ArtiGras

Last weekend was the annual ArtiGras festival and art show. Despite our general opposition to paying to go to an art show, the weather was too beautiful to not be outside and our favorite (and free!) art show isn't for several more weeks. Jack had a lot of fun and we were pretty impressed with how interested he became with so many exhibits. He saw fish and lobsters, trains, suns and moons, dinosaurs made of wood, butterflies, and all kind of fun colors. He also forced us into some booths we would have otherwise skipped, which turned out to be fun. And he did a fantastic job at looking but not touching, which for a 2.5 year old, is pretty darn impressive.

There was a very cool kids section and he was especially fond of the giant sand pile!

A kids art station was also set up and Jack got to use dot markers (his favorite), cut out animal shapes, and googly eyes to create his own masterpiece. He was pretty thrilled with the result.

And it even went to nap time with him.

All in all, I'd say we got our $20's worth!

Frozen

Have you seen Frozen? Have you heard the Oscar-nominated song Let It Go from Frozen? I have. One billion times. And I still love it. http://youtu.be/bQOfwBdxXD0

Videos

It's been a long while since I've posted videos because, well, it's about a four-step process and life generally allow me no more than two steps these days. But my first weekend home in almost a month feels like I have all the time in the world (I even took a nap!).

Earlier this week, Katie told me Jack could handle this playground equipment with help keeping the pieces still and in reach. Today, this was his first go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKRyxuqdWiU 

This is a constant request in our house right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhoMyug-b8Q 

Swinging and talking to airplanes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiToO_K2mrs 

School

Jack's first day of school was January 7th. He was excited to go, had a great day, and even napped! I kept waiting for the school to tell me there was a problem but they never did. 

First day!

He has since asked to go to school every. single. day. Without fail. He goes twice a week so the answer is "not today" more often than "okay" but he seems fine with that too. We've had two rounds of tears at drop off all month but his teachers are great at getting him busy painting or reading or playing and he's happily participating before I can get his snack in the snack basket. 

Found animal toys!

It's taken me almost a month to get this posted because I've been sick since that first week if school - basically straight through. Jack got a cold, then I got it. Then Jack got a stomach thing, then I got it (plus fever - woohoo!). And now I'm at the end if the cold Matt got from Jack. School is going well but we're all getting a run for our money in the immune system department!

Successful first day of school nap!

Blink, blink

You know how you envision Christmas morning with a little one... all sleepy-eye-rubbing and then this moment of contemplation that something must be different... there seems to be a lot more stuff under the tree... and wait, is that a bike? with a bow?! Is this for me?! 

Yeah, we blazed right past all that this morning as Jack literally ran through the family room, past the tree, into the living room and asked for his water. Maybe next year.

Still, what a great Christmas! 

The end of an era

Jack has officially becoming a forward-facing passenger. After 27 months of looking out the back window, I think he likes it!

Boo!

A few days late, here's our Halloween re-cap.

The Sunday before Halloween, we headed to Roger Dean Stadium's Trunk or Treat. A local church had their members drive their cars and trucks onto the outfield of the stadium and decorate their trunks for the holiday. Folks went all in and handed out candy in full costume. It was a nice event and Jack's very favorite part was getting a rocket balloon made and then running around with it on the outfield.

On Halloween day, we headed first for Judy's house as Jack's first official trick-or-treat. How we don't have pictures is beyond me - except it did rain so we had our phones away. Jack got a bag of candy and goodies that has set the bar rediculously high for all Halloweens to come. 

Then we headed to Chipotle for our $3 boo-rito bowls. I almost had to use my first aid training to help a choking baby there so that was an adrenaline rush I could do without again (the baby is fine). 

Finally, we went to Publix for their in-store event (and because we needed to buy water). We got there at the end of the event so the employees were extra generous with their candy offerings. 

All in all it was a very successful Halloween and, although he only got to eat a half a piece of chocolate, Jack had a blast!