Jack is Two

 It doesn't seem possible that this handsome boy above is 2...where did the time go? It really is hard to believe that this little boy has been in our lives for two wonderful years and he has blessed our lives so much! We had a great time celebrating his birthday last Saturday. We actually got to celebrate on the actual day (24th). It was a crazy weekend...we had our best friends in town from Memphis. Jarod and Keith ran a marathon on early Saturday morning, Allie had a game at noon and then we had his party at 5:00. It was a crazy day and I could not have made it through it without the help of my parents.  Since Jarod was not home to help get ready for the party, my parents were more than willing to help and keep me sane.  I don't know why I let parties stress me out, but I do! We had a Texas Ranger themed party.  I had a really hard time deciding what theme to go with, but Jack loves baseball and with Opening Day approaching, I thought it would be a fun. We had perfect weather for an outdoor party. I made cupcakes to look like baseballs, we had nachos, hot dogs, cotton candy and ice cream sundaes in mini Texas Ranger helmets.  I feel like everyone had a great time. I was running around crazy and didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked (family picture), but still was able to capture a few (warning there are actually a lot below). We are so blessed that our family and our best friends could help celebrate our sweet little boy!

 Eating breakfast cinnamon rolls...Jack saying "cheese" with a mouthful. 

 Chilling at Allie's game

 I'm so glad they have such a good relationship...I hope it continues through the years:)

 Jack with his Poppy

 Allie and Mimi

 Jack sneaking M&M's off the table

 Mmm, baseball cupcakes made with red M&M's

 My friend Courtney helped with the arrangement of the table...I personally think it looked adorable! The popcorn container held the party favors for the kids; they had mini popcorn bag, big league chew, stickers and a Rangers straw

 He was so excited that it was his birthday and all his family was there!

 So excited to open presents!

 Only picture I got with my sweet boy

 Wasn't quite sure what to think of the candle coming at him...but once I told him to blow, he was fine:)

Spring Break Fun

 We had such a great Spring Break this year! I loved having Allie home for a week and was sad she had to go back to school today:( Jack was also sad his side kick wasn't here this morning.  We kept pretty busy during the week.  We were outside a lot and enjoyed the beautiful weather! Jarod took off on Wednesday so we could have a day together as a family.  We caught the train early that morning to try and beat the crowd at Dallas Aquarium.  We had never been before and I thought it was okay. I had really wanted to go to the zoo, but I was not up for the crowds. The kids really enjoyed the train and seeing all of the animals. Jack's expressions were priceless when he saw fish, turtles, and his favorite; penguins! After the aquarium, we stopped off in Carrollton to eat at Babe's.  Maybe not the best idea considering it was past our normal lunch time. Jack was exhausted and hungry and put on quite the "show". Once we got home, we all took a nap! Then we did a little yard work. To end our spring break, we had a very green breakfast in honor of St. Patty's Day. Allie and I made a rainbow cake.  The colors were gorgeous...too bad the cake stuck to the pans and it didn't turn out the way I wanted it too:( But, it still tasted delicious with homemade butter cream icing!
I'm so thankful I got to spend a wonderful week with both of my kids...it got me itching for summer break!

Jack's Jabberings

Over the last month or so, Jack's language development has exploded! He's had a huge vocabulary of words and has enjoyed repeating us, but now he is stringing words together and talking in phrases more than just saying one word.  Sometimes, when he gets really excited, he says a bunch of gibberish (a really long sentence) and we usually can understand a few of the words in his sentence.  Every day he surprises me with some new phrase he has picked up...which means we have to be extra careful with what we say.  Not only does he mimic our phrases that he's heard all of his little life, he also makes his own sentences.  His first one that I can recall, was when he saw a white SUV at Allie's school and he said, "Mimi car." My mom drives a white Pilot. Then one day, when my parents drove up, he said, "Woo Who. Mimi, Papa here!" Something else that I've noticed is how he understands using expressions and they make sense. I honestly don't remember is Allie did this at this age or not. She was very verbal, way more than Jack was by now, but sadly, I just don't remember.  I think Jack says a lot of the things he does because of Allie. He wants to be like her and just loves her so much.  
Here are a few things he likes to say:
Good job and pats my back while he says it
Awesome
Way to go
U ok?
Yes! -when he knows he did something well on the iPad
Where Allie? and holds up his hands
Mmm, delicious
What's that?
I do it
Get it
Hold you


I know there are a lot more, but I just can't remember them all:) I love it when he repeats Allie or something he heard on tv and Allie reacts the way we usually do..."did he just say" or "I think he just said." 
I really love this stage he is in. He constantly keeps us laughing and always knows how to lighten our mood.  It's hard to believe he is about to be two!

Is It Really Winter?

