Package from Mickey's Clubhouse

Jack had a package in the mail yesterday from Papa and Babe directly from "Mickey Mouse House". Here is a video of him opening it. I have some still pics I'll upload later...just thought Papa and Bebe would want to see the pleasure the items in the envelope brought him so that they could start planning his trip to Disney now. Enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day!

Jack was feeling better, I was getting cabin fever, so we decided to partake in one of the most American pastimes that we could think of for this fabulous Memorial Day!

Jack was able to wear his adorable baseball shirt and hat that Luke gave him for his birthday. He had a free birthday ticket (which we find out after using he'd have gotten in for free any how), and Nick and I got our tickets from Kroger for $7 (lawn seats, a hot dog, and a RoughRiders hat). Sunscreen lathered, packed lightly for us (props for me letting go of a few things-the hydro cortisone cream, Off wipes, etc. were still with me...I said lighter...not insane), and ready for a good time we were off to the Dr. Pepper Stadium.
Thanks to Nick having a "we have too much stuff" binge earlier today I was able to easily locate this super cute water bottle that Kim gave Jack at his first birthday. Went with the theme perfectly & boy did we need the water with the heat.

The Relle Clan

So sweet and gentle with his Mom-and I didn't have to beg for it...we've been getting along MUCH better lately. :)

Not so gentle with Dad!

"Go RoughRiders! Stay away Deuce & Daisy (the mascots)"

We were in the sun at first, located a new shaded lawn spot, and proceeded mainly to pig out: Nick, Jack, and I each had a hot dog, we split a bag of chips, shared a Philly Cheese Steak (Nick's craving for some reason), Dr. Pepper, Dippin' Dots in a cute baseball cup, and a lot of water. Can we say Tummy Ache...

And WIRED!!!

I'm so thankful for all who have made this day possible with my family. I can't imagine life any other way for my little man.

"Mom it is pretty hot you should make sure to drink lots of water...especially to wash down all that junk food."

"Here let me help you...it is the least I can do after this fabulous day at the ballpark."

"Mom, you're the best Mom ever. I just pick on you so that Dad feels like I love him more...you know him and his emotions....but you're my NUMBER 1!"

"Where is the gate...remember last time Papa just opened it up at his big, big house...Papa...I'm hot...can't I go swimming in your pool while I snack and watch the baseball game? I don't understand...next time I'm bringing you with me to open it up since they can't figure it out!"

What a little leaguer...can't wait to go back!

Happy Memorial Day! Love The Relle Clan

Our Memorial Day Weekend (not really-but as close as we can get)

The weather is not the best and Jack has a fever of 103 so we're indoors and resting...which is probably what we needed and the lack of it is probably what caused him to be run down.

Last weekend the weather was PERFECT...sunny, with a breeze. Jack and I went to Gymboree and then stopped on the way home at McDonald's for his first ever Happy Meal. He's had Chick-Fil-A, Sonic, etc...but never the typical American kid's meal.

Here he is...nuggets, fries, and an orange drink. The toy was a KidsPop CD which he loves to jam to on the way home.
Then to my surprise, ,disappointment, and happiness (at least it isn't going to be a bad habit for him to want a Happy Meal all the time)-Jack wasn't interested in his McDonald's Happy Meal at all. So we played outside and later had Gouda, crackers, and fruit.

I bought this sun cabana for Jack at the Divine Consignment Sale last Spring for a bargain. $45 for $13. Well he has never had a reason to use it, still hasn't, but we made a reason...who needs the beach...we have a huge backyard. He loved it!

Peek a boo!

Can't wait for our first trip to the beach one day...it really did keep you cool inside, the screen door zips closed, and the little window has a shade you can pull down too. The sides have pockets too that you can fill with sand to make it extra stable. Very cool!

Recently Jack likes to be rocked "like a baby". After his bath he also wanted to be wrapped up in his towel like a baby...then requested for me to rock him like a baby...you know I jumped on that opportunity.

My perfect "little baby"!

I think he is trying to tell us in his subtle little ways that he is ready for a sibling...I hear you baby...Dad just has bad hearing...don't give up though...I know Mommy isn't. :)

Yee Haw!

Addiction

So Jack liked them, didn't understand about the concept of collecting them, Mommy did though so the outcomes is as follows (know that they were purchased individually and that we didn't eat that many Sonic Kid's Meals) and he got them over a period of time as to not spoil him (because you know he isn't already so we don't want to go there!).

We have all 15 of the Animal Tots!
" Thanks Mom...the Croc Tot is my favorite!!!"

Envy

Had our usual bonding time in my classroom today....Mommy got home at 9:40 with Chick-Fil-A in hand after obsessing about getting black dots off of originals before copying and planning your end of year party for daycare (making up for Muffins in a BIG way-can't wait til you see all I'm doing for ya man)...Envy the pictures below (which yes is in our bed, we have good nights and bad, and we'll work on it this Summer)....but for now...how can you disturb such a perfect sleeping angel?!?

PEACE
FOR ALL

It's A

CHICK (well chickS actually-7 of them)

My class for the past 21 days has been observing and caring for 12 eggs in an incubator. Jack has loved to come and look at the eggs. Yesterday he got to see a hole in one with a beak pecking away, a few cracks on others, and a peep/peep here and there from inside the eggs. He has taken so much ownership after coming with me to the feed store to buy supplies for them after they hatch. Well I expected to see them still working away this morning when I got to school and was hoping for only one or two to make things easier...but nope...I walked into a room full of chirps and 7 baby chicks! The other 5 are still cooking and if my candling shadow test is accurate they too should be hatched soon.
I picked Jack up from school, we went to Walmart to get cedar for the smell and a lower wattage bulb because the 250 was frying my lil chicks...then went to school so he could see his "Peep, Peeps" outside their eggs. He instantly wanted to hold the yellow one. The brown one was super interested in a scrap of paper on the floor.
I swear that no chicks were harmed in his visit...although this one did go to the potty soon after being "hugged" really tightly by Jack.
He loved knocking and "waking them up from their naps" when really they were exhausted from pecking out and still cooling off from their bake session under the super light. It's funny though...they kinda all look like they are thinking who is that kid, why is he knocking, and I hope he doesn't squeeze me like our yellow friend a minute ago.



