Long time, no post. . . Here's a quick-fix!
Nothing really new to report. Had our family's first ER visit a couple weeks ago, and hoping there's not a repeat performance! Claire (we thought) swallowed a couple of batteries about the same size as a watch battery. 4 hours and 2 x-rays later, there was nothing on the inside-- found the batteries the next morning on the kitchen floor. That was more a relief than anything, and I don't regret the ER trip.
We took a family trip to Yellowstone, where Josh and I decided that camping with young kids is H-A-R-D. We did come up with a sort of system to bypass the madness (which worked most of the time), and will definitely use that in future trips. I am SOOOOOOOO glad that we have our camping trailer!! It was my first trip to Yellowstone, and I really enjoyed it. Ben says, "It was really stinky," to everyone who asks how it was. Pictures will be in the very near future, but tonight it's kind of late and I have 3 cords that look like they could be a match that are not. . . Grrr.
Josh is doing extremely well at work, and we are so proud of him!! We are also experiencing the relief that comes from his not having to go to school at nights. *sigh of relief* We're getting excited for his official graduation ceremony in September or October. The kids absolutely LOVE seeing more of their dad!
Ben is one smart cookie. His new favorite song is "Happy Family":
I love Daddy, Daddy loves me. I love Mommy, Mommy loves me. I love Claire, Claire loves me. Daddy loves Mommy, Mommy loves Daddy. (And so on, until everyone in the family loves each other, and then. . . ) We are a happy FAMILY!!!!!! (sometimes he yells the last note, which cracks me up)
Claire is catching on to things quicker than ever. Often if we're counting something (doesn't matter what), we'll say, "One. . . Two. . ." Claire will then pipe up "Fee- TINEOUT!" (she can't seem to get the M in there).
Both of the kids love to sing. Claire will just sort of sing a tune with no words, but Ben has now decided that there are words required. His word of choice: Blah. In the bathroom at Old Faithful in Yellowstone (which for some reason Ben calls "the goofy geyser") he was blah-ing the tune to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, much to the entertainment of all around us-- both in line, and in the stalls beside us.
More next time I have 15 minutes. . . No guarantees as to when that will be! Love you all.