Leapfrog Brings Smiles All Around

I had the pleasure of attending my very first Mommy Blogger Event last Sunday and let me tell you it didn't disappoint. First off, it was held at one of my favorite places in the world -- a Four Seasons Hotel. The food was top notch. I especially loved a mini-chocolate lava-like cake. I should have went back for more but perhaps that is why I am growing larger these days but I digress.
The evening provided for some lively discussion. I was feeling a bit like a failure as a Mom when most of the mothers there were mentioning how they NEVER allowed their children to watch television or play with anything besides wooden blocks. I on the other hand was guilty of letting a child under two watch Noggin (you got love Moose A. Moose) and letting him play with a variety of toys. However, there were a few women who stood up to say that rearing a child is a balance. I also feel that there is too much pressure on children to be perfect. Recalling back to my childhood, I do not remember having to read until we were in the first grade. Has it hurt me in life? No, I consider myself pretty successful but once again I digress.
My husband and I are raising a well-rounded child who loves to have books read to him as much as he loves his "shows". In fact, how can you deny that face a Leapfrog toy? When I brought home the various fridge toys I grabbed (since they only gave me one and I knew he would love the others), he nearly jumped out of his little pants. He literally squealed with excitement and every morning when he goes downstairs for breakfast this is the reaction I get when he sees it again for the first time. Thanks Leapfrog! We will continue to be fans throughout my sons development into a well-rounded boy.

Daddy Meet Peppa

Ben has a plastic cow that he needs to travel with while in the car. If he doesn't have it in his hand he throws a fit and the car ride is pretty much torture. The plastic cow's name is Pepper or as Benjamin says, "Peppa" (like the 80s wrap act Salt n' Peppa). How did the name come to be? Why, of course, his favorite cow at the zoo is Pepper.

Since Wally has never been to the Bergen County Zoo, he got his first chance to meet the infamous Pepper at the Zoo Boo event. Ben was super excited to introduce his favorite cow to Daddy. As we rounded the corner and smelt Pepper (sorry Pepper but you do smell), Ben motioned with his hands (like Vanna White presenting the grand prize of a brand new car to the latest Wheel winner) to Pepper and said, "Daddy Peppa!". At last, Daddy finally got to meet Pepper - Ben's favorite cow! And from the pictures above you can see that it was quite a first meeting.

Have You Ever Licked A Book?

Prompted by a comment from a fellow blogger at the Leapfrog event last night, my friend and colleague Melissa, who also attended the event last night, are wondering have you ever licked a book? We haven't but apparently people do. Please take part in the poll to the left of the postings and cast your vote!

The Mayor of Zoo Boo

My son is the unofficial Mayor of Zoo Boo at Van Saun Park. No one was giving out the title but I am. As noted, Benjamin has been going to the Bergen County Zoo since he was about 1. He has visited countless times and knows the zoo like no other 20 month old in New Jersey.
The Sunday before Halloween, Grandma got tickets for the entire family to attend Zoo Boo. The campaigning started as we lined up to get in (anyone attending next year - it is a good idea to get there in advance to avoid the crazy lines) the Zoo. A friendly "hi" was said by Ben to those standing in line with us. Next, a hi and a wave for the family in front of us on the train. Then a hi to the volunteers giving out candy then a hi to the animals. The hellos and waves continued throughout the day at the zoo. As we were getting off the carousel and Ben said yet another hi, an older couple commented, "boy, he is friendly guy." I said, "yes, he is running for mayor of the zoo." They smiled. I think we have their votes.

Disturbing News

Wally just told me the most disturbing thing about 5 seconds ago. As we were making the bed, I noticed a booger on Ben's face. We both commented on how sticky his boogers are and that they aren't the kind of boogers you can just flick off. As we both agreed to this fact, Wally proceeded to tell me that the other day he found a booger on Ben and he put it on his sock. I asked Wally to repeat this because I didn't think I heard it right.
"Your sock?"
"Yes, my sock."
"Were you outside?"
"No."
"What about a tissue?"
"There wasn't a tissue around. I was holding him."
"What happened to the booger?"
"I don't know."

I'm Number One

To avoid any confusion, Benjamin is number one. My brother may think he holds the top spot in the heart of my Mom but he is delusional. On October 29, Grandma's birthday, if there was any doubt, Ben solidified his spot yet again.

Before Grandma's birthday, we practiced saying, "Happy Birthday Grandma." When he arrived at her home and I prompted him to say it, in perfect form, he said "Happy" "Happy" "Birday" "GMa" then it became "Happy, Happy BB." Whatever he said, it made my Mom cry. And if that wasn't enough, as a birthday gift from Benjamin, we got Mom a canvas picture of Ben holding out an apple that goes perfectly with the color scheme of her room. Even if the color scheme was off, she would still love it just the same but the color scheme and the adorable look in Ben's eyes that said, "Grandma aren't I number one?" put it over the edge.

So to clarify and put the naysayers to rest, Ben was the one sitting on Mom's lap when it was time to sing Happy Birthday - not my Dad, not Wally, not JB, nor me but Ben her number one.

My Love Of Napping

I have a confession to make. On a lazy day, when there isn't much to do (maybe there is but I don't care), I LOVE to nap. There is nothing in the world like a good nap on a Sunday afternoon. Many a Sunday has been consumed with one of my favorite pastimes - napping. Put a boring football game on the television, a comfy sofa under my butt and it is like the perfect Tylenol PM but without the hangover. Needless to say, since the birth of Benjamin, I haven't gotten to enjoy my pastime. In fact, I haven't had a decent nap in about 20 months (yes, Ben is 20 months). By the way, don't let the picture fool you. This was at bedtime -- MUCH different.

However, I thought my luck was going to change a few weeks ago. The setting was perfect. It was about 4 in the afternoon, the temperature outside was a bit crisp, I was snuggly warm under a big blanket and Benjamin seemed to be occupied with Dad as they watched the football game. I closed my eyes. Then...tap, tap, poke, poke. There was a little finger poking me. When I opened my one eye. I had a little face in my face. I asked Ben to give mommy a break and let her rest a little. He listened and walked away. Eyes closed again. Poke, Poke. Then accompanied by the jabbing of my eyeball was the sound of "baba, baba" (that's what Ben calls me instead of Mom - not because he can't say it but because he feels the need to torture me at times). I tried to ignore him as I heard my husband snickering close by. I asked Ben if he would like to nap with Mommy. He said okay but he didn't mean it. He wiggled and squirmed and continued to poke at my eyelids. I thought never again would I nap. I got up from the couch and gave up on my napping. Maybe when he is fourteen and doesn't care so much about what Mom does. Maybe then I will get to nap again. Until then forget.