My little helper and I worked on making pizza for dinner tonight. He was very excited when I pulled the chair by the counter and washed his hands, so that he could help me. Spreading out the dough in the pan. Giving it a few more pats for good measure. Strategically placing the pepperoni. Putting them in the same spot over and over. There are four of them piled on each other. We decided to shake on a little shredded parmesan. After a few shakes, Ben decided the best method was just to lay the container on the pizza...interesting technique. :)

Ben and I went out for lunch with Curt today. I told Curt he could pick the place and he chose Taco Bell. I think the last time I was there was like a year ago. I brought some healthier lunch food for Ben and we let him try some nachos. Curt handing Ben a chip dipped in cheese. He loved them! He had orange cheese all over his face.

This picture does not really do justice to the mess that was created tonight at dinner. Ben was eating some chicken/rice that has spaghetti sauce on it. He had it all over his face (only a bath removed the orange from his cheeks)and hands. It got on his pants and shirt (because he wiped his hands all over them). He also rubbed it all over the high chair. This is not the first mess we've had, but it was the hardest to clean up. I am still trying to get the stains out of his clothes. No more red sauce for Ben! :)

This morning I went to church for my Mom2Mom group. It was my second time going and I really like it. We are divided into table groups, so it is nice to sit with the same people each time and get to know them better. Ben plays in his regular nursery downstairs. When I picked him up, he was rocking on someone's lap and looked really tired. After less than 5 minutes in the car, he looked like this...

I pulled out some dishes for Ben to play with today. He loves to stir and pretend to "drink" out of different cups. Focusing on his stirring. Spiderman stopped by to check out the action.

We drove up to Grand Rapids this past weekend to visit with my family. We had not been up there since Christmas so we thought it was time to go up. Everyone was excited to see Ben walking (he was still working on that at Christmas). We had a good time visiting with family and friends. Ben laughing while he was playing with my dad. He was laughing so hard, I wished that I had brought the video camera. My brother Matt lifting Ben up to the ceiling and making him laugh. Reading books with grandma. Playing with his cousin Emma. Ben sitting with his Uncle Joe.

Saturday morning we met some friends at IHOP for breakfast. It was so nice to be able to visit with them because we don't often have a chance to get together. The busy end of the table with all of the kids. :) Ben waiting for his breakfast. He shared some pancakes with me and loved them!

Benjamin LOVES to help in the kitchen. It can honestly get pretty tiring for me. Every day at dinner time, he wants me to hold him so that he can be involved in all the cooking. He wants to help hold things and stir stuff. He wants to see everything that is going on. I am always excited to see Curt walk through the door so that my back can have a break. :) Just this week, I decided to see how Ben would do standing on a chair. I keep it close to the counter and stand on the other side. It is much easier on the back! Ben helping me clean the potatoes, before I put in them in the oven. He set each of them on foil for me and then I wrapped them. After they were done being wrapped, he had to hold them for a minute before they went into the oven.

Ben got these two puzzles from his Grandpa and Grandma Walker when they visited this past weekend. I've been trying to teach him how to put the pieces in. He can't quite do it all the time, but once in a while he gets it right. Picking up a couple pieces. Trying to fit them into the puzzle.

This weekend, Curt's parents came for a visit. It was so nice to see them. Ben loved being able to play with them and had lots of fun! Curt's dad and mom Grandma and Ben reading some books. He got the books out soon after they arrived. Laughing with grandpa. Ben loved to have grandpa tickle him. He would keep pointing to his tummy to be tickled again. Grandma giving Ben a little ride. Ben with both his grandma and grandpa. Thanks for coming...we had such a great time!

Last night after Benjamin was fast asleep, we enjoyed yummy chocolate fondue and played some games. Getting the fondue ready. The plate of delicious treats to dip into the chocolate. Curt and his parents got the food ready while I melted the chocolate on the stove. Pouring the fondue into bowls. Ready to enjoy our dessert. Playing a game of Rummikub. I am not really a game person, but once in a while I will give in to a few games. :)

This afternoon, we decided to have a car race. We lined up a few cars to see which one would go the farthest. Ben checking out the winner. It was the red truck by quite a large margin. Somehow the taxi veered way off course!

Ben loved playing with this pretend cat at Olivia's house this morning. He loves animals and this cat can move around like a real one. Ben thought is was so cool. He was smiling and squealing. I got the camera out a little too late, but here are a few shots of him still playing with it.

We have been experiencing some warmer weather the past few days. Today it was 60 degrees, so I took Ben out for a walk. It was a little windy, but it felt so good to get outside. I am really not a winter person, so I hope the snow is gone for good. Since that is probably not the case, I'll enjoy this warm weather while it lasts.

We didn't really do too much yesterday afternoon before we headed to church at night. It was nice to have a relaxing day together. Curt and Ben hung out on the couch together watching Little Einsteins.

I picked up these Crayola markers at the store today. They are for 18+ months, but I thought we could give them a try. Ben had a little trouble keeping the marker end pointed down enough to leave a mark. He did okay if I would help him position the marker. I was surprised at how much liquid came out...it could get pretty messy. The artist at work. The art on display on the frig (where all good art goes of course). :)

This afternoon, Ben has been enjoying the best toy of all...a diaper box! He also found the remote. It's one of his favorite things. We usually have to put it up somewhere so that he can't reach it. I must have left it out on the table. Putting toys in the box. Getting the toys out of the box. Pondering what to do next. Here's the remote, in case we can't find it later. Last week, I actually found one of our upstairs remotes in a hamper when I went to take the laundry out of it. I would never have looked in there for it. He does love to play with remotes!