Saving the World

Jack informed me he was "saving the world" while he was playing his little video game player that Stuart bought in China last year. Of course, I had to get video. I know this is long, but I was cracking up over his facial expressions while he was playing.

Summer Investments

I know I spoil Jack...just a little bit. And, I was determined not to buy any new toys until his birthday....except...I had to get a few summer essentials this year. We bought a slip and slide and a "snow cone making machine" (as Jack would say.) Less than $40 total and it is was money well spent as it is helping us have a very fun summer...so far.

Jack loves the snow cones.

He really loved having his friends over to play on his new slip and slide. However, he much preferred playing with his dad on it.

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer, I know we are.

Finally!

In case you didn't recognize this cute kid without his Ben 10 shirt, let me introduce you, it's JACKSON. Finally. Monday was the 41st day in a row that he wore his Ben 10 shirt. Tuesday, he asked for it, but I wasn't feeling well and we decided to stay home and in our jammies all day. Today, I asked him what he wanted to wear, expecting to hear the usual request for his Ben 10 shirt. Nope, he asked for his Spiderman shirt. I didn't want to appear too excited because that might just jinx the whole thing, but he actually picked out his new Spiderman shirt and wore it all day.

Stuart will be so relieved. He thought I was catering too much to the boy. I say, he's three, there are worse ways he can express himself. I am a little sad that the reign of the Ben 10 shirt is over (even if it is for one day.) It was a very cute phase.

Jack Update

It's been a long time since I have done a "Jack Facts" post. He is growing and changing so fast, I think I better post this before he is on to the next phase.

• Currently wears big kid clothes. Size 4 or 6...size 8 in jammies! Size 11 shoe.


• Favorite color: blue. (Dad is so relieved the pink phase has passed.)


• Favorite cartoon: toss up: Caillou is still in the lead, but Tom & Jerry is a close second. And Ben 10 is moving up the ranks fast!


• Astro Boy has been his favorite movie for months, but I think Chicken Little has taken over...we watch it ALL the time now.


• Favorite books: Going on a Bear Hunt and I Can Read with my Eyes Shut


• Favorite foods: yogurt and macaroni & cheese


• Jack loves all things science related. He likes to conduct experiments and loves medical stuff. We made a pretend x-ray machine and I love to hear him explain how everything works. The other day he explained to his dad how rain works...the entire cycle of things. I was impressed...he is a smart boy.


• Favorite lullaby: Silent Night. In fact this is the only lullaby he has requested in the last year and a half. (Although, on occasion, he will ask me to make up a song to sing to him, using a topic he provides.)


• He loves to swim and can dog paddle around the pool by himself.
  
  


• He loves Legos.


• He still loves Ironman.


• He loves taking bike rides through the neighborhood, stopping to look at bugs and pick up rocks for his collection.


• He loves playing video games with his dad. Little Big Planet was fun, but he really likes Ratchet and Clank.


• He is 100% potty trained. We got rid of the pull up at night in early February. And, recently, he started to refuse to allow me to go into the stall with him at public restrooms, because he is a big boy and can do it by himself.


• He has recently developed a shy side. He will sometimes bury his head in my shoulder when he meets new people. This is a first for him. Luckily, he does warm up to most people eventually.


• He is adventurous and is not afraid to try new things. Recently, he did rock climbing for the first time...his idea and he didn't hesitate in the slightest. I love this about him...it also terrifies me.

He is everything we could hope for in a child. He is fun, happy, and loving.

A Day at the Zoo

The above picture is totally unrelated to this post, but I have no related pictures, and this one shows off Jackson's cute lips, so I'm going with it.

This week we have been blessed with BEAUTIFUL weather. A rare occurrence in May, so we tried our best to take advantage of it. Thursday, Jack and I spent the day at the zoo. I mean, we really spent a LONG time there, we got there at 10am and didn't leave until 3:30pm. It was awesome. I did NOT take my camera. That was the best part, we really got to enjoy the day. This time, we did it on Jack's terms. It meant a little bit of extra walking as Jack directed which animals to see next, but I loved every second of it. I'll share the highlights:

• Jack got to pet the sting ray. Not the first time, but always a favorite activity.


• Jack fed a giraffe. This was his first time and he loved it.


• We had a nice little lunch together at the cafe. He kept asking for his dad to come join us. (It was a shame he couldn't take time off during this gorgeous weather.)


• We saw an elephant, tiger, lions, and warthogs.


• We stood and watched a peacock resting in the shade for a very long time. When Jack walked away to get a drink of water, the peacock came right up to him. Right up to him...like within 12 inches from him...and just stood and watched Jack. Jack was thrilled!


• Jack loved the kamodo dragon and the birds, especially standing inside the giant bird cage. He really liked that.


• We watched the turtles for an hour. Not the big tortoises but the little ones in the pond. The funniest part was that he went up to each new person who approached and explained everything to them as if he worked at the zoo. He pointed out the biggest one and explained how the little ones sometimes rode on it's back. He said the biggest one was the daddy because he was big like his daddy. He pointed out which ones had "green moss" on their backs. He explained he was going to get a turtle for our house and it was going to live on his daddy's nightstand. (We haven't discussed that with Stuart yet.) He took the kids by the hand and led them up to the water's edge. It was ADORABLE. It was hard to drag him away and when we passed it a second time, it was another long stay as he educated new people on the turtles.


