Jack is 4

Jack is four years old. Here is a glimpse inside his life today:

• He is 43.5 inches tall! (97%)


• He weighs 40 lbs. (82%) Long and lean!


• His favorite movie: The Empire Strikes Back


• His favorite book: Scrambled Eggs Super by Dr. Seuss


• His favorite toy: the robot cat (Imperial Walker) of course


• He prefers to wear his night furry jammies (from the How to Train Your Dragon movie)


• He gets dressed with enthusiasm each morning...wearing his long jeans (he can't be fooled by jean shorts) and his Ben 10 shirt. He will accept the occasional Spiderman shirt substitute, but the jeans are not negotiable; he will pull them out of the dirty clothes if needed.


• He loves macaroni and cheese


• He loves when I buy him strawberry soda...pop is a rare treat in this house


• When he counts to 20 he always leaves out the number 15.


• He loves going to the doctor. He got 4 shots at his last check-up and actually looked forward to getting them. He insisted on watching, despite the nurse's discouragement. They brought in a second nurse to hold his legs down and were shocked that it wasn't necessary, since Jack didn't move a muscle. He didn't scream or cry. On the 4th and final shot, he grimaced. That face was the only reaction to the shots. Of course, afterward, he said his legs hurt and insisted I carry him to the car, saying, "maybe ice cream will make it better."


• If you leave him alone in the family room, he will build a fort on the couch, using every pillow in the house.


• He thinks his dad can build anything.


• He only wants his mom when he has a nightmare.


• He tells us everyday, "You're my best, best friend." When dad teases him about which one of us is his best friend, he says, "We're all best friends together."


• He is spectacular, amazing, cute, sweet, funny, energetic, happy, brave, handsome, and adorable.


• He is loved, more than can be expressed in words.

Birthday Party

We had a birthday party for Jack this year. He was so excited. He insisted on a Spiderman party. Since Jack is getting older, we decided to make all of his decorations. It was so fun because he got to help with everything.

As you know, we made the paper mache Spiderman, but decided against using it as a pinata.

We made a Spiderman poster. (Well, this one was mainly mom.)

We made a birthday banner, and Jack helped color in the letters.

We made our own gift bags. Jack picked the images from the web, mom printed them and cut them out, and Jack glued them on the bags.

We decided to make a giant web. Jack helped pick out the yarn, but mom decided to make the web while he was asleep.

The morning of his party, Jack played with his robot cat, while we got the house ready.

Jack dressed up so nice for his party.

The party was so crazy, however, that we didn't actually take pictures. All we have are these 2 pics.

Oh, and we did get video of him blowing out his candles:

No other pics of the day. So, instead, I'll just share a few highlights:

• Jack was so excited when the first guest arrived, he ripped open her gift before we could stop him. In fact, whenever he was out of site, he was usually found in the living room, opening another gift. So, instead of formally opening gifts, we had to bring everyone in so Jack could find out who gave him what and he could say thank you.


• By the time the second guest arrived, Jack insisted on changing out of his nice outfit and into his standard uniform of choice: jeans and his Ben 10 shirt.


• Stuart hung out in the pool most of the day (in extreme heat) so the kids could go back and forth from the pool and the bounce house without fear.


• Jack ate NOTHING all day, because he was having too much fun playing. I finally forced a piece of pizza on him around 4pm. (Party started at 11am.)


• When his cousin Bremen arrived, he literally screamed and jumped for joy. Have I mentioned that he LOVES Bremen?


• Later in the evening, we were hanging out with our neighbors who had stayed late, while Jack played with their son, Jamie. While the adults talked, the boys decided to cannibalize the extra gift bags. I think they opened every piece of candy they found.

I love that he repeatedly thanked us for making him a nice party. Happy 4th Birthday Jackson!

Birthday Morning

After months of anticipation, Jackson's 4th birthday finally arrived.

Yes, he got to open presents immediately. First, I don't think he could have waited another minute. Second, it worked out well because he played with his robot cat (Imperial Walker) while mom and dad got everything ready for his birthday party.

I just love making him happy!

Dear Jack

My Dear Sweet Jack,

Today, you turn 4 years old and, once again, I am overwhelmed by my emotions. My heart is full of love and admiration for you, but perhaps more than anything, I feel pride. I am so proud of you. You are growing into such a sweet, caring little boy. I wish I could take credit for it, but if I am being honest, I can't. Your sweet spirit is something you were born with and despite all my parenting mistakes, you just get better each day.

You are so happy, and you try so hard to make others happy. You are the first to hug and care for your friends and family. Just today, you sat next to your dad on the couch and said, "Dad, let's be happy together." You then flashed him the biggest grin I have ever seen. Your happiness and enthusiasm is contagious. Our house is brighter with you in it.

You wear your heart on your sleeve and your feelings are hurt easily. It's a trait you and I share. And, I know you will experience pain as you grow; I wish I could shelter you from that, but I also understand I can't protect you from everything. Just know that when you hurt, I hurt. And no matter what happens, I will be on your side. I will be there to help you up, to comfort you, to cheer you on, to love you. I will be whatever you need me to be for you.

