Last Monthly Update Post - 24 months

I have already begun to create a new blog so this will be the last post in the "Little Jack's Corner" blog.  With the addition of baby Kyle, we need a blog that can highlight both boys plus family events.

Anyway...here are some facts about Jack that we have gathered over the past couple of months.

• knows green means go on the stoplight...of course this is fun when the light is red, all he says yells is "green GO" until it turns green.  He can also say "green arrow"
• has grown to love car rides.  This is good and bad.  When I just need to run to the bank, a short trip, he knows when we are getting closer to home.  He'll start to whine and say "car ride!" meaning he doesn't want to go home yet.  The good side of it is that we just got back from a trip to San Antonio and he did AWESOME!
• Knows where different places are.  When we turn onto Collins street from Abrams heading south he starts to say "Linda's house", meaning school, his teacher is Mrs. Linda.  He also says Doctor every time we drive by the Doctor's office even though he hasn't been in a month or so.  He knows when we are on our way to church and like I said above, when we are close to home.
• has mastered buckling the top part of his car seat. 
• his favorite songs to hear Daddy sing are "Hokey Pokey" and "Old McDonald"
• his favorite songs to sing are "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Jesus Loves Me", "Rock a bye Baby" and newest addition is "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse"

• his favorite tv shows are Dora and Bubble Guppies
• he can say sentences like "I see Daddy" or "I see Emmy".  He's also trying to say other sentences but it sounds like "blablabla car ride".  So you have to pay attention to the ending of each "sentence" to know what he wants.
• Jack can count up to 14 but usually skips #7.  Here is a video of Jack counting 1-9.  Ben had been working with Jack and these blocks (which we don't normally do) but Ben was trying hard with Jack to say "seven" when counting.  So he does.

Busy Bags - 

A group of about 20 of us joined together (through a Faceook group) and created Busy Bags.  My job was to create 20 of these Egg Carton matching bags.  It was pretty simple.  I requested anyone and everyone to bring me their used egg cartons, ordered easter eggs from oriental trading (it was around Easter so they were on sale plus free shipping) and then painted the bottom of the egg cartons.  I think the trickiest thing was finding 2-gallon ziploc bags to fit them in.  I eventually found those at Walmart.  Here is Jack trying out my busy bag and he loved it and conquered it on the first try.  Now we just need to try the advanced part of this activity.

One of the other activities that came once we swapped the busy bags and got our 20 different ones was this color matching, hand eye coordination activity.  Jack is holding a pipe-cleaner and is matching it to the hole that is colored the same.  He loves this.  This is one of our favorite busy bags to take to a restaurant.

This face reminds me of my brother when he was this age.  Very focused and precise.

Visiting Nanny and Papa - April 23

Once a month we try and visit my Nanny and Papa who live about 2 hours north in Whitesboro.  Usually we go up on a Monday morning.  Get there around 10 and then leave around 1.  I'm not sure how much more we can get up there before baby Kyle comes.  It is physically exhausting for me.  The drive. Watching Jack.  The drive home.  And usually no nap for Jack so no break in the day for me.  

Here are some shots of Jack and Papa in Papa's backyard.  Jack is running toward the gate to go visit the horse.

Jack found Papa's tools and enjoyed opening and closing the tool bench.  He also would get out each tool he knew the name of and said it's name.  The hammer, screwdriver, wrench, saw.  Here he is with a tape measure.  Loved this.

Random Pictures

Ben put this on Jack's head...he wasn't too fond of it.

First Family picnic...a great day

I'm super pale!

Jack enjoying his race car

Jack wanted a picture with bear and lion

"look at me"  building a tower with daddy.  Actually this is Big Bird's house since he and Abby aren't allowed in the Sesame Street Playhouse.

Reading his "Noah" book

He said "I fixed it Mommy, I fixed the circles"  he was so proud.

