ready for 'cation...

We're ready...for road-tripping, pool lounging, boat riding, antique shopping, sun bathing, splish splashing, board-game playing, adventure finding, yummy eating...we're ready.

Lila (surprisingly) really enjoys wearing (Jack's old) sunglasses...(as well as his old pjs). Luckily she has her own ruffly swimsuits and I'm not making her wear Jack's hand-me-downs there...

And Jack has been wheeling around his suitcase filled with nothing more than a superhero cape...because that's all he needs. He's pretty low maintenance...

and excited!

BTW, so is she...


I'll be excited once we're on the road and done packing. Last night I got Lila all packed up and my over-packing history repeats itself: I think her bag is bigger than anyone else's! Good luck lugging that around, Lila!

My little Captain-Super-America-Man

Jack loves superheros...and villains...and anything super-related. He's a Super Boy.

If you come over to our house, chances are Jack will tie you up and put you in jail because you are a "bad guy"...he's our protector! We let him watch a Spiderman cartoon and the whole thing was so dramatic and hilarious, and naturally Jack mimics the dramatic flair of the show (or maybe he gets that from me).

And four-toothed Lila is his sidekick...the Robin to his Batman! She's much less vicious...she's more like the "good cop" in this "Good Cop/Bad Cop" relationship...

BUT, she does bite...at least she bit (singular) my cheek once...it was in the midst of a kiss, so I blame a learning curve. I mean, it's kind of a hard concept to grasp because up until this point, anything she put in her mouth she had free reign to gnaw...

Our super-little family...keeping the world happy and safe for another day...

father's day 2011...

Jim gets up before anyone else and has breakfast waiting for the kids by the time they get up. He doesn’t ask for much or do things for himself often…after golf, when I text him to stay out and relax with the guys, he never does. He always rushes home so he can tell Jack a story before bed. He's strong and funny and wise and smart...he puts up with my 'crazy-Mommy-demands' and antics...

He wrestles with Jack, and teaches him about superheroes and sports and life (as much as he can for a 3 ½ year old, at least)…he’s the best hider in hide-n-seek and a good finder in seek-n-find…he’s a cozy nap partner and the highest swing-pusher…he’s a good man, teaching my little guy to be the same.

He tickles Lila to make her laugh in a way that no one else can…and in fact, he doesn’t even have to tickle her: he gives her 'a look' and she’s a giggling fool. It doesn’t work with anyone else, and just like that, she’s a Daddy’s girl. A Daddy's girl who is easy-going like he is, with features like his...she twirls her hair like he does, and is just as loving as he is. He tries really hard to coordinate her outfits, and just the extra effort is enough.

Jack made Daddy the BEST Father's Day present: A Daddy Fact Sheet. Jack's so hilarious and observant...

Best Q&As:

My Daddy's name is: just Daddy

My Daddy is: 2 years old (personality wise, Jack was right on here)

My Daddy is: 'so big' feet tall

Daddy's favorite thing to do: wrestle with me

Me and my Daddy love to: go outside and water the plants (because chores are fun in our house!)

Happy Father's Day, to all the Dad's in my life (Jim, Dad, Herb, Mark).

You're the best and I'm the luckiest and Jack & Lila are the happiest...because of you...

pure happiness

Jack riding the carousel=pure happiness. There's no other way to describe it. He can't wipe a smile off his face as he spins around and around...and it's contageous. He giggles and laughs and "woohoo's" and "yeehaw's" loudly over and over again.

As I watch him love every minute, I notice myself standing with a grin full of pride and excitement that I can't, nor do I want to, wipe off. He's so in the moment, and happy, and carefree. How do I be more like that?





Jack was most excited about riding the horse with a "YAX" on him...he reeeaaally loved that damn yax...really any kind of weapon will do...smile & shrug.
Note: for those who don't understand Jack-talk, yax=ax.

good brother...

Last night Jack picked up Lila to move her. She cried because he squeezed her too hard. He cried because he hurt her, "I jus' want to carry Liley!”

This reminded Jim of a 2 week old story he never got around to telling me. While my mom, sister, and I were treasure hunting, Lila was sleeping in her crib, Jim and Jack were watching a movie. Jim dozed off, and Lila woke up. So Jack, being the big brother, went in and picked Lila out of her crib (by standing on a stool) and carried her in the hallway.

Jim said he woke up to Lila and Jack just sitting in the hallway together. WTH!?!? Oh the things that could have happened? The could haves…the what ifs…

I told Jack to never pick her out of her crib by himself, and it was nice of him to try to help, but he's not big enough to carry Lila just yet.

This little guy's so sweet…always wanting to hold her, crying when he’s hurt her, taking care of her…he’s what good brothers are made of.

(PS: DON’T PICK YOUR BABY SISTER OUT OF HER CRIB BY YOURSELF, JACKMAN! You're gonna give me a heart attack!)

she's having my baby...

...nephew! It's a BOY! My sister and BIL just had their 20-week u/s and found out they will be having a little boy in October! *beaming*

I'm beyond excited and will be the bestest Aunt Jen in the whole wide world. And the bestest shower-thrower ever (btw, Pinterest is my weapon of choice!).

When Carey and Jason gave us the big news that they were pregnant, I about tackled my sister with excitement...only to quickly freeze and apologize incessantly for practically attacking a pregnant lady! Who does that?!

Jack will be excited to have a boy to teach boy-stuff to...and Lila will be excited to have someone in the family smaller than her...we will all be blessed to have baby "Insert Boy Name" Ricks to join our happy family.