for Nani

We just got back from lunch with Nani and someone slept through the whole thing! So when she woke up I told her all about it and she was so happy and wanted to show Nani her best smiles so here you go, Nani! Enjoy this happy little face...

"What double chin?"

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy birthday, to...

my best guy...

the bearded man...

the cowboy...

the best Daddy...

and guys'-guy...

the joker...

and friend...

Love you so, so much! Jack is so excited to celebrate, that he made you a birthday cake out of a hamburger and french fries (100% on his own!) and proceeded to sing "Happy Birthday..." He must really love you!

Are you there world?

...it's me, Jen!

Well helllooooo! It’s been a whole 20 days since I last updated my blog! Someone has been slacking! (PS: That someone is me!). It’s been so busy the past few weeks, that when I do have a spare minute, I’d rather sit in front of the TV and watch Jersey Shore intellectual public programming, than update the blog, so I apologize!

Like I said, it’s been busy: someone very special turned 2, and oh yeah, Christmas came and went!

So prepare for a picture-heavy post in an attempt to rewind and playback the highlights of the past few weeks!

Here's Jack blowing out the candles on Christmas day.


And here he is showing off the outfit that Poppy bought him for Christmas Eve mass...please disregard the brown shoes with the black pants! Mom's mistake!

He doesn't look quite so happy with Daddy, but he loved dressing up all fancy!

And for Jack's birthday, we had a fire truck party...complete with a (pinkish) fire truck cake! (Seriously, how do you make red icing, because I used a TON of food coloring and it still came out pink!)

Jack and CC loved the cake! Oh and speaking of CC, it's her birthday! Happy birthday to the bestest aunt ever! Jack loves you soooo much, Care! It's just too bad you're so old! ;)

Icing kisses!

And the best, smartest, funniest, loving-est 2 year old I know. I'm beaming proud of the little man Jack is becoming. Everyday he amazes me...my Fireman Jack!

Happy Birthday, Herb/Papa!

Man in Boat with Golfclub:

Jack loves you so...

and looks up to you...

and loves to play around with you...

And he's glad you don't go on amusement park rides either: so he has a buddy to hang with...

and feed him snowcones that are bigger than his head!

You always love to have fun, and make us all laugh (see first picture: Man in Boat with Golfclub)

You're a good friend...

...and we all love you so much.

Happy Birthday!

And Mr. Jack wanted to say "Happy Birthday" and blow some kisses your way! Enjoy...

Those who love the young best stay young longer. (Edgar Friedenberg)

Laugh today...

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

Bug Love!

A few weeks ago, Nani bough Jack a Bug Catcher!

I was perfectly fine with pretending the fake spider in the Bug Catcher was Jack's new pet...but not Jack! He needed something more!

This week we had the perfect opportunity to catch a real-live cricket (or two, or three) and a Daddy Long-legs!

And Jack loves his new buggy friends!
Note: No bugs were harmed in this process...even though Jack was so excited about his new friends that he shook the be-jeezus out of them: he went a little, "I'm gonna love him, and squeeze him, and name him George" on the bugs...but they all hopped away, happily!

Entomologist-in-Training! I guess I'm going to have to get used to all things creepy, crawly, hoppy, and buggy!

You are a child of the universe...

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story...

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth...

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul...

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

("Desiderata". I love this. I remember receiving it from a teacher at my 8th grade graduation and every time I read it, I'm a little happier than before. Happy day to you!)

(click to enlarge)

It's the climb...

Let me start by acknowledging that, yes, I am a nerd! And yes, the post title is from the...Hannah Montana song, The Climb, and yes, I know it's super cheesy but:

#1: I love it (and I don't care who knows!)
#2: It reminds me of my friend, Laura, who isn't around to make me laugh everyday!
#3: It just fits perfectly with today’s pictures!

I can almost see it, that dream I am dreaming. But there's a voice inside my head saying, "You'll never reach it".

Every step I'm taking. Every move I make feels lost with no direction. My faith is shaking.
But I gotta keep trying. Gotta keep my head held high.
There's always gonna be another mountain; I'm always gonna wanna make it move...
Always gonna be a uphill battle. Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.

Ain't about how fast I get there.

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side.

It's the climb!

I may not know it, but these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most...

(smile) Ladies, not only is Jack brave, but he's a rule-breaker! See: what a rebel!

________________________________________
Note: I do not condone breaking City Ordinances (usually). In fact, I was freaking out the whole time they were climbing, because I could just see the "Park Police" coming to bust us, but thankfully, we avoided authoritative notice! Whew! Disaster averted.... (I blame/attribute my complete fear of all authority to my Mom! Thanks, Mommer!)