Benjamin | The Lattimore Acre

Major Milestone While on the Move

As our last post mentioned we bought, sold and moved quickly. Within that month it was a crazy time in our household. Ben was left to entertain himself while I packed. As you can see from the photos I snapped he had a fantastic time. But I do feel that I needed to post that in this time a major milestone was met …….nappies are a thing of the past . We are so proud of our big jock wearing man…..Ben! Oh my goodness we had some drama! Ben certainly did not give up his nappy happily. He grew to love his potty but fortunately we couldn’t find it when we moved so he had to step up and use the big boy toilet. All I can say is well done Ben and thank goodness for the ipod touch!!

Day Out with Thomas 2010

Ben has had a growing interest in trains. His collection of Thomas trains has been growing and for Christmas he received extra track from Grandma. It seems to be a weekly occurrence that you have to watch your step in the lounge room so you don’t mess up the track. Here are some tracks – not exactly mind blowing but for someone who is spatially challenged I am a little proud!

We are already regularly visitors to the Ipswich Railway Workshops. We just love it, such a fantastic outing. Their current attraction is ‘A Day Out with Thomas’. You can meet Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller in person. Also climb aboard Thomas the Tank Engine and explore the driver’s cabin. Our favorite is to visit the Thomas Play Pit and enjoy interactive Thomas the Tank Engine activities in air-conditioning – a room full of Thomas trains and track. Ben also loves to have a go with Thomas the Tank Engine art and craft. To wind down we head to the adventures of Thomas & Friends screening continuously in the Theatrette. But as well as all the Thomas attractions there is still all the favorites – Nippers playground and Cooking in the old train. This year Finlay, Charlotte, Bree, Joseph and Baby Tom have all joined us for a visit. We hope to go one more time before Thomas closes for another year. Here are some photos of Ben and the boys!

Junk

While I was packing I came accross some empty boxes. Andrew and Ben had the best time making a petrol pump. Today, two days later Ben is still draging it around with him. Junk makes the best toys.

Boxing Day 2009

It’s not Boxing Day without ham and eggs on the BBQ. This year we shared this tradition with family and great friends Mum, Bree, Chris, Joseph and Baby Tom. Here are a pics of the boys…. just gorgeous (well I think so).

Christmas Day 2009

The anticipation for Christmas this year was enormous. It was the first Christmas that Ben understood that Santa was coming. He didn’t totally understand as he had us up early everyday for a week before Christmas. One morning I heard him wake and hurry to the lounge room where he said ‘Been naughty no presents’ and then he began to cry. But of course Santa did eventually come and Christmas day was magical. Ben woke early and we all hurried out of bed to see his response to Santa’s offerings. But it wasn’t excitement….. Ben was in Santa shock. He stood (still half asleep) observing all the loot. It only took a few minutes to warm up and then the Santa sack was being emptied, and he was on his trike. We had to wait for family to arrive to open the presents under the tree. It nearly killed me. Once again Santa was very kind to us all….. thanks Santa xoxo.

The weather man predicted rain on Christmas day, which I don’t think anyone really thought would happen. We traditionally have high temperatures. But to our surprise the weather man was correct and it did rain….. which was just so lovely. Mum, Dad, Andrew, Ben, Darrin, Carly and myself all indulged in Christmas lunch to the sound of rain on the tin roof. I think it was an extra present from Santa. I also had made a fabulous play list of Christmas carols on the ipod. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without carols….. well my brother doesn’t think so. I wondered how long it would take Darrin to crack. To my surprise he survived nearly the whole lunch. It was the Christmas Macarena that did it and fair enough it did have us all in hysterics. Our lunch included baked glazed ham, chicken, pear and beetroot salad, Mum’s special salad, rolls, rum balls, icecream pudding, ginger bread, fruit mince pies and the odd beverage. By mid afternoon we had had our fill when we retired to the lounge. Some of us had a snooze while others watched DVD’s that Santa had given. Al, Claire, Hugo, Auntie Lorriane, Sterle and Grandma Coles popped in from the coast for a late afternoon visit. We all indulged in a little more food and beverage. There really is nothing quiet like Christmas – family, friends, food, laughter and I can’t forget Santa.

Santa…….

Presents…….

Lunch…… (he’s not related)

Snoozing…..

Santa…friend or foe?

Why do parents insist on the annual Santa photo? Why can’t we just leave it be when your toddlers clings to you for dear life when you try and put them on Santa’s lap? We had a few goes this year. Thanks to Joseph, Daddy and Grandma it didnt end in tears….. just slight terror!

First attempt was with his little friend Joseph. Joseph went first to show Ben how it was done… but he was still not that keen.

Second attempt with Daddy. He looked ok….. but lucky we kept the glasses on you can’t see the fear in his eyes.

Third and final attempt was with Grandma. Ben started to warm up a little… maybe we should have gone for a forth attempt?

What did melt my heart though was every time we went to see Santa he asked Ben what he wanted for Christmas. Ben would respond ‘Just a present’. I had a tear every time!