Craig purchased a new retractable hose thingie last week. I love them. We have had several but eventually they break. It is so easy for me to just go out and water all my plants and then just push a lever and the hose automatically gets put away neatly. How can you NOT  love a thing like that? He and the Monsta hooked it up this weekend.

Some highlights:

My handsome guy

Goofing Off is a must!

Actually back to reading the instructions

The installation.  In the end, it worked beautifully….I  just didn’t get a shot of that part.  Don’t you just love how that boy loves to work with his Daddy?  I love witnessing moments like these.

A couple of weeks ago, Craig and Ben were playing outside and I darted out there inbetween feedings.  They were having so much fun that I wanted to capture it.

My handsome Hub. I just love all that salt and peppa going on!

Finally, a glance toward the camera.

and finally, the neverending tickles. If you could have heard his squeals – you would be sitting there with a HUGE smile.

It is times like these that I don’t ever want to forget. I look at Ben now and see the big boy he has become. What happened to those baby days? They are fleeting. Thank goodness that I love photography. Keeping these memories is just priceless to me.

I woke up this morning to find this…

My sweet husband left me coffee all ready to be made.  He makes the BEST coffee (decaf-if you are wondering) and I was really psyched to find this waiting for me.   I drank it along with matzoh and jarlsberg and had a wonderful morning. 

I just wanted to thank everybody for coming to Ben’s party on Saturday.  The day was fantastic!  I loved seeing the kids have fun on the slip n’ slide and in the pool.   I love people enjoying themselves at our house in general.  Gives me such a great feeling.  Thanks to all that travelled a long way and a BIG thank you for all the awesome gifts Ben received.  I’ve read “Where the wild things are” about one zillion times in the last two days! 

 Here are a couple of shots from yesterday.  We were all pretty tired from the day before so we basically veg’d all day.

Ben blowing his new bubbles AGAINST the wind.

Craig, NOT wanting to look at camera but still looking COOL.

Can you let the Toner peeps know that I’m getting pissed that the convention always falls on your Birthday!

wink

Why can’t I get a Coke in Vegas? 
Every restaurant I’ve been in has Pepsi.  I really don’t like Pepsi very much.  I used to, several years ago, but now I’m a classic Coke guy.  I only buy pepsi for Julie (aka Titi) who, for some strange reason, hates coke.  I mean, HELLO!  The only redeeming value of PepsiCo is Mountain Dew.  So I say to the waitress, “I’ll have a coke”.  Is Pepsi OK?  And I’m like, “NO!! It’s not ok”.  If you have Pepsi then it stands to reason you have Mountain Dew.  I’ll have that.  What a racket!

(If you haven’t figured it out……..that was Craig)

and this is a $14.00 meal from Jones Beach. (Thanks Joe for letting me shoot your fries!)

Today’s post was written by Craig.  Thanks Honey for your words.  They are so much better than mine.  pfft!

I love what you wrote and I miss you!

***

As I sit on this 5 1/2 hour flight to Vegas, I can’t help but think about my “Mr. Cookie” and my wife whom I left at 6am this morning.  “THAT KID!” I say to Marina almost on a daily basis.  My love for him grows everyday.  The way he holds his pencil and draws so meticulously on his pad of paper.  The way he says “DADA!” when he sees me.  The way he dips his pancakes into his egg yolk just like mommy and daddy.  How he says “Moooorrrreeee” to everything he likes to do.  His sweet temperament and the joy he brings me everyday.

Benjamin is everything I hoped he’d be — He just turned two but I can already see what kind of person he’s going to be.

Strong, kind and gentle. 

The way he says “Noooo!” and “Biiiiiig” and “JAAAH, JAAAH” (for Curious George) makes me crack up every time.  After every bath, he HAS TO slide, no SLAM the shower doors back and forth.  I say to him, “Must you, Mister??”.  He always responds with “ahhh” which means yes. We say to him, “Say YES!” …. ESSHH! is what we get. 

What can I say? I love that kid with all my heart and can’t wait to catch up on the hugs and kisses when I get back.