ShAAAAAAAArks

Mommy and daddy got me some big wonderful presents for my birthday- but you wanna know what my favorite gift was??? A $5 pack of plastic sea creatures- including sharks, a whale,  dolphin, sea turtle and sting ray. I have been using my imagination while playing with them. Yesterday, mommy and daddy overheard me making a sneezing noise while holding and shaking a shark in my left hand, then with the shark in my right hand I motioned and asked if the sneezing shark was OK. I do want to keep my imaginary play authentic...so do you think that sharks can actually sneeze under water???

Loveable Lukey

My cuz came to see me today. His mommy and daddy are taking their belated honeymoon in Mexico and CiCi and Bud are babysitting the boy. So...mamma and I were the lucky recipients of a visit!! This is the second time in one week that I have seen him and I could not be happier about it! We got along really well and I was a good boy with sharing my mommy and my toys with him! I did show some signs of jealousy and tried to steal attention away from Luke when I thought he was hogging the limelight...but I did not act out to get it- instead... in true Jack form, I just acted goofy, fell down, made faces and tried to act super cute. Luke took a nap at my house and was such a big boy about it. Not even one tiny cry came out of his mouth even though he was in a strange room and pack n' play! I woke up from my nap asking for him..."Where Yuke?" I questioned mamma. We had a super fun day and I even gave him an air kiss upon request as he was leaving. Wait until you can walk and get into some trouble with me, cuz...we are gonna have some fun!!!!!!

The Big #2

I turned 2 this weekend!!!!! Mommy and daddy threw me a wonderful party with my grandparents, mommy & daddy's siblings, my cousin Luke and my god family! It was a bit different than the circus that was my party last year. The condensed guest list this year meant that I got to spend quality time with everyone and even got to enjoy playing with those who I do not see very often- Luke , Evie and Greta!!  The theme this year was...BALLS! Go figure, huh??? I mean- it is not like I am obsessed with every single sport out there or anything!! I think that party was a huge success...I don't even know what the adults ate & drank- but I know that I went on a bender of crackers, milk and super sweet cake! Guess that is why all of us kiddies ended the night with a dance party...we had to get all that sugar energy out! Mommy thinks I am going through a bit of sugar withdrawal...for the past few nights, hours after having put me to bed, mommy and daddy have heard me talking about cake through the monitor. Thanks to all for the fabulous birthday wishes, gifts and helping me to ring in year #2!!!!! I have a feeling it is going to be  good one...

Party Animals

Here is a mere preview of my 2nd B-Day Bash! More details of the fantastically fabulous festivities to come...

Yogi

So- I am a big boy now and ready for my 2nd birthday this weekend. Ya wanna know why I now know that I am ready to turn 2?? Because I am no longer calling yogurt "apple." I cannot actually pronounce the word yogurt correctly- but "yogi" is a lot closer than what I was calling it before!!!!!! Ya know what is funny? I am not really sure WHY I even started calling it apple to begin with!!!!! Anyway- not only am I calling it by the correct name, but I have also stopped eating my kiddie yourt and only want mommy's adult brand. I really just want to be a big kid!! Bring it on 2- I am gonna take this next year by storm!!

Kiss Snub

It took mamma until she was in high school until she limited CiCi to one kiss a day- but I guess I am starting a bit early! I bet she is wishing she could go back in time and take that back...because now mamma knows how it feels. Over the last few days, when mommy asks if she can get a kiss from me- I say "No Way Kiss!!!" Actually I say "no way kiff"- but that just makes even more cute & adorable! Well, I think it is cute- but mommy is not so hot on this most recent snub. First it was me saying "I love you" unsolicited, to everyone BUT her (if mommy begs & pleads enough, maybe I will let her capture that on video soon) and now this. Just remember mamma- it is those that you are the closest to that you can treat like this because you know they will love you unconditionally regardless of how much you snub them. Hang in there- I will show you some love & kissy respect soon!

Pre-Birthday Bash

It's official...my birthday week has begun!!!!!! Nana and Grandpop are going to be away on my actual birthday, so they had us up to their house this weekend so they could help me celebrate the big #2! Honestly...I think that for my present they should have at least offered to take me on their Caribbean cruise with them! I guess they thought better of trying to contain little old me on a boat, though- so they actually got me much better gifts...Playmobil Forest Lodge and Camper!!! I was entralled immediately. It was a good thing that we had played outside earlier in the morning, because I just did not want to rip myself away from my new toys. I was obsessed with the small bikes and the figures who fit on them! The one thing that did break me away from my awesome new toys was a promise of cupcakes after lunch- complete with 2 candles. If this party was any kind of indicator of what kind of birthday week I am gonna have, then it is definitely going to be a good one! Thanks for making it so special, Nana & Grandpop!!

Perfecting The Pedal!

