Boys Will Be Boys

I'm a pretty laid-back mom, I think. I don't get worked up over bumps and bruises and I tolerate blood pretty well, thanks to my previous life in the mouse lab, but I have to admit this goose-egg made me feel terrible! It's the kind strangers stare at and think "how could you let that happen?".
The boys had been playing for about 3 minutes at a playground on a little suspension bridge and the minute I let go of Alex's hand to grab his other, Ben jumped, Alex launched into the air, and then I head the heavy thump of skull on wood. Poor baby! It was swollen immediately and kept growing all the way home. I stopped for ice but it just made Alex mad so I figured as long as he wasn't crying anymore it wouldn't be too bad to stop for a picture. (can't blame him for frowning, though!)

Ben enjoyed all the drama and loved posing in the flowers. I couldn't convince him to take off his hood but it was pretty smart because the wind was strong and chilly. It's "springtime" here and the flowers are blooming but I can't tell that it's gotten any warmer!

But thankfully Alex is a tough guy and it wasn't the first and won't be the last blow to the head. In fact, he's added several more bruises and scrapes to his face this week, some with Ben's help and some all by himself.

I don't think it's bothering him much, do you?

Meanwhile, Ben has been busy sending messages on his computer. I guess I need to quit telling him that we can go do something after I finish a message because now he's telling me the same thing.

The boys love playing on the porch upstairs and have been hauling all their toys out there lately. We are finally getting a nice dining set to enjoy the spring weather (if it ever arrives) so soon their playground will shrink.

Even Alex is getting in on the car action these days. Pretty soon they'll be zooming around together.

Another benefit of the porch - we get to point and laugh when the golf course workers drive into the sand pit.

In other news, Ben got a hold of my camera at dinner last night and took 37 pictures in a matter of minutes. He was particularly proud of this one because he could see both Alex and Mama.

And here's the conversation that brought out the camera in the first place. I had told Ben at the grocery store yesterday to stop squealing because it was making Alex scream. I guess he was listening....and twisting my logic just a bit.

translation:
B: *blaughghghgh* Alex, you don't do that again...
A: BLAUAGHGHGHGH
B: ...because that makes Ben scream... ahhhhhh!!
A: (thinking) "why are you looking at me?"

Now, tell me you wouldn't love to be behind us in line at the grocery store!

And now I'd like you to meet the newest little dancer in the family!