We spent the evening at a little lodge in San Simeon. The boys enjoyed hopping from our room to Papa and KK’s. They really enjoyed watching the Olympics cuddled up with Mom and Dad. Before they went to bed.

Next morning we walked down to the pebble beach to relax, explore, and watch the waves. We had a great time, the trip was exactly what all our little souls needed. I wonder where the next adventure will take us.

Pictures after the break:

Now off to edit the video from the trip…

Gung Hay Fa Choy – Happy Year of the Dragon!

Adeline Joy Bennion (“Addie”) was born.
3:35am
6 lbs 13 oz.

Addie is the daughter of Jess (Eric’s brother) and Michelle. We are so thrilled that she is here and even more thrilled that she managed to miss her Dad’s birthday (Jess’ birthday is the 7th and everyone was a little worried she’d show up then!).

Both Mom and daughter seem to be doing good – everyone is tired. They’ll go home on Friday (I think).

It was fun trying to explain to Will and Walker that the baby inside Michelle’s belly was now the baby inside the pictures we were sent. They still haven’t grasped the concept, as is evidenced by the fact that Will continues to tell me about the baby in HIS belly. This is their first cousin on either side of the family AND that gives Eric and I the coveted Aunt and Uncle status. I’m excited to share lots of love without all the responsibility. I’ll leave that to Jess and Michelle who I am sure will do well!

Congrats Jess and Michelle! Welcome to our world baby Addie! We love you already!

We have some neat things planned for the Blog and the website so please stay tuned.

Please note that you will need to update your blog readers with the following URL:

RSS- http://bennionz.com/bennionland/feed/

It is good to be back!

I am digressing though today we had all the various activities that one associates with Easter. The Easter Sunday Service, Easter Egg Hunts, Fancy Family Dinner, and even a little candy. The boys really got into the Easter egg hunts (see the picture above), and the Candy (Their mom has a great picture of that). After all is said and done it was a great way to end the week. I don’t have any new answers to the problems in my life because of this weekend, but I take away from this weekend a renewal of the spirit knowing that they answers are out there if I am willing to search and work for them… which I am. and whilst I am searching for those I know that I need to remember that I need to remain in every moment because they don’t come again. So tonight while talking at a party my kids came up to me and asked me if I would go out and swing in the hammock with them, and so I did because of all the things I could have done in that moment swinging in a hammock in Someone Else’s yard with my two boys looking at the stars was the best way to spend my time.

Happy Easter!

I have missed blogging as much as you have missed reading our blog. Or maybe it’s a little more for me.

I am glad though for the perspective I have been given by not being on the computer each morning. Last week, for example, I sat on the couch deeply consumed by a book. At one point I looked up and found myself staring at Will, who had crawled out of bed to find me reading. I asked if he wanted to snuggle with me and he did. First though he ran and grabbed his own book. We sat on the couch, the two of us immersed in our reading, until his belly reminded him of other things.

That same week I found myself at the table, sipping my chocolate Instant Breakfast, and flipping through a catalog for classes at the church Eric and I have been going through. With typical Walker pizazz, the bedroom door slammed open and he appeared. Still groggy, with tousled blond hair he waddled into the hall. And then, a miracle. Saying nothing to me, in fact barely acknowledging my presence, he shuffled down the hall and into the bathroom. He closed the door and proceeded to do his thing. All by himself. No urging or direction from me. As he walked down the hall back towards me, ready for his morning cuddles, I could not have been more proud. It also made me keenly aware that his is growing up. So while I held him, nestled up close to me as if he were two weeks old, my heart rejoiced that I still have moments like this. It will not be long before cuddling with me will be old news.

So my blogger friends, it is with this post that I say we are back! Our weeks, like yours, have been full and exciting. I cannot wait to post pictures of our Balboa trip, bike rides, the Zoo trip, Spring celebrations, gluten-free healthy Easter food, and all of the other random pictures I took knowing that I wanted to blog about them. Those will have to wait just a little bit longer…I can hear the boys out of their beds and the best part of my morning is about to begin.

What if you walked into a room where everyone was laughing, only to stop when you arrived, and everyone refusing to say what the laughter was about?

What if you found out that everyone, but your child, in preschool was given a gift?

No one likes the ‘everyone but you’ scenario. Unless you are part of the everyone. And even then it is still a little uncomfy. No one likes being excluded. I would also venture to guess most people don’t like to purposefully exclude people.

I got a call while at the gym from Will’s preschool teacher, Mrs. W. One of the other students in class had brought Rice Krispy Treats for the class. Mrs. W wanted to make sure he could have one. Rice Krispy treats sound guileless but they are made with malt flavoring, which is made from barely, which means it is a big fat NO for Will.

While I was thrilled that the teacher called to ask permission, I found myself focused on the frustration that I felt. The frustration seems to stem from two places:

(a) that my child has a world of necessary ‘nos’. I am not against saying no (I’m actually quite fond of boundary setting) but rather that these ‘nos’ are not everyone’s. Not every parent has to say no to Rice Kripsy treats while most say an adamant no to a child’s suggestion of putting a fork in a socket. You get the drift…

(b) that even though I provided a note to each parent, asking them to call me if they were bringing a treat to class, this somehow slipped through the cracks. Situations like this do not need to happen. Had I known I could have easily whipped up some GF Rice Krispy treats so that Will could have one too. So he wouldn’t be left out…

Even I type I realize that I am not making considerations for the other parent. Maybe they never got my note, maybe they forgot my number, or maybe they looked on the box, saw that it didn’t list wheat, and figured it was safe!

I guess, in the end, my frustration really lies with the fact that this exclusion is just the first. It won’t really matter whose fault it is, or what the actual exclusion is…rather that just by nature of Will having Celiac it will happen.

Feeling frustrated and out-of-control doesn’t really work for me. Let’s turn my frown upside down, shall we say! I’m not asking for pity…I’m going to hope that my post today has inspired those of you who read it to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Make yourself more aware of food allergies and intolerances that surround you. Don’t judge (what’s to judge!) or ignore…but figure out how you can work with them. Most parents don’t expect you to work harder (i.e. making gluten-free food) but rather to just give them a heads-up.

Even if it is not with food allergies – there are lots of ways that we exclude others, without even realizing it. Take a second look at something you think you saw right the first time.

(I’m stepping off my high horse now…at least for the time being!)

However – tonight is one of those kick-back nights where I find myself trying to find something to do. Oh sure I’m doing the laundry, just cleaned out the fridge, and got the boys to bed…but still, I’m a tad bored. Maybe it’s because Eric is working late and we usually do crosswords, watch a movie, or yap our ears off.

So here we go – now you all get treated to this magical video! Both Will and Walker are at phases in their life where their imaginations are wild with activity and their learning ability is ripe. I LOVE it. This is the best time to be a parent – and an observer.

In August Eric and I put the boys down for a nap – and decided to do our favorite activity…OH GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF THE GUTTER! We played Trivial Pursuit. It is by far one of my favorite games…even though Eric kicks the patootie out of me every time.

During the game Will woke up from his nap – came out and joined us. Within a few minutes of watching he was ready to take over. And here is what happened (watch round 2 if you are short on time):

Round 1: Warming Up

Round 2: The Challenge Begins

I am SO glad that Eric finally lost!