The Importance of Our Head

Today at lunch, Ellie was trying to "take her head off." She was lighty squeezing and twisting her neck. She shares, "Uhgh. My head won't come off, Mom!" I said, "Well, that's because it's attached." She, being 3-1/2, asks, "Why?" I answer, "Because it's important! If it came off, you would die. And your brain is in there." She has a small burp (because she's eating lunch), and then responds, "AND you wouldn't be able to burp."

Ah...the importance of our head...and our ability to burp.

Ellie to "School"

Ellie has started going to a daycare that does preschool activities. She goes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 3 hours. Jack accompanies her, but is in a different room with his age group. For him, it's some much needed time being social with other kids and being away from the mama.

Last week, Ellie's class talked about tools, and she made her very own tool belt....complete with a hammer, screwdriver, and wrench. She's very proud that 1) she colored on it (it's construction paper), and 2) it has her name on it. This week they are talking about grocery shopping and she was super pumped to take in some empty boxes of stuff that I saved to share with the class.

She is really enjoying it and talks about going to "school" all the time. I think she's met some friends, but her teacher says that she does tend to play on her own. I'm sure that will change! Jack is doing okay...he still isn't so sure about being left by mom for 3 hours. But his room leaders assure me that he stops crying as soon as I leave.

Today, when I picked them up their classes were both outside....but Jack's is fenced into a different area than his sister's. He doesn't like that one bit. He wants to be out playing with her. It's a good thing that I arrive shortly after they get out there...otherwise, I think he'd just stand at the fence longing to be with Ellie. Poor little guy!

Shoe Obsession

For those of you that don't know... Jack has a shoe obsession. He loves to put on his own shoes, he likes to play with other peoples shoes, and he also manages to spend a considerable amount of time in my closet playing with shoes. When we are at a store, if we happen by the shoe aisle, he has to stop! If I try to walk by, he pitches a total fit. And so if we do stop and try some on, then he has to have them. I've now learned not to waltz by the shoe aisle. I think he is getting this trait from his Aunt Nicki, who also has a terrible weakness for shoes. Here he is playing with one of Nicole's shoes.

Fun with Bubba

It is a beautiful day today, so before I put Jack down for his nap, I took him outside for a little fun time in the yard. I must admit...normally I'm not this good of a mom. I'm usually scrambling around to get things done in the house and trying to convince him that playing outside by himself is the best thing in the world. I usually lose...and after a screaming fit, I'm forced to put down my "agenda" and get outside. Today I was smart...I skipped the tantrum and went right on out to the playing.

Here are some good pics of him on the swingset. I didn't get the photo of him attempting to climb up the slide, which he's getting very good at...b/c I was trying to hold him so as he didn't fall. Darn it...he's just so stickin' cute! Happy Thursday to ya'll!

Fried Green Tomatoes

When you date someone from the South, you get exposed to new kinds of foods. Not that people in the Midwest don't eat fried green tomatoes...but I guess I think of the famous movie, breaded greasy food...and just good southern cooking. So yesterday when Jack got into the garden and started picking tomatoes left & right, red AND green...I knew that we'd have to do something with them.

Billy to the rescue! He fixed 'em up right...and the kids loved them. Here are some pictures of us all gobbling them down. Next on the menu is fried okra. Maybe we will get Jack up to 25 lbs before he's 2?!

Peek-a-boo Hair

As a mother, one is always needing to be inventive. Especially when there is a crabby kid and a shortage of toys. Here I am playing Pee-a-boo...with my hair. I knew there was a reason that I grew it out. I think he sat and did this with me for about 20 minutes.

Lately, the biggest challenge I have with Jack is car rides. An active 16-month old HATES to be strapped in his seat. On my 80-minute drive to my parent's house, he screams off and on for about 60 minutes of it. It's a nightmare! Poor Ellie...she trys to appease him, but we are both out of ideas. The other night she was exceptionally quiet, I asked her what was wrong. She responded, "I'm sad." I couldn't imagine what about, so I asked why for. "Because Bubba is screaming." It's making both of us nuts.

Even a quick trip up to Ames to run an errand can have me running to the liquor cabinet as soon as I return home. Luckily, I don't have a liquor cabinet...

Organizer & Cleaner

Ellie is taking on some very good traits that her mother has. Recently two incidences really pointed this out.

