It has been a long week around here! The dreaded potty-training time started on Monday. I decided to just jump in with underwear full-time for Ben and see how that turned out. After wetting the bed on Monday for nap & night, I've been pleasantly surprised that he has not had any more accidents in his bed all week long. He has been doing really well for the most part. He still has a couple issues to work on, but he has made wonderful progress. It's tiring though, for all of us. I wish there was a switch you could just flip and have it all be over with! We decided last night to take a walk to the neighborhood playground. There is not a potty nearby and Ben did well making it all the way there and back without any problems. I took the camera along because the blog has been lacking pictures this week. We had fun on the swings and playing around for a little while. I think we can probably take some short outings away from the house this week. It will feel good to not be trapped...

We spent the past weekend up in Cadillac with Curt's family. Curt had a golf outing with his dad, Tim, and Uncle Doug on Saturday morning. The rest of us were going to take the kids to play putt-putt. Our plans changed quickly on Saturday morning when Curt's mom received a phone call from Molly (my sister-in-law) that my niece Abby had fallen outside and hurt her leg. The two of us headed over there as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Ben was having a super fun sleepover at his Uncle Mark & Aunt Betsy's house. Check out his fun time HERE  on Betsy's blog. I stayed with Katie and Brady while Molly and Char headed to the hospital with Abby. They ended up finding out from the x-ray that she broke her leg. They were finally back home after about 4 hours in the ER. That majorly changed the plans for the day and we all just adapted with what needed to get done. Abby was able to get her cast on yesterday. I heard it is has blue & purple stripes. Hopefully she...

I took Ben out to Grabill Park this morning to meet our friends Erin and Will. We had a great time catching up with our friends! Will and Ben playing on the train. Choo! Choo! Sweet boys :) Getting dizzy on the merry-go-round.

Ben and I spent the morning at COSI with Amy and Carson. COSI is the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus. It was such a big place that we barely made a dent in all there was to see and do. It was well worth the visit though because the boys had such a fun time! Ben and Carson playing with a drum near the entrance. Collecting balls at the end of the ramp. Carson and Amy watching their ball go down the hills. Ben loved the air blowers that kept the balls floating in the air. Playing in a little house. The boys had fun playing in the water area. Ben wore one of the raincoats COSI provided. It wasn't cute, but it kept his shirt dry. :) Mommy and Ben at the front of the gadget section. Ben loved this ball launcher! He got so excited everytime someone shot a ball out of it. The launcher shot his ball into the funnel at the very top. A cute little science mouse. Another cute little mouse.

Curt's class got done a little early yesterday so we decided to head to a nearby mall. We found a play area done in a "Columbus Zoo" theme. A sign said the play area was for children under 5, but it was filled with older kids. Most of the older kids were running around and shoving the little kids out of the way. At one point a couple of teenage girls plowed down a little girl (maybe 18 months). She looked like she banged her head pretty badly. After that we decided we would go find a less crazy place to hang out! When we got back to the hotel after dinner, we decided to try out the pool. It was a little chilly, so I admit that I didn't really do any swimming. The hot tub was nice though. :) Curt and Ben enjoying the pool. Ben's favorite part was when Curt would throw him up in the air.

Yesterday we arrived in Columbus, OH where we will spend the next few days while Curt is taking a class. Ben and I tagged along to keep Curt company. :) My friend Amy lives just a few miles from the hotel. We had a fun morning at her house (she has a three year old son, Carson) and we have plans to get together the next two mornings. That should keep us busy while Curt is in his class. So far, we are having a fun time and Ben's sleeping (night & nap) has been great. When we left yesterday, Ben was very excited to get to Columbus.   After about a 1/2 an hour the need for sleep took over. In the evening, Ben and I settled on the couch with blankets and books. Ben took Carson's motorcycle for a ride at Amy's house this morning. Carson and Ben Carson giving Ben an extra push. Jumping on the trampoline. The boys peeking through the window on Carson's swing set. More fun to come later!

My parents and Bella arrived yesterday for a visit. My dad took this week off of work, so they decided to come and stay with us for a couple days. We had fun visiting yesterday afternoon/evening and today we went to the zoo. It was Bella's first ever trip to a zoo! Even though it was VERY hot and humid there we had a great time together. The time flew by way too fast and they are already on their way home.Thanks for coming! :) My parents brought Ben a surprise. Can you tell he's a little bit excited? It was a monster truck Lightning McQueen! Showing Buzz Lightyear the monkeys at the zoo. Looking at the pelicans. Bella and Ben Playing the drums with Gramps. Trying to get these two kiddos in a posed picture was not so easy! Ben riding his favorite pony (Sadie). Bella had fun riding on her pony (Candy) too! Trying on a safari hat. What a cute little joey! It was very hot out, so the kids cooled off a little bit in the fountain. Ben, Gramps, and Bella brushing the goats.