Conversations with Seth

Seth loves ice cream and he is starting to help himself in the kitchen. Last night, before brushing his teeth and bed, he reminded me that I said he could have ice cream. Granted I had told him that about 5 hours prior - the boy has a memory!!!! especially when it comes to ice cream. He will even say, "mom, remember you said I could have ice cream yesterday and I never got any?" oops.

So he helped himself with a bowl last night and the talk went like this:

Seth: where is that big scooper?
Mom: in the green crock by the coffee maker.
Seth: yes, thats the big one.
Mom: you want me to do it?
Seth: no, I can do it. {gets scooper} boy, this ice cream is tough, but I am tougher.
Mom: Let it stand and melt some, it will be easier to scoop.
Seth: Mom, I am stronger then the ice cream.
Mom: fine, don't eat the whole carton.

few minutes later:
Seth: mom, I finished with the scooper and put it back.
Mom: back where? (no, he could not have)
Seth: back where I got it.
Mom: (walking to the crock, yes he did) Did you wash it before putting it back?
Seth: Oh, darn it, no.
Mom: Good grief child!!

Sydney Update

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This is how Sydney likes to watch her morning shows. She is curled up in Seths blanket only because Seth has left for school. Here she was watching Bambi (her new favorite movie)and I think the scene where the mom was telling Bambi to run. Sydney likes to yell at the screen Rum, Rum (of course that could be Glens influence as well, I dont drink the stuff).

Here are just some fun things that Sydney is up to:
* we are bribing with beads (M & Ms) to try potty training - its a slow process.
* we like to wake mom and dad up at 7:30am on weekends.
* we do a shakey, shakey dance when we mix our chocolate milk in the am (ovaltine)
* we dont go anywhere without baby (yes, the one she is holding in the picture).
* we yell at the top of our voice "Dah" when mom walks in the door - we are working on parental identity
* when we are done eating everything is "Yuck"
* When we get the chance we love to pound the computer keyboard and open mysterious pages and somehow change the color of the keyboard lights. Today we are back to red.
* when asked what color is this? the answer is always PINK - I am in trouble.
* we like to only let the daycare lady do braids and ponytails - that I am ok with.
* we do not understand the meaning of stop - especially when pestering brother.
* we still love to take naps - thats how I know she is mine.
* we can put our crocs on "all myself, I do it"
* we are afraid of cars in the parking lot "scary me, yikes"

Russian River 09

We packed up the camper and headed south last weekend. To increase the excitement of getting out of town we also brought along Emma, Dani, Beth, and Andrea.





We got into Russian River campsite around 8:30 and the kids were already exploring the grounds on their bikes. Meanwhile, the chilled beers were brought out, grilled cheese sandwhiches were made and the fire got rolling.

Beth was the firemaster as she was able to start the fire by using the coals left by the previous campers. She is now reffered to as Beth Fireball Bennett.

Andrea working the grill


After a lazy morning that ran into the afternoon (1 early morning Aasland riser has no chance against 3 late riser Bennett girls)- we headed to the river - no one was there because no fish were there. 5am is better fishing, but I offered to stay back in the camper if Glen wanted to go and that just never happened (he is learning the ways). The fishing gang did go out at 10pm (another decent time to fish) but when they saw the grizzly fishing in the river - and he actually did get a fish - they decided to come back to the campsite.

The weekend went by fast but we were able to sit around the fire, make smores, relax, chat and spend time together. All in all a great time.

We hope to get out at least 2 more times to catch the fall colors

Siding Be Gone

In our short summer season we try to jam in yardwork, camping, sports, relaxing, bbqs, birthdays, and of course outside home improvement. This summer is continued work on the deck with the start of the outdoor kitchen and deck railing. We also upgraded our windows in the back and while we are doing that we might as well take down the siding and replace it (hopefully before it snows). Glen started the demo and had a little cheerleader yelling "Go Daddy Go"

Conversations with Seth

Mom: see that car over there - that is an unmarked police car and the guy driving it is a detective.
Seth: what is a detective?
Mom: a police officer who does not have to wear a police uniform.
Seth: What does he do?
Mom: He investigates and solves crimes.
Seth: ohhhhh, like Scooby-do, they solve mysteries
Mom: Exactly.

A prayer then a leap

So the day started out with a nice hike into the Catalina Mountains moved on to a nice breakfast of apple sausage and fresh squeezed orange juice, spent some time relaxing at the pool and then I decided to climb up a 35 ft pole and step off of it. Just your typical day. I am not much of a risk taker, but it seemed like a doable challenge and sometimes I think an opportunity to see what you have in you is a bit cathartic.

....and then I went back to this:

Remembering Mom

Grief is an odd thing, they say it weakens as the days go on, but I disagree. Although it changes into a different kind of grief - one that makes you stop and say - oh, I wish mom was here to see that or I wonder what mom would think of this or how would mom handle that. And when the day of her death comes each year you sit and remember the good and the bad and how you can learn from her mistakes and her wisdom. She had a great life but sometimes a difficult life that she kept to herself - pride I suppose, but it was also a short life. She was in the peace corps in Panama, she travelled across the states with a friend in her VW bug and spun out on a "herd" of frogs that were trying to cross the road, she became a nurse and after 20 some years of raising kids she recertified and went back to it. She survived an anyuerism and 3 teenage daughters but did not survive her lifestyle ways even when we tried to help. She loved the sun and her bubble baths and her wine - uh, oh - so do I!!!