MayFEST with James - May 4

We met James, Jennifer, and Jerimiah at MayFEST in Fort Worth.  Neither of us had ever been so we didn't know what to expect.  It was a really cute festival.  The first thing we did was go to a petting zoo area.  It was already really humid outside and this petting area was in an enclosed building with very little air flow.  So I let Ben take Jack inside.  Jack standing next to a donkey.  He looks a little unsure.

Then we came across this cool little house that you could do chalk on.  Jack is on the left and James is on the right.

Jack and Ben looking at the big sand mound.  Jack does not like to get dirty (just like his daddy) so he didn't really want to have any part of this sand.

James trying to get Jack to play in the sand.

First Preschool Performance

Jack had his first preschool performance this year.  Unfortunately it was one of the nights Ben was out of town.  It was a little stressful trying to get Jack to his room on time but in the end it turned out great.  Here is his outfit and the video below is his class performing.

Mother's Day
Not my most favorite day.  Don't get me wrong.  I love my mom, step-mom and mother-in-law.  But I guess since we all live in the same area it can be stressful to try and make everyone feel special on this weekend.  I know this is probably my own fault because I do want to make them feel special but by doing that it means taking time and energy.  Anyway, it was a great weekend.  The morning of Mother's Day, Ben got me donuts and I got to open a sweet present from Jack and Ben.

Mimi and Jack on the swing

Bye-Bye...see you in my new blog.

Jack's 2nd Birthday - Farm Party

I started thinking about Jack's party back in March trying to decide on a theme.  I was going back and forth between a farm theme and a firetruck theme.  I landed on the farm theme after Jack continued to take interest in animals as well as when he would see a picture of a barn he would say "farm".  He also started requesting Ben to sing "Old McDonald Had a Farm" over and over.  And then about a week ago he started singing it himself.


We then made the decision to have 2 parties, a friend party and a family party.  The first one was at 10:30am and this was his friends party.  We struggled for some time deciding who we should invite.  We could have invited MANY people but for now we thought it would be best if we just had a few of his "friends".  Either those that were closest in his age or those that we've known from some time now.  After making and sending out the invites Jack began talking about his friends in his Church Sunday School class.  So I was going back and forth, should I invite them?  I decided to wait until next year and see what became of these new "friends" he enjoys spending time with at Sunday School.

Something else we did for his "friends" party was asked them not to bring presents but to bring specific baby items that were an immediate need for Mission Arlington.  We got some great stuff (lots of diapers, wipes, lotions and onesies with socks) that Jack and I were able to drop off the Monday after his party.  When I dropped them off the guy helping unload said that this was going to make someone's day today.

I started with Etsy looking for invitations.  After picking about 5, Ben helped me narrow it down to the one we chose.

Then I went to Pinterest and searched for all of the Farm birthday-themed blogs.  I found one in particular that I pretty much copied their ideas.  So needless to say only the Barn Photo Area is an original thought.  I created everything but had a lot of inspiration.  

As the guests arrived they were greeted with this balloon wreath.  It's pretty simple, click here if you want to know how to make one.  I got the wreath and flower pins from Hobby Lobby and the balloons from Oriental Trading.  Then I just created the sign in the middle and printed it.

Below is a picture of the entry way.

I ordered the hats from Amazon...a bit cheaper than Oriental Trading.  The sign on the wall says "Grab Your Gear" so each child could have a cowboy hat.  I painted the letters "TWO" white and then painted black cow spots on them.

Next to the "Gear" were the favor bags.  Inside was a cowboy rubber duckie (Jack has always had rubber duckies at his parties as favors and always gets one in his stocking so it is a little tradition I think I've started), a metal pale like what you would put scraps in to feed pigs, colorful farm sunglasses, and farm animal stickers.  These were then wrapped up in a bandanna and tied in a bow with raffia.    

I wanted to get sunflowers to go in this vase but they didn't have them at the store I went to the morning of the party so these yellow flowers had to do.  I framed his invitation and also had his 1st year blog book that I had just gotten made available for people to look through.  You can't see it, but above all of these things we had a slide show going of Jack's 2nd year pictures on a loop.

