Ben is not yet 10

2-20-2000 Mr. Benjamin Atticus Parton made his entrance into the world. Friday he celebrated his 9th birthday with little pomp and circumstance. The Sunday before we brought cupcakes to the Wii Fellowship to share with the kids. On his actually birthday we had co-op which he found enjoyable then we went to GTC for practice. Fox and Ben got a chance to go in the pit and on the trampoline since it was a pretty mellow day, not all the teams were practicing and those that were had low numbers since the schools in the area were on winter break. He opened a small gift in the morning then when we got back home that night he opened a few more things with dad. Before bed he worked on his new Star Wars Lego kit and playing Wii Monopoly with Ethan and I.

Ben is a very helpful and industrious young man. He loves to assist me in the kitchen and is very good at picking seasonings, cutting, and measuring. Drumming, soccer, and video games are what keep him occupied, although he is starting to read more for information along with the scads of Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, and Far Side books. Benjamin is so different from the others kids in many ways, my mother's theory is that he's the winter baby, but he is so apt for schedule and structure it wouldn't surprise me if eventually he joins the military.

He actually does very well with the public school setting and likes knowing he is the head of his class. It is very important for him to get everything right and he gets ticked off if he isn't or especially if he doesn't understand why he isn't. Teaching him Math has been an adventure. Once he gets a concept all is well but I always have to pull up the boots straps and take an extra dose of patience whenever it is time to introduce a new concept. I thought long division was going to do us in! Phonics is not his thing, he has no time to sound things out, he just wants to look at the word and know it. Some of his guesses are hilarious at times. His brothers will testify he can be pretty bossy (hence the nickname 'Braticus') but they also know when the chips are down Ben will always be there for them. He is a good brother, a good friend, a loving son, a great athlete, and an awesome person! Happy Birthday, Ben!