Charley's Self Video

I don't normally allow electronics in the car but Charley talked me into taking the iPad to carpool yesterday to pick up Tessa. Aside from playing a couple of games, his favorite thing to do is video himself. There's about 30 videos now on the iPad.

Maybe I should allow it in the car more often, if it means capturing this cuteness?


Charley's Self Video from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

If you need translation he say....I have 3 minutes. I don't know, I like my Mommy but I'm going to marry Lydia. I like my toys, here's Mickey. I don't know, etc. Clearly a narrative on his most important thoughts.

Charley's 4th Birthday Music Video

Some people scrapbook, we make music videos. And by we I mean....I take a ridiculous amount of photos and Jeremy uses his awesome computer talents. I love watching these year after year. I can picture myself as an old lady, watching these for days on end. Celebrating Charley's 4th birthday, here is the video of his 3rd year of life. Make sure your speakers are on!

Charley 4th Bday v3 from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

Gummy Gummy Gummy Bear

3 Year Old Charley Sings Gummy Bear Song from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo. I think someone is addicted to this song.

By the way, if you don't know what he's singing, allow me to enlighten you...



You're welcome.

Original Music

This is what an original musical composition sounds like when you're five.

MVI 1982 from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

Hunger Induced Silliness Caught on Tape

Charley Sings In the Jungle (but is SO Hungry) from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

Better Late Than Never

Tessa's 5th birthday was about 6 weeks ago, but we've finally gotten our traditional slide show finished. What can I say...life got in the way.

This is from 4th birthday to 5th birthday and everything in between. Make sure your speakers are on and hang around for the 'blooper reel'.



Tessa Five Year Video from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

Tessa Serenades

An Easter Message

Viral Music Videos...fun for the whole family

Our whole family is more than a little bit addicted to the viral video of five musicians playing one guitar to the infectious (as in I wake up singing it) Gotye song "Somebody that I used to Know".

I guess we've played it a few times cause the kids have become infected by it to. I know it's a pretty long song but Charley really cracks me up at like 3:43 (plus you can take a moment to enjoy the song if nothing else!)





I remember many moons ago when Charley and I enjoyed a different viral music video.


I got questions on his shirt after I posted this...yes it says exactly what you think it says. Mother sucker.


And a LONG long time ago, when baby Tessa and I enjoyed some good music videos. Man that "One Egg.." video brings back some forgotten memories. I bet that kid is like a 19 year old pop star by now.

Another Great B-day, Another Great Video

Charley had a great time celebrating his 3rd birthday today. I will surely post many pictures soon, but for now I leave you with these tidbits.

And also, another one of Jeremy's awesome video homages to the past year. Make sure you sound is on, and look for a subtle nod to the Thomas the Train of death at around 5:35. Jeremy thinks he's funny.


CHARLEY THIRD BIRTHDAY from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

Tessa Singing The Newsboys

Because why wouldn't she? The Newsboys rock! Can you tell that she really only knows the chorus?

Real Life Angry Birds

We just discovered Angry Birds when Jessie was here over Christmas. I know...the rest of the world knew about it long ago. That's kind of the way we work. We latch onto trends and shows once everyone else is over it.

Angry Birds is so much fun! And I like that the kids can play it too. For the first year or more that I had my iPad they were not allowed to touch it at all, but I think now they are to an age where I can trust them (although Charley has deleted apps because it's pretty easy to do). Charley knows how to find the game, choose a level and shoot the birds.

His other favorite thing to do with the iPad is watch the e-book "A Monster at the End of This Book". You know, the one by Grover? It's super cute cause it's interactive and he pretty much has the story memorized.

Anyway, when we saw some Angry Birds toys at Target today, I couldn't help but have a live reenactment. I mean the pigs were all stacked up, just waiting to be knocked down! We did this for like 20 min. Luckily nobody kicked us out or anything.



And no, we didn't buy any. They were $20 each! Instead we'll just do this every time we go to Target.

Just Another Friday Night

If you're wondering why we're ignoring Charley's cries for help, it's because he's sitting in time out in the dining room after an attempt to beat us all up and steal our instruments. Carry on...

The Best New Year's Videos Ever

I simply can't decide which of these is better, so I'll leave it up to you. In either case, Happy New Years from our house to yours!

Tessa's Dramatic Interpretive Dance

As always, forgive my horrible camera operation. Maybe one of these days I will give you a video that doesn't make you carsick.

Conversations with Charley

This afternoon after church I baked four lasagnas, then took myself to a movie I've been dying to see (The Help). Better do it now right?

While I was gone Jeremy made this sweet video of Charley talking about Super Why and the new cast member, Woofster the Super Dog.

He also made Baba Ghanoush, but that's completely unrelated.



You gotta admit, even though you can't always understand Charley's words, he has the BEST facial expressions.

Cheering Up

I've not had the easiest time with my bum leg. It's getting better every day but my spirit has been dragging. I don't like being waited on, I don't like breaking routine and I'm starting to feel like a slug sitting around so much.

Today was my first day out into the world since Sunday. I drove the kids to school and then took myself on a short trip to Target. After about 10 min of walking I was ready to drop, but it was nice while it lasted.

While at Target I picked up a gift for the kids. Partially to thank them for being so good, and partially to apologize for myself being so grumpy...

They like it...no they love it. And who cares about rules, when Charley is playing every game is just 'I won' anyway.

So things are starting to look up around here. I even walked around the house some today without my space boot on, and that's good progress. The freezer food has been a blessing as well as Mom being able to help for two days.

So I need to stop complaining and knashing my teeth. Life is good. And trying to remember this bible passage from 2 Corinthians 4:

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Jessica's Birthday Movie

Can we all agree that Jeremy is getting really good with his movie editing skills? This may be his best work so far, and definitely the most time consuming.

Jeremy's sister Jessie turned 40, and we had a big family reunion type vacation to the outer banks last week to celebrate. Pictures to come soon....unlike Facebook, it's hard to load 150 pictures onto blogger.

Anyway, Jeremy made a 'this is your life' type movie. With Jessie's permission, I am posting it for family (and anybody!) to enjoy.

It's 27 min long so grab a beverage and make sure your sound is ON! (also click the little star-type thingy in the lower right hand corner to make it bigger on the screen)

That's One Tasty....Book

Thanks to the G's for the new cookbook. Obviously, our house is looking forward to cupcakes!

Apple Break

Earlier, Charley grabbed himself and apple and parked himself on our bench outside, all on his own accord. I had to capture this cuteness on film.

Tessa joined the fun and I caught this great video. It is so rare to catch them on film this quiet and peaceful. Exceedingly rare! I may as well have caught the Loch Ness monster on film here.


Untitled from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.