This is the barn I created.  I had been to a few kids party this past year where there was a Photo Area for pictures.  So I had the idea to create a barn for kids to take their picture in front of.  I got bulletin board paper from Mardels, measured the area the barn would go and started creating.  The barn was about 5 feet tall.  The red paper was easy, it was the white paper that took a lot of time.  Measuring, cutting, gluing and so forth.  Plus being pregnant, getting down on the floor to do all of this was a little bit more difficult.

I tried to get Jack's picture before the guests arrived but he wanted no part.

The food table.  More details below.

Dessert for Jack and the guests.

I was originally going to make cupcake toppers, but when I went to order the cake and cupcakes they said they could put cow and pig heads on the cupcake and it would be no extra charge.  So I thought that would be great.  One less thing I'd have to create.

Jack has never been fond of cake, cookies, anything sweet really.  But he loves fruit.  I got the idea of creating a "fruit" cake from pinterest.  Then I thought that I could create a barn out of the watermelon since that is the color of a barn.  So I shaped the watermelon into a barn as best as I could, added some cantaloupe for the barn doors and a cute kiwi star for the top.  I cut up some more kiwi to be grass and had some little farm animals to put on the "grass".

For the food we had all of Jack's favorites except for the Veggies.  He doesn't like those. 

Animal Treats = animal crackers

Fish from the Pond = goldfish

Fresh Produce = fruit, all of Jack's favorites

Eat More Chicken = Chick Fil A nuggets

Vegetable Patch = vegetables and dip

One thing I'll post here is how we did the ice cream.  I also found this on Pinterest and everyone was intrigued by it.  I saw that you could pre-scoop ice cream into muffin tins and then stick it in the freezer.  This was when it is time for cake and ice cream, someone doesn't have to be standing around scooping ice cream while it is melting all over the table making a mess.  Here is a picture of the one that gave me the idea.  I had gotten red bandanna cupcake holders and used those to hold the ice cream.  It seemed to do well for its intended purpose.

I got a pretty good picture of Jack just before the guests arrived.  I got his shirt off of Etsy and it went perfect with the theme.

Jack was very excited when his friend James arrived.  If I was actually filling out his baby book, James would be the name I'd write down as Jack's "best friend".  James is about 2.5 months younger than Jack and about 3 months ago Jack wanted nothing to do with James.  James would want to chase Jack but Jack just wanted to play with the older kids.  Lately we've been doing a few more things with James and Jack now will randomly say James name.  The night before the party Ben asked Jack if he was ready for his Birthday party with his friends and Jack said James name about 10 times.

Here is Jamie with her two little ones Carson (3 years) and Leah (9 months).

At first Jack was a little leery with everyone playing with his toys but after about 10 minutes I'd say he did pretty well.  Better than I thought.  The picture below, Jack is going through his picture book that has his relatives in it and he would tell Miss Robin and Aubrey Kate who everyone was.

Jennifer (James' mom) and Carson eating watermelon.  I think Carson ate half of a watermelon this day.  He loves that stuff!

Baby Beckett (15 months)

A picture of almost everyone at the party and what the backyard looked like.  The "playground" (as Jack likes to call it) in the background is from Ben's boss.  There should be a post on this eventually if not already.  The weather was much better than Jack's birthday party last year.  Of course this time it is 11am and not 6pm.

Aubrey Kate at the Photo Area.

I would try to get Jack to go by each of his friends after I had gotten an individual picture of them.  It must have been water time when I took this picture of Aubrey Kate and Jack.

We were trying to get James to look at me and smile.  Then I told Jack to go stand next to James for a picture and some reason he went over and showed him what was in his mouth.  I have no idea why.  A boy thing I guess?

Here is James in his serious pose.

Beckett with a big basketball.  He was also very serious.

Then it was time for "cake".  I lit the two candles on top of Jack's watermelon "cake" and then we all sang Happy Birthday.  The whole time we were singing he was trying to blow out the candles.  Thankfully he was having no luck.  Then mommy and daddy helped him blow them out when it was time.

Jack trying to blow out the candles.  You can see his lips pursed together.