 One reason why I love living in Texas...because sometimes we are blessed with 60-70+ degree weather!!! When it's this nice, we take full advantage and spend a lot time outdoors.  It's usually little too cold in the mornings, but once Allie is out of school we are outside enjoying the beautiful weather.  Sometimes, we have to stay in because Jack is sick. When that happened a few weeks ago, Allie helped me make snickerdoodles.  I had never made them before and a friend of my brother's had a really good and easy recipe. They are my favorite cookie...I can't believe I had never made them before.  Allie loved rolling them in the cinnamon and sugar.  She was a huge help! Jarod even liked them and he is not a fan of snickerdoodles. 
Even though the weather is nice, both kids have still been sick this winter.  Jack always seems to have a random fever and now he has a cold.  Allie caught the stomach bug and pink eye from school. We are crossing our fingers that February is as nice as January! This weather makes me ready for Spring! 

 Helping  make snickerdoodles

 Jack saying, "hold you".  He was still not feeling well

 Snacks and playtime outside

 Jack with crazy nap hair

This picture is actually from today...poor guy has an awful cough and now a fever to match:(

Of course, he is always ready with a smile when the camera is out! 

Sweet and Sassy

 I have not had a post just about Allie in a long time, so this is all about my sweet and sassy girl! Sometimes, I'm still in denial that Allie is in school. I feel like life seems to be speeding up now that she is in school and it's going to continue to go faster.  I just want it to slow down so I can cherish every sweet moment with my kids.  
Allie is having a wonderful year in Kindergarten. Her teacher says she is a joy to have in class, very helpful, respectful and a good friend.  As a parent, it warms my heart to hear such nice things about my daughter. Of course, we think she has "hung the moon", but so nice to get confirmation from someone else.  Allie loves everything about school.  Her favorite is PE, but I know she enjoys learning too. She has really become a fabulous reader and writer.  I am amazed every day by a word she reads that I think she won't be able to read, or spouting off things she has learned in math or science.  She really is a student! I'm so proud of her and how hard she works at school. They have a "color system" for behavior in her class. She has been on "green" every day this year except one...which is awesome! She gets to choose a special treat at the end of every month for her behavior at school.  She has won a few prizes at school for good behavior and she was also chosen for Student of the Month (for November) for her class (that is the picture above).  Allie also joined the running club at school in November. I was a little hesitant about her joining a club but she really wanted to and she loves it. She is the kid that wants to be very involved with every activity at school and gets mad at me if she can't.  Running club meets one day a week. They are given a little foot on a chain for every five miles they complete.  Allie just got her first "foot" on Friday.  She was so excited! 
Although Allie is awesome at school, she has become more sassy and defiant at home. I think now that she is in school, she thinks that she is "big" and "knows" better or more than her parents.  Or, she has been so good all day she saves her attitude and behavior for home.  It's just not something we are used to having from her and I'm having a hard time coming up with consequences.  Overall, she is great at home and with Jack but she does have her moments...but don't we all! 
I love my sweet girl so much and it is so exciting to see her succeed in life but also makes me sad because every year that goes by she will be getting older but no matter how old, she will always be my little girl!

 Jack of course had to be in the picture with Allie

 Allie at her school party

Tenery Christmas

 We had a wonderful Christmas with my family this year. I decided to put a kink in the holiday by having surgery on my tailor's bunion 3 days before Christmas.  I had everything ready well before Christmas, but it was still stinky to not be able to do fun with my kids and family.  
We had Christmas Eve brunch at my parents house. We had lots of yummy food and I'm sure there were good conversations, but my pain killers made me feel real out of it.  I'm pretty sure I slipped in and out of consciousness for the first few days! The kids loved opening gifts.  Jack was so funny, every time he opened a gift he said, "Wow!" It was so cute.  My siblings and I surprised my parents with a new tv for their bedroom.  They were both shocked, excited and over joyed. 
We had Christmas morning at our house...some how I managed to make muffins for the morning (I couldn't handle not having something baked for xmas morning). Allie was so excited to see Santa had brought her a couple of things she asked for and a few surprises. She also loved seeing that he left her a note and ate her cookies.  Jack wasn't quite sure what to think of everything. He even threw a little fit. Next year I know he will enjoy it so much more. After we cleaned up and packed, we headed over to spend a few days at my brother's house. We had an unconditional Mexican feast for lunch. We also had a love of yummy desserts. We were so blessed to be able to be together as a family. I think the grown ups enjoyed playing a couple of late night domino games...Greer, being the oldest got to stay up and play too! The younger kids had a great time playing together. They are so blessed to get a long so well! 

 Karlie and Greer opening gifts at Mimi and Poppy's

 Allie was really excited to get the Smurfs movie from Uncle Chad

 The kids gifts from Santa

 Allie was so excited to see her Rapunzel doll...she asked Santa for 1 week before X-mas:)

 Jack loved his CARS slippers

 Jack loved his new broom...he also got a vacuum cleaner and a mower (he likes to be helpful)

 Classic morning fit from Jack

 Allie's new shades

 We gave Jack a Little Tykes Car...he loves it!

This is the only good picture I got of the cousins...I usually take all of the pictures but not being able to get up real well made it more difficult.