Laundry

Ben likes to help with the laundry. He takes the folded clothes from the bed and throws them on the floor. If the clean clothes aren't taken out of the basket fast enough, he helps.

Fall Festival

Ben's school, Riverside Children's Center, had a fall festival in late September. He went with his mom (his dad was out of town). They had a pancake breakfast, and then joined in the general craziness. He was a little small for some of the activities, but really liked the board with baffles that you dropped golf balls down, and had a good time checking everything out. He particularly liked being able to play on the equipment in the big kids' side of the playground (usually he is in the toddler playground). It was also fun decorating paper pumpkins with stickers and running around with friends from his class, the Rainbow Room.

Going for Walks

Now that Ben is a very good walker and has nearly figured out running, we've been doing lots of outings that allow him to walk. One weekend we went to the Arboretum in JP where he got lots of comments on his styling outfit (the shirt was a present from Tanya, and it's what pulls it all together). Another weekend we went to Gore Place, an early 19th century historic house, and walked around the grounds. Ben was very interested in pointing at the goats at the farm they have there.

Ben's knitwear

Mommy has managed to do some knitting, however, and just enough spinning to make Ben a couple new pieces of clothing for the fall/winter (most spun on a drop spindle, which Ben is OK with). She made him a vest like one she made herself, only with a button to keep it on. Unfortunately, it's none too big, so she may need to make another. She also made him a blue sweater with plenty of room to grow on. He wore it last weekend to the Newton Harvest Fair, which didn't have alot going on for toddlers, but he had great fun afterwards being tossed in the air by his dad. It's his new favorite thing.

Helping Mommy Weave

Ben's mommy has her loom set up in the living room, and Ben thinks it is great fun to climb into and chew on. Mommy doesn't get much chance to weave. Just like with her spinning wheel, it's just too much fun for Ben.

Labor Day

Ben had a busy Labor Day weekend. On the Sunday, he went with his parents to his friend Ilan's house for dinner and played and played and played. On Labor Day itself, Sibel, who he has been a friend of for a long time, came over, along with Zeynep, who he was meeting for the first time. Zeynep lives in England now, but she was in town to do some research so she came over to play and have a picnic. Ben thought she was lots of fun to play with (and liked the funny French doll she brought him). He also discovered that not only does he love Turkish beans (Barbunya) but he also loves Lahmejun, sometimes referred to as Turkish pizza.

Busy September

On Labor Day, all three members of Ben's family started school, and things have been very busy. His mom will try to catch up on the blog entries soon. Ben has one word he uses regularly, Uh-oh! He uses it both when things drop and when he throws them and wants them back. He is enjoying his daycare (Riverside Children's Center in Waban). He does lots of playing with lots of different toys, and they sing and read stories every day, and do all kinds of activities like play-dough, markers, painting, and even baking a cake. He particularly likes playing outside. They have a very well stocked, sandy toddler's playground, and he plays with dump trucks and shovels, cars he can ride, and all sorts of things. He usually has at least a quarter cup of sand in his shoes when he comes home. Last Friday was the first day when he not only didn't cry when he was picked up, but he didn't even cry when Andy dropped him off!