It all starts somewhere.

Jake got his first lesson in mouse manipulation today. He played at pbskids.org. He did really well and seemed to pick it up quickly. I'm sure this is just the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship. I'll be curious to see if he asks to play on the computer tomorrow.

This afternoon Jake got his stool out of the bathroom and carried it into the family room. I asked him what he was doing. That stool is suppose to stay in the bathroom. He answered, "I'm doing somefing. I'm doing somefing important."  I didn't know whether to laugh or be afraid. I sent him back into the bathroom to return the stool. Now I kind of wish I had waited to see what he was planning before I stopped him.

Thanks to Grandpa Gene for the reminder to put out our hummingbird feeder. I can't believe I forgot this year. The weather has been so warm and gorgeous that I'm sure they must be in the area or close. Jake and I went to Walmart again today to pick up a new feeder and a finch feeder, too. While we were outside placing the feeders, Jake spent some time playing bubbles. Unfortunately the playing is always short-lived and then the pouring begins. I'm not sure there is any bubble solution left.

Thursday Musings

Jake saw a dermatologist today. He's had problems with cracking under his little toes for an entire year. I've been treating them with hydrocortisone cream as suggested by the pediatrician. I've also tried Aquaphor and A&D Ointment. I never miss a night. He gets some kind of cream on his toes every single night, yet they continue to crack. The doctor did a culture today to check for some type of infection. In the meantime, we are treating it as a yeast infection and now have a prescription strength cream for that. I'm hoping it works. Poor guy. Cracked toes are painful!

Jake served as the entertainment in the waiting room at the doctor's office. He also told everyone goodbye on our way out. He is the friendliest kid!

I took him for a haircut after the appointment and then to Walmart. I haven't had a day at home all week, and I'm really feeling like I need one. I think our errands are done for the week, so hopefully tomorrow will be a quiet day.

Dan picked up a rotisserie chicken for dinner tonight. I made mashed potatoes, asparagus, corn, crescent rolls, and salad to go along with the chicken. I still can't believe how much Jake ate. He started with some grape tomatoes, carrots, and dip while I was cooking. He then ate 2 servings of fresh pineapple. He helped me make the mashed potatoes but was refusing to try them. Jake eats one type of potato...fries. I kept asking him if he would like a taste of the mashed potatoes while we were mixing them. He refused. I turned away from the mixer to wash a bowl; and, when I turned back, I noticed that he had licked the beater clean. So we can now add a second type of potato to his list of preferred foods. After the "appetizers", I figured he was probably full and wouldn't eat the meal. Was I ever wrong! He ate 3 servings of chicken, a few more bites of mashed potatoes, 3 servings of corn, and a crescent roll. He followed the meal with a bowl of ice cream for dessert. I can't remember the last time he has eaten so well.

I don't think I took my camera out today. Shock! Tomorrow is another day. ;)

The Great Outdoors

It's all about playing...especially when the weather is this gorgeous in April! It's been warm and sunny, and we just want to be outside. The days just fly when we are. In fact, Jake even asked to eat dinner out on the deck last night. I thought it was a great idea. We were grilling burgers...his favorite. Unfortunately the novelty of eating outside served as a big distraction. There was very little eating going on.

We happened to be riding bikes in the court yesterday when a neighborhood boy came out to shoot baskets. Jake immediately got off his bike and grabbed an extra basketball. In the court there are ALWAYS extra basketballs. Jake joined him at the basket and played just like a big boy. He took shot after shot lofting the ball as high as he could and chasing it when it got away. Not once did he ask me to chase the ball for him. How is it possible that he could look so tiny and yet so grown up all at the same time?

I didn't have my camera with me, but fortunately I had my iPhone.

We've also spent a lot of time playing with cousins this week. We spent Tuesday with Izzy and today with George and Sam at their house. Here are a few of my favorite shots of the action.

The hair blowing in the wind just cracks me up in this shot!

Jake is just so funny. He absolutely loves being on the go, so he is loving all the cousin play dates this week. When we were leaving George and Sam's house today, he asked me if we could go somewhere else next. I can't keep up with this boy! All of this is going on without naps now, too.

Easter Fun

Easter was such a beautiful day! Jake was great in Church. He was handed an unlit candle when we walked in, and this candle (as well as our candles) kept him occupied throughout Mass. The walk up to the altar and candle lighting were the icing on the cake for him. After Church, we did Grandma Sally and Grandpa Gene's house for an Easter egg hunt and lunch. It was so fun to be able to do the hunt outside. I can't remember an Easter this warm. We freshened up at our house for just one hour and headed to Aunt Janie and Uncle Paul's house for egg hunt #2 and dinner.  Jake took a little snooze in the car on the way there...never letting go of his Easter basket.

