Uh-oh

Tonight Nathan and I ate dinner after Jack went to bed because Nathan had to work late. We were sitting at the table enjoying our steaks and we suddenly heard the pitter-patter of little feet... And then we saw a little visitor coming through the dining room to the kitchen. He was looking at us, full of excitement, and the first thing out of his mouth was, "I climbed out of my bed." I guess it's time to say goodbye to the crib and hello to a big boy bed. Shockingly, he didn't get out of his crib again. Maybe he's waiting until nap time tomorrow.

Great Grandpa Bill

Jack says lots of really funny things these days, but tonight he might have said the funniest yet. He was playing with a ribbon after dinner and he put it around his neck and then stuck the two ends in the waistband of his pants. Then he looks at Nathan and says, "I'm Great Grandpa Bill." 

Some of you are already laughing because you know Great Grandpa Bill. For those of you who don't know him, here's the funny thing. Great Grandpa Bill always wears suspenders. Little Jack had made himself his own suspenders with his ribbon. Thus, his announcement about being Great Grandpa Bill.

Here's another funny thing he said this week. One morning Nathan was leaving for work so he told Jack he loved him. Jack looked at him very seriously and said, "I love this flashlight." To his credit, he was playing with a flashlight. Apparently he was overwhelmed with his love for it and needed to tell Nathan about it. He is very free with his proclamations of love these days, especially at the zoo. He loves all the animals and also tells me quite a few of the animals love him too.

Last, here's a funny picture from one morning this week when we made oatmeal muffins for breakfast. He was so excited for them to be done he had to sit on his step stool and watch the oven timer change while they were baking. Every time a minute would go by and the numbers would change on the timer he would yell excitedly, "Mommy, the numbers changed." He got up a few times but he pretty much sat there the entire 15 minutes. Who knew the oven timer would be so entertaining?

Spring Is In the Air

To say Jack loves playing outside now that it's warm is a bit of an understatement. Today when he was supposed to be taking a nap (he's still having a hard time falling asleep for a nap every day) he starting yelling for me to come upstairs. When I got to his room he told me he needed to go outside and mow the grass. Pretty much every second he's awake he wants to be outside. Except for dinner tonight, when he ate more than Nathan or I. Apparently he loves pulled pork! 

Here's some other springtime fun he's been having...

 He had his first fudgesicle the other day. He started out clean...

  ...and ended up pretty messy. I'm still working on getting the stains out of his shirt.

He also goes through two sets of clothes a day lately. He just gets so sweaty and dirty playing outside that he usually needs new clothes before his nap. Although his clothing preference would be more along the lines of this next picture.

Another one of his favorite things is playing with our neighbors, Taylor and Cameryn. They play together pretty much every afternoon after Taylor gets home from school. They are very sweet little girls and today they had lots of fun playing in his tent in the front yard. They were moving too fast to get any good pictures of them in the tent, so here is a rare shot of them sitting still.

 

Dancing Machine

Yesterday we went to my cousin's wedding and Jack's favorite part was definitely the dance at the reception. It took him a few minutes to get warmed up, but once he let loose he was a wildman. He was jumping around and even coming up with new moves. Being the only little boy out there dancing also helped. He had his pick of girls to dance with, including the bride. These pictures aren't very good, but they'll give you a glimpse of our little dancing man. We'll have to start practicing his moves now for Aunt Lindsay's wedding. He has to live up to his reputation.

 

Grandma Pam's House

Today Jack and I went to Grandma Pam's house for the day. As far as days go for 2-year old little boys, this one was definitely awesome, as Jack would say. The city is redoing the sewer lines at the end of Grandma and Grandpa's street so there were bulldozers, dump trucks and other machines I don't know the names for only one block away. We went down to see them several times. The first time Jack was a little unsure what to think because they were very loud. But by the last time we went down he was quite comfortable and loving it. He is probably dreaming about bulldozers right now.

  
He also got to practice drinking out of a regular cup, which was very exciting.

After lunch he made and, most importantly, ate chocolate chip cookies.

And to top it all off, he got to feed Charlie. 

I guess the only thing that could have made the day better, for me at least, was if he would have taken a nap. He doesn't really sleep in the car. Instead, he talks the entire time so he doesn't fall asleep. Oh, and Nathan got him a Hot Wheels monster truck today. It doesn't get much better than that!

