I think the title says it all. We spent the majority of this weekend holed up in our house in our pajamas and bath robes. Sad as that may be, it sure did feel good! All of us have had some form of a cold over the course of the past week and all weekend, so it was good to have the time to recover.

We did manage to shower and get dressed Saturday night though for a big night out. Our neighbors, Katie and Jason, invited us out to dinner for Katie's birthday.

They had a babysitter come over to their house so Ethan and Benjamin could play together and the four of us enjoyed a nice adult dinner at a new restaurant in town, Twigs. It was an awesome meal and a very fun night out! I think that the two little guys had a good time as well watching movies and running around like crazy men!

I guess we also did get dressed on Sunday because miracle of miracles, we ventured out to a store and bought a new kitchen/dining room table!! For those of you who have not been to our house in the last year or so, you may not be familiar with the deathtrap we currently are using as a table in our kitchen. Mike bought the table approximately 9 years ago when he moved into our old apartment. It was from Montgomery Ward (yep, remember that good old store!?) and the chairs never really were all that stable (that's an understatement). We are so very excited for the delivery on Wednesday!

I just have to comment on what a grown-up little boy we have at our house lately. Benjamin is constantly impressing us with his language, personality and the things he's able to do at this age. Most notably is his quick adjustment to being completely potty-trained. I have to give him all the credit on this one! The whole process went so fast, it seems. Of course it is one of those things that you can look back on and remember as being easy (kind of like childbirth) but really going through it there were some tough spots. Most specifically peeing in a toy aisle at Shopko on day 1. But once he "got it," he luckily has never looked back. In fact sometime right after Christmas, he asked to stop wearing pull-ups to bed. HE asked. So every morning since then, without fail he has woken up with a dry pair of underpants. Of course, he still is excited about his ability, so he askes us every morning to "feel his pants," something that outrightly scared his Uncle Andy on a recent visit! He just thrives on his ability to do something all by himself. We picked up a videogame system for him when we returned a duplicate Christmas present and it is awesome to see him playing his games like a pro. I remember really struggling with our Atari system at the age of probably 10 and here is my 3 year old operating a joystick to make Spiderman swing from his webs. I can't even imagine what he'll be able to do when he's 10.

We also have been noticing that sometimes listening to him or looking at his expressions are like reflections in a mirror for us. The little facial ticks he has when he's telling a story are beginning to look more and more like exactly what we must look like. He also hears EVERYTHING. If he is in the same room when we are having a conversation from anything as simple as what we did today at work or something as serious as his bad behavior, he hears it...and remembers. We really have to be on our toes. A couple of days ago he told me that I was "driving him crazy!" No doubt something I've said in reference to someone while talking to Mike. He's growing up so fast and I know that some big occasions are just right around the corner for him, like his first day of school, which I know will be exciting and also sad for us. But the more I see of this little gentleman, the more I know that he is so completely and utterly capable of not only succeeding on his own without us but also will most certainly excel at anything he does!

Yet another funny from him...
Benjamin: I really like pancakes.
Grandpa Ed: These pancakes are the best!
Benjamin: ...forget the rest!

We followed our usual Tuesday evening routine yesterday by attending the All Comers Track Meet down at Soldiers Field. There was something different about this time though, we had special guests! Grandma Chris and Grandpa Ed drove down from their new abode to attend along with us. It is so wonderful to have them close and for them to be able to drive down for the evening to see Benjamin doing something so special! I know we are looking forward to many more visits from them on weekends and to see either just Benjamin or the both of us on their days off of work!!

Benjamin received another second place ribbon in the 50 meters race, but this was his last week in that age group. Next week he will be running with the three year olds, which is a much more competitive crowd! But no worries, it is all about having fun, right? We tried something new last night and had Benjamin do the long jump, which he loved so much! He also ran the 100 meters again, which definitely isn't his race - by the time we get to his age group in that one, he's so pooped that he has no energy left to run! However, he always runs it with a smile on his face!!!

I suppose I can share our big news now - no, no, it isn't THAT! :-P Benjamin is officially out of diapers (except for nights) and is wearing big boy underpants now!! Maybe I shouldn't say this so I don't jinx it - or maybe I should at least knock on wood - but it is going really well! You fellow parents out there know that this is one of the most difficult stages to go through with a child, especially boys, so I won't pretend that it is a walk in the park. However, Benjamin is really doing quite well and we couldn't be happier. Ask me next week and I might have a totally different answer for you!!