My  pedal car is awesome, but it did need some fine tuning, so daddy was just the man to help me get it in tip top shape! The repairs were small, but necessary. Since i do have kinda short legs, we needed to move the pedals just a wee bit closer to me so I could reach them. The $10 that we spent on the car did not include the detailing, so I set out to work with my water bottle and cloth and made sure she was spic & span in no time. I actually had so much fun cleaning (surprise surprise) that I even went to work on mommy and daddy's cars too. The gravel and dirt driveway wasn't looking to shiny, so I attempted to clean that too...but unfortunately this did not go as planned and my rag got a bit muddy. Oh well..I did not make the driveway look any better- but my car sure turned out great. Look out- now that my car is all cleaned, properly sized and tuned up, I am going to be king of the road!!!!!

Pedal Car

When CiCi came to see me this week ( and NOT babysit me because mamma got excused from jury duty and hung with us) we went into the town of Media, went to Trader Joe's, got lunch and hit a cute kiddie consignment shop. Mamma spied a shiny pedal car from across the street and had major sticker shock when she finally reached the shop- good sticker shock, that is!!!!! This taxi cab pedal car was a mere $10!!!!! Are you kidding me???? $10???? SOLD!!!!! CiCi treated me to this super hip & fun chromed out car and I have been enjoying it more than I can express!! Ummm...mommy just told me that she "googled" this car and it typically goes for over $200!! WOW am I one lucky kid!!

MY CiCi

I had a rip roarin' high flyin' good time with my CiCi last night and today. Yes- that's right...I said MY CiCi!!!!! I mean, I know that she has 3 other grand kids and she loves us all the same- but when I have her all to myself, she is indeed all mine at that time!!!!! I addressed her that way a few times when she was here and I think she appreciated it! Mommy and daddy got a new couch from Mommom and Poppy last weekend and they saved the cushion from their old couch, so we used it as a rumpus pad! CiCi threw me down on my face, threw me up in the air, we wrestled, kissed, fuffa'd and wore ourselves out. My kinda CiCi...my kinda fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Mommy and I made the most of the beautiful day and met my buddy brian and his mamma, Miss. Erin, at my favorite park. The first thing I wanted to do was ride the swing!!! I am totally appreciating my new found love for swinging and stayed on for about 15 minutes. Brian was like me (4 days ago, that is) and did not like the swings- but he did get in it and try...so he will be swinging in no time, I am sure- just like me!! There is a pre-school attached to the park and during their play time- I sae a little girl that I had seen one other time while at the park. One minute I was playing near the slide and the other mommy saw me holding Sarah's hand, walking towards her. One of my really good friends that lives next door to me is named Maddie- but I call her Maggie, and I guess I was a bit confused and thought Sarah was Maddie- because I kept follwing her around like a little love struck puppy and calling her Maggie. At one point she went with her class to the creek and I had to stay behind. The whole time she was gone I kept asking mamma "Where Maggie, where Maggie????" When she returned- she had a tiny little yellow flower that she gave to me. I think it might be love- she is just so sweet!!! Sorry our play date turned into me wanting to date a girl, Brian. What can I say...I guess I am just a ladies man!!

St. Patty's Day

Today was a whilrwind of green!!!! Mommy was actually going to make me green eggs (no ham) this morning- but I vehemently said NO when she asked me if I wanted them- but I still got my share of the color. I wore my hand me down Ireland soccer shirt from cousin Miles ad I think I wore it with some style- I got compliments all day, the cute little Leprechaun that I am!! My last music class (boo hoo) was a sea of green with all the kiddies, teachers and parents wearing the color. Next came a St. Patty's Day party with my paygroup with cookies, stickers and tons of fun! I guess that color in all of it's different hues was quite invigorating, because I did not really take a nap. Ummm...actually now that I think of it- maybe it was all of the sweets I ate. Regardless- I kinda like these color themed days!!

Spring Is Here!!!

OK- I know that the first official day of Spring is not until this Saturday- but it sure felt like Spring outside today! Mamma and I spent the majority of the day outside. We started out in the backyard in the morning, came in for lunch & a nap- and then headed over to my favorite playground in the afternoon. It was a momentous day at the playground- because I actually let mommy put me in the swing. There was this older girl (6 months older) that I was playing with and she was going on the swing like a big girl. At first when mommy asked me if I wanted to try it I exclaimed NO with  authority- but then I watched the girl and her mommy and it sure looked like fun- so I decided to try it!! Ummm...I should have done this a long time ago because I had a ball! I stayed in the swing for at least 20 minutes giggling, saying "woooo" over & over again and loving every single minute of my high flying adventure. I screamed bloody murder when mommy had to forcibly remove me in order to go home and get some dinner. In honor of the spring like wonderfulness of the day and my swinging achievement- mommy and I stopped at the grocery store, bought hamburger meat, buns and bug & insect shaped mac & cheese and we had a feast for dinner!   No pics of me outside because mamma forgot the camera- but check out the carnage!!! Ahhh...this is the life- I think I love Spring!