Chicks, Chickens, & Roosters

We finally got a free day to go see the chicken and roosters that give us our eggs. To think it is just about 3 minutes from our home!!! They just got 60 chicks in from McMurrys

and they were old enough for a visit.

This is about how close Seth would get to the chickens, about 15 minutes into the trip he was ready to leave.

Sydney, on the other hand, was a bit more fearless. Except when one went fly past her face.

These are the banta chickens that lay the smaller green eggs.

Going to Game 5

As I post this, Glen is on a midnight flight to Detroit to watch his most favorite hockey team, the Red Wings, play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I will be watching the game from home looking for him in row 17 behind the Penguins bench sitting next to his partner in crime Steve, but this guy is his new BF who managed to get these fantastic tickets and give Glen a weekend to remember. Thanks Tom.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had some fabulous sunny skies for our first trip out with the camper to Cooper Center Campground - 100 miles south of Anchorage. Seth ventured out on his bike and Sydney explored the campground - she really has no fear of wandering off and meeting people. I think she said Hi to everyone about 5 times each. Fresh air gives her energy and man was she full of it and luckily when it was bedtime, she zonked. The boys went rafting down the Kenai with trusty guide Jarret and saw a black bear on the shore. The girls took a nap because camping is just exhausting. We took a look at other campsites further south and will be back for at least one more at the Russian River Campground - oh, the memories.

Trouble with capital T

Mornings are supposed to be calm, quiet, and serene. I get my coffee, get Seth off to school, check my email, send out 50 emails, harvest my fb farm and do mafia jobs - just a normal morning. NOT TODAY. As I am at the computer I get a whiff of Gold Bond diaper powder - but then again I gave Sydney that on her bum this morning and she was just at my side. Then she leaves and I turn to see her go and notice this:

This CANNOT be good, so I look around the corner and see this:

I am getting pretty good at counting to 10 these days

A great day for a triathlon

Swimsuit (check), goggles (check), awesome borrowed roadbike (check), water (check), shoes & socks (check), bagel and peanut butter (check), bib number 818 (check), anxious (check), listen to "I run for life" one more time for motivation (check), powerade gel bites (check), and Starbucks dark chocolate with espresso treats (check) - gotta have the right fuel.
It was my third one and I was not really nervous - well, until I was asked "ready to go?" , but with a thumbs up the day began. The heart was pumping, the swim stroke was strong and my breathing fast - but wait I caught up to the swimmer in front of me and had to pass - progress already. Then 2 more and then the I hear "last lap, great job" then the stairs to get out of the pool (thank goodness because my arms felt like wet noodles) leg one done. Running, barefooted as I tore off my swim cap and goggles like a seasoned pro I ran past strangers saying "go 818" - people who have been though the self induced misery understand what its like and are willing to give support to anyone starting off. Its great!

Arrived at my bike station and hurridly put my shoes and socks on - no getting outta my swim stuff this year, strapped on the helmet and headed to the bike course - oh, the hills of Birchwood Loop. I got passed by a mountain biker - drats - but as I watched her go by I realized she was channelling the strength of Wolverine - me not. Oh, a down hill and me the speed lover, tucked on my handle bars and rode it out. No brakes for this gal. Then the hill - yikes, failure - had to get off and walk it but that stretched my legs out for the last 2 hills and those I powered though - i think the gel bites had finally kicked in. I turned into the finish bike shoot pedaling to the dismount area and got off the bike - oh, were those tree trunks or my burning quads. I had to look down to make sure. 2nd leg done.

Off goes the helmet, bike back in the stand and onto the run - well actually jog/power walk - this girl hates to run. As runners were returning to the start you could see the smiles on their face and an encouraging comment to keep on - you are almost there. A 14 yr old and I traded jog and speed walk intervals - I would pass her she would pass me - until at the end she won out and crossed the finish line before me - but thats okay - she had a lower number then me which tells me overall I beat her out. HA! Triathlon done!!!!!

Then I came home and had this for dinner - yum Dutch Harbor Crab

Try to do

Trouble - again

We all have a few regrets in life and one of those for me is letting Sydney see me doing a mud mask one day because I think it has led to this. Although she decided to continue onto the legs.
At least her skin was nice and soft when we washed her all up.

Product Endorsement

If you ask me I think soda is the downfall of health. Most people who complain of their weight will add, but I can't live without my 4 bottles of (fill in the name). Even the no calorie or zero calorie choices don't impress me when you read the ingredients and you have to refer to the periodic table to figure out their lab work. If I have a choice, I tend to be a lemonade person - lemons, sugar (non fructose preferred), water. See no periodic table, pipet or burner needed.

So when Glen went on one of his "pre-red wing playoff" trips to the store he brought back this Pepsi product. He is a pepsi guy and I guess you are either that or a Coke guy - which just makes me laugh because my tastebuds really cannot tell the difference - no worries though I have had a $200 bottle of wine and a $14 bottle and have the same issue.

The product has NO, and I say No High Fructose Corn Syrup. No major carbonation, but some fiz from the sparkling water. And the taste - well refer to the above - its not bad and is something I am sure you pepsi and coke heads can deal with. The sugar is a blend of cane and beet sugar and there are no lab created extracts. Give it a try.