This has been quit an adventure but totally worth it for myself, Jack, and especially my students who were so excited this morning to see their baby chicks had hatched. Good times....now how long before they take a trip to the farm....depends on how often I have to clean the aquarium, how long before they start to get out the aquarium, and how long I can take the nonstop cheep, cheeping from them.

Jack's Big Boat

Jack had a package at the door the other day from the mailman from Nana and Gramps!

He tore it open after his bath.

And was ready to read it even before finishing his milk WHILE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was on...which is a BIG deal!



Thanks Nana and Gramps!!

Lost Mother's Day Pictures

Here are the pictures that didn't make it on the Mother's Day Post for some reason. Enjoy!

Jack kicking around the pool....I swear it is the water that magnified my bum...AND the camera adds 10 pounds RIGHT?!?
Papa and Jack being silly with the pool frisbee from Bebe.

It was so cold we took a dip in the hot tub to warm up. Jack liked the bubbles!

Here he is with his monkey from his suitcase chilling with Papa and Bebe for an after swim nap.

Yummy!

Outside Landry's after dinner.

Looking at the Dart Train!

Papa rigging the doors of the bathroom so little man Jack wouldn't lock himself in...you know...with band aids. Innovative!

Happy Mother's Day!

So this week wasn't that much better between conferences, Spring Concerts, Banquets, and Nick's Field Day (which was a TOTAL SUCCESS). Better late than never...here is a sampling of the pictures from my wonderful Mother's Day Weekend.

Papa and Bebe were at the house Friday when we got home from school to surprise Jack. Video at bottom of post. That night Nick and I went to dinner at Bennihana and Jack headed to Scotty P's (big surprise-Papa and Bebe love their burgers). Jack loves for Papa to give him money to put in his "pig, pig bank".
Saturday we woke up, got dressed, and hung out a little while before heading downtown to our hotel room. Jack had fun showing Papa and Bebe his tricycle and picking all the flowers (I mean weeds) from the front yard and putting them in his basket to take on a ride.
He loved Papa's "big truck". It was a rental...I wonder when Jack is going to notice that Papa never travels in the same car to visit him. Jack had his own little rolling suitcase with a monkey attached from Papa and Bebe at Christmas and loved pushing it. Finally he figured out that it was easier to pull it behind him.
Didn't seem confused at all on why we packed up, drove not even 45 minutes, to "Papa's house with Papa's pool." The room was so nice and spacious!

We had a Central Market picnic by the pool after unloading the car.

I mean really...is this bored, lazy, or just plain precious?!?!

Then it was to the pool. Sorry about the frontal shot of me...apparently it didn't cover as much as I thought when leaning over. The weather was very overcast and kinda windy so Bebe had to wrap up but we were determined (since a day by the pool was the plan for this mini adventure) and went for it.

A bunch of pictures didn't pull up (guess that was post field day exhaustion affecting my work). After swimming we all napped, Jack had a cupcake and milk in the big king size bed (precious picture of icing on his nose...I guess just imagine it), and then we headed to dinner in the West End at Landry's. We walked around some so Jack could see the Dart train and to pick up a few things at CVS but upon hearing gun shots we decided it was time to head out. Good thing Mom needed to warm up or we would have been on the street (which was one block away) where there was a police drug by a car and his partner shot causing a wreck. There were police coming out the wood work and chaos so we jetted (luckily missing the Maverick traffic). Ice cream was craved by Nick so we drove to Innwood for gelato and Starbucks for me.

When we got back in the room Papa set up a fort for Jack with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse playing on the mini DVD player (which we used the whole time even though there we 2 really nice TVS because of the lack of adaptor chords).

I think this was Jack's highlight of the trip. He spent hours in there watching TV, coloring, reading his books, and playing with his trucks from a Target trip with Papa and Bebe on Friday.

Mother's Day Morning Breakfast "in bed" via Room Service. Not to be confused with Nick making us breakfast in the mini kitchen which he is trying to make it appear like.

I love my little man-A Mother couldn't ask for a better gift. And the breakfast was fabulous- I had french toast with bacon and a Pepsi as you can see! Jack ate every one's fruit!!

Bebe was so lucky to spend her Mother's Day with Jack. It has become a tradition for them to be here on Mother's Day even pre-Jack-always a great time. Jack was having troubles realizing that Bebe was my mom...guess it is a hard concept for a 2 year old. Happy Mother's Day Mom-Bebe!

For Mother's Day I got a Vera Bradley clutch bag that had an iPhone in it. Whoot-Whoot! Thanks boys! The drives to Louisiana are going to be fabulous with the Internet at my finger tips. Now to learn how to use it!

We had to say good-bye to Papa and Bebe and I'm not sure if it was our long nap, the mixture of junk food we ate, or the crazy people on our floor at the hotel but none of us slept great. Jack was asleep by the Interstate on the ride home which means while Nick and I napped...he did this to his room. What a mess!

It was a great Mother's Day Weekend! Thanks Papa, Bebe, Nick, and JACK!!! Love you all!!

Here is a video of Jack walking in to see Papa and Bebe at his house!

Here is a video of our little fish after he got used to being in the pool. It was cold but we had fun. Swimming lessons are a must before heading to Papa's real pool this Summer though.