Mini Manipulator

Mommy was cleaning yesterday, had bleach on her hands, had locked the bathroom door, and was ignoring me...So what did I do??? I cried wolf- that's what! For what seemed like hours (in reality 1 1/2 minutes) I banged on the door and called "MAMA MAMA OPEN PLEASE!!!!!" When that brought no response from my neglectful mamma, I turned to a more desperate tactic. I whimpered in a tiny little voice "hurt, hurt, help mamma!" I wasn't hurt at all- but I was hoping that this would send her running to me, open arms and full of mamma sympathy. Ummm...no such luck! How could she have seen through my charade?? (Even through the door she knew of my scheme- she is that good!) I guess I have to work on my voice- apparently it was not authentic enough for mamma to believe I was in actual pain. I tried my darnedest- but I guess I am not the best manipulator, am I??

Honorary Uncle

Uncle Tom is not actually my blood relative- he is daddy's childhood friend...but I actually get to see him more than most of my  real uncles. The  yucky weather over the last few days left Uncle Tom without power or heat, so having had enough of roughing it, he came to our house yesterday and spent the night. I know this might sound selfish- but I am glad that he lost power, because that meant I got to play with him!! We rough housed on an old couch cushion and I really gave him a work out! I am not too sure if he is gong to want to come back and play with me again though- because I kept calling him Uncle Paul...guess I was thinking of my trip to CA last month- Oops!! Please do come back, Uncle Tom- I am practicing your name and promise to get it right the next time I see you!!

Hawaiian Howdy

The tropical traveler has returned!!!!! After months relaxing and working on his tan in Hawaii- Nana and Papa have returned to the mainland- and Papa has made his way to my house for a visit! Papa wanted to show me some of the cool things that he saw while on vacation- so he brought me a picture of a whale and a toy sea turtle. At first, I thought the whale was a dolphin- but Papa explained the difference to me and even taught me how to say whale! I already knew how to say turtle- so I felt pretty smart! He brought mommy a neat kukui nut necklace that I quickly stole! Mommy let me continue to play with it and I kept telling Papa how pretty it was! We had a really nice visit and I was super psyched that he came to visit me and fill me in on his trip. Maybe next time you go away to such a neat place you can pack me in your suitcase...

The Power Of The "PA"

I am a big boy and only use my pa (or pacifier as most people call it) in my crib- but while in my cribby, I sure do make the most of it! Believe it or not, I actually LIKE taking a happy nappy and going to bed because I know that I will have a pa (or 3) at my disposal! I absolutely look forward to my pa time. If I ever put up a fuss about going to bed, mommy just has to say the magic word- PA- and I am heading to my room, no more questions asked and not even one more second of fussing!! Mommy and I have a special bedtime ritual in which she gives me a pa to suck on, but then also puts one in my hand so I can play with it. (I even have a favorite pa and if that is not the one mamma hands me, I will trade in my sub-par pa for my fav!!) There is just something quite relaxing about sucking on one while squeezing the other in my hand. Mommy thought it was pretty easy when she weaned me off the pa outside of the crib- but I am sooo not looking forward to the day that I will not be allowed to have any at all. For now, though- I will just  ap"pa"reciate my beloved friends while I can.

Evie & Greta's House

Every trip to visit my god sisters is a new experience. Last time I was there- I was all about Grettie and we played together very well. This time, however- I was super into Evie. I hope I didn't hurt my future wife's feelings- but at one point Greta tried to kiss me and I flipped out screaming & crying. We did all bond over a pre-bedtime dose of Yo Gabba Gabba. Mommy was perplexed by the flip flop of my preference of girls- but that should not be much of a surprise because much of what I do perplexes her greatly! (I do that on purpose to keep her on her toes!)  Evie and Greta are lucky and go to school- so I was solo for a little while on Tuesday morning- but I just made myself right at home and played with all of their toys in their absence...even a colorful scarf skirt, but don't tell my daddy!! As always, I enjoyed spending time with my girlies.  The most awesome thing is that I get to see them again in 2 1/2 weeks for my Birthday...that in itself is the best present ever!!!!

I Got To Touch!!!

Mommy and I went to The Please Touch Museum today and I did not stop moving the whole time we were there!!!! Initially we were not sure we should go there- since it was such a nice day outside...but mommy had a good point that it probably would not be too crowded & boy was she right! I had my run of the place and I made the most of it. This was not my first time visiting this wonderful place- but I got way more out of it this time since I am a big boy of (almost) 2 years old!!! There was just way too much that I experienced to relay it all here in detail- but some of the highlights were the Alice In Wonderland maze & hall of mirrors, duck pond with splashing water, massive floor piano, grocery store with a cash register, carts & food products galore, numerous cars and TONS more!!!! To put it bluntly...it was awesome!!!! Thank goodness mommy bought a season pass- because I want to go back again and again and again..