Popcorn and Wine

Here are some pics from the Card’s game! I can honestly say I didn’t watch much (any) of the game, because Jack had to see everything, go everywhere, say “Hi” to everyone…and take it all in! He has the attention span of an 18-month old…and the energy of a teenager hopped-up on Red Bull and Pixie Stix!

Taking in the amazing view...

...and taking some time out with Uncle Jason (Uncle JJ?)

And then when he (we) could no longer run around, the last resort was going through Aunt CC's purse...and playing beauty shop!

And then when Jack lost interest in beautifying Aunt CC, our last-last resort, was popcorn! And he loved to eat it...

...and feed it to Dada...

...and stick his whole fist in Dada's mouth! (Impressive!)

Oh, and feed Uncle Jason (while we're at it!)

(How did this get in here!) After the game we had a sophisticated wine and cheese Taco Bell party...discussing the classic 1985 version of Alice in Wonderland...we are nerds!

Jumpin' Jack Flash!

Here's a video from Friday night's Card's game. Jack was...well, all over! This boy has more energy than any one person needs: he plays hard and (luckily for us) he sleeps hard! Here he is jumping on Mommy! For some reason, I am the most fun person to jump on...here's my little ham!

Preview of what's to come this week...

We had a wonderfully busy weekend! So much to do in so little time…but there was much fun had and extreme amounts of pictures taken…so I can’t complain!

This post will seem all over the place, but I wanted to give you a preview of all of the fun times we had…so here goes:

Friday night we went to the Cardinals game with Aunt CC and Uncle Jason...(he only wore his hat for a few select pictures in return for M&Ms!)

And Saturday, we attended a wedding...Jack loved when Nani fanned him (She doesn't go anywhere without her fan!)

And that afternoon we played in the sprinkler...LOVE!

Sunday we celebrated Jack's 18-month birthday. (I'm not one of those overly-celebratory birthday people, but since he's a Christmas baby, we wanted him to have a special day just for him!) Here he is playing with Poppy:

And riding his new 4-wheeler! (Yet another reason to celebrate in the summer: how could he enjoy this bad-boy in the middle of winter?!?!)

And I tried to be crafty making Elmo cupcakes...although they turned out more pink...looking a little deranged! This is what they were supposed to look like...ehhh, it was fun!

And Jack enjoyed eating his Elmo cupcake...and we even sang Happy Birthday with 1 and a half candles...smile

Can't wait to post more details about our fun weekend for you...including video of Jack saying "Happy Birthday" to himself!!

Speaking of baseball...

I just have to share these pictures!

Jack’s got an arm on him…I think he’s looking to be a pitcher: taking after his Aunt CC! (She was the fast pitch superstar in high school…and I think she’s still got it!)

Here’s Jack practicing his under-arm-fast-pitch softball skills (with a pinecone)…

(bring it back)

(and down)

(follow through)

(and it's off!)


Makes me smile!

Take me out to the ballgame...

Baseball is where boys practice being men and men practice being boys, and they get real good at it. (Mary Cecile Leary)



We are going to Jack's first Cardinals game of the season tonight! (Bank of America Club: what!) Jack can't wait to eat all the ballpark hotdogs he can handle! Can't wait to take some pictures down at lovely (but not as cool as the old) Busch Stadium!

Happy 18 Month Birthday, Jack!

Jack,

Happy, happy day, my love! You are 18 months old today. I look back through my life and don’t know what I did to be so lucky to deserve the most amazing person in the world as my son.

You amaze me; I am so proud of you everyday. You are so smart, and so funny (you get your humor from your Dad!), and so happy…and you are so loved!

I met you on Christmas Day, 2007…and that was it: you had me! Thank you for being my best boy, who loves trucks and cars, and reading, and playing in the water, and being tickled, and hiding...thank you!






Nobody else like him, he's unique - this one. How fortunate we are that he is our son. (Author Unknown)

howdy!

Jack and Mommy!

Thanks to C-dub (Carey) for hijacking my camera to snap a few (hundred) pictures!

I was worryied that someday Jack will look back at pictures and think, "Where was Mom when I was growing up?"..."Behind the camera, Dear!"

Again, Pioneer Woman's Photoshop Actions!

King of the Hill...

You know how it goes:

"Jack and Jill went up the hill..."

With a few minor exceptions:
1) No Jill
2) No Pail of Water
3) No Breaking of Jack's Crown

...okay, those seem major, so basically, Jack just went up and down the hill, as I snapped pictures incessantly...

These pictures were taken with my SLR and enhanced with the help of Pioneer Woman’s Photoshop Actions Set 2…(the Heartland Action)! Could not be more obsessed! LOVE!

lol!

Makes me laugh out loud! (This is an OLD picture...back in the days of baby food!!!)

Father's Day 2009

Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He's on the run and your daddy's here,
Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.
(John Lennon)

Summer Fun!

Oh, my water baby just loves summer! Last weekend we went to our neighbors 4th birthday party...I love kids parties!

Can you almost hear the excitement in his scream!



And the lovely birthday girl who I totally heart!

Blowing out all 4 princess candles!

And we had an impromptu photoshoot with my other neighbor love...

So cute!

and Jack enjoying the day...

peek-a-boo!

For the fathers in my life...

This one is for all the fathers in my life: my dad, my step-dad, my FIL, and my husband...I am so lucky and thankful for each one of them, and what they have taught me about being a parent.

Like my FIL, Mark: the constant project-doer who loves to build fires (even in the dead-heat of the summer). The man who ran a marathon on his 50th birthday...It's the merry-hearted boys that make the best men! (Irish Proverb)

Or my step-dad, Herb: who has shown me that family is more than just a word...

The great man is he that does not lose his child-heart. (Mencius)

My Dad: and the day he gave me away (in gesture only, I'll always be his little girl)...
and they day I gave him a grandson...

He didn't tell me how to live...he lived, and let me watch him do it. (Clarence Budington Kelland)

Or my Jim...who has grown to fit right in with these world-class Fathers...

I am so proud of him...

and so lucky that Jack has him to look up to...

love:

________________________________________

And for the Grandfathers in my life...love:

Goodnight my angel now it's time to dream.

And dream how wonderful your life will be.

Someday your child will cry and if you sing this lullaby,

Then in your heart there will always be a part of me. (Billy Joel)