Said Ben

On the way home from preschool:

Ben: I wish I was Carter.  (a friend from his class)

Me: Oh? Why?

Ben:  I like his voice.

Me: {Holding in laughter during a conversational pause}

Ben: I fink I'm just gonna call myself Carter.

Me:  Okay, Carter.

Ben:  {big smile}

Later that night:

Ben: {calling from his bed} MOM!

Mom: WHAT?  {maybe not super cheerfully because it was not the first time he called from his bed and dad had been out of town for two weeks}

Ben:  You forgot to call me Carter!

Mom:  Goodnight, Carter.

Ben:  {big smile as he settles into his pillow}

On the way home from Cole's basketball game:

Ben:  That's not how many I wanted! {said upon opening the Chips Ahoy pack Cole had kindly shared with him}

Cole:  Sorry, Ben.  That's all there was.

Ben:  Well, it's okay.  I like..............{pause while Ben looks at his hand to count the cookies}............this many.

On Sunday morning:

Ben: {fake cough, fake cough, fake cough}  I fink I'm too sick to go to my class today.

Mom: {ignores Ben}

Ben: {fake cough, fake cough, fake cough}  I fink I'm too sick to go to my class today.

Mom:  Where will you go?

Ben:  I'll just stay with you.

Mom: {remembers that Ben had to stay with her two weeks ago when he was too sick to go to class and Mommy had to teach sharing time and Daddy was on a plane to Chile - bad precedence}  Sorry Ben.  You've got to go to your class.

Ben:  Ahhhh.  That's not fair!

During dinner one night:

Mom:  Where would you like to go on your mission?

Ben:  Antafrica

Driving in the car with mom:

Ben:  Boy, Jesus had a really good idea to send me to you cause you love me so much.

Indeed, Ben.  It was a really good idea and I do love you so much.