Jack's Birthday

Yesterday was Jack's third birthday.  To celebrate, Brad took the day off work and we went to the zoo.  It was the best day I've had at the Hogle Zoo, the weather was perfect and the kids were great.  We really had a good time and I think we saw every single animal!

 Jack was all too happy to end his birthday at the zoo with a ride on the carousel and ice cream (his two favorite things).

This little boy is so smart, affectionate, and funny.  I love the way he excitedly calls my name in the morning to tell me he's awake.  I love his hugs.  And I love his laughter and smiles. 

But there is no doubt we've been going through the terrible two's around here.  He is just too smart for his own good.  He's already back-talking and the yelling is deafening.  Finding any kind of discipline that makes any sort of a difference is a constant struggle for Brad and I.  He is "stong willed" and intense, but also independent and imaginative.  I like watching him play and tell stories.  He's a loving older brother and a good sport with Wesley, most of the time! 

I adore Jack, he makes me melt...

when he's not making me scream.

Today Jack...

weighs 33 lbs.

is 40 inches tall.

ate only one chicken dinosaur for lunch but had a ton of
Fruit Loops for breakfast.

still only wants noodles for every meal.

thinks he is smarter than me.

has only fought with me once.

has made me laugh at least 10 times.

Jack's Party

Monkey Do, Monkey See,

Monkey Jack is turning Three!

Here are a few highlights from Jack's birthday party

last night...

Lots of friends and family to celebrate with.

Plenty of cake and banana splits to go around.

 And super fun presents for Jack. 

He's already spent hours this morning playing with them.



Witch or Angel?

Thanks to Michele, Avery has two adorable costumes to choose from this Halloween.

(Truth be told, 75% of Avery's clothing from birth are hand-me-downs from Michele and Ava, and I LOVE it.) 

I tried the costumes on her this afternoon to see which fit best.  Avery slipped right in to the witch outfit and pranced around with pride. 

Two minutes later, I tried to put her in the angel costume.  And it is exquisite.  I mean, the witch is very cute and lots of fun, but the angel is beautiful and divinely sweet. 

My little girl wouldn't have any of it! 

She screamed and started pulling at the white feathers, screeching until I threw her in her bed exhausted from the fight and still having failed to even get both legs in.

So personality, not size or my preference, has picked her costume this Halloween.  She is a witch, NOT an angel.

I Remember

One day I'll explain this day to my children. 

For now we'll visit this place.

Lucky Kid

Yesterday Wesley pulled over our TV onto himself.  Our big, old, box TV, that probably weighs 80 pounds.  When I ran into the room the TV was covering him from the top of his head to his waist and I was maybe as scared as he was.  In the seconds after I pushed it off of him, his jaw and cheek started swelling rapidly and I was worried he broke something.  After we got to the emergency room they sent him in for a CAT scan to check for fractures and brain injuries.  Poor kid was frightened and dazed, but I'm happy to report that after a short wait and playing with a bucket of dinosaurs, they didn't find any breaks.  He was lucky to get away with only soft tissue swelling and bruising.

 I didn't take any pictures yesterday afternoon, but only 18 hours later the swelling has gone down a lot (this is what he looks like this morning). 
Wesley said the family prayer last night and thanked Heavenly Father for protecting him.  That's the truth.