Pony Ride!

Benjamin and I (Linda) are in Schaumburg visiting Babushka and Dadushka. Today we joined Kathy, Alex and Mia for a pony ride! Benjamin loved it.

After the pony ride we all went to Steak and Shake for lunch.

We are having a great time here, but missing papa, who is on his annual guys golf weekend. Benjamin has been calling both Babushka and Dadushka (whom he used to be able to call Babu and Dadu) "Dooda." It is pretty funny. We are at "Dooda's house."

Vacations

We took two trips to Elkhart Lake, WI in August. The first trip was with Uncle Jim, Aunt Kathy and cousins Alexa, Alex and Mia, along with Babushka and Dadushka. We had a great time! The kids got along great and Alexa was a little mom to Benjamin. He hardly needed mama and papa around with his three cousins to take care of him! Benjamin loves jumping in the pool over and over and over. This boy has no fear!

"More jump"

Alex, Benjamin and Alexa

Alex, Benjamin, Alexa and Mia on the pier in Sheboygan.

The second trip was with Dan and Michelle Johnson with their son Alex. We did much of the same - lake, pool, park, pool, Sheboygan, pool, with lots of great eating in between. Ed and Dan got in a round of golf. It was great to get away. (Michelle has the pics from that trip.)

Words Words Words

Just in the last week Benjamin has been putting words together. He started with two - yellow bus, green car, etc. - and is now up to 4! "Milk all gone, mama." His favorite adjective is "big." We have heard big apple, big ball, big bus (and big yellow bus) and, yes, even big mama! He likes to say "big."

This is a typical Benjamin face, with his head cocked to the side. It is hard to say no to this face!

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June Summary

Benjamin is 2. I certainly wouldn't call the last month "terrible twos," but it did seem like a switch flipped when Benjamin turned two. Our son is more independent and daring than ever. We are pretty impressed with his strength and agility on the playground. He can climb almost any ladder and he loves going down the biggest slides. I love watching him try new things. Benjamin definitely prefers outdoor active play to any indoor seated activity. He has almost no interest in coloring, though I do keep trying to develop that skill.

Benjamin also shows us his personality and independence more each day. He has ideas about things that he never communicated to us before. For example, he usually knows which pair of shoes he wants to wear in the morning. If I try to put on other ones, much crying ensues. Occasionally this also happens when I don't get the right cup for his milk. Thankfully I am learning fairly quickly and now usually ask his opinion on stuff like this before proceeding. I think I'll rename this period the "funny twos." Most days I just laugh. (Though I must admit, not all days.) It really is pretty funny all of the things that will get this boy crying!

Every day is fun and we are enjoying summer. Benjamin has been with us for six months now! His adoption announcement listed his favorite things. Here is an update:

Then: "Food (All kinds - keep it coming!)"
Now: Much pickier, but still a good eater. Benjamin loves bananas and noodles the best. He also loves cheese, and happily eats tofu right out of the package calling it cheese. (We just let him think it is cheese.)

Then: "Brown Bear book"
Now: Benjamin loves books! We love that he loves books. It is hard to say which is his favorite at the moment, but I would have to say it is either "My First Things That Go Book" or "I Love Trucks." Boy, does he ever love cars, buses and trucks.

Then: "Dancing with mom and dad to Fridge Farm banjo"
Now: Dancing and music in general. He recently got some instruments from a friend of mine (thank you Patricia and Kelly) and we have sing-alongs. He has also started singing on his own. Just one song so far. Would you believe it is Umbrella by Rhianna?? Yes, Benjamin will just be sitting playing and then sing "Ella, eh, eh, eh." Pretty funny.

Here are a couple of pictures from the month:

Sing-along led by aunt Sara.

Benjamin and Charlie playing.

Benjamin at John and Kari's farm. Benjamin loves animals and went right up to the cows. He got a lick on the hand from one of them! He also enjoyed sitting in the hale bales.

These are two older pictures that I never blogged:

Benjamin with three of his neighborhood friends. They are all from Russia, too!

I just love this picture. Benjamin and Charlie are watching the birds with Grandma.
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Affirmation of Baptism

On Sunday we affirmed Benjamin's baptism at our church. Benjamin was baptized in Russia, but we wanted to have a ceremony for him at our church. Our pastor put together such a special ceremony for him. What a blessing to be part of such a great church family. Jim and Kathy are Benjamin's sponsors.After church we had a picnic at our house. Here are the kids.
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Fun with Cousins

The day after Benjamin's birthday was spent with Babushka and Dadushka (Grandma and Grandpa Ahlgrim), Jim and Kathy, Alexa, Alex and Mia. It was great for Benjamin to get to spend time with some of his cousins. He loves them!

We started the day at the water park. Benjamin had a blast splashing in the water and going down the slides. He didn't love when the water shot out of the train all over his head. During that time he just clung to my leg. Of course, that didn't stop Ed from pumping the water pump over and over!



We had lunch at our house and then went to Choo Choo Bob's to play with the trains. I think we have a future train lover in our house. I wouldn't expect anything else as part of the Ahlgrim family! Finally, we hit Izzy's for Ice Cream. What a great day it was!





Click here for more pics from the day. We have so many pictures from the weekend, I thought I would do another slide show.

Benjamin's Birthday

Click here for the pics.