Benji's First Day of Preschool

Monday, August 19th 2013

Benji's first day of Preschool. We found a school called Aunt Melinda's that we liked, Benjamin and I toured the classroom and that is when he got really excited and wanted to go to school. The classroom is divided into learning sections, and there were toys everywhere that he "didn't have at home" and they also had a "little kids computero" that sealed the deal- He told everyone about how his school has a computer just for kids. They also have a outside atrium area, Benji said "I can't beleive they have their own park!" The school is 5 days a week, 8:30-11:30. When I said I was going to miss him he said "it's ok MaMa, just remember, 5 days of school and 2 days of playing"

The first day went well, no melt downs (me or him) and the time went by quicker than we both thought it would. "That wasn't very long MaMa, now you know how long it will be so you won't miss me so much." I have been setting the alarm for Benji lately because he insists on getting up before Matthew so that he "can be awake when my baby wakes up so that he won't cry" Sometimes he will wake up and go lay next to Matthew for over 30 minutes before Matty wakes up, just laying there waiting for him to wake. On the morning of the first day of school the alarm went of and I asked if he wanted me to snooze it and he said "No way, I have to go to school today!"  His teachers name is Miss Karen, seems very nice with a side of no nonsense. I asked what they did the first day- "We watched a movie about letters, read books and sang songs, but we didn't do no learnin" And he said it was a lot of fun, plus they gave him a snack :-) He said that they play a game and when the bell rings once they have to clean up, and when the bell rings a second time you sit down in your circle and wait for the next game.

The only thing is the timing of it, Benji goes to school, then Matty naps when Benji comes home, so they are missing each other. Matthew walked around the first day with his hands out saying "Bubba, Bubba?" But they are also both getting one on one time which is really nice.

Growing up.....sigh

First day of school breakfast

First day of school wake up smile

Driving to school

Standing in front of his school

Sitting with his class

First day of school new toy



Matthew's 1st Year In Review

Matthew James Snyder 2011 & 2012

One Month Old

2 Months Old

3 Months Old

4 Months Old

5 Months Old

6 Months Old

7 Months Old

8 Months Old

9 Months Old

10 Months Old

11 Months Old

12 Months Old

Matthew's 1st Birthday!

My Little Matty Cakes turned 1 !

We had a little monster birthday party with our family. Matty handled the party very well, he enjoyed the company, the food, the presents and the cake.....I was very impressed. We had a mini ball pit for the boys to play in and a good time was had by all. I joke about Matty being my "little monster", but he is the sweetest little guy I know.


Benji and Matty making the watermelon monster cake

PaPa and his "Lil Monster"

 Grandma and Aunt Susan with their baby

 The Three Amigos

Auntie CaCa loves to open presents

Cake on my face

This toy rocks!

Somebody calling me?

Beach Birthday fun

Trying to go out to sea

Swimming Lessons

The three boys started swim lessons this June. Benji was 2 1/2, Gabriel was almost 1 1/2, and Matty was 8 months. Benji did not like laying on his back, he was not a fan of his ears going under. By the end of the lessons, he was swimming around with his "noodle", opening his eyes under water, letting go of the edge and kicking back up to it, swimming between me and Edmund. And then afterwards we would go into the locker room Benji would sing really loud in the shower :-) Gabriel was not happy at first, but is now a little fish. Matty learned how to kick, he didn't like being taken away from me, but the last day he had a life jacket and floated on his back the whole time, almost falling asleep.

I love this face "don't make me do it mommy!"

Benji Day

I told Benji the night before that the next day was "Benji Day". I said we could do whatever he wanted and I gave him some ideas as we lay in bed. He was nodding his head, trying to absorb the idea of what I was saying.  The next morning, Benji woke up kinda grouchy, crying a little. I said "do you know what day it is?" And crying he said, "Benji Day?" Well then it was on, we made cookies for breakfast, cut out paper snowflakes, played play doh, went to the toy store with Gabriel (and CaCa), Papa came over, played new laser gun with dad, went for a bike ride, and ate corn dogs. I think he will remember this day.

My First Train Ride

Benjamin Loves Trains. Edmund and I always have to take detours when we are driving because we have to "catch" the train. Edmund and Benjamin even parked and sat by the railroad tracks for over a night waiting for a train to pass by. 

His favorite thing about the train is the loud train whistle and the "things that go down."  He also is pretty sure that he will be a con"ductor" when he grows up.
So we took the amtrak to Tampa (a first for all of us) Benjamin was so excited at the train station, and when the train arrived he got a little upset thinking that it was going to drive right past us. He held his hand out and yelled "Stop, Train, Please Stop!" He enjoyed the entire three hour ride, it was fun to run along the aisles, look out the window, wave at cars, eat in the snack car, and hear the train wistle. Benji kept saying 'I hear another train" and Edmund would say "No, Buddy, that's our train." There was a black joystick on each chair that reclined the seat, but Benjamin was convinced that he could drive the train with it.
We also got to spend the day at the Tampa Aquarium which was pretty cool. It was a mile walk from the station, and even in the middle of January, pretty hot.
And of course, Benji got to talk to the conductor, which made his day.