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!