Hey Party People

Since the house was already clean from the playdate and Nick and I wanted to spend time with our friends last night we had a Bring Your Own...Just About Everything Party. We provided the appetizers and dessert and everyone was in charge of bringing their own meat to grill, a side to share, and any alcoholic beverages that they wanted to wash the good food down with. We had a house full...Angela, Karen/Aaron/Olivia, Robin/Derrick/Willow, Ashley/Wayne/Nathan, and Nick, Jack, and I. After dinner the boys watched the game while the girls visited. Willow slept in Robin's arms but by the end of the night Olivia was in Jack's pack in play in our room, Nathan was in Jack's swing in the guest room, and Jack was in his crib. Wow....this time last year....things were a lot different. The night was a success but we are thinking next time it might be easier just to chip in and order pizza...babies make cooking and eating a challenge for the adults. Believe it or not I have NO PICTURES...my camera was in our room and Ashley's didn't have a battery. I'm trying to upload a video of Jack playing basketball but am having troubles...maybe I'll try again later. Off to start preparing for this CRAZY week we have ahead of us.

Jack's Playdate

Jack and I hosted a playdate on Friday so that he could share all his new toys with his friends (and because Mom was needing some adult time). That afternoon they all came over to snack, play, and visit.

"Look Luke...yes I am sharing my toys, but since it is my house and they are MY toys...if I want them I get them. Wait your turn."

"Can you believe he invited me over and then just took that green ball from my very hands?!?"

"Here Luke, Luke....come and get it."

"Come little children and I will teach you many things."

Doesn't Tina look like the pigeon lady? All the kids kept migrating to her. Guess it is because she is so nice and pretty. :)

"Little Nathan...stick with me. I'm the leader of this pack and have your back."

We had a great time and can't wait to get together again soon. It is always so fun to see how the kids interact together and the adult conversations are great too...even though they are always focused around babies.

Music Man

Jack loves his regular Gymboree Class and we both look forward to going every week. But before the Holidays we previewed the Gymboree Music Class and he was all smiles and squeals the entire class. So we tried a few more and today at our last "trial" I decided that Jack is a Music Man. Since he has already done a full Semester of Level 2 we are going to do Music til he is old enough for Level 3 then switch over to that. That way by the time I return to work next year he will have gotten to try out all 3 classes. Maybe next Summer we can do the Art class to see if he is an Art Man too.

Since I chose not to take the job I am going to make the most of our time together. We are currently enrolled in Gymboree Music, Swimming Lessons twice a week, playdates at least once a week, and I also plan to fit in some library read alouds and trips to the gym (for Mom to loose what I like to blame on Jack weight...but we all know the truth and so Jack can get used to being in someone else's care slowly).

"This week is Rhythm and Blues...Hello, I'm the 3rd Blues Brother and got the outfit from Aunt Miley to prove it."

"Let me tap you a little something- something on this hear drum. Cool Huh Baby?!?"

Big Kid Decisions Are Tough

While Nick was out of town I got offered a job to teach 2nd Grade at McGowen Elementary in Mckinney under Mike, my old Principal. Jack and I toured the school and met the team. It is the position and school that I was hoping to get a job at next year but...I would have to start no later than January 28th which was crazy soon for me. We had no Daycare lined up for Jack, had already enrolled in Spring Classes, and mentally I was thinking I had until August to be with him. After going back and forth through talking, crying, and drinking....we decided that I was going to need to follow through staying home with Jack for a full academic year and let God take where I end up next year in his own hands....am I still nervous I made the wrong choice...off and on. But that very day Jack starting saying Ma Ma, progressed with peek a boo (he can now hide himself behind furniture and pop out), and figured out how to play basketball with the Tiger toy Brian gave him for Christmas. I would have missed all of that!!! None the less...Big Kid Decisions Are TOUGH!!

Because I know your only here to see Jack...

He is everywhere nowadays. Is that normal to have such a long tongue?

T-R-O-U-B-L-E