Benjamin Reading and Lego-ing in January

These photos are in no particular order, but I wanted to group them together.  Benjamin has really blossomed in his love for Lego building as well as in his creativity.  I so enjoy seeing what comes out of his imagination!

And, I have worked so hard with him (and continue to work hard with him) on his reading skills and his enjoyment of reading independently.  Each baby step is well-earned, and is gratifying for me to see, so I probably take pictures of him reading more often than I do of the other kids.  They took to reading like fish to water, but with Benjamin I have been very purposeful.  I don't want to miss out on this crucial and enjoyable part of life...and I'm so proud of how far he has come.

Anyway, here are the pictures of Legos and books and Benjamin!

I forget what this is called, but I'll try to edit it later when I ask him.

This was a lab.  Who it was for changed each day, but it was always full of "potions."

One day, a rock wall climber...

the next day, a zip liner.

The Things Girls Do for Hair

One request for wavy hair and one request for curly hair...and you can see the results!

An Oldie but a Goodie

I recently reread a book that is probably technically my mom's.  She gave it to me to read when I was in 6th grade ( I know this because my name and school were written on it so I could take it to 6th grade camp) and I hadn't read it in many years.  This is obviously a very 70s-version, and I'm sure there are updated versions in print now.  Anyway, I think that this book influenced me deeply when I was young, and again now, in the way I view disabilities, but especially in the way I have come to understand adversity and suffering.  If you've never read it, put it at the top of your list!

The Day Jeff Took Grace Skiing

Viewing and photographing the area when it receives enough precipitation is a treat!

While Jeff and Grace gave skiing a try, I took the boys to the Lego store to spend some gift money and then to my mom's.  Jonathan's set that he had planned to buy was not available, and he was a very good sport.

Mom and I played Domain with Jonathan to try to cheer him up.

Benjamin was thrilled that he could finally buy Clayface, which he had been planning to do for quite awhile!

And my amazing mom even makes hats for special little friends.

Taking in Art and Literature

There was an art exhibit within driving distance that displayed works by some of our favorite children's illustrators from some of our favorite children's books.  I LOVED this exhibit.  The sign said "no photography," so of course, I refrained...and Jeff didn't.  I'm glad he caught these pics of Benjamin with me, reading Margaret Wise Brown's Wait Till the Moon is Full.

One of the best parts about the exhibit was the bookshelf of children's books with the pages marked that showed which illustrations were on display here.  I also loved seeing the studies and sketches that the artists did (especially Garth Williams) that eventually became the illustration for the book.

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4th Annual Polar Bear Plunge

We invited friends and neighbors to partake in our annual tradition.  This year, we had grown men and 2nd grade boys.  And...it was cold!  Or, so I hear...

Afterwards, we enjoyed games, dinner and movies.  We're thankful for good friends and good neighbors.