Happy Birthday Bennett!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What's Going On?

A lot actually. I love blogging but just haven't had the time lately. It serves as a great outlet for me and a virtual baby book for Bennett. So, please bear with me as I play catch up.

First of all, we've been busy lately because after 2 years of looking for a new house, we have finally decided to build! The new house can't be started for a couple months because of winter but in the meantime things have been crazy around here as we get our house ready to sell. It's amazing how much stuff you realize you have when you try to organize it. We've also put off way too many jobs and now find ourselves up to our necks in drywall and paint! I don't really enjoy that kind of stuff too much to begin with but I'm really not liking it with a big deadline of one more week to finish.

I'll blog more about house stuff as it comes up but in the meantime, let's step back more than a month ago to Bennett's 3rd birthday party....Check out the short slideshow above. How I love making those things!!

Oh Murphy....

Murphy loves to love people. But as I've said - 80 pounds of Murphy love can be a lot to handle...

Four Christmases

This year marks our fourth Christmas with Bennett. It's incredible how quickly kids grow up isn't it? In the early days we thought the days would never end and now I would like the days to go more slowly so I can enjoy my little boy.

We've had a nice Christmas - it has been a busy month - Disney, Birthdays, Christmas....I hope everyone is having a nice holiday too. Christmas can be a difficult time for many people - a fact that our "must be happy all the time - especially at Christmas" society tends to overlook. For anyone who for any reason is having a difficult time right now - my Christmas wish for you is peace.

Disney 2009!

Whew! A lot has happened since my last post. We travelled to Disney World in Florida for a week and my baby turned 3!! I can't believe it - where does the time go?

As you can see, we had a great time!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Student of the Week

As many of you know Bennett attends a preschool program at our local Children's Treatment Centre. Every week a different child is chosen to be the "PATH Student of the Week". This week was Bennett's turn.

We are pleased to introduce PATH Student of the Week, Bennett.

Bennett is a very social young man who enjoys learning new things. He is now learning how to make new sounds and is motivated to try new words. Bennett uses his communication book and his Minimo device very well to express what he wants and to share his ideas.

In Occupational Therapy, Bennett is now able to snip paper using his first Fiskar scissors. We are very proud of Bennett as he uses both hands to play with toys and is able to pull a zipper up and down by himself with just a little bit of help. Bennett is starting to make zip and zoom lines.

Bennett loves to explore all of his surroundings. He readily participates in gross motor activities, both in the classroom and the gym. He can walk in all directions and can climb up and down the stairs. Bennett enjoys kicking a ball and willingly participates in riding a tricycle.

It's a pleasure to have Bennett in our Preschool Program. He is always smiling and loves to do crafts!

Christmas Concert

Last night was Bennett's Christmas Concert at our local Children's Treatment Centre. It was a great evening - the result of weeks of hard work and preparation. The gym was packed with people and kids - there was lots of laughter, applause and some tears (joyful of course!). Although I had reminded myself all day to bring kleenex, I forgot it in my coat and had to make do with a small paper napkin provided by my mother.

Bennett's therapists and some of the other staff had been telling me how much he was enjoying the rehearsals. Apparently during a preview performance Bennett got so caught up in the moment and the music that he fell off his bench!! Fortunately, after a couple kisses from his preschool leader he returned to the stage like a pro.

I apologize for the quality of the video and the distance. We got there early but the place was packed and seats were limited.

In this clip you can see that Bennett takes a moment to acknowledge his fans by waving.

I can't say enough about the staff at the treatment centre. They put so much work and enthusiasm into this project. I thanked every one I could but it doesn't seem enough for the gift of such a wonderful memory.