I was really happy with my pictures this Easter. I have a bunch of favorites.

Jelly beans were not popular with Jake. He was all about the Hershey's Kisses. I think I know what we'll use to potty train!

It seems like just yesterday that Carly and Kate were the little ones doing egg hunts.

Jake is crazy about Gracie. She takes good care of him...and brings him Girl Scout cookies!

I'm always so excited to get a picture of my beautiful girl.

Brendon and Jake have been big buddies lately. Brendon is very protective of his little cousin.

The big kids have to stick together! Kate is so happy to have Cam and Brianna in her life.

Ashley and Grandpa have always had a very special bond.

Sam gets a lift from his Papa. I think this is my favorite Easter picture.

Ashley and Izzy are definitely having fun during the egg hunt. I was excited that they stopped long enough for me to get this cute shot!

Sam and George sharing a quick moment of brotherly love...believe me...very quick.

I got this shot thanks to Em. I didn't even notice that she and Kate were sitting together talking. Em yelled at me to grab my camera and document the moment. My sister knows me so well.

It was a very Happy Easter!

Guess what I just bought?

I bought a domain name!!!  I'm pretty excited about it. I may not act on it right now, but I wanted to lock it up. Fun, huh?

I spent the day baking cupcakes and mini cheesecakes for Easter. Dan kept Jake occupied outside. We went out for date night to one of our favorite restaurants, and then I went a little crazy at Ann Taylor Loft. I haven't bought anything since the first of the year and am down almost 10 pounds. Some pre-Jake stuff will work, but I'm finding that it's not very comfortable. I was so excited to buy single digits again!

I promised some pictures from the photo shoot yesterday. Here are some of my favorites. I could photograph these sweet, beautiful girls every single day. I have so much fun with them. By the way girls, Jake is asking to come over and play at your house!

Happy Easter!!!

Editing

I've been busy since Jake went down tonight. I've been editing pictures from a photo shoot I did today. I am pretty excited about them. I'll get some up to share tomorrow.

After the photo shoot, I took Jake to Stations of the Cross at noon. I was thinking it might be a crazy idea. It was lunch time. I had a few snacks with me but no toys. Jake sat through the Stations like a perfect little angel. I didn't even have to break out the food. I was so proud of him.

We had a funny at the grocery store this afternoon. We were at one grocery store, and Jake yells out in front of a lot of people that he wants to go to the other one. He names the other grocery store...a big competitor to the one we were in. You probably had to be there, but he made a lot of people laugh in the baking aisle. 

Back to my pictures...

What color is your egg?

We had such a busy day today packed with so much fun. The kids were off school for Holy Thursday, so we headed to my Mom's house to play and dye Easter eggs with Izzy. I was so pleased that Jake didn't resort to egg throwing this year. He was actually really into the whole process. What a difference a year makes! The kids worked on their eggs and then spent a lot of time riding bikes on Mom and Dad's back driveway. We then piled into our cars and headed to Kohl's with Mama, Mimi, and Izzy. We didn't head back home until 4:30, and I really didn't think I would be able to keep Jake awake in the car. I pulled out all the tricks. I let him have a sucker, had the dvd player going with his favorite Barney movie, and then open and closed windows so the air would blow on him. I was desperate. A nap at that time of the day would mean he would be up until late in the evening.

We made it home, and I was amazed that he still had enough energy to ask to play outside. A bunch of kids were out in the court around the corner from our house, so we joined them for an hour. Dan picked up dinner for us. We were eating without Kate who spent the evening with Richie at his house. Jake ate really well, took a bath, and then proceeded to run laps up and down the upstairs hallway. I have no idea where this child gets all this energy. He was on the go all day and in the sun...and no nap. We got him in bed at 8:30, and he should sleep until at least 7:30 tomorrow morning.

I'm waiting up for Kate as I type this. I just can't fall asleep until she's home. She thinks it's unreasonable that she has any kind of curfew at 18 years old. It's an on-going discussion/argument around here.

I got a cute invitation in the mail for my niece's First Communion. It served as a reminder that we must pick a date for Kate's graduation party. We can't seem to agree on that either. Tomorrow is the day. We must pick a date and decide what to serve. I didn't use to be a procrastinator...is age or Jake the cause? A little of both?

Here are some pictures from the egg dyeing.