Noodle Jar-

Our friend Melanie started a "noodle jar" with her son Connor... so we decided to get in on the action. If Ben has good behavior, is a good listener or is kind to a friend he gets a scoop of noodles in his jar. If he doesn't listen (a big one these days), is rude or mean, a scoop is taken away. After about a month of trying today was the day he filled his noodle jar. SO as his special reward we headed to Toys-R-Us where he got to pick out a small toy. It was very exciting and he took his job very seriously... he's already planning his reward for the next time his jar is full. I must say Melanie nailed this one... Ben has had far fewer time outs since we started the noodle jar and he usually makes good choices once we give him a warning that we'll take a scoop of noodles away. Thanks Miss Melody!

Budding Artist

A dragon boat with 3 blasters

How our 'fridge currently looks as Ben's gallery. He hangs them himself.

The bulletin board in his room is full too!

Working on drawing a castle...

The finished masterpiece.

4th of July-

We had a nice, relaxing weekend at Innsbrook for the 4th. Ben enjoyed the fireworks and his glow sticks (he remembered we had them last year - the kid has a memory!). One of the coolest things that happened was when he realized he could swim by himself with the help of his life jacket. He was in the lake with Grandad and Joe and said "I CAN FLOAT!" He was so excited and was tooling around by himself in no time. The swim lessons are paying off. He'll be a swimmer in no time.