I am so blessed to have you as my son. You make me a better person, as I strive to be the type of parent that you need. I will continue to try to be the mother you need, to help you develop and grow into the best person you can be. I am so grateful to God for trusting me with such a special child. I love you with every part of me.

Your Mom

Little Boy...

Thursday night, I laid with Jack until he fell asleep. In all honesty, he was tired and was asleep in about two and a half minutes, but it was so beautiful to watch him as his eyes closed and he fell into a blissful sleep. It is a rare thing to see these days. For years now, he has gone to sleep on his own. But, when he was a baby, he almost always went to sleep in my arms. I sometimes miss that. He is too grown up to need me the way that he used to. In fact, one night when I was putting him to bed, I teased him and told him to stay awake because I was going to come back in a few minutes. He told me, he couldn't, that he was too tired, and that I would have to just check on him when he was asleep.

He is growing up so fast. He straddles the line between little boy and big boy. He loves grown up cartoons, like Ben 10, but still love Curious George. Sometimes he asks me to carry him cradled in my arms, but he will always correct me if I call him my baby, telling me he is a big boy, not a baby.

I love this picture. I took it after he went to bed one night when he asked to sleep with his Jack Russel dogs and his kitten Aiden...something he doesn't do very often anymore. It reminds me that he isn't grown up yet, he is still my little boy.

TOOL TIME

Helping dad is serious business.

Birthday Anticipation

Jack has been asking for his birthday almost every day since early April. (That's about the time we attended two different birthday parties for his friends over one weekend.) As we are now in the final days leading up to his party, the intensity is growing. Yesterday, he got a birthday card in the mail from Nana and Grandad. He was ecstatic.

Oh, the "robot cat" he is referencing is the Imperial Walker from Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back. (I blogged about it previously.) It is THE gift he wants. We told him no, because they are too much money. ($100.) However, I found a special offer with Amazon to open a new credit card that gave me $40 off. That, combined with his birthday money from Nana and Grandad put it into the realm of reason. So, we told Jack he could ask Nana and Grandad for one. (You know you love your kid when you don't care who gets credit for the special gift...as long as they get what they love.) He talks about getting a robot cat...EVERY day.

I'm really looking forward to his party this year. It's going to be so much fun. His enthusiasm is contagious.

Only a Little Jealous

Jack adores his dad. Anytime he does something new and I ask him where he learned it, he tells me his dad taught him...even when that isn't the case. Lately, Jack refuses to kiss me. He offers hugs instead. If I do convince him to kiss me, he offers me his cheek, never his lips, and then promptly wipes the kiss off his face. His dad, however, always gets a kiss. In fact, if dad starts to head out the door in the morning without one, Jack cries. And if his dad tries to kiss him anywhere but the lips, Jack gets upset. What the heck is that about?!

I'm not jealous. Not really. I mean, I am still the only one he wants when he is hurt or upset, but his dad is his hero and always will be...I just can't compete with that. And really, I love watching them together.

Meet Tom and Jerry

Today, my husband insisted we get Jack an early birthday present...2 guinea pigs. I'm not sure if this was a good idea, but Jackson is so happy, how can I complain.

Let me back up the story a few days. You all know that Jack has wanted a pet for a long time. The fish is nice, but since he can't hold it...it just isn't the same. The last few days, Jack has been asking for a dog AND a cat. His rationale is that he wants them to run around and chase each other around my kitchen. (He really thinks this point will help sell me on the idea...oh, how wrong he is.) When I explain that although we might find a dog that dad isn't allergic to, there are NO cats that he isn't allergic to. Not to worry; Jack has a plan. His idea is that the cat can live in his room so that it won't bother his dad. (Good thinking Jack.)

Well, this morning, we drove down near the airport to find an office building that I have an interview at Monday morning. I didn't want to be driving around Phoenix trying to find it the morning of the interview and wanted to know where I was going ahead of time. (Yes, I am looking to return to work...long story...kinda sad...I'll save it for another post.) Anyway, we talked to Jack about what we were doing and he cried and got upset about my going to work. Let me clarify that he was only MILDLY sad and this is not the first conversation I have had with him to gear him up for mommy going to work, but this was the first conversation that Stuart was present for. As we were driving home, Stuart wanted to stop at Petco to look at some filters for a bigger fish tank for Jack (one he bought at a garage last weekend...a silly purchase if you ask me.) In the course of looking around Petco, Jack got to hold one of the guinea pigs. Before I knew it, Stuart was picking out a cage and 2 guinea pigs to take home. (You can't buy just one cause they get lonely.) WHAT?! Money is tight right now, so what the heck was he thinking?! 2 guinea pigs, plus a cage. What happened to not getting anymore pets? Jack was so excited he couldn't get to the checkout quick enough...because he's no dummy and knew his parents were likely to change their mind any minute. I was in shock at what was happening. Stuart explained to Jack that it was early birthday present. He then explained to me that Jack was so upset about my going to work that he thought this was necessary. When we got home, Stuart sat Jack down and explained that the guinea pigs were nervous to be in a new home, but that they would feel better after a few days. He also told Jack that although preschool would be new and he would miss mommy while she was at work, that he would feel better too. I was touched. It was so sweet and unexpected.

