In the quiet of this new spring morning

         Nature is awakening.

Sounds of life where cold darkness reigned.

The night rains have washed away all traces of Winter

The wind and thunder hastening its departure.
Trees are remembering their purpose,
Yellow buds push thier heads though half-frozen earth,
  Demanding attention.
Reminding us of the promise of renewal.

I should rename my blog to "Life With Ben"

This kid is something else. I can't even remember the first "Ben-ism" because there are so many and he started saying them so young.  I just never know what to expect.

Bennett has inherited all the quirkiest things about his father and I. Every obsessive tendency, every overly critical rage induced rant.  He looks just like his father, so I'm completely head over heels, especially when he gives me that squinty-eyed grin. 

What kind of kid has a cookie for a best friend and the awesomest toy ever is a "chicken plunger?" (read: turkey baster).

We have a a few challenging weeks recently.  Suddenly, Ben is full of the "I know better than you's" and I want to flush him down the toilet. No, your show is NOT more important than breakfast.  I don't care if you want to play Mario, you've been playing for 4 hours and 36 minutes and it's time to STOP! (times exaggerated).  I was baffled by these times of "everything I do has a better reason than yours" until I asked his father to help out by doing the dishes. 
"Well, you know," he says with a cocking of his neck that I haven't seen before a MILLION times.  He might as well do Ben's tisk noise when he's making a point as well.
"I can't find one of my slippers, so I have a hard time doing household chores."  WHHHAAATTTT?? ARE YOU FOUR??
"But my sock will get wet and that bothers me." 

I totally get it now.

Poor Ben also has what is referred to the "Trombley Temper".  When things aren't going his way, he has a tendency to lash out with shaking and "AAAARRRRRRRHHHHH!!!"-ing. 
"Itriedtodothisthingbutit'sbad and IT'S NOT LETTING MEEEE!!"

He loves all sorts of silly things.  The Girl scoffs at anything remotely silly; changed words to a song, jokes or teasing.  The Babe is just happy to have something to bang.  But Ben loves silliness and teasing.  And also; accessories. Hats, ties with tee shirts and belts. He wears his safety goggles to school. 

To my future daughter-in-law; I'm sorry. I have tried as best as I could, but nature wins out every time.  Sadly, my children were cursed by their grandmother before I even made an appearance.  Maybe YOU can stop the cycle.  Just don't have a boy second, I'm begging you.