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.

The Polar Express

 We rode the Polar Express for the first time in downtown Grapevine.  My brother and his family joined us too. My parents were supposed to come with us, but neither one of them were feeling well. 
I wasn't quite sure what to expect and if we go again next year I will know what to do differently. That being said, all of the kids had a great time! I think the adults enjoyed seeing the smiles on their kids faces. Being on the train was the best part of the evening.  During the ride, there was music and caroling and a visit from Santa. Jack loved all of the music and being on the train.  Allie sat with her girl cousins, so I didn't get to talk to her very much but I know she had a great time! 
Afterwards, we came back to my house and have meatball subs and watch the Cowboys.  We all had such a great time!

 Dressed in their pj's and ready to board

 Getting closer

 Jack adores Greer!

 Santa came by and gave each kid a bell

 The decorations in downtown Grapevine are beautiful. I wish we would have had more time to look at them!

Thought I would add in pictures of the gingerbread house...next year I will make sure I have decorating tips to help with the frosting! Allie did a great job decorating!

*Side note - I have posted 7 times today, so if you want to see what else has gone on in the Varner family over the last couple of months scroll down and check it out!