Sunk to a new low

I don't know why, but Jason and I always said we would never put our kids in those car cart things at the grocery store. It just seemed unnecessary- who needs that? Our kids can sit in the regular cart just like we did when we were kids. That is all the entertainment they need. Plus I am always annoyed at those extra large carts taking up too much room and getting in the way of everyone. Not for me.

Well, this weekend, we hit another one of those moments where we went back on our word. It happened by accident. We were on day #4 of solid continuous rain and we went to the grocery store. Not a dry cart in site, EXCEPT for those fancy car carts equipped with TV that they keep inside at all times. OK- so JUST THIS ONCE we will try it.
We strap Benjamin into the car thing and he is in absolute heaven. There is a steering wheel and a TV. He was thrilled, especially when Dora the explorer came on the tv screen.
So we wheeled through the store and Benjamin was totally occupied. At one point Jason turned off the TV- thinking Benny had had enough. I didn't realize it and come back to the cart to see the TV off and so I turn it back on again. Jason looks at me and laughs- and I say, "well, if it is working, why not stick with it?"

Anyhow, it was probably one of the best shopping experiences Benjamin has had to date. Not sure we will be revisiting the car cart again- but something tells me we haven't seen the last of them.
We got home and I sterilized my child. Aren't those things supposed to be crawling with germs?
ahhhhh Parenthood.

Being a kid again

One of the greatest things about having a kid is the act of being a kid again. I mean, really getting down into it and doing what a kid does. Climb up on the jungle gym and go down the slide. Get on the swing and swing....realllllllly high. Get on the ground and play with dirt. Do a somersault. Stand on your head. Crawl through the big tube even if it's too small or it looks silly. Being a kid again is renewing and eye opening. When I drive around now I look for really cool parks to go to. When I teach I get into the activity more often. Kids really know how to live. And you might say this is so because they don't have the responsibilities we have as adults. I would argue that we just stop being kids somewhere along the line because it is not cool or it is inappropriate. When we stop being kids......well, you can fill in the blank here. Having a kid has really helped me shed some of the everyday stresses of life. Why would we want to spend time stressing or worrying about things when we could just be a kid. Go to the park and kick the ball around or do cartwheels (I can teach you!). Do what kids do. Being a kid went by so fast for us didn't it? Do I want to waste time when I can be a kid? You don't have a kid you say? Then you are missing my point. Sure it is easier for me because I have a kid? No, I have always wanted to do these things but I made excuses..."go to the park?, with who?" or "cartwheels?", "slide down the slide?", "play with trucks that flash and make noise?", kids do that. Go try it! Go be a kid again.

Boys like trucks

There is no question about it. Benny has acquired a fleet of trucks and he loves them all. Cultural or natural?

Our own little amusement park

Dominoes

The Noyes' visited this week and we had some long nights playing dominoes. If you haven't played Mexican Dominoes, go to Target and buy it. Easy fun!

Happy New Year

The Rahlazio's have been staying with us over this wonderful new year. We went to the park with the kids and had a great time. Even the big kids had fun.

Library

We have been going to the library for board books and Ben just loves it. There is a kid friendly section with a carpeted play room etc. Good fun!