Benny's 3rd Birthday Celebration(s)The actual night of Benny's birthday, we took him to Texas Roadhouse for dinner He was quite thrilled about the brownie sundae. I can't lie, I was pretty thrilled about it as well, but there was not a camera pointed at me to capture the look on my face ;)I love my family!!! I am so blessed! My cousin Dan, who lives in Dayton, came with the majority of his girls and my nonna, aunt Anita and aunt Rosie drove all the way from Steubenville to celebrate the little guy's day!
Mikey's cousin Brian, a.k.a. Stoney and his fiance

Ben's best buddies, Cameron and Austyn
Dan with his fourth (and final?) girl

I did not have anything to do with the water guns showing up at the party...I have Mike to thank for that!Apparently, even a pile of wood chips can be fun!The last minute cake with far too much frosting...but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose!It was too windy to keep the candle lit long enough for him to blow it out but he made a wish anyways...out loud for cars, as usual!!Wow!!I wanted to do an eco-friendly gift bag for each kid, so I used these reusable lunch bags I found at Target and filled them with Fig Newtons, bubbles, sparkle pens and sugar free candy.As usual, Benny made out like a little bandit! This year, we asked for alternatives to toys as much as possible since we are filled to the brim with them as it is!! Ben's grandma Cathy & Grandpa TomBen's grandpa wanted to see him ride his four-wheeler, so the party (unexpectedly) caravaned on back to our house! Ben rode for all of five minutes before he wanted to go play in the sandbox with Ani, though. Later, he admitted that he was (just a little) scared he would get hurt! We had a great night celebrating with family and friends and Benny is already talking about how he's going to be four...
I just want to shake him and say,

"hang on to three while you have it, son!"

"Patterns engraved not so easily erased, still wandering
trying to find your place."

-Matisyahu

"There's nothing you can hold for very long."

-The Grateful Dead

For the Love of Quotes...

I love quotes. Quotes from lyrics, speeches, celebrities, even my friends and family have said some rather witty things over the years that deserve to be shared! I've decided to add quotes to my blog, but I realize that a quote-of-the day is rather ambitious for someone who has a hard time with commitment!! So, I am promising that you will find them woven throughout, whenever I feel compelled (or have the time ;) to add one! I hope you enjoy!!!

"In the day to day and in the face to face

I have to act just as strong as I can

Just to preserve a place

where I can be who I am."

-Ani Difranco