Analyzed by Engineers (Ben & Andrew's Blog)
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Olympic Hurdler

August 30th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

I saw a hurdler video the other day, and thought, “I can do that!”.  So I did:


First Day as a Penguin

August 28th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

The new year has started at BCC, and Shannon and I are now Penguins!

We get to be in a new room with lots of new stuff to play with, and we get to go on field trips every month, too!  I can’t wait!


Agilent Picnic

August 27th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

Last weekend was the big Agilent Summer Picnic.  There was lots of stuff to do, including this big, big slide.

In case climbing around the side isn’t fun enough…

… you get to climb up the back and then slide down the front.  Weeee!!

There was also lots to eat, including hamburgers, ice cream, and cotton candy.  Mmmmm…

I also met my new best friend, Lauren.  We played tag.

And then we went on the slide together and put on our shoes together when we were all done.

Then it was time to try the climbing wall.  I was still working up my courage while the guy was putting on my harness.

But I went climbing right next to Daddy.  I didn’t climb as high, but I sure had fun!

Lauren went climbing with us, too!

I can’t wait to go to the picnic next year!


Airshow!

August 20th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

Daddy and I went to the airshow yesterday for pancakes and airplanes.  Before we had pancakes, I got ready with my ear covers.  You can’t be too careful!

After breakfast, our first stop was a helicopter that I’d been in before.  This time I really got to move some switches and move the controls around!

Next, we visited the C-17.  Boy is this a big airplane!

I waited for a turn to sit up in the cockpit.  Did you know that you can open up the windows here in front?  And the pilots can, too… while they’re flying!  Also, you can get a good view of the engines (and the rest of the show) from up here.

After that, I landed an airplane hat and did some Army jeep driving…

…and some pink elephant driving.

Weeeeee!!  Maybe next year, I’ll get to see some airplanes flying!


Swim Lessons

August 14th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

I’ve been taking swim lessons down at the Y.

I’m learning lots of things, like blowing bubbles, kick kick kicking, and “chicken, airplane, soldier!”  Also, I use spoons and not forks – “we’re not eating salad here!”.  My favorite thing to do is to float on a couple of pool noodles and kick my way around the pool, but my teacher insists that I go without when I’m practicing with her.  I’m getting better!


Stomp (Rocket)

August 11th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

The other day was a great day to get outside and try out one of my new stomp rockets that I got for my birthday.

First you have to put the rocket on the launcher:

Then you wind up:

Stomp!!!

And poof!  It’s launched!

And here’s the whole thing in slo-mo, so you can admire my technique!  (I’ve been practicing.)


Summer Vacation – Balboa Bars and More Cousins!

August 8th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

It was finally time.  We had some M&D alone time and it was finally time.  To go for a ferry ride to get a Balboa Bar.  Can you see my anticipation?  I think I can see it!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…

And to top it off, another Ferris Wheel ride with Daddy!  Maybe this vacation stuff isn’t so bad after all.

But I do miss playing with my trucks at home.  I have to settle for the little one I have here at the beach.

Then Madeline and Lauren arrived.  The next day we were off to the big wave beach!

Boy those waves are big!  And they move fast!  They sure are fun to run away from when they come in!

While I was there, I invented sand surfing.  It’s kind of like skateboarding, but with a Boogie board on the sand.  And you don’t go anywhere.

Later, I taught sand boarding class to Mommy and Lauren.   They were very good students.  (Beginning students practice on the sidewalk.)


After all of that playing and teaching, I sure was tired.

(Note to M&D: This does NOT constitute proof that I don’t sleep with my eyes open.  I must have been blinking.)

What a fun vacation!


Summer Vacation – More Island

August 4th, 2012. (4 years, 2 months old.) by ben

Well, it was time for another day at the beach.

On this day, Ma and Avery buried my legs in the sand, just like when Curduroy goes to the beach!

Later, Ma and I saw some artists painting pictures of the boats.

Then we had a visit from Natalie, Olivia, and Addison.  They were fun to play with on the beach!

After all that hard playing on the beach, I decided to relax and do some drawing like those artists I saw earlier.