The iPod

Age appropriate:  at least 18 months +

Jack appreciates music in many different ways.  The latest is by using the iPod.  The headband is purely to keep the earphones in place, leaving him free to walk about the house.  

leprechauns, clovers, and gold

This St. Patrick's Day we celebrated in green:  4-leaf clover pancakes, sporting green t-shirts, dinner of green rice and meatballs, key lime fruit dip, Sonic limeades, and green frosted sugar cookies.  

In preschool Aidan and his classmates have been trying to catch a leprechaun... especially because he made a mess of their classroom.  Unfortunately they barely keep missing him... he left them a note saying he was going away for the season because the Easter Bunny would soon be on his way.  

Their preschool celebration:  pin the ears on the leprechaun, a potato toss, green painting, and lots of fun.  

The prize:  chocolate gold coins from the end of the rainbow.  

Jack at 18 months...

nicknames: Jack Attack, Cracker Jack, Jackers, JJ, LJ, Little Feets

 

At 18 months Jack...

-  let's start with the chicklets for front teeth.  I love them... and the spaces are good for future teeth :)

 - feeds himself with a spoon, even if most of the food ends up in his lap.

 - loves to dance and so Aidan has given him the nickname, "Little Feets."  No matter whether   he's in the car, downstairs playing, or in the kitchen, he knows how to tell me he wants music     on.  His favorite song... "Move Along."

 - enjoys being read to.  The first book I ever bought Aidan was "Winken, Blinken, and Nod."   This has become Jack's favorite, too.  Unfortunately, it's not a board book... nor does Jack prefer board books over hardback.  And so finally, I gave in and let Jack enjoy the book       without me hovering over him.  Now the book may be held together with tape... but if it's in       sight, Jack refuses to be read any other book.

 - gets ready in the morning with me.  Jack loves anything with a lid that he can take on and off. So, every morning while I'm doing my hair or putting on makeup Jack sits right next to me on   the counter and plays with everything.  Because of this he knows what to do with a brush,           toothbrush, eye shadow, eyelash curler, hair dryer, berrets, and fingernail clippers.  

 - has quite the vocabulary.  Okay... so most is just cute gibberish, but I feel one day he'll spout   out full sentences.  A few words you can understand:  uh-oh, up, hot, done, hello, versions of       "Who is it" and "There you go", all gone, can say Mama but refuses to call me that (stinker),       please, and thank you.

 - blows kisses, waves bye-bye, loves high-fives, gives kisses (open mouthed style - so the cheek is the preferred place, and likes attention and hugs.

 - has a great appetite and climbs into his high chair when he needs something to eat.  His         favorites: loves fruits, nutrigrain bars, chocolate (or anything sweet), Quaker oatmeal, and LOTS of milk (hence the Buddha Belly). 

 

 - loves to explore and climb.  Because of this the dining chairs are turned backwards from           the table, Jack only wants to play with toys AFTER I've put them away,  pulls out toys and     then leaves them unplayed with, the tupperware drawer is always a mess, and the pots and         pans drawer had to be child proofed.

 - has learned to smile for the camera... sort of.  He more flutters his eyes and half smiles.

 - dislikes Nursery to the point that even holding him makes him cry.

  

 - requires a pacie for bedtime and naps... oh, AND Sacrament Meeting.

 - attempts to take clothes off at the words - bath time.  

 - loves to sleep and always wakes up happy.

I feel like he's growing so fast... I don't want to miss a thing.

weekly S.U.M.M.A.R.Y.

So many things going on... but our happenings can't stand alone... so, a weekly summary.

Aidan - 

     

     Staying craZZZZy at preschool, finishing pet week and learning all about the letter "Z" with craZy week.  From his field trip to Petco his favorites:  "the birds with the hair sticking up on their heads" (cockatoos?), watching the black and white dogs get combed and shaved, and NOT petting the turtle because "I didn't want him to bite me."  

    He mismatched his entire wardrobe (solo) and spiked his hair, which looked impressive thanks to Dad.  For Aidan, this was a pretty incredible week completely full of crazy fun.  What more could a naturally crazy kid ask for than to express his inward self?   

Jack- 

     It amazes me how fast toddlers learn.  Jack has moved on from climbing and inch by inch rearranging my house to... exploring books and puzzles.  He's learning all about the body and can locate toes, tongue, ears, head, belly, eyes, and nose.  

     Jack has also learned to "smile" for the camera.  If I'm looking for that "in the moment smile"... now, the above picture is what I get... every time :) 

     And last for my toddler.... soaking in the sun on a jog with Mom.  Our long winter seemed to come to an end, at least for a moment, as we enjoyed sunny 50 degree weather.  The Trooper even stayed awake through nap time to enjoy it... and through iPod earphones would hear the occasional laugh of enjoyment.

Mike-

     Although we barely got the chance to enjoy his company (the boss was in from Seattle to chauffeur) Mike was still able to play "Daddy" on his time off, allow Mom an evening out with girls, and give quite an amazing talk (if you ask me) on missionary work.  He has definitely earned the honor of "Super Dad."

     Updates on the impaired... 3 more weeks of crutches, and then... WALKING!  It will mean in a boot, but it will be walking.  We are all counting down the days.  Yeahhhh!

As for me- 

     I have to admit I have thoroughly enjoyed taking advantage of Mike's situation.  It has given me time to enjoy my very part-time job of working in Outpatient Surgery.  Although I would never give up spending full time with my kids, Mike working from home right now has given me reason to splurge.

     The coming weeks will keep me busy training for a half marathon in May.  Luckily, #1 I had such a great experience at Hood To Coast, and more importantly, #2 I have friends who are training right along with me.  

 

     For date night... we enjoyed a new dining experience from "The White House."  It was very greek, very garlic, and very fun to enjoy with friends.

Last... a moment on Spokane spring.  The first of the week - gorgeous and sunny, teasingly in the 50's.  

That said, springs here are completely unpredictable, so later... we had sunshine, then rain, and then a hailstorm, all in one day.  

Now... 3 inches of snow that seems to want to stick around.  But... spring is on the way :)