Making a Splash

Much to Ben’s delight, this past weekend we got his little pool set up in the backyard. Even though it was starting to get cloudy and the water was a bit chilly, Ben had to take a dip, and of course Mommy and Daddy ended up in there with him. Ben loves his pool (and wants to show it to anyone who stops over!) It made me start thinking of his likes and dislikes, and how they have already had an impact on how we do things around here…

Ben loves his pool, and he loves being outside. He loves to swing at Nana & Poppop’s, and to play in the sandbox at Gram and Gramps house. But Ben definitely does not like being told its time to go inside, especially when he isn’t ready. Ben also does not like mosquitos, since they make boo boos on his arms and legs.

Ben loves to take walks to the custard stand, but he doesn’t like it if you don’t share your ice cream with him. Ben loves his cousins, all 5 of them, but he doesn’t like it when they play rough. The little guy loves his grandparents. He constantly asks to go to their houses and to talk to them on the phone. But Ben hates when you say it is time to leave there and head home.

Ben loves to share, and will offer you a cookie before he takes one himself. But Ben gets mad if you won’t share with him. Ben likes to talk and play in his crib before bed while you sit in his room with him, but he throws a fit if you happen to turn his light off before he is ready. Ben loves his cats and is always trying to pet them (as hard as they try to get away). But Ben will shout at them if they are being too loud, or if they wake him up by jumping in his crib (When Jack did this the other morning, Ben chased him away and told me “I told Jack get out…with my foot!”)

Ben loves riding in Daddy’s car, but he gets annoyed if you don’t open the sun roof or play music for him. Ben loves school buses and trains, pointing them out whenever he spots one on the road. But Ben doesn’t like it if you don’t turn and look at every single one that he tries to show you (which is tough when you are driving!) Ben loves the mall, but he won’t be happy if you don’t let him throw coins in the fountain. Ben loves his stroller, but when he wants to walk, forget it! Ben loves his new Cabbage Patch baby (Jeffrey), but he gets concerned if we don’t bring him everywhere with us.

When it comes to eating, Ben pretty much loves everything…right now some favorites of his are the raviolis (or as he calls them, ‘Olees’), baked beans, fruit snacks, and anything from Chic-Fil-A. Of course if he isn’t hungry, Ben will hate anything you put in front of him (and he will tell you that). Ben loves his cookie cereal, but sometimes only if you let him eat it right from the box (Daddy’s fault for starting that habit). Ben loves milk, but sometimes only wants juice… unless he wants milk….unless he really wants a juice box, or maybe some of your soda (sometimes Ben just can’t make up his mind).

Finally, Ben loves playing, and laughing, and giving hugs and kisses. Ben loves running and exploring and figuring out how things work. Ben loves his toys and his stuffed animal friends. Ben loves to greet you when you come to our door. Ben pretty much loves everything, and he will love you too…just don’t tell him no, or that its time to go to bed. He hates that.

And if he wants to jump in that pool with the skies darkening and the wind picking up, just let him do it, because you will love watching him love every minute of it (at least until he gets cold…Ben doesn’t like that).

Thanks for letting me just ramble on this week, hope everyone has a great weekend and gets to do something you love!