Easter

We had a great Easter today. Last year Jack had just started walking, so I think he enjoyed being able to run around and look for Easter eggs this year. He started the day getting his new Easter basket.

After going to church with Aunt Regina, we headed to Aunt Sherry's house for lunch and our Easter egg hunt. Here are some pictures of Jack hunting eggs and enjoying his new bubbles. 

Last, here's two funny pictures from the past couple of days. First, I was making sugar cookies for Easter so Jack wanted to wear his apron and help. Well, he didn't help for long because he quickly decided he wanted to have a dance party with Daddy. Then he got hot from all of his dancing and had to take his shirt off. But he refused to take his apron off. Here he is in the midst of his dancing and throwing his shirt around.

And here is one from Friday with him dressed up like a doctor. He loves the doctor kit Aunt Lindsay got him for his birthday.

 

What's in the paper today?

Now that the weather is not freezing cold and there isn't snow on the ground, Jack gets to go outside with me to get the paper in the morning. When it was colder he had to watch from the window. He is quite excited about this turn of events and this morning I got a cute picture of him after we came inside. He had to bring Charlie to get the paper and also wear his fire boots. Every morning he takes the paper out of the bag and says "What's in the paper today?" Then we look at the different sections. Lately he has been looking at the sports and talking about the Jayhawks playing basketball. We keep telling him they lost and can't play anymore, but he isn't believing it. Maybe it's a sign? Perhaps we have a Jayhawk on our hands and not a Tiger...

 

Donut Shop

Jack and I went to Walgreens today to pick up some pictures. As soon as we stepped out of the car he announced he wanted to go to the donut shop. Lamar's happens to be right next to Walgreen's and little Jack remembered that fact. So, of course, we went. He picked out a chocolate donut with sprinkles and had to wait all the way through a trip to Hy-Vee and lunch at home before he could eat it. He really enjoyed it -- every bit of it!

He is also still loving his fire boots. He wears them pretty much every moment he is in the house and awake. Although he has suggested a couple of times that he sleep in them.

And here's one last picture. I just like it because of his eyes. How can you not love those eyes? Oh, one last Jack story from the past few days. Yesterday I was finishing up making dinner and Nathan was in the kitchen with me. Jack was playing in the living room and we heard him talking about something. Pretty soon he wanders in the kitchen saying, "My tummy's rumbling." He was apparently serious because he ate a very large supper!

Birthday Fun Part Two

Jack had another birthday party today with Grandma Pam, Grandpa Glen, Great Grandma Pat, Great Grandpa Bill and Aunt Regina. He had a great time and wanted us to sing him Happy Birthday two times so he could blow out his candles two times. And of course, we did. His second birthday is now officially over! 

 Of course, he loved all his presents. Here he is dressed up in his new fireman gear.

He also loved his new wooden food that he can cut and putting dimes in his piggy bank.

Grandma and Grandpa got him a world map, so now he knows where Uncle Will is (even though he still says Ohio if you ask him). And he also now knows where Omary lives. Omary is a little boy from Tanzania we sponsor through Compassion and Jack carries his picture around in his wallet and prays for him every night.

And here's a picture of the three of us with his lovely birthday cake that took me much longer to decorate than I thought it would. It is supposed to be Legos if you can't tell!

Third Time's a Charm

Jack got his third haircut today and he didn't cry! At least not the whole time. He was a little upset at first, but M&M's helped a lot and he pretty much sat there talking and looking around. He did refuse to wear the cape-thing that keeps the hair off you, so we had to change clothes when we got home. Afterward, he got to go to the chocolate and cookie store a couple doors down and pick out a treat. I think he'll remember that part next time. Here are some pics of his new look.

The weather is really nice here today so we ate lunch outside on his new picnic table. That in itself was quite exciting, but he also got to have macaroni and cheese. He likes to take big bites.

He didn't care much for the flies getting on his table. Here he is telling one to shoo.

Last, here's one of the few pictures from his birthday where he is actually smiling. He hasn't quite figured out how to smile on command for the camera yet, so Nathan made him laugh for this picture and we got a smile.