"What a great week!"

...is what Ben would be thinking, if he had a better grasp on the concept of time. Because, looking back on it, this was a really great week for him!

On Wednesday, we took a field trip to the zoo with his school. Little did I know, the zoo is a crazy place during the week - inside and out of the exhibits. Busloads of kids, all dressed in their school's color-coordinated tshirts (see below) swarm in droves everywhere you turn.

Ben was a little unsure about so many kangaroos chowing down of their breakfast "sayad" (salad/lettuce) so close to him.

We were thankful to have Amy and her boys accompany us on the adventure!

and also thankful our stowaways didn't get kicked off the train.

"What do you mean two and under aren't free, sir?!"

oops.

After roaring with the lions, we headed back to the school for a cookout.

Which for Ben, translated to chugging a Capri-Sun and stealing all my chips.

Friday evening we had a lovely little dinner with baby Jonah, and his parents too. When we pulled up to Taziki's, Ben shouted, "ready to eat!" He also did a great job of giving Jonah's toys back when he hurled them to the floor, over and over and over. What a good little helper he's going to be!

Speaking of that, he may also come in handy at naptime, as he's got a new thing for putting his stuffed animals night-night. Yesterday, his chick needed a nap in the kitchen, on a hand-stamped piece of paper, covered in dishtowels.

Like his mama taught him - you don't forget the sound machine!

Finally convinced to move naptime to his bed, he read all of his animals some stories before covering them up and shutting the door on his way out.

Whew, fatherhood wears a guy out!

Since it's the last weekend before baby sister's arrival (more to come on that tomorrow), we decided to make Saturday night, date night... for just the three of us!

First up, a trip to Barnes and Noble for a quick spin on the train table.

Then we worked the catwalk at Banana while daddy tried on shirts.

And then the main event....movie night!

Armed with popcorn, diet coke and a sippy cup, we enjoyed Disney's Oceans. Ben was mesmerized by the whole experience and did really well...aside from his lack of volume control.

B: (yelling) "What dat, Mahmmy?"

me: (whispering) "a crab...Ben you have to whisper."

B: (whisper-yelling): "Dab!.... (yelling) "What dat, Mahmmy?"

The funniest part was when the little sea-turtle hatchlings were trying desperately to make it to the safety of the ocean before getting snatched away by the dive-bombing seagulls. Ben watched a few unlucky turtles with great concern, and then promptly shouted: "Dat not nice!" every time another seagull scored a meal. And then of course I can hear Tyler starting to explain the circle of life to our two-year-old, ("we all have to eat"), and so I become the one about to get shoosh-ed, from laughing at them both.

Today we went to church, where Ben just loves his classroom and ran ahead of me this morning to get inside.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with the lollipop he gets at the end.

After some fun park time with Daddy, lunch, nap and some "Yite Muhdeen" (Lightning McQueen from Cars...which was his preference over Daddy's suggestion of the Talledega race), we headed to another park for Kaitlyn's third birthday party!

Somebody was just a little excited.

He'd been waiting to give Kaitlyn her present all day,

And was even excited to watch (and help) her open it.

Kelley brought her new daughter, Virginia Grace, to her first Birmingham social event!

Grace just joined the Brown family from China last week, and they arrived home on Friday. We are all so excited to welcome this precious little girl to her forever home!

And of course Ben and Travis threw the football, spit, and did other manly things...

In their handmade outfits. :)

Ben had such a good time, that soon after arriving home, he blew kisses to Uncle Michael and Aunt Jess on Skype and pulled me to his room where he climbed into bed, fully dressed, and said "night night."

Hoping he sleeps well and that place in his brain that stores memories is growing strong, so that when things get a little wild 'n crazy here shortly, and mommy is a little distracted, he can know that fun times are always right around the corner! (thank goodness for Grandma)