• Jack had a blast brushing the goats.


• He loved petting the live cows and had even more fun milking the fake one. Maybe I overlooked it, but I never noticed you could practice milking the cow statue outside of the petting zoo. It was hysterical, but I am secretly glad no one was around when he first saw it, as our conversation could have been embarrassing. He milked the cow (it sprayed water) and told me the cow had a "milk penis." I quickly explained that it wasn't the cow's penis, but the udder. He thought for a second and then asked, "it's not a penis?" I said no. He then asked, "are those it's gynas?" (I hope I don't have to explain what Jack means by gyna...because I'm not going to.) Anyway, after some discussion, he finally understood it was an udder that you milked...just in time for the addition of other children, which he then shared his knowledge of how to milk the udder to. Sheesh!


• We played for a long time at the little water park. What a difference a year makes. Last year, this feature stressed me out because it consists of caves so you can't see your kid most of the time and that is scary when you have a fearless kid. This year, he is older, and it wasn't at all crowded, so it was great!


• We finished the day with a snow cone.

On the drive home, I took the route through the I-10 that allows us to drive through the long tunnel...Jack's favorite. He loves to put his hands in the air and scream as we go through it. He fell asleep half way through...eyes closed and hands still in the air. He woke up 20 minutes later when we got out of the car at home and the first thing he said was he needed his dad. It was a great day.

Jack's First Pet

Jack really wants a dog, but Stuart is allergic, so we have been trying to come up with a suitable alternative. Stuart has been pushing for a fish for awhile, which I opposed. Only because it is a very poor substitute for a dog. If Jack can't pet it and hold it, there really doesn't seem to be much point. After months of discussion, last Friday night, at the end of our date, Stuart and I found ourselves in a pet store, and we walked out with a fish. Since Jack was asleep when we got home, (way to go Chloe...she is an awesome babysitter!) we set up the tank to surprise Jack in the morning.

Jack kept telling us, "Thank you. It's just what I ever needed." (He gets "ever" confused with "always.") I don't have a good picture of the fish, but it was early Saturday morning and I hadn't consumed any caffeine yet.

Jack loves his fish.

He does continually put his hands in the tank. I give the fish about a week.

Daddy's Home

Stuart came home last week. Jack and I were both thrilled to see him. The wait at the airport was rough.

The joy on Jackson's face says it all...

By the way, Jack is asking about the car that drives on the wall. Stuart brought him one back the last time he went to China, but it broke, so Jack was looking forward to getting another one. Dad did not disappoint.

Missing Dad

The day we took Stuart to the airport, Jack insisted on packing his own bag...just like dad. We made sure Jack understood he wasn't going on the plane, just daddy was. Well, after that, every day that Stuart was gone, Jack took his suitcase with him. Everywhere we went: the park, the grocery store, to grandma's house, everywhere. These pictures were taken yesterday, the day dad returned home. More on that later.

Great Grandmother

Last week Jack's great grandmother (my dad's mom) gave us a bit of a scare. After a brief hospital stay she is home and doing better. Jack loved visiting her, especially in the hospital because he got to check out all the cool hospital equipment. I love her and am so glad we still have her in our lives. I have to make more time to go visit her so Jack will benefit from all she has to share. At her house, Jack kept saying he wanted to stay forever.

Only my grandmother would be home and showing off her garden 4 days after having a stroke. We are so lucky she is doing well and back home.

Jack only has so much patience for pictures.

Jack was an absolute angel while visiting his great grandmother....for almost 2 hours. THEN, his cousins arrived and things changed. Jack loves his cousins, but doesn't see them often and his enthusiasm can get out of control.

He kept trying to take pictures of himself with his cousin Caitlin.

We finally intervened to help. Caitlin is just gorgeous. And she is only 12, holy cow!

The big challenge is with Ryan. Jack loves Ryan. Ryan, however, is 8 and not all that interested in hanging out with a 3 year old. Ryan is, however, really good at ignoring Jack. Those of you who know Jack know that isn't good. Jack isn't easily ignored; he just escalates his antics to try harder for your attention. I should have known better. (Ryan does look so much like his mom in this picture.)

Doggie Dreams

Someone really wants a dog...

I'm NOT Ben 10

The day after Stuart left for China, I agreed to take Jack to Walmart to buy a toy. When we got there, he asked for a Ben 10 toy. I didn't even know if they made Ben 10 toys, but agreed to look. We ended up with the wrist band that Ben wears. If you are not familiar with the cartoon, the character, Ben, uses this to change into one of 10 different aliens. Jack was very excited.

I asked him if he was Ben 10. He got MAD. He insisted that he is NOT Ben 10...he is Jack. He only has a wrist band that is like the one Ben 10 uses. OK, I stand corrected. Every now and then I slip up and call him my Ben 10 boy. He gets mad every time.

In case you were wondering, it is day 23 and the streak is still alive. I bought a 4th shirt at Walmart this morning.

So Sad

Stuart is in China again. This is his longest trip yet, 10 full days! Jack misses his dad. I mean, he REALLY misses his dad. He keeps asking what is taking his dad so long. He also asks, repeatedly, if we can get on a plane and go get him and bring him back.

Day 21

In case you were wondering, today is 21 days straight...
For this picture, he insisted on faking a sad face for the camera...crazy kid.