Maui, Part 1

Brant and I have returned safely from our trip to Maui and although we had a great time, it is also nice to be home with Ben again. There is lots to share about the trip, so stay tuned. I'll start tonight with the last night of our trip, which was also our 5th wedding anniversary. That evening, we went to the Feast of Lele. We were greeted with a fresh flower lei and a mai tai - perfect! The whole event taking place at sunset on the beach made for a picturesque scene, to say the least. The dinner was five courses, with dishes from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand, plus dessert. Every course consisted of some sort of seafood, from mahi mahi to swordfish, plus a side and some sort of salad. We tasted lots of things we've never tasted before, some we liked better than others. With each course came a traditional dance from each culture. The dancers were incredible and so were the costumes. It was a great way to cap off an incredible trip and to celebrate our anniversary!

Hugs and Hiding

Ben had a big moment this morning. He said, "Love you." Oh my gosh, I almost started to cry. He has been giving bigs hugs lately and sometimes the kind where I try to pull him off, only to have him grapple at my neck. This morning when he woke up, we were sitting in the rocking chair looking at his books like we do every morning (all of which he calls Bible for some reason, even though only one is a Bible board book). He is so happy in the morning and we were talking and snuggling. I said, "Ben, can you say love you?" He gave me this big grin, said it, and then grabbed me for a big hug. Wow - incredible moment!

I also had my first incident of losing something important that Ben either hid or misplaced. I realized last night that my glasses were missing. The child puts things in the strangest places, such as lids to pots on the bookshelf and socks in drawers in the kitchen. So, I couldn't find them until this morning when we were playing and I happened to peek under the bed. There they were! That stinker!

Three days until Brant and I are off to Maui. Can't wait!

Summer Favorites

Although we are just in our second week of summer, Ben and I have found a few favorites that are extra special this summer. First, and foremost, is the park. In particular, slides and swings are our favorites. A playground was recently built in our neighborhood and it is wonderful to have somewhere to walk to. Ben could swing all afternoon, whether at the park or in our backyard. Last week, I also discovered his love for the slide. He sits on my lap to go down and wants to go over and over again. There is always a little squeal of delight at the end. Not only are we now regulars at our park, but are making the rounds to many other Ankeny parks as well.

The second summer favorite is ice cream. After a trip to the park a few days ago, Ben and I met my friend Heather at Dairy Queen to have ice cream. I bought a dish thinking Ben and I would share it, but my bites seemed minimal. The kid loves ice cream! We will definitely be doing that again!

The third summer favorite is music class. We go to music class on Monday mornings. Since starting music class in January, it is fun to think about how much Ben has changed. He has certain activities and songs he loves. He loves Ms. Tina's (his teacher) finger puppets, loves the peek-a-boo song with scarves, and loves some of the dances we learn. We have a CD of the songs to listen to at home, which is also great.

The fourth summer favorite is simply the great outdoors. We have learned that Ben is a child that loves to be outside. In fact, sometimes he cries when we have to go back in. He explores the grass, enjoys walking up and down the sidewalk, points at all the birds he sees and says "buh", checks out all our trees and bushes, and even likes to sit on our porch chair. I'm so thankful that he likes being outside so much, as I get a bit stir-crazy being inside too long myself.

The fifth summer favorite is a selfish one of my own. It is nap time and bed time. I love spending my day with Ben, but I also thoroughly enjoy a little summer time to myself when he is sleeping. I look forward to summer to have some time to read or do little things around the house. The peacefulness and quiet that nap and bed time bring is so, so sweet and never unappreciated.

We are hoping to add another favorite to our list soon, if the weather will warm up a bit. That favorite will be the Ankeny Splash Park and the baby pool in our own backyard! Hopefully, those adventures will occur soon.

Oops... apparently I forgot one thing. As I was sitting here on the stool at our breakfast bar, I looked down to see Ben holding his current favorite book. He was looking at me with pleading eyes, so I had to take a break to read it to him, followed by quite a few other favorites. Reading would not just be a summer favorite, but an all-the-time favorite for Ben! I wonder where he got that?!?

Big Discoveries, Part 2

We really have a mini-man on the move. Here is the latest:

1.) Hats. Ben has discovered a recent love for hats. Hats worn backwards, gangster style, worn over his head, or simply carrying the hat around. He especially loves Grandpa Dave's farmer hats because they are so big and easy to put on. And really, Ben simply loves anything he can put on his head.

2.) How to "talk" on the phone. Ben loves to play with cell phones and regular phones. Recently, he has been seen holding the phone to his neck or the back of his head and jabbering very loudly. Every time he does this, he seems to say the same thing and in the same way. Although you can't really understand it, it is clear he thinks he is talking on the phone.

3.) Finishing the sentence in a book. Mom sings: "Five little ducklings went out one day, over the hill and far away. Mother duck said ___________" Ben says. "Cack." Mom says, "You're right, quack, quack, quack." Mmmm, priceless.

4.) Styling Mom's hair. Usually I've tried to keep Ben away from my hair, as in the past it has led to getting it pulled. However, last week while playing on the floor, Ben walked up behind me and started gently petting and running his fingers in my hair. And, he loved it when I shook my head and my hair would brush his face. He'd giggle and giggle.

Big Discoveries

It's been a big week around the Ausenhus household. Ben has made some wonderful new discoveries! They include:

1.) Belly buttons. It all started with a little flip book we read every night before bed. One of the flip pages lifts the flap to find the baby's belly button. Last night, we were all playing outside in the grass. Brant was laying on the grass and Ben made the big discovery, eager to poke as much as possible and even attempting to play peek-a-boo with it by covering and uncovering it with Brant's shirt. Today, when asked, "Ben, where is your belly button?" he eagerly lifted his shirt and pointed to (or in) his own.

2.) How to wear a box on your head. Oh, the thrills! Ben learned that it is fun to look at yourself in the mirror with a box on your head, to walk around with it on your head, but that it doesn't work so well to wear it on your face.

3.) Hide and seek. We have been enjoying and still love the all time favorite game of peek-a-boo. However, peek-a-boo has become more advanced with him giggling while waiting to be "found" or with Ben coming to find me. The trickster even changed spots today in mid-hunt! Of course, the hiding places consist of the closet and behind the bed... that's it.

4.) Where mommy keeps the bananas. Ben love bananas. There is no doubt about that. They sit in a bowl on the counter and this week, he discovered he can see the bananas in the bowl from his high chair and that he can point to them and say, "Na" while rejecting any other food offered. We are learning some difficult lessons in eating what is offered.

5.) How to brush his own hair. Ben loves to try to brush his own hair. Of course it requires re-combing, but it is adorable to watch!

Here are a few pictures. Some document some of his new discoveries and others are just plain cute!