Benji being a Christmas tree.

Marcy says, he’s like a copy of you, that’s been put through a Marcy filter.

Cheeseburger and broccoli for dinner.

He was playing so peacefully in his room that I didn’t want to break it up, so we had dinner chez Ben’s.

Warning! Proud papa brag coming up. If allergic to such things please forgive me.

Benji’s first word spelled and written (almost) all by himself (except for the k. I wrote it). He sounded out each letter himself, we only help by repeating the sound with him, but he picks the letter.

His drawing to go with it. He’s really getting into comic books and finally starting to draw because of them. It seems that unless there are words to go with it, he thinks drawing pictures is pretty pointless. Only fitting that his first should be a kaboom! Kaboom is kinda his nature these days.

We’ve been talking about this for a long time and finally got around to doing it. So far it’s working great. We all need goals in life amiright?

Edit: Caught him today with his chalk board eraser trying to erase the “have a nap/quiet time”. Lol oh boy.

Life with a 4 year old, illustrated perfectly by Christoph Niemann.

Well, thanks for doing the dishes son.

Benji's latest obsession is bug eating plants, so we got a Pitcher Plant and a Venus Fly Trap today.

Benji and his friend Loraina at library story time.

Did some creeking today. We didn’t find anything except a slug, and we lost our net to the current almost immediately. But we got wet. And found a log. So I guess it was a success.

Only a few weeks to go until Ben starts pre school, and we only remembered last month that there is a beach 15 minutes from us. We’ve been hitting it every week since and today was no exception.

Monday was the first day of preschool. I couldn’t decide on one photo so here’s all of em.

He didn’t want to leave (school) yesterday and was waiting in the car this morning, so I guess even school is more fun than spending all day with dad.

Benji’s favourite climbing tree at Highbanks park was in flower last Saturday.

Trunk or treat at Benji’s school. Marcy did all the work on the trunk of course. (The eyes light up!)

Ben in class at preschool

My son.

He is such a great kid. Smart, kind, funny, sensitive, brave, truthful and trustworthy (for his age).

He’s clever as fuck, picking up new concepts and skills as he pleases. He verbally recites things and actions to memory and his eagerness to constantly learn is infectious. His memory is so good that I constantly ask myself if mine was ever that good, and I’m certain it never was. Sometimes he’s not interested so won’t get it the first time around, but his willingness to please will eventually win out and he improves at everything.

He pushes himself to face his fears and not back down. When it comes to scary things like zip lining or flu shots he doesn’t want to do them, and will initially refuse and fight against the prospect, but will always rise up to the challenge and concur it. At times like these he will literally say to himself, “I must face my fears!” And then he will get up and do them. I don’t know where he learned that.

If everyone (including myself) was as good a person as my son the world would be a better place. I don’t just love him so incredibly heart exploding much because he’s mine, but because I enjoy his company and he makes me a better person just knowing him.

First milestone achieved. Made it to 5 with both parents still alive. Level 2 unlocked.

Edit: I meant that literally. My mom didn’t live to see my 5th birthday, so I think of Benji turning 5 as my own personal milestone.

Thinking of you and your beautiful family this Christmas’s Megan, and thankful for the excellent time Ben spent in your care.

So my hands were wet when I touched Benji’s Santa list, and he claims that my wet hands ripped it. Then he’s asking me how to spell some words, while I finished up the dishes. He then presented me with THIS! Now I’m on Santa’s naughty list because I “ripped” his paper.

I was having a bath while Marcy was out shopping and Benji was watching Bugs Bunny Roadrunner. I heard a chair dragging around the floor downstairs, then some clattering, so decided it was time to get back downstairs, just in time to see my son make his first peanut butter sandwich! I just had to record this moment and share.

It was a 3 waffle morning, as the countdown continues. He no longer touches the ground. Just bounces off walls, or, as he did this morning, flys in off the stairs into a double somersault on the couch.

If the universe was created for Christmas and 5 year olds, that’s good enough for me.

Thanks so much guys. Benji will love these at book time before bed, and for years to come on his own. (I wrapped the other 2 books separately)