Mystery Reader / School Birthday party-

 Can you guess who the special mystery reader was at Ben's school?!

 It was Bubba! 

So... a mystery reader is a special guest who comes to the classroom covered in a mask and all the children try to guess who it is by asking the mystery reader a series of questions. "Are you a mom?" "Do you know someone in this class?" "Are you an aunt?" I think Ben was suspicious that it was Bubba towards the end, but he seemed genuinely surprised. The class figured out that it was a grandma so they went around asking who's grandma it could be. The teacher asked Ben if it was his grandma and he said "I don't know." Here he realized that it was HIS GRANDMA. Pretty cool :) Ben LOVES a good surprise.

 Bubba read a book to the entire class and they all wanted to share their favorite colors with her!

 Ben felt pretty special with his mommy, both grandmas and baby sister at school. All to celebrate his birthday (a little late... but better late than never, that's what I always say! PLUS, who wants their birthday to only last ONE measly day... seriously!)...

The kids singing the birthday rap for Ben while he wore the birthday sunglasses!

What is love???

At Ben's school they were learning about what it means to be a good friend and what love is. While I was dropping Ben off at school the other day, I noticed this giant heart hanging in the hallway and saw Ben's sweet answer. Pretty cute!

Happy #5!

Ben decorating his birthday cake - with sprinkles, black icing and red hots.

More Star Wars!!

Ben had a nice little party at home this year with cake, ice cream and presents. He has been very excited for his birthday and to be "five like A.J." This year Ben got lots of Star Wars items, a Lego alarm clock, paint-by-numbers, Sponge Bob PJs and Super Mario Sports Wii game. He seems so big and grown up - a lot of it has to do with seeing baby Nora and how small she is, but turning five is definitely a milestone. We love you big guy!!

Daddy's Birthday-

Bubba planned a special surprise party for Joe - it was a lot of fun and I was so thankful to her since I'm not functioning well enough to come up with a plan. The four of us (Joe, Ben, Nora and I) arrived for a "quiet dinner" and people just kept showing up... Joe was definitely surprised, good one, Bubba! Darth Vader was even there and Bebe couldn't keep her hands off of him - don't ask!

Happy 35th birthday, Joe - I love you.

Baby Sister!!

 Ben meets baby Nora

Ben's job was to call his babysitter, Sarah to let her know the baby arrived. He was very excited to tell her that he had a baby sister!!

 Special cuddle time with mommy - we missed each other while I was in the hospital.

 Home at last.

Check out Nora's blog at www.nora-girl.blogspot.com.

More white stuff!

We've had a lot of snow/ice this year. Ben has had several snow days and has been able to get the sled out many times. Our new neighbor and friend Jack invited us to sled in his front yard - it was the perfect hill (and the bigger neighborhood kids even made a ramp on the slope).

Here's mamma looking a little worn out and DONE! Tomorrow is the due date, so we'll see when s/he decides to arrive.