"Yay!"  Currently Jack's love language is Words of Encouragement because we always find ourselves saying "yay!"  I realize it is too early but it sure seems like it.  

Jack eating his Kiwi star.

Family pose.

Jack sat down and started counting his vehicles.

Baby Leah...I saw this face and had to take a picture of it.

McKinley, as Jack likes to say "Misseskinwee"

Carson

Linden, McKinley's older sister

Baby Leah

We realized at this party 4 out of the 6 girls that attended were pregnant.  So we thought we'd get a prego shot.  Jennifer starts us off due in mid July, then Robin at the end of July, then me mid August and Meredith at the beginning of November.  Unfortunately I don't know how to totally face the side so it looks like I am way bigger - width wise than I really am.

This picture is towards the very end of Jack's friends party.  Jack and Blake are laughing at something Ben said.  Just before this, Jack was telling all of his friends bye.  I think he was a little overwhelmed and was ready for some quiet.  

The 2nd party was at 5pm the same day. This was a family party.  Between both of the parties we had a total of 34 people and could have been 40 so I was glad we broke it up.  Plus, it wasn't just a one and done thing.  Jack took a nap between the two parties (a good nap I might add) and then was ready to go for the 2nd one.

Here is Nanny and Papa looking at Jack's train station that he wanted to show them.

Then Abby arrived and all he kept yelling was "Abby" all the way down the stairs.  Here he is giving her a hug.

Then Tessa, Claire, and Grant arrived.  Jack also loves Tessa and Claire.  Here is a picture that shows his excitement when they came.

Claire, Jack and Tessa.  There hands are so cute.

The first present Jack opened was a John Deere hat from Grandpa and Sissy.  Little did we realize when opening this present that more came with it.  But we had to wait for the present to be brought into the house from Grandpa's truck.

This is a picture of everyone heading out to see what the present is.

Jack in great suspense to see what it is.

After going back inside and unwrapping it, we found out it was an awesome, all metal John Deere tractor from Papa.

Jack loves to wear his hat way low on his head so this was the only picture I could get of his face.

The next surprise present was a John Deere Wagon (an old one) that my dad had refinished for Jack.  This was from Grandpa and Sissy.

Jack wore the hat and sat in the wagon the rest of the time opening presents.  Jack loved opening his "books" or cards as we all know them.

Pulling off the wrapping paper.  

Jack loved this frog card.  He said "frog" and then "rib-bit, rib-bit".

Inside the frog paper was a hand crafted dinosaur puzzle that Sherwin had made for Jack.  Last year he made a wooden red race car which Jack still loves to push around.  Jack has since enjoyed taking this dino apart and wanting to put it back together.  He's pretty good at it for his age I feel like.

Mommy pointing to Nanny so Jack can say thank you for the chunky puzzles.  If you can't tell, Jack loves puzzles and has already mastered the ones he has.

At two different times during opening presents, Jack would "read" his cards out loud.  It was the funniest things because he was so serious when "reading" them but obviously was just making up words.

Jack put this bow on his head with no prompting.

Jack got a large tent and tunnel from Mimi and Papa Steve.

I thought this was a good picture that showed most of the cousins playing as well as Grandpa.

Here is another wide party shot.

Grandpa and Jack swinging together.

We decided to have a cake for the adult/family party.  I have to say the cake was so much better than the cupcakes.  This is the second time I've used Cooper St. Bakery.  They are awesome, you just give them your invitation and they make the cake based on that.

Daddy holding Jack's hands down so he doesn't put his fingers in the cake.  Oh and it was very windy so the candle wouldn't stay lit.  That was fine with me since he got to blow out candles earlier.

Jack enjoyed everyone singing to him.

Mimi, Jack and Papa Steve

Goodyear cousins.

Hawkins side of the family.

Jack giving Grandpa a hug bye.

I hope to update this soon and add what we did on his actual birthday.  Currently we are planning on taking Jack to Chick Fil A and then coming home to open his presents from Mommy and Daddy.