Adventures in Bennionland

ot to be underdone by my younger brother, and given that I am changing just as much as he is, here are the four things I think you should know about me. And unlike Walker I did not need any help from Mom! (though any spelling errors are HER fault!!)

Four Things You Should Know About Me, by WPB.

One (Uno, Un, Yat): I play favorites. Don’t be offended if I don’t want to sit on your lap, don’t want to color with you, or start crying when you make any sort of suggestion that involves me and you versus someone else. I do this with my Mom and Dad. I do it with everyone. I even do it with my food. If you treat me nice, and not just nice but better than anyone else, well then you are my favorite. And you know if you are one of my favorites, don’t you. My two favorite things? Peanut butter sandwiches, and me! Good self-esteem, check!

Two (Dos, Deux, Yih): While I might play favorites so that I can get the best bang for my buck- I love my family. I never want to leave Grandma Steph’s house, or have Grandma KK there. At night I ask for Papa Paul to read me stories, even when I know he’s not here. I remind myself of ‘mui cuidado’ like Grandpa Karl says so that I’m careful. No one sings songs as good as my Dad and no one makes me feel better after an owie like my Mom. And while he bugs me when he takes my toys, no one makes me laugh as much as Walker.

Three (Tres, Trois, Saam): I am fascinated by how things work. Where Walker is go-go-go with his body I am go-go-go with my mind. I can sit and read book after book after book. I can sit and spin a wheel around and around, just watching it turn. I go through most of the day with each a book, a car, or a puzzle in my hands. I’m easy to babysit (hint, hint) for that reason! I just sit and entertain myself!

Four (Quatro, Quatre, Sei): I am smarter than you (especially you Mom and Dad) give me credit for. Walker surprises people by out-thiking their diversion tactics. I surprise people by out-thinking them. Period. Ask me where Illinois is, or Louisiana. Or one of the other thirty states that I somehow know. Listen to me try to reason with you. Watch me read all of the letters off the freeway signs. You’ll be surprised at what I can tell you.

Mom says I’ve been doing a lot of changing lately. It’s true. So we thought it would be a good idea to update you on the four things you should know about me, in case you don’t know them already.

Four Things to Know About Me, by WRB

1) Stay out of my way. I know what I want, where I’m going, and how to get there. If you get in my way I’ll surprise you with my resourcefulness. I can climb over things, pull myself up, or move you right out of the way. Plus, if I’m really frustrated with trying to get something I’ll growl at you.

2) I’m just moments away from walking. I’ve been walking around with the aid of the stroller, hippo, and stool for the last two months. As soon as I figure out that I’m capable of walking life as my parents now know it will be over. See the above. It will just get better!

3) I don’t say any words yet but I mimic almost everything that gets said. It might not sound right but there are the same amounts of syllables and similar phonic sounds. Grandma KK loves it because I say ‘What’s that’ when someone says it to me. Just because you don’t understand me doesn’t mean I’m not making sense. Mom and Dad sometimes think there is an echo when talking to me. And I just love to ‘talk’ on the phone!

4) I was aptly named. Walker for the Walker side of my family. They’re loud, opinionated, and busy-busy-busy. Ryan for my Uncle who is just like me, except bigger. He’s tough and hyper and makes funny bodily noises. He also is just as loving and tender as he is tough – and I love to be cuddled in between my bouts of adventure. I’ll climb right up into someones lap to get a hug before I wiggle my way back down to the ground to play. Do you do that too RyRy?

Happy Birthday to Mommy,
Happy Birthday to Mommy,
Happy Birthday dear Mommy.
Happy Birthday to you!

Will and Walker went shopping with me to pick out Shell’s birthday gift. I chose my gift and let gave Will some directions for picking out a gift to give Shell from him. I took him to the jewelry aisle and told him to pick one thing. He came back with two. Both anklets. He made the final decision based on the fact that one had a heart and the other did not. Good call Will.

Will and Walker then got to decorate the bag for Shell. We got a picture of the boys with Shell opening their gift but I wish I had pictures of Will trying to choose the gift. It was classic William – he was very deliberate.

Happy Birthday Shell/Momma B.
We love you,
Eric & the boys

PS- for any of you out there who are curious, Shell celebrated the 7th anniversary of her 21st birthday.