Jack's First Black Eye

What's a holiday without a trip to the ER? Friday, Jack and Bronwyn celebrated Mike and Max's eighth birthday. Apparently overcome with joy, Jack took a serious tumble on the stairs. He fall flat on the hard woods on the side of his face. I am just glad that I didn't see it as I don't want that image in my mind. What I did see is my precious and brave little boy in shock and hurt. He uttered "Make me stop crying mom," in between sobs. It looked questionable and practicing the mom rule of "better safe than sorry" Minnie, Dad, Bronwyn and Mom took Jack to the hospital. We knew things were okay when we were a mile away from the ER and Jack started burping. Dad said he must have fallen on the burp button and Jack let out the widest, largest laugh of all time. Clearly, Jack was back!

The Stairs

The Black Eye

The Birthday Boys

Gobble Gobble

ROAD TRIP!

Grandma and Grandpa's

We set off on Tuesday for our first road trip as a family of four. Playing the role of 'perfect mom', I packed lunches and we ate at the idyllic lake front setting on the way to Charlotte. Arriving in the nick of time to celebrate Grandma's 70th with a dinner at a favorite local jaunt. Spent a couple days with the grandparents and discovered all discipline techniques are rendered useless in new, exciting environments (new in sense he can't remember it from last year!)--hurting my chances at Oscar award for role of 'perfect mom'.

Grandma, Grandpa, Jack and Bronwyn

Jack and Bronwyn sacked out with Grandma.

Perfect Mom' with the truly Perfect Bronwyn.

Minni and Pop's

Arrived on Turkey day to Minnie and Pop Pops. Just in time to see Santa make his official Macy's Parade arrival. We spent a couple days here and discovered Bronnie shares Minni's and Daddy's passions for shopping as she smiled and cooed for 3.5 hours shopping on Black Friday.

Minni and Bronwyn

Pop Pop and Bronwyn

Thanksgiving Day at Uncle Robby's and Aunt Meg's

Arriving at Uncle Robby and Aunt Megs for Thanksgiving Dinner

The Cook busy in kitchen...he has mastered Turkey Day!

The pretty table--thanks to Grandma's coolest iron ever the napkins and table cloth look great!

Twins playing dress up with Jack

Gracie with Bronnie

Max with Bronnie

Mikey with Bronnie

Sam with his hair ;)

Thanks everyone for a fantastic Turkey Day. We departed Saturday and playing the role of tired mom stopped at Wendy's for Happy Meals and ate in the parking lot while watching Santa Clause 2 on the DVD...who likes a perfect mom anyway?

Playful Pup

Jack, a.k.a. Playful Pup, after his school's Thanksgiving Feast.

Pacified by the Paci!

Mark the calendars people. Today Bronwyn took a pacifier. I have only tried for two months...and she preferred the human version. This had me wondering if I would be returning to work in a month without a certain part of my anatomy (as Gary would certainly not allow me to leave the state with Bronnie's favorite soothie.) So you see...the pacifier is very important as my first business trip is 1/11. Thanks paci!

Is Santa Pretend?

On the way to school, Jack asked if Ghosts are real or pretend. (pretend.) Batman real or pretend. (pretend. )Santa real or pretend. (REAL!)
He followed up asking if Ghosts and Batman are pretend why is Santa real.

HE IS FOUR...TOO EARLY!!!

I replied with "WOW! Is that a firetruck over there? ;)

CHIP, CHIP, CHIP, CHIP

Bored at dinner, Jack made a tortilla chip into a helicopter. He asked if we knew what sound his helicopter made. Do you? chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip chip...

Whose Edgar?

Bronwyn spoke her first words today. Call Edgar or something like this... Anyone know what this means? She is a cooing fool and I like it :)

The Checkup

How do you get a four-year old to pee in a cup? Rhetorical? Maybe. Hopping around a room in your underwear, saying your middle name, address, counting to five and receiving four shots and a finger prick were all part of Jack's wellness visit. Bronwyn only had to look cute but also had four shots. WAH!

May all our children benefit from our hindsight. I realize now that I am not assertive enough with my health care providers. Too quick to accept opinion than to challenge or question. That is wrong. What is right is how we teach Jack already to assert himself...to ask his doctor questions. But, perhaps I have taken it too far. Jack INFORMED his doctor that she would not need to use the tongue depressor as he can open "plenty wide". Jack REQUESTED that he leave his clothes on as "I don't want you to see me naked. Those are my private parts." Jack QUESTIONED why he needed the shots as he eats plenty of nutritious food so he won't get sick.

I hope Bronnie was paying attention ;)

Jack Stats:
Four-years old; 25% weight; 50% height; 100% sweetness.

Bronwyn Stats:
Two-months old; 25% weight; 50% height; 100% adorable.

Happy Birthday Jack

"Out with three and in with four!" was what Jack exclaimed during bath time as he threw his foam number "3" out of the tub and held the "4" proudly above his head. Something magical about turning "4"...the ushering in of big boy-dom! He no long shops at Baby Gap but at Gap Kids. He sits on the big toilet versus his potty chair. He is a big brother. And FINALLY going to bed on his own (kind of). But the saddest part of getting older is understanding more about life around him. For his birthday wish...Jack blew out the candles and in a meek voice wished "to never die"...can you imagine! He should be wishing for firetrucks and Lego's but he wishes for immortality. Of course a side effect of his birthday being close to Halloween where Jack grew interested in skeletons, ghosts and the likes. But, after some awkward silence and a few tears from mom (hidden from the boy) the moment passed and joy was felt by all during the cake-eating feast and present-opening ceremony--cake and presents always a surefire way to move on to happier places!


Here is Jack at school with is friends. I came in for circle time. Jack shared pictures of himself over the last four-years, we viewed Rapping Jack (included at end of blog entry for you own viewing pleasure!), and ate carrot cake muffins with cream cheese topping--Jack's favorite, I snuck them in as cupcakes (sweets) aren't allowed...I listed them as muffins and cream cheese :)

At home we had a Hot Wheel themed dinner of Pork Tenderloin, stuffing and broccolini (Jack chose the menu) and of course BIRTHDAY CAKE.

He opened his presents and loved them all. The firefighter accessories were a big hit. The following night he packed them into his suitcase and met us downstairs for dinner telling me he was bringing them to the restaurant in case a fire started

he would be able to help save everyone. GOOD GRIEF! He is also looking foward to playing Twister on the next Family Game Night (Gary and I are already stretching in preparation to avoid any injuries...bi-product of being old parents!!!)

So here is to the best year every and of course Jack's immortality!

oh, and Rappin' Jack!

Daddy Smiles

Monkey Jack's

What do you get when you mix ten kids and a room full of inflatables? Jack's Fourth Birthday Party!!!

Held at Monkey Joe's this year, his closest school and neighborhood friends joined him for two hours of bouncy fun this morning. Pizza, cake and goodies bags galore rounded out the party. We are very blessed that Jack has such nice friends and neighbors, and even more blessed that we have Jack. Check out picasso web album for all the pics!

Happy Party Day my Jackie!

The boys get the party started on the super slide!

Jack slippin' and slidin'

Prince Jack on his bouncy throne...with Dad, Mom and Bronnie in the flower pack!

Pizza and cake with good friends!