly Beans, Alex did fairly well with crafts. I was even able to go hang out on Thursday. It was an eye opening experience :)

Thank you, Mimi!

For the wonderful mixing bowls and shampoo. We all had a great time opening the presents and can't wait to use everything :)

Composting

On the 21st, Jessie Dean and I went to a composting class at the Adams County Extension Office. It was a free hour course with an interesting audience :) We had a few good laughs and were sent home with an awesome free composting bin. When I got home, everyone was fairly excited with my new prize and Alex LOVED playing in the bin

B. Goatz!

On Sunday, after playing with the Pattersons, Carbaughs, and Donaldsons, I snuck away to Becca's Baby Shower. With a little girl due on July 17th, Becca's only complaint is how active the wee one is :) She is a glowing mommy-to-be and received a great wardrobe of pinks. It was great to catch up with everyone and we all wish Becca and Pat the best in TN in July!

Tía and Joe

For Kyle and Kelli's wedding, Tía and Joe made the trip up north. Everyone was really excited to see them. And Alex LOVED showing off this train set :)

May 16th

The youngest Benner is hitched! On May 16th, Kyle married Kelli (his high school sweetheart). It was a beautiful (and long) wedding and a reception that both the bride and groom seemed to enjoy. Plus it was great to be with family to celebrate this joyous occasion.

Congratulations, Kyle and Kelli!

Week 6

This is Week 6 of Jelly Bean's assignments. I have to admit and say I am a little excited to see more coloring on the paper. Though worried that the lack of attention. Hopefully it is just a phase....

Rachel's Pinning

On Thursday, after work, Abuela, Alex and I went up to Mont Alto to see Rachel receive her nursing pin. It was an exciting night for Rachel and Alex was excited to yell "Yea! Rachel!" (at every inopportune moment).

Congrats, Orch!

May 11th

For Abuelos' 37th Anniversary, Alex helped open a picture frame with replaceable pictures. It has Tía, Joe, Pat, Alex, and I and is sitting on the mantle.

Happy Anniversary!

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day... Alex thought it was his birthday all over again :) He was VERY excited to rip into the presents but was not too happy when it was clothes and a movie. However, he has demanded to watch "the tornado" movie constantly.
The picture below is an Alex original :)

Happy Mother's Day

To all the wonderful women and the people who support them :)

Dinosaur Hunters

This month in Jelly Beans, Alex is learning about Dinosaurs. Needless to say...he is EXCITED!
Tonight on the front porch, Alex and Pat were being Dinosaur Hunters. They were "biz-juing" (Alex's term for shooting which came from playing with Pat's old lightsaber toy) loud. But "it's ok... I have my ear plugs in." The imagination is an amazing thing :)

Week 5

This week Alex has been fairly busy at Jelly Beans. I added more of his projects to the web album but the one above is cute. On the back is this poem:
This isn't just a picture,
As you can plainly see.
I made it with my hand,
Which is a part of me.
It comes with lots of love,
Especially to say,
I hvae you have a very
Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Day with Daddy

On Cinco de Mayo, I had an interview at Loyola and Pat was able to spend some time with Alex. During these "Daddy times," I am often surprised what pictures I find on my camera (the fingerprints) . Alex can be a very demanding photographer (needless to say, I have TONS of pictures of his toys).

Also...if you get a chance.. ask Pat about the Car trip the preschool and the word Alex picked up ;)

Week 4

This week was Spanish week at Alex's Preschool. The top picture is an Alex outline with Spanish body parts label. The bottom picture shows lots of scribbles :) Overall, I think he is enjoying school!

Beautiful Weather

With the warm weather earlier in the week, we got to spend a decent amount of time outside. Surprisingly, a lot of the time was spend blowing bubbles that Aunt Lauries and Uncle Steve got Alex for Easter. Lots of fun!