Life in General

So it's been a pretty average week around here. Some bigger news may be brewing on the back burner, but we will hold off on that for now. Instead, here are a few random pictures of our life for your enjoyment. Because we are exciting people like that.

As mentioned in previous posts, Bennett has decided to try his hand at growing strawberries this year...with a little help from us. A few days ago he was able to reap the first fruits of his labor with a nice, plump strawberry. Bennett was so proud of himself. He kept saying, "I'm just like a farmer." He has very good self-esteem.

Last Monday, Matt called to ask us to bring his Kevlar helmet and vest to his work (something he normally doesn't need). Bennett and I were a little bummed we had to make the drive at first, since we were on our way to the gym, but it ended up being way worth it. Turns out, Matt was on his way up in a black hawk for training purposes, and Bennett and I got to stand right across the street and watch as the helicopters landed and took off with Matt and his team. Before they loaded up, Matt told Bennett he was going to go up in a "big bird" (what they call helicopters in the Army). So the rest of the time we were there, Bennett was looking and looking for giant flying yellow birds from Sesame Street to come and take his daddy away. It took some explaining, but he finally figured it out.

 

Here's a view of Fort Hood from the "big bird". B-E-A-Utiful...ugh...

 

Most nights Bennett and I get out and walk around our street with friends. Lately, Bennett has wanted to take his bike, and since he is pretty good at staying close, I usually let him. One night while Bennett was riding his bike, Matt revved up his motorcycle and they took a ride together. It was pretty dang cute.

The boys, revving their bikes and looking tough.

One more story about Mr. Bennett and his bike. The other night Matt was out working in the garage, and I was cleaning up from dinner in the kitchen. Bennett wanted to be outside, so I sent him to Matt to watch him while he did his thing. Matt heard me tell him Bennett was outside. We made eye contact. We both understood what was going to happen...ten minutes later Matt came into the house and asked where Bennett was. I told him he was outside with him. Matt told me he was inside with me. We began to worry just a little.

I began to walk the circle in one direction, and Matt drove his truck in the other direction. Neighbors who were out joined in the search party. Friends homes who we thought Bennett might go to were called. He was nowhere. After walking almost the entire circle, we found him on the other side, riding his bike like he was Miss Daisy. Very proud of himself for getting so far. 

The entire adventure probably lasted only about five minutes, so there was no time for real, intense panic on our part. However, we felt it would be appropriate to make this a teaching moment. So we had a talk about bike and neighborhood safety, and Bennett was "grounded" and sent to bed for the night a little early. Matt and I also had a talk about childcare safety once he was tucked away. We will all be more careful in the future. 

So that's about it. This weekend we are going to Oklahoma to celebrate Griffin and Ashland's respective graduations, so there will be mucho to blog about then. But for now, so long!