Swing Batter Batter!

Ben and I went to see Hector play softball last Thursday night, and it was about the sweetest thing I've ever seen! It was the first time that I've really seen Ben want to be just like daddy. He was plugged into the whole game. For the first few innings, he just starred at the field and didn't move. He watched every play. Then he started yelling and clapping. Most of his yelling happened to take place right before the opponents would swing... oops! I was afraid the ump was going to say something. And every time Hector would walk on and off the field, Ben would wave and/or yell at him. It was so sweet.

Then in the second to the last inning, he wanted to get down. I thought, that's it, he's done. He's tired of watching. But he wasn't. He just wanted to get down so he could stand on the bleacher, with one leg propped on the step in front of him (just like his daddy does) and cheer even louder. It was so precious, and no one was there to see it but me! There were times during the game when he would take my hand and point to different players on the field so that I would explain to him what they were doing. I couldn't believe he was really comprehending the game. I had a major mother moment. I almost started crying.

So after the game, Hector gave Ben a bat and he started swinging it and hitting the ball like it was a hockey puck. He loved it! He didn't want to leave. He started crying when Hector picked him up and made him get in the car. The next day, Hector set up a bases outside in the driveway and started pitching to Ben. He's got a ways to go, but I think he's off to a good start.

Easter Fun

This year, Easter was so much fun with Ben. He is at such a neat age. Every day he seems to develop more of a personality. A couple of weeks before Easter, Mom, Ben and I went to the Dallas Arboretum with Noah, Ellie and her Mom. We had a ball. The boys had so much fun running around and playing together. I think Ben’s favorite was the petting zoo! He didn’t really want to pet any of the animals. For him, it should have been call the starring zoo! That’s all he did is stare at them. But he sure cried when we left. That’s actually when we knew he was really enjoying himself! We tried to get his face painted, but he was having none of it! We also got his picture taken with a live bunny. I thought he would love it! Not so much. As you can see in the pictures, he was doing his best not to touch it. But we got some cute pictures anyway!

We also decided to try dying Easter eggs this year. We thought it would be a disaster, but it worked out great! Ben did awesome. He definitely got his hands dyed too, but that’s about it. He didn’t try to pick up the cups and he handled the eggs very carefully. I was so glad we did it. The only problem is, the other day I got eggs out to make corn bread, and he cried for the eggs! Uh oh.

Easter egg hunting was not really Ben’s deal. His mellow self came shining through. He had more fun watching everyone else. I think Jesse put more eggs in Ben’s basket than Ben did! He sure looked cute doing it though! Easter is the one time of year we splurge on a nice Sunday outfit for Ben! He was totally decked out this year.

NYC

A couple of weeks ago, Savannah, Ben and I went to see Meredith and Serge in NYC. I was a little concerned about going that far without Hector, and it definitely posed some challenges, but overall we had a ball. Five people cramped in a 600 sq/ft apartment was definitely a little crowded but Mere and Serge were very hospitable and let us have the bedroom. We ate just about every kind of food possible. It was all wonderful! We saw where Meredith worked. We let Ben play in one of the big city parks. He had a blast!

Savannah and I got to go see the Lion King and Mary Poppins on Broadway! It was awesome! Dad knew the guy that manages all facilities for Disney on the East coast, so we got great tickets for free! TO Lion King, we were on the 5th row center. To Mary Poppins, we got to sit in one of those box suite things. It was awesome! Savannah thought she had died and gone to heaven! They were both incredible shows! Aunt Mimi and Uncle Serge spent some quality time with Ben while we were out!

We also got to go back to where Hector grew up in Harlem. The weather almost kept us from getting there, but we were determined. When we finally got to Grant’s tomb, a memorial where Hector always went growing up, Ben was sounds asleep! But not for long! We promised daddy we would get some good pictures, so we woke Ben up. And of course, he woke up happy and was a perfect angel the rest of the afternoon. After Grant’s tomb, we went by his old apartment. Columbia University bought it and totally renovated it. You would never know by looking at his street that it was in Harlem. Now, a couple of streets over, a different story! It was really neat to take Ben to the place that Hector grew up. I can’t wait for Hector to come with us next time. That will be even more special!

Anyway, it was a great week with great memories made. Thanks Mere and Serge for an awesome trip! And thanks Sav for all your help with Ben. And thanks ITunes for having Fresh Beat Band for Ben to watch on the plane ride!