Vroom, Vroom!

 

 So it turns out that when you're fresh out of ideas for a way to spend an afternoon, there's one place you can always turn to. Too hot for the park, too crowded at the zoo, too tired to go swimming...head to Toys R' Us!

 Jack ran through the aisles like an excited crazy person. He cried when his daddy dragged him away from the train table after 15 minutes of playing. He whined when we wouldn't let him push the toy shopping cart through every aisle. He pushed every button on every computer game. But his favorite by far was this $350 Mustang car. Oh man, he loved it. And the car was so cool with so many realistic button and shifts and everything. It was certainly hard to drag him away but I think we'll be back the next time I need to kill time. Of course, getting out without buying anything was impossible. I'll try harder next time.

 

Week in Review - 6/28/12

(performing his favorite move...diving from the rocking chair to the couch)

I have to say, this kid is growing by leaps and bounds.  Developmentally I mean.  People warn you that it happens very fast but it's so cool to experience.  He says new words every day which is very thrilling.  Whether it's 'hot' or 'pool' or 'ball' or 'hat'...John and I get excited about every new word and sound. 

His favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and mac n' cheese.  He just can't get enough of either.  And for spoon-fed food like yogurt and applesauce, he insists upon using his own spoon.  He gets approximately 1% of it in his mouth and the rest ends up on his shirt, hands, face, and hair.  I just step back though and let him explore.  I'm sure one day he won't be quite as messy.

One of his favorite toys remains his tool box.  He's very good at using the screwdriver to turn the big screws.  This week though he found a real screw on the back of the box and now he's confused as to why his screwdriver isn't unscrewing it.

Jack likes to run, no more walking.  One of the moms in our playgroup taught him this "ready, set, go" stance with arms back and he thinks it's awesome.  He throws his arms back and takes off.  Check out his speed!

 The lil' guy really seems to really like letters and numbers right now.  We spend a lot of time reading alphabet and number books.  And counting anything and everything.  And pointing out letters.  Wherever we may find them.

 

Now, don't get excited. My son isn't a genius who can spell already. But he is getting good at picking out letters in words when we ask him. And the one word I do think he can spell is ZOO just because it's in so many of his books.

 And now, (TONS) more pics from the week!

 

So excited to run out of his tent!

Herculean strength!

he's so casual about brushing his teeth

Maybe you wouldn't fall asleep in your stroller at 10am if you'd sleep past 5:30am!

giving his tough face

helping mommy clean

He loved climbing up these soft, round, "steps" and then sliding all the way down on his tummy

being a good sport for mommy


telling me how "hot" the concrete was

San Diego Zoo

Last week when we were in San Diego my sister-in-law was nice enough to invite us along to this little kiddie program that she goes to at the Zoo.  Apparently once a month they take a little mommy and me group into the park early and a zoo employee walks the group through one featured area.  This month it was the sea otter exhibit and Jack got to watch as a zookeeper fed the otter and told us all about him.  Not sure how much Jack actually learned because when I quizzed him later about the feeding habits of otters he just stared at me and motioned for more goldfish.  

After looking at the animals, the zoo employee led us to the little pavilion theater area where it was story time.  After the book, we walked out and next door to the Balboa Park miniature train.  I knew Jack would like it but he LOVED it.  Not sure if it was our seat mate (a giant stuffed animal panda) or all the animal statues along the track.  He was so excited though!!

 

 

Of course, I completely failed to get any pictures of Jack with his cousins because everyone seemed to be running in opposite directions at all times.  But I got a few more pics in the zoo.

 

"Look ma, a giraffe statue!"

 

I love a kid in a nametag

Looking very suspicious about when the water spouts were going to start

Wee!  They started!

Sunday Night Dinner

 

We had a lovely day yesterday. Swimming in the pool to beat the heat then making a family dinner - sausage and peppers and pasta. Jack was clearly feeling his Italian roots as he helped me cut the onions. And by "helped" I mean he supervised while a single tear ran down his cheek because the onions were so strong.

 

Week in Review - 7/21/12

 

 I'm sorry for the lack of posting this week. Jack and I were actually out of town in San Diego. We went down to visit family and to see his great-grandparents who were in from the east coast. Jack had such a great time with them. And with his grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins. It was so cool to see him playing with his two cousins who are almost the same age. Three toddler boys running wild!

 

peek-a-boo with grandma

 

 We had a good time going in the pool and hanging out.

 

 

 He really loves my parents house because there is so much outside to explore. He plays on the basketball court, loves all the plants, and adores the little putting green.

 
the agony and the ecstasy, post lay-up

 

 And now, more pics from the week! 

 
suddenly he decided to brush his hair

reading with daddy

sooo tired....

sharing his breakfast with his grandpa

keeping in touch with daddy via FaceTime

 



And a series of jumping on the couch...