Jack Says:

I'm going to be a big brother!

Things we learned yesterday...

Jack likes trains.



Jack really likes tractors.


Jack was ambivalent about the slide inside the shoe.

We greatly enjoyed the boat behind the Merry Miller's cabin. When I went to put Jack in the whale for a picture he would have none of it. He's no fool, he doesn't want to get eaten. Actually, my mom has a picture of me when I was in playgroup sitting in that very same whale's mouth... before the Fairytale items were moved from their original location. Maybe she can scan the pic so I can post it. ::Cough::

Finally we learned that Jack loooooves backhoes. We saw this at once upon a child and I took a pic of him in it with my phone and sent it to my parents. They insisted that they get it for him -especially when I told the story about when we left and he cried in the car for 10 minutes.... 'back-hoe' ::sob::

Which brings me to the conclusion that Grandparents are a bad influence. Seriously, where am I going to keep this thing?!

Playgroup Cookout

On Sunday afternoon the Mom's Group rented a pavilion at Patapsco State Park for a little cookout gathering. We had really good attendance, and it was so nice to see so many of our working mommies again! There was a playground close by, which the kids enjoyed.

Jack and Jill climbed up this hill. Seriously, I'm not making this up.

When Mr. Wes busted out the bubble blower the tots were beside themselves! Ria already knows how to operate the blower so she took the lead on bubble making and popping.

Jack was amused by all the bubble activity, so was Jocelyn.

Amedeo was very pensive before launching a bubble attack.

Leora enjoyed it all!

Finally, Jack was mesmerized by fire. Grrrrreeeat.

Ikea Sunday

Ikea is like church.

At church you sit through a sermon, some of it appeals to you and some of it doesn't. At Ikea you walk through the displays, some of it appeals to you and some of it doesn't.

After the sermon there are usually snacks for the congregation. After walking through the displays you can stop for a snack in the cafe.

At church you give money to the collection plate. At Ikea you buy a collection of plates.

At church you learn that Jesus was a carpenter, he built things with his hands and he died for your sins. At Ikea you learn that you are a carpenter, you must assemble your furniture by hand, and when it doesn't go well you curse a lot, and that's a sin.

When you go to church, you get a lot of things you need, and some things that you didn't realize you needed until you got there. When you go to Ikea, you leave with the trashcan and the lamp which were actually on your list and: a cutting board, a mirror, some storage containers, a new toy for the kids and a stomach full of Sweedish Meatballs.

I think it might be time to find an actual church...

2-Day Review

Friday Michelle and I went on our usual walk and when we got back she had to grab something from her car. Well Jack decided he needed to practice driving and then Emma realized that she didn't have enough control as a back seat driver so she took over.

Today we did Eric's campaign photos. The photo shoot make us so hungry that we had to go to Red Rock Canyon Grill afterward. Yum!


When we left the restaurant look what was parked outside! Jack was, of course, completely beside himself. He pointed out the lights and the wheels and tried to poke his head under the hood, with that kind of clearance we had to stop him quick because neither of us wanted to crawl under the fire truck after him.

Famous People

How do you feel about famous people?

There is a long story behind this, but I have this theory about famous people. There are 3 kinds- Those you would heckle or ignore completely (politicians I don't like, Kanye West and Paris Hilton are of examples of this group). The second kind is people you would politely smile at, but because you know they're just people you wouldn't bother them with introducing yourself or asking to take a picture with you (seriously, what if you were walking down the street and a stranger stopped introduced himself and asked for a picture? Weird, right?) Most celebrities fall into this category for me everyone from the Governator to anyone on Grey's Anatomy. Finally there is the "Oh my God, I cannot believe I'm breathing the same air as you" famous people. For me there are only 3 people that would make me completely spaz out: Joss Whedon, Patrick Stewart and Barack Obama.

So who are your top 3- "I'm so excited to meet you that I can't contain myself" famous people?

Important Toddler Terms

"Ha-Me" for about a week Jack said this and we couldn't figure out what it ment. Finally he came to me one day holding a toy that had come apart and said "Ha-Me" and "help me" was born.

"Mine" Jack's first 4-letter work. I know it's developmentally normal, I just can't help wishing he didn't have to go through this for-me about-me me-me-me phase.

"Ah Duh" all done.

"No" ::sigh::

"Towel" This one is funny because when he's ready to get in the bath if he would rather skip his bath he stands in the bathroom asking for his towel over and over again, as though we won't notice skipping the getting clean part. Hah!

So tell me, what are the most/least endearing words in your child's vocabulary?