My Favorite Little Mann

Feels like it's been a while since I did a post on Ben, so I'm doing one now. I know I've said this at every stage so far, but seriously, two year olds are my favorite. They're just the funniest little creatures.

Ben has one major passion in life. Lawn mowers. This passion began last summer when John taught him how to mow lawns at his mom's house. It's a passion that is continually being fueled by a dad who will spend hours of his free time watching youtube videos with Ben of people mowing lawns. If that isn't a patient and loving dad, I don't know what is. He also takes Ben to the Home Depot or Sears every weekend so Ben can indulge in his favorite pastime. That boy could spend every waking second next to a lawn mower. It kills me.

Thankfully, he also has some backup passions. He's really into sports, babies, motorcycles and cleaning (turns out he does have a bit of me in him after all).

I've always been one of those people who prefers to clean by myself. I'd rather the boys get lost (hence the Saturday morning lawn mowers addiction) so I can do things my way and clean in peace. But because of that I was always afraid my kids wouldn't learn how to pick up after themselves. Apparently I do enough everyday chores for Ben to catch on. He loves to help with the dishes, vacuum, dust, fold laundry and sweep. He's quite the little helper.

He likes to clean with his shirt off. It makes him feel manly.

Ben's love of sports is another passion that is fueled by John. I'm always so glad I married someone who genuinely loves being a dad. I don't know what I would do without him! I might just be forced to watch youtube or play endless rounds of catch. The horror. Just kidding. But I am so thankful for John. Last night the Cubs were playing (or so I heard, I wasn't watching) so John dressed Ben for bed accordingly. Ben added his favorite hat as a special touch.


Ben has such a soft spot for babies. He's really excited to get his own this fall. For now, he's making do with his little cousin Macy. He loves to feed her bottles or just sit and cuddle. I hope he still loves them this much when he's forced to share mommy and daddy.


I wouldn't have guessed that two year old boys care what they wear, but this one does. He has a favorite outfit that he insists on wearing. It's a sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed all the way to his elbows and snow boots that are a size too small. The snow boots he puts on himself, on the wrong feet, the sides wide open, with his pants scrunched on top. It's the ugliest outfit and he looks so homeless in it, but the boy loves it. I still cringe when he grabs for it, but I stopped fighting him on it months ago.


That Benny really is my favorite kid. He's hilarious, he's energetic, cuddly, caring. He's the very best!