BANGS!

I got bored yesterday so I cut myself some facial fringe. Also notice Benson's smirk smile. This is his go-to smile nowadays. Not sure where that could have come from (BEN!).

Edamame

Benson loves his edamame.

Studying

Ben really wanted his picture on the blog. :) This is what he does most of the time it seems. Good job, ben

Ben and Carrie

Last night when I was getting ready for bed Benson laid in my bed and said, "Carrie, get in bed!" I was obviously astounded by this demand from my two year old and I thought I didn't hear him right. So I asked him if he knew what Daddy's other name was. He, without hesitation replied, "Ben." Wow! How do kids pick this stuff up? Anyway so when Ben got home from camp I relayed the story to him and he explained it. Apparently last week Ben wanted to go to bed so he said, "Carrie, get in bed," over and over while I was in the other room. I guess Benson committed that one to memory (it could have been worse.) Anyway Ben thought it would be a good idea to teach him his last name and (to make a long story short) Ben is no longer Daddy in Benson's book. He is Ben Tracy. I wonder how long this will last.

Fourth of July

Well I have to admit this was one of the lamer Fourths I've ever had. Ben went to scout camp this week so I kind of boycotted the holiday. Our friends took pity on us though and had us over for caramel popcorn, which was nice, but I think the sugar made the children crazy as there were more tears than usual. I did carry my family's major tradition of making homemade ice cream and I even made the same recipe as they did so it was almost like being there with them. We decided that if Ben goes to scout camp again next year I will take the kids to a REAL Fourth with Grandpa and Nana. I really missed it. The saddest part was the thought of no fireworks because they are my favorite thing ever! I love Utah too because if you somehow miss them on the fourth you get another chance on the 24th. That's the best! Anyway a little miracle happened and we were able to see the big firework show from our back window. Benson thought it was pretty cool. I can't wait till next year for more fireworks! Oh and sorry there are no pictures. I have to buy more batteries and I keep forgetting.

First Fruits

Yesterday we harvested our first ripe veggies from the garden. We had a zucchini, a cucumber, lettuce, and tomatoes. There is really nothing more amazing to me than planting a seed in dirt and later being able to consume what it produces. I am reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver right now and I love it! It is about this woman and her family as they try an experiment to mostly grow their own foods or buy from local farmers. Ben thinks I am totally crazy, but I would love to grow most of our own food someday. I think maybe we'll have to live next to Joel and Cait on our farms and have chickens and rooster alarm clocks and the whole nine yards. I can't believe I am saying this as a former Manhattan Penthouse sort of girl, but I really do want to have a little farm someday. Oh the hours of torment I've given to my father for wanting to do the same! Be careful how you raise your kids, folks. Try as the may, they cannot escape their parents' programming.