Pretend

As we all well know, Jack is a train enthusiast. In fact, he told me today he wants to go as Thomas for Halloween again this year. Glad I kept the costume Daddy made last year ;) And, he wants a Thomas the train birthday party again this year. Unfortunately, I didn't keep ANY of the decorations. He said he wants to have bounce castles like Owen did at his party :) Sure thing buddy. 

Well, recently we've been watching Polar Express almost nonstop and he has been doing some pretty cute pretend play as a result. He reenacts a lot of the movie and his facial expressions have really gotten expressive. He'll pull a pretend whistle and exclaim, "I want do dat my whole life!" Just like in the movie. And he'll pretend that the train car he's in has become "uncupple" (uncoupled) and he'll begin to fall all around the house, bouncing off furniture, grabbing onto things and insisting that you either join in or save him. So funny! We pretend we are uncoupled at least six times a week. A few pictures below of the conductor in his hat being uncoupled :) 

And a few more of them being generally sweet.

Look at this button nosed angel!

Playing in their fort. 

Then sitting on the couch together. Can you believe it?!? They're less than 6 inches from one another and their not poking, hitting, snatching, pestering one another!! A Christmas Miracle!

Then it was movie time!

I could get love all day everyday from this boy. I'll be sad when he no longer wants to smooch his mama! XOXO

Found this

I found the start to this blog entry dated 2/17/15. Ella wasn't one yet. I didn't finish it, so I have no idea what #4 was about. It's funny how easy you forget if you don't write it down. :( They're pretty cute stories though. :)

Funny stories...

1. The other night, I made vegetable soup and buttermilk cornbread. Not my best meal, especially if you ask Jack. He was not pleased with my dinner selection. He was so excited for dinner, that is until he jumped up in his chair, glanced down to his bowl, let out a huge sigh, pushing it away, and said, "No want dat, mommy." After suggesting, pleading, begging, tricking, encouraging, threatening...I think he ate two bites. Then he climbed down and walked to the pantry. I advised him that he would not be getting anything edible out of there. Then, between the crack of the door and the wall, I see him running like a convict fleeing prison to the playroom holding a bag of chips. I sick Justin on him. To which I hear crying and assume all went accordingly. Jack didn't come back to the table, as he was upset, so Justin and I enjoyed a quiet two minute dinner. Then Justin walked back to the kitchen to check on Jack, only to find him MIA. Then he sees Jack...sitting in his teepee...bag of chips in hand, or should I say, what's left of them...crumbs galore. We laughed. "I thought you took the bag away?" I asked. "I did, but must not have put it far enough back on the counter."Parenting Fail.

2. Ella can say Jack. She can also cry. I found out recently, she can also wine his name as if to suggest he is to blame for why she is crying. She is very convincing. Had I not witnessed the whole incident, and knew him to be blameless, I may have believed her. Way to go you tricky girl you ;)

3. Jack run up to Justin the other night. "Something hit me!" He exclaimed as he lifted his shirt up, exposing his belly. Justin checked him out, no obvious injuries/abrasions/etc. "You look okay buddy. I don't know what that was. Be careful." He runs back over later, "Something HIT ME!" Lifting his shirt again. We can only assume he's having gas. Poor fella :)

4. Ella climbs up the stairs and laughs coaxing me to come pull her off...

Jack's First Haircut

Two weeks ago, Jack experienced one of life's great milestone, or maybe it was just a great parenting milestone, I don't know...I haven't come to grips with it yet. We...sniff, sniff...cut Jack's beautiful hair! The curls were getting a little out of control and daddy was persistent. So here is our haircut day in pictures. It's okay to cry if you need to ;) I did.  The kiddie hair salon was fun. It had a train table and puzzles to play with while we waited. They played Disney movies on TVs that were in front of each station, and the "chairs" were in the shapes of airplanes, fire trucks, race cars, etc, in pink and blue! At first Jack went for the pink car, but much to Justin's relief, ended up choosing the blue plane :)

 I begged her to save every little curl! They went in a ceramic trinket box marked "baby's first curl" when we got home. I may or may not have taken them out and curled them around my finger several times in the week to follow. I think I went through a mild depression. ;)

 This handsome boy did SO well! The hair dresser thought he was older than 2 because of how well he sat and followed instructions. We were so proud!!

And the final result!  My handsome, slicked back, big boy! We don't use product to style his hair. We let it go and the curl in the front it to die for!

Turns out, he's just as cute with short hair! I just love him to pieces. One milestone for the books!

Jack wanted to blog too... :)

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Party like its 1776!

Happy Birthday America! This was the first Fourth of July that we didn't have family in town for as long as I can remember. We enjoyed our quiet day with a cookout, ice cream, the community parade, and, of course, FIREWORKS! Jack drove his American classic muscle car in the parade. It was such fun decorating it! No joke, the cutest "float" in the parade. Ella rode with him for a little while. Our girl was still tired from nap.

After our cookout, dubbed "the PORK of July," get it? we made sundaes. The kids were wild all day, until dessert. A hush fell over the house. It was a heavenly silence that lasted a whole10 minutes. I'll have to keep that in mind. :)

 Then we went outside and popped confetti poppers. Jack enjoyed making a mess.

 A storm rolled it with super dark skies and lightning, but we took our chances, threw everyone in the car along with blankets, towels, and cupcakes and went downtown to watch fireworks at battery park. The fireworks didn't impress them as much as the cupcakes. Next year, we'll have to go to the Yorktown so we can be closer. But the rain held off and it was a fun night! There are more pics on Justin's phone that I'll have to upload later. Hope everyone had a great weekend honoring the Red, White, and Blue!!