But, I still don't want to clean out the cage.

P.S. After much argument, I convinced Jack to name them "Tom" and "Jerry." He thought we should just call them "guinea pig." Only after I threatened him with returning them to the pet store did he agreed to naming them Tom & Jerry.

P.P.S He sang to them the whole way home to make them feel better...a made up song telling them to they shouldn't be scared and they would like their new home.

Inventive Mind

Jack invented a new use for his Spiderman web.

He said this was used to suck the juice out of my brain. Should I be worried?

Our Latest Garage Sale Find

Jack and his latest garage sale find...only $2!

Jack really likes going to Saturday morning garage sales. He is good at spotting toys. While driving by one house, Jack spotted this Nerf gun and insisted we stop. Stuart got out to see it. I was against the purchase because it is big and we are running out of room for Jack's stuff. When I got out of the car to go tell Stuart my thoughts, Jack kept calling from his car seat, "just put it in the car...just put it in the car..." It was so cute we caved.

Projects

Jack has never had a strong interest in art. Coloring and drawing just isn't on his list of favorite things to do. He does, however, really love science, so I try my best to encourage him in this area. It can be really fun. Last week we made volcanoes. (Jack's is the one on the right.)

It's a good thing we painted over a heavy duty tray, because Jack insisted that he needed to thoroughly paint inside the volcano...because that is were most of the lava is. (Note to self: next time use a box with a bottom on it.)

This next project was Jack's idea. He came to me one morning insisting that we do paper mache. I asked him if he knew how to do that and he told me, in great detail, all the steps. I was impressed. Apparently, he learned this from an episode of Curious George. (Some of our best project ideas come from Curious George.) We decided to make a Spiderman pinata for his birthday.

Paper mache is serious business.

It's very messy.

Waiting for it to dry is so hard.

Jack painted it and mom drew the lines.

It's a little rough, but Jack is so proud of it.

It's HOT outside

When it's too hot outside, you have to get creative. Jack and I did some indoor camping. It was so much fun that we kept the tent up for a few days.

We pretended to camp. We had picnics. We invited all of Jack's favorite toys. And, we hid from Boba Fett.

I love his active imagination.

Weird and Wacky Jack Fact #10

Jack loves balsamic vinegar. Really loves it. While helping me make dinner last week, he asked for some. I poured some in a little bowl and Jack drank it up.

He was so happy.

Worms

Who knew you could go to Cabela's for an afternoon and come home with some new pets?



Although Jack really loves his fish, it just isn't the same as having a pet he can touch.

Unfortunately, one must have gotten away, as we found a crispy one on the carpet the next morning. Jack was very upset. He really wanted to make him better. We buried him in the front yard.

I feel bad that he is so lonely sometimes. Stuart and I did agree that if we won the lottery, we would adopt, but until then, we might need to reconsider our anti-pet policy.

I Love My Happy Boy

Just a few of the reasons I love Jack...

• Even when I am only gone for 5 minutes, he greets me as if I have been away for a week.


• He shakes his butt when he walks. Seriously, so cute!


• He always swallows too much water while swimming because he can't stop smiling to close his mouth.


• When we play hide and seek I can always find him because he can't stop giggling.


• When he is sad, I ask him if he can be happy for me, and he will stop crying and flash me a big grin (even if it is through big tears.) The best part is, if I am upset with him, he will ask me to be happy and offer to show me how to smile.

The Obession Grows...

OK, once again, if you don't know the Star Wars movies, you don't need to read this post. Wait, forget that, if you don't know the movies, then you are missing out...seriously. They are awesome. Stop reading this and go watch them first. I mean it. Now.

Anyway, Star Wars is quickly taking over in our house. We watch the movies all the time. Jack's favorite is The Empire Strikes Back. (Convenient for me since that is my favorite too.) He asks for "Episode 5" all the time. Stuart tried to get him interested in episodes 1-3 and assumed that since they were newer, he would love the special effects. But, really, he didn't like them nearly as much. It also backfired. You see, Jack really is invested in the characters, and at the end of Episode 3, when Anakin uses the force to choke Padme, Jack cried. I mean really cried. Big tears. He was so upset. I don't think we will watch that one again.

We tried to join in the fun with Jack this weekend, but we were quickly rebuffed.



Saturday morning we went to McDonald's for breakfast and drove around to check out some garage sales. At the very first house, a little boy was selling a whole pile of his old light sabers. (They no longer make any sounds, but Jack didn't care.) He was thrilled. He only wanted a blue one...like Luke. We insisted he get two so he could play with his friends when they visit. After the purchase, Jack insisted on going home...can't really blame him, I mean, really, how could we top such a great find.


Both boys enjoyed the new toys.



I still crack up when Jack talks about using the force. I swear it sounds like he is saying, "forest."