Summer Fun

If you're wondering where I've been lately, you'll have to take note of who's here to celebrate my 30th with me (along with Jess who snapped the pic). Here we are on our way to see Toy Story 3 today with Tessa. It was a great great movie and Tessa LOVED it. Tomorrow, the big party!


Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Highlight Reel

From our weekend trip up to the lake...



























I thought this one needed some explanation. Mom is all of the sudden into painting rocks, and these are little rock creations of the lake cabin. I made fun of her all weekend but actually I think they're pretty awesome.

Cuttin Up

This is Charley's third time and he still doesn't like it much. Those ladies at Great Clips are fast though. They can get him cut in like 2 minutes flat.

Tessa loves getting her bangs cut, and I think it's worth the $5 cause I suck at it. When I've done it before they just get shorter and shorter in the attempt to make it even. I was at my salon this morning and Tessa really wanted another haircut too, even though this was just last week.

Looking out for little bro and showing off her long locks in the back.

Yes I frequently bribe with treats. Don't judge, it works.

Mommy Goes Spontaneous

I will openly admit I'm not a spontaneous person. I like plans and agendas, and to know what to expect of each day. We did have a plan for last weekend, to go to Chicago to visit some friends from my private mommy forum, spend the night in a hotel and spend Sunday hanging as a family in the windy city.

I had packed clothes, snacks and diapers and arranged vet care for the dogs. Then Jeremy started puking, a lot. About 12 hrs before leave time he came down with food poisoning (or so we thought until I got sick yesterday).

The kids and I were all packed up so we decided to go up to the family's lake cottage where Mom and Dad were already vacationing, leaving poor Jeremy behind. We were going to spend the weekend but ended up staying until Tuesday.

The kids had great time, especially Tessa. She cried when we were driving home. We did all those fun lake activities....shopped, swam, played, napped, ate ice cream and soft pretzels and spent good quality time with the old folks.

Mom has all the pics on her camera so stay tuned in a few days, lots of god ones. Yay for spontaneous summer fun!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thanks to Viewers Like You

When people find out we don't have cable, one question I often get is what about kid's shows....no Noggin, Nick?...no DISNEY CHANNEL?

It could be because our kids are so young, but we haven't missed those channels at all. Not one bit. I'm here to tell you that those cable channels are all bunk compared to 'PBS Kids.' PBS has excellent kids programming...it's all super cute and educational and you know the best part? No commercials!

Once in a while Tessa and I watch The Simpsons (yes I know, bad Mommy award) and she is totally perplexed by the commercials. I guess she's just not used to them. She always says 'are they coming back??'

Here are our favorite PBS shows...


Sid the Science Kid, who you may remember was the theme of Tessa's 3rd birthday party. He's a curious preschooler who learns basic science (like how plants grow and why to brush your teeth)by doing experiments with his class.



Super Why is the only show that Charley actually watches. He is otherwise oblivious to TV but when Super Why comes on he puts his hands up and squeals for joy. It's about some tot size super heroes who must solve problems by reading books.



Dinosaur Train is one we watch from time to time. It's very cute. Buddy is a young dino who was born in the wrong nest and using the time traveling abilities of the Dinosaur Train travels to the different periods learning about different species to identify what he is. (I wonder will they run out of plot when he finally finds his origin?)




And well, you all know what this is. Still a classic, still educational, still cute.

In Action

drum roll please......the dancing queen in action!

Tessa's Dance Recital '10 from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

The Big Day

Probably the most exciting event in Tessa's little life, dance recital! I have to say that Tippy Toes recital was pretty amazing as far as children's performances go. Especially some of the older dancers, blew me away.

It also had a theme (two actually, one for tap and one for ballet) and was well orchestrated. I saw very few snaffoos or meltdowns backstage, and a whole lot of cuteness onstage.

Getting her makeup and hair done. I thought we had done a serious beauty regime until I saw some of the 'pageant girls' backstage in wigs and stage makeup. Even in the baby class! No thanks....it took me enough hairspray just to get her bangs off her face (per recital rules)


little bro thought it was all very silly



The first half was tap dancing, with a 'Candyland' theme. All VERY cute songs with candy, sweets or ice cream in the title. The high school girl's rendition of "Sweet Escape" from Gwen Stefani was so awesome, I just sat there with my mouth agape.

Tessa danced to the song "Lollipop" and unlike most of the rehearsals, she actually danced! I think something finally clicked that all that practicing had been for this big show and she did NOT stand there and pick her nose like she did at her Christmas program. I was so impressed!! (don't tell but Daddy got a little choked up more than once)


The ballet portion was Princess stories and Tessa was one of Sleeping Beauty's bluebirds. She did great on this part as well. In these pics she is the one all the way on the right.


This was the grand finale bow, she's standing right next to Sleeping Beauty (aka Miss Allison)

She got a medal and wanted to wear it to bed. Mommy said no but she is wearing it this morning in her pjs. She also got a rose from Mamaw and Papaw and kept showing it off saying 'look at my gift, my gift!'

No performance would be complete without a late night treat like ice cream.


I'm so proud of her, our future star!

Meanwhile Back Home

While Jeremy and I were relaxing in Alaska, the kids stayed here at home with Mom-mom and Pop (Jeremy's mom and step-dad). They had a great time! The were all over the place....the park, the zoo, Mamaw's farm, church, preschool and even took Tessa to her dress rehearsal.

I'll let all of Dave's great pictures do the talking. Thanks guys!