Stars Are Made Of...

Dear Benjamin:

Being a parent can be a very exhausting thing...So much so that when I hear my "alarm," which is you singing the "ABC" song or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," I sometimes open one eye and wonder how many candy bars I could use to bribe you into sleeping just five more minutes. I have been your mother for almost three years now, and I still haven't found your snooze button!!!

This morning was one of those "snooze-button" mornings. I opened one eye to the tune of the remixed edition of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and proceeded to unfold myself from warm, blanketed bliss and go to your room.

When I walked in you were, as usual, standing in your bed, the characteristic "Ben grin" spread across your face. I noticed that you were pulling at the back of your diaper, and the following dialogue took place:

Mommy: "Good morning, Ben! Did you make poopy?"



Ben: (With a serious look) "No Mommy, it's just gas."



So it's true, stars really are made of gas!!! =0)



Love and What-Will-You-Come-Up-With-Next,

Mommy

New Style, New Format

Dear Benjamin:

I'm sure your fans are surprised by the change in title and layout of your blog, so I'm going to explain the change. For three years, I have written this blog from "your" perspective. However, you have now grown into your own personality so much that I no longer feel I can accurately portray the kinetic, loving essence of you. Therefore, I have been mulling an idea over in my head for awhile now, and I have finally decided to make the leap. For now, the blog will be a collection of "letters to Benjamin" which detail events in our family life as well as current events. I think it would be neat if I had letters from my parents which were written to me when I was young, so I hope you will be able to read these eventually and see what a wonderful blessing you have been in our lives!

Love and I-Should-Go-To-Bed-Class-Comes-Early-In-The-Morning,

Mommy

Aloha from Oahu!!!

Hey there! I just wanted to post some pictures of our vacation so far in beautiful Oahu. The flight was long, but the wait was worth it. The climate is so nice here that most places don't even have heat or air conditioning! Can you imagine?!

Anyway, here's some of our day today...

USS Missouri

In front of the Doolittle exhibit

USS Utah

Daniel manning a machine gun

USS Arizona anchor

The beauty of Oahu...

USS Missouri

Breakfast at the 49er...yes, that's SPAM!!!

We are here!!!

USS Arizona anchor

Okay, so that's what we have for now...I know you all are five hours behind and want to go to bed so...

Love and Aloha,

Lissa

A Little Imagination Goes A Long Way!

And you're going to need to use it for the next couple of blogs. Close your eyes...picture snowy hills and imagine the gentle tinkling sound of sleigh bells chiming in the distance. Now imagine that it's December and Mommy really hasn't skipped out on the blog for five months! =0)

Okay, okay...it's actually April, and yes, it's been awhile. Let me update you...we moved to our new house in February, and I love my new big room. The walls are blue and I have big airplanes hanging from the ceiling...nice touch Daddy! I turned two in February...not sure if there are any pictures of that...I'm such a blur now that it's difficult to catch me with your standard run-of-the-mill camera! I am learning more and more everyday. I can count to ten in english and spanish...spanish is new, so I'm working on it. I can recognize and name the alphabet, and I bet I have a vocabulary of at least a hundred words...some I even made up on my own! I love school...so much that I recently added my own touches to Mommy's homework. Black and white was SO boring! =0)

Enjoy the following slide show which recaps the past few months, beginning with our Halloween party and ending with our Easter pictures....

Love and Wipe-Your-Eyes-Nana-&-PawPaw!

Benjamin G. Ross

Tonight as I lay asleep in my crib, a moment occured which set the stage for my future and the futures of young men and women of all races in this nation. Americans came together for the common cause of Hope and elected Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States of America. In a nation built on the principles of equality and liberty, the barriers which have stood between races has been broken. I can't possibly grasp what this means, but there can be no doubt that my future will be brighter as a result of this next great chapter in the American story.

I encourage those of you who may not have agreed with the 63+ million Americans who made this decision to allow yourself to believe in the power of change and the possibility of greatness in diversity and tolerance.



Love and Yes-We-Could-And-We-Did!

Benjamin G. Ross

Sunday Best...Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger!

Here's me in my Sunday outfit. I'm playing with my very own cell phone! I've got to have one to keep up with all of my peeps from school! =0)






Love and Look-Out-Bill-Gates,

Benjamin G. Ross

The Price of Tea in China and Other Random Notions...

Hello fans of me!

It's been awhile, so I wanted to give an update to the enquiring minds who want to know about me. I LOVE my daycare, and I'm even a little fussy on days that I don't get to go. Miss Kim is the nicest, and everyone thinks I'm the cutest thing ever! Oh, and my friends at school don't use pacifiers when they take naps, so I decided I didn't want to either. I'm such a big boy! I can say quite a few words now. Of course, the standard "Momma" and "Daddy," but I'm also moving onto counting! Last weekend Mommy said, "One," and I chimed in with, "Two!" I love to say "Whoa!" and "Uh-Oh!" Oh, and I also think I know my real name now. It's not Benjamin...it's NO!!! =0)

Here are some recent pictures of me in action. (Photo editing courtesy of Mommy and her new program!)

Dreaming of the Major Leagues!

Mr. Mike gave me my very own pumpkin!

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!Splashing through a mud puddle!

I'm figuring the whole world out!

My shirt says, "I Listen to Led Zepplin with My Daddy!"

Okay, so there's a dose of cute for all of you who were having withdrawals! I would also like to send out a very special hello to my newest cousin, Mia Beth! Welcome to the family!

Love and Wait-A-Minute-I-Don't-Open-Presents-First-At-Christmas-Now?!,

Benjamin G. Ross