Do you see how ugly the outcome can be if kids are allowed to sleep and play?  Or rather play and sleep?  I’ve learned my lesson about going down to sleep with toys close at hand.   Luckily this lesson was learned before I got seriously more embarrassing pictures taken!

(Ed. Note: Hee heee!)

Well, I made it.  I’m finally old enough to… well, that’s beside the point.  I’m only 6 months away from actually getting to eat my birthday cake, and I’m only 15 ½ years from my drivers license.  Woo hoo!

Mommy did make some delicious red velvet cupcakes with butter creme frosting to celebrate, even if I’m not old enough to have one yet.

For my birthday, M&D got me a new stroller and car seat.  (Ed. Note: don’t tell Ben that the stuff wasn’t for this b-day, but was because he outgrew the old ones.) Of course, that cheeky cat lay claim to the stroller before Daddy even had it assembled!

I’m working on my acrobat moves, and dressing funny.  I think that’s pretty much what it takes to be in the circus these days, right?

The “Lunge”:

The “Happy Finish”:

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth…and my kneecaps.  And hair. Did I mention hair?  It’s really an all anatomical Christmas.

And Mommy says to tell you I’ve been a ‘good boy’.  I offer as exhibit A the large number of smiles documented in this blog, selective editors not withstanding.

(Ed. Note: Ben’s real Christmas list can be found here.)

Hello everybody!  I hope you’re having a great holiday!

Ever the experimental mathematician (a field I think I’m pioneering), I was just the other day toying with the possibility of certain multi-object 3-D geometry containment relationships.

This one didn’t work out…  But rest assured I’ll keep searching for something that fits!

(Ed. Note: Ben is doing very well sitting up by himself these days.)

A study in contrasts, Princess Valentine’s ‘Opposites’ compares nominal opposing entities, but in doing so, exposes the subtle complexities and hidden beauty of the English language.

This master work conveys its greatness with its mere 20 words of literary content and as many carefully rendered images – a model of efficiency.

Take, for example, the nominal opposites, “Cold”, and “Hot”.

An educated person knows that these starkly juxtaposed notions are not true opposites, but rather subjective measures that reflect the experience of those using the words.  But by making this cunning simplification – and through the use of dissimilar pictorial representations – the author cuts through the complex metaphysical issues and connects with her audience in a way that is compatible with the limited attention span of her pre-bedtime readers.  Brilliant!

Yours truly, Voracious Reader, Ben.

I had a nice visit with Ben, a.k.a. Ben Z.  Why M&D insist on calling people and things other than me ‘Ben’ is beyond me.  Wouldn’t it be simpler if everything had its own unique name?  Clearly, there are some things in this world that need fixing!  I’m sure Ben Z. won’t mind if I change his name to something else.   “Bob” is pretty close to Ben – but maybe not unique enough.  How about ‘Benzar’, which I hear he used once…  That sounds one-of-a-kind.

Sometimes napping can be hard to do.  But that just means that there’s opportunity here.   For example, if napping could be an Olympic sport, I’m sure I could bring home the gold medal!

Here I am doing an In-Crib “Exposed Double Foot Peek” maneuver as I thrash my way to slumber.

And here’s my strong finish, which I’m calling the “Partial Blanket, Half Twist, Binky In”.  Level of difficulty:  High.  Olympic Gold, here I come!

Lately, Daddy and I have been reading books at bedtime.  This one is a real page-biter!