She has these Disney books on tape that we listen to in the car, because it's the only tape deck I own. Plus, it's a great way to keep her occupied. Jack & I aren't too sure we enjoy listening to the story of Aladdin & Ariel all the time, but it's something to do.

Anyways, the other day she said, "Hey, Mom, look! This side is princesses and this side isn't."
She had organized the tapes in the box by whether or not they were a princess story (Cinderella, etc) or not (winnie the pooh, jungle book, etc.). She was so proud of herself. And so was I!

Also, yesterday, she was to be napping...and when I went in to check on her she wasn't sleeping. I asked her what she was doing. "I'm picking up my room! Abbijon (nickname for my brother and his girlfriend) is coming and I need to have my stuff picked up." And there is was...a neat and tidy room...beds made...not a toy out of place.

Let's hope these great traits make it thru the teenage years!

Model & Photographer

Did you know that we have a professional photographer and high fashion model in our family! The model is none other than our beautiful niece, Lilah...here she is posing for the photographer. Although Ellie is just a rookie...she does manage to get the model to pose just right for the shot. I'm sure it'll make the cover of the next Toddler Weekly!

A little back story, this was the evening of Jack's 1st bday, and Prom in Ames. We had just finished getting pictures of Nicole (our sitter) in her prom dress. Ellie & Lilah thought she looked like a princess! Afterwards, Ellie grabbed the camera and shot all these pictures of Lilah all on her own. I didn't even realize she did it until the next day when I was scanning the photos of the party. Hilarious!

Dressing Up

As with all kids...dressing up is usually the most fun thing to do when you are cooped up in the house. Jack does look quite cute in the too big nitegown of his sister....but probably not something the men in his life would like to see him wearing in the years ahead.

I'm always facinated by the growing imaginations of my kids. Whether it's the songs and stories that Ellie shares (or shouts), or the sound effects that Jack manages to make up for different trucks and toys.

A Princess or Superman seem to be the most frequent visitors at my house. Jack isn't quite old enough to imagine or dress up...but Ellie does usually manage to get him into the story.

Sweet Sister

Each nite as I put Ellie to bed, we have a bit of a routine. We read a couple of books, she gets into bed and we say prayers. Then she usually has some things to say...or we say, "Guess what? I love you!" back and forth.

Tonite I asked her what the best part of her day was...she responded thoughtfully, "I like Bubba." (her brother) She asked, "Do you like Bubba?" I said, yes, of course. She asked, "Does Daddy like Bubba?" I said, yes, of course. She commented, "Everyone likes Bubba!" I said, "Yes, and everyone likes you too." Confidently, she said, "I know."

Gotta love her.

Swingset Helper

It's amazing how kids just want to help, in any way possible. I don't think it's really that they want to help, as much as they want to use any type of tool or instrument that looks dangerous.

Here is Jack helping Dennis & I put up the swing set. He usually went for the largest hammer on the ground...or a board that was 3 times his size. I'm still trying to decide if that's a "boy" thing, or a "kid" thing.

Dennis, the good grandpa that he is, kept trying to keep the dangerous tools out of Jack's hands. I, on the the other hand, knew it was pointless!

Corn on the Cob

We wouldn't be true Iowans if you didn't have pictures like these to share! Ellie loves corn on the cob and off the cob. But, of course, the messiness of it being on the cob is the best part.

I remember growing up and my dad always giving the cob back to me and telling me to clean it off better. That always bothered me....I was afraid that if I ate too far into the corn then I'd get a big chunk of the cob in my mouth...or a bug. I wasn't ever a good corn on the cob eater.

My 3-yr old daughter, on the other hand, does an amazing job! Heck, I swear she'd eat the whole thing if she didn't know better. This was Jack's first try at the corn...he'll do anything that he sees everyone else doing...so he was head first and trying to keep up with big sister.

And nothing makes corn easier to eat than those Pampered Chef Corn Cob Knobs!

Getting Started

Well, since it seems to be the thing to do...and I'm always one to give into peer pressure...I've decided to make my own blog. I don't have anything great on my mind personally, so we'll just stick with the kids. They are WAY more interesting than me at any point in time! Plus, since I'm terrible at keeping up the writing in their baby books...maybe this will be a way of keeping track of it all. Is there a print button somewhere?!