If you want to touch the sky... according to Benji

"If you want to touch the sky, you have to stand on somebody's head. But you have to be an adult to be tall enough."

Who knew we adults had such powers?! I've always wanted to touch the sky. I guess I'm officially an adult (since I had two children after all). I plan on doing it right after naptime.

One-on-one time

We were very purposeful about taking Benji on dates for the 1st year or so after Zachary was born. We're been more intermittent lately. Last night Benji had a sleepover at Nona's, which mean he got one-on-one time with her and I got one-on-one time with Zac both last night and this morning. It made me remember how lovely one-on-one time is. The kids both thrive so much with a little undivided attention. I think we need to make a renewed effort in taking more dates (for both kids now) with just one parent. It's good for them ... and it's good for us.

Knitting

My oldest son is requesting me to knit him things. And not just one or two - he has a whole list lined up for me. Sorry to disappoint him because I'm a rather slow knitter. But I am working on them - I promise. The really new thing he has done lately is request me to knit in the middle of the day in lieu of playing with him - !! If Zachary was not around, I would totally spend my day sitting around knitting - that sounds wonderful. But for now, I better get back to knitting this Santa hat because everybody is currently sleeping. Next on the list: slippers.

A first

Benji and sleep have not been friends since birth. Okay, it's gotten easier the last year or so, but the first 3 years were not fun in the sleep department. So imagine my utter amazement during bedtime tonight when he told me, "Mommy, please only sing two songs tonight because I'm really, really tired."

Cutest lady bug around

Benji wanted to show his playgroup friends his ladybug outfit, so I'm posting the picture here. I realize that he's growing up when he wants to show his friends before his family members. Of course, he wants to dress up like a ladybug, so that means he's not COMPLETELY grown up. Good!

Lazy summer in the hammock

That kind of week

Monday morning Benji broke a glass butter dish in the kitchen. Though I tried to clean up the best I could, Benji got a pretty bad cut on his knee from a piece of glass that I missed.

Tuesday afternoon I spilled 1/4 cup of coffee (though the cup did not break). Who knew that 1/4 cup of coffee could make so many different things dirty? Well, spilling it in front of the open refrigerator didn't help.

Wednesday morning (today) I dropped a 1/2 gallon glass jar mostly full of juice on the kitchen floor, and of course it broke into a billion pieces.

Both the morning glass breakages occurred before breakfast, therefore before any coffee was consumed. All in all, I'm ready for this week to be over.

Tail gating at Ikea

While waiting to get our new bathroom furniture from Ikea, the boys thought tailgating with vanilla ice cream cones sounded like a good idea. However, in the Dallas heat, you gotta lick FAST. Luckily, they both had a Mommy who has no problem eating ice cream FAST (of course, it was all out of maternal duty so they wouldn't get all sticky - it's a tough job, being an ice-cream eater/mommy).

We are excited to begin some remodeling and home decorating with our new stuff from Ikea. If only there was one closer to Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks again to Linda and Paul for letting us use their condo even though they were off in California vacationing. The boys loved playing in the pool and with their dog toys. Who knew that dog toys were so captivating for young boys? Maybe I can save money and just buy dog toys instead of kid toys. Or maybe dog toys cost more. I wouldn't know because I never plan on actually owning a dog (unless my husband and/or boys wear me down but I must warn them - it's not easy to change my mind).

We also went to the Six Flags over Texas Hurricane Harbor water park. All four of us had a great time. We did learn that 1 and 3 year old boys do not have the patience to wait in long lines to use a water slide. But the pools and accessories were worth the cost of entrance. Zachary took a nap in the slow-moving "river" that goes throughout the park. It was pretty sweet holding a sleeping toddler while floating down the river. Another perk of parenthood.

Booties picture for cjoy

I'm sure not everyone is interested in seeing my latest baby booties knitting pattern, but I do know one person - cjoy at Penny for My Thoughts. You can check out her cute crocheted one at her blog. Here is mine (with no ribbon yet but it will go in the eyelet row once I buy some at Hobby Lobby). It's knit with Bunny Hop yarn from Crystal Palace Yarns.

Happy Independence Day!

And because nothing says "Happy Birthday America" like cake, here is the cake the boys decorated (after they consumed at least half of the berries beforehand).

What makes you say, "We've got to go to the store?"

Yesterday we ran out of Saran wrap, and I realized that there are certain items that make me say, "We've got to go to the store." when we run out. Saran wrap is one of them. The other I thought of was coffee. My friend Britni also added laundry detergent, which I agree with.

• Saran wrap
• coffee
• laundry detergent

I'm curious what are other people's "essentials"?

A good summer

If dirty fingernails and filthy feet due to running around barefoot are a sign of a good summer, our two boys are having a GREAT summer. No picture because it might be too disgusting for some. Needless to say, tonight is a definite bath night in the Loh house!