El-pants and I-gulls

Some friends of ours kindly invited us along to the B-List circus over the weekend.  Olivia has never been so excited about anything for a prolonged period of time!  I think she is getting to the stage where she is beginning to understand the concept of past, present, and future.  

She talked about the el-pants (elephants) and i-gulls (tigers) all day.  I asked her what elephants eat, and she confidently replied, "dog food."  She did also inform me that tigers eat grass.

They had several extra tickets, so we invited Giga and Poppy along for the show.

I'll admit, it was all a bit overwhelming.

Jed arrived and they checked out the elephants for a few more minutes, and then we went inside the big top to wait, wait, and wait some more.  We arrived at 3:45 p.m. as suggested, and the show began 30 minutes late at 5:00 p.m..  Uncle Buddy gave Livi some spending money, so we thought it would be a good idea to upgrade our free seats.  It was.

While we waited, Giga thought it would be a great idea to introduce Livi to cotton candy.  She is a very skeptical child, and was nervous about her first bite, but then she couldn't get enough.  She thought it was so funny that she got to rip it off in pieces.  

 This is what I looked like in middle school, plus 100 pounds and really jacked up teeth.

We made it to the intermission and then were too restless to continue, but I think if we hadn't waited so long for the show to start, she would have made it.  She was enthralled by every act!  This is such a fun age!  Thanks again Knights for the awesome day!

Our Steady

I've always been somewhat of a constant wanderer.  On track but all the while thinking about what else I could be doing, zero-to-sixty for the next exciting thing.  Then comes along a man so driven by the calling in his heart, a longtime lover of same-ness.  

My Ben has always been the consistent, long distance dreamer.  He keeps my "un-realisticness" in check at all times, but with a gentle reminder, on occasion he will let my mind run wild again.

It turns out I'm not the only one who needs a steady.  It's amazing to see the way God created him--with the most perfect skill set for what he does.  His heart is based on rythym.  He leads by following, by setting the tone and keeping things in line...literally, marching to the beat of his own drum.  He is the road map.  They depend on him, but it is his job to make everyone else sound good and look better.  There is no room for flashiness, and he knows it.  He understands by now, that what brings home a paycheck and more gigs to boot is this humility, being the backer, being the steady.  And he's good at it.  He doesn't look for the glory, he just wants to deliver the best product, every single time.  To Ben, being on time is being late.  He is dependable, and prepared.  God wired him to be this way, and he excels consistently.  

(I'm sorry, but I'm really, really proud of him.)

Much greater than usefulness between the 2 and the 4, I know that his steadiness will benefit Olivia.  It already has.  This first year hasn't been easy.  She has been mega-blessed to have loads of time at home with her Daddy during the day, and she thrives on the boundaries he has placed on her life.  She doesn't even realize yet--but just like her mom, her steady is her greatest love.  Her steady, the one that tucks her in most nights, and makes certain to put her blankey just the way she needs it, the one that combs all the crusties out of her hair, the one that makes sure she's buckled in just right...her steady is right where she needs him.  

Happy Father's Day Benjamin--We love you way, way more than you'll ever know.

These were taken after the real photoshoot.
Dads are for cuddling cold babies.

***

I say all of this and more on Fathers Day, because God gave me a trait in a husband that I could never even dream of.  My dad has this in common with Ben, and it was something I couldn't conceptualize until later in life.  I couldn't think of any better gift to give Olivia than to grow up with a man whose life goal is to labor only to make others succeed.  Years later, I now realize my Dad was and is always focused on someone else.  Happy Father's Day to my own incredible Dad!  Maybe us brats could do something nice for you for once ;)

Another is a testament to what God says about fathers: Ben has learned his professionalism by osmosis through his dad, also a professional musician.  He is on the bench, most times before the sun rises, preparing for the weighty task of leading the church in worship.  He is an unbelievable music teacher, changing lives through quarter notes and piano labs.  It all makes sense as to why Ben loves to be in the background, that is what his Dad taught him to do; it is the only way to be.  Happy Fathers Day Richard!!  

A Very Super Bowl

This year was somewhat non-traditional.  Mom and Dad got a fifth wheel a few weeks ago, so naturally they have been finding every excuse to go someplace (like they've ever needed an excuse before?!).  We were all the better for it, and spent most of Sunday at James Island County Park hammin' it up in the RV.  It was quite nice, especially since the furniture is more comfortable than what we have at home.  Recipes below!

An early predictor that the Ravens would be #1!

Helping Poppy to get things fixed. 

On a walk with Giga and Mommy!

This is for all of her Auntie's and Great Auntie's who haven't seen her teeth yet!

My main #1 squeeze

My #2 squeeze

Mom documenting her first party spread.

Speaking of spreads, would anyone like the recipe for crack?

Mix together 1 lb of browned and drained ground sausage, 

16 oz cream cheese, and 1 can of Ro-Tel tomatoes.  

Put it in the crock pot on low and stir.  

Thank me later.

Chex Mix is a Scott family tradition that I just wrapped my head around a few weeks ago.  I'm glad it is for football season only, or else I'd need to be working out at least 100% more than normal.

You can find it here.  We always make it in the oven.  

I added mini crackers this time and my very picky party mix husband admitted that it was spot on.

Olivia and her most favorite food, Chobani.  

She eats a whole one for breakfast every single day.  

Bless her heart.

Pretending to crawl.

Mommy and her girl right before she expired.

Barricaded on Giga and Poppy's ridiculously comfortable bed.

Too bad next year she won't be allowed to watch the game because of all the sickening commercials!!!!!  Really, the Gag-Daddy commercial is the one that comes to mind.  Anybody else?!

Thank you to Aunt Amy for the Ravens gear and to Auntie Chris for the precious tutu!

Daddy's Home!

Ben keeps saying that he can't wait until she can verbalize these feelings...