All about JACK

I built Arlin’s little table and chair set up this afternoon after he got home from school. Of course the Captain had to help Mama…and stomp all over the box and bubble wrap!

so…it’s gonna take some time for the newness to wear off on this real plant thing- he is pretty fascinated by it’s presence…he spent the majority of snack time this afternoon trying to feed the flower his cracker!

our first snack time at the table…after school today.

me snapping shots from across the wee little table…hopefully these chairs don’t bust with us big kids sitting on em’!

the set up…Chad and I are trying to bring a little bit of  Montessori “like” furniture into the home, by recommendation of the Academy. We have a new training potty in the downstairs bathroom that Arlin sits on everytime Chad or I go potty This last weekend we picked up this eating table, two chairs…and his all time favorite- an Arlin size cleaning utensil set (still on the hunt for a wood set like they have at the school) but these will do for now- they were half off…Ha. Maybe I do clean too much. I swear the Captain has been following me everywhere around the kitchen the past couple of days with his new broom in tow. It’s really too cute. Tonight we ate dinner at his table (well Arlin and I did) we used a plate, a spoon and a cup…I was beyond impressed with my little guys manners and we didn’t throw any food like I envisioned! Hoo ray!

this picture is the…BEST!!!

Spoiled. Rotten…

Uncle Joel bought the Captain’s first Carhartt jacket and real cowboy hat.

at Uncle Joel & Kirk’s house…

I am so glad we finally made it to the Denver Rodeo/ Western Stock Show yesterday with Uncle Joel! (we missed you Kirk!)

Arlin got to check out lots of different animals up close and personal for the first time ever.

We saw some…Cows, Chickens, Ducks, Guinea Pigs, Horses, Ponies, Roosters, Alpacas…and so on! The Captain had the best view in the house the entire show…Uncle Joel carried him like precious cargo 6 feet high in the air. I think Arlin was on sensory overload- it was a lot to take in, but he loved every minute of it, even with the sniffles. (I think we have a slight cold again) Thank you uncle Joel, you were a champ with handling the Boogers, Snot rockets…whatever you call them yuckies…

Next, it’s time for Mama to get back to the Rodeo to see some REAL Rodeo action!!! Can’t wait.

handsome Jack…& those baby blues!

curious george…always reaching for the camera…you have to be quick!

I love this picture…it’s like “Mooommm!!!” stop taking pictures of me!”

So, we got our first “real” boo boo at school on Friday. Arlin Jack accidentally took out the corner of a table with his mouth/cheek.  The school called right away and left me a message about the accident. However, I was rocking out to music while running on the treadmill and I didn’t get the voice mail notification until after Chad has already gone and picked him from school at noon. At that point I was at the hair salon getting a cut and color.

My heart was literally in my throat when I heard the voice mail (I was such a bad Mama for not getting the voice mail!)  Of course,  I immediately dialed Chad (like 15 times) to get him on the phone for the run down of what happened. I was so ready to leave  my hair appointment. Chad called me right back and told me there was no need to worry- he’s a boy babe- I think those are the words he used.

Thank gosh my little guy is tough as nails! He took the spill, cried a little and then kept on truckin’.

Jessica the director of Bergamo Academy, called us early Saturday afternoon to check in and see how Arlin was doing. I was impressed.

Man, am I in for some serious heart palpitations over the next ten years of boyhood and growing up or what?!

Few shots snapped of the grass monster…outside Chipotle on Saturday before we headed to the Children’s Museum. I couldn’t keep it out of his mouth. I figured a little grass will never hurt?! It’s gotta come out one way or another right?
I know…I won’t be winning the mother of the year award any time soon…that’s o.k. at least my kids not crawling around with knee pads and a helmet on?! Ha…seriously- I was flipping through a Safety first brochure and these things were marked top sellers- scary what’s next a safety leash- actually they have those too!

A crawling wonderland above…steps and ramps to climb and all padded for comfy spills and noggin’ taps!

Picture above is in the “baby zone” area- we waited for all the babies to vacate-’cause our little flower is a bit big to play with the infant tots.

Yes, folks he’s standing all on his own…with his fishing pole. Object of this exhibit; catch the fishies in the water with the magnetic fishing pole. Gotta love it…(amen the museum thought to put padding on the magnet at the end of the fishing pole string- as he whacked mommy in the face a few times flinging his pole around!)

Captain Jack- fits right in! A hoy’ Matey! On me ship…”The Minnow!”

Arlin and Papa playing with the fruit that velcro together.

Chad and I took the Captain to the Denver Children’s Museum on Saturday… what a cool place it is! A fantasy world all of it’s own…There are three different stories of fun in the building and every month or so they change exhibits for the kiddies to come check out. In early October we’re gonna see if Abby and Palmer wanna check out the petting zoo with horses, chicken, hens, pigs and more with us!

We ended up buying a year membership for the family, so Chad, Arlin, Stella and I can go as often as we like. Earlier Saturday morning we went to scope out a Gymboree Play and Music program- It was icky in my opinion- the walls were baron, Chad got bit in the neck by something the first five minutes we were there, and I thought to myself…really I have to come hang out here for 45 minutes, NO thanks. I remember them being much cooler in California?!

At the Children’s Museum at the end of October they have a Halloween costume festival. I can’t wait to get Arlin dressed up and go.

F.Y.I… Arlin has about the coolest-cutest Halloween costume ever made!

Captain Jack is going to be a D-I-N-O-saur! RRAR!

Chad and I have been dying to put Arlin in his costume- but we promised we’d wait for Pamaw to get here.

Captain Jack liked camping that’s for sure. Although, I think he wishes he was walking just as much as we did. He’s in that awkward time where he really wants to, but he can’t quite figure it out…and I think he’s frustrated with that. However, his mastered walking in his playpen. He’ll stand alone momentarily before he realizes he’s not holding on to anything and boom. He falls to his bum. I also think we might be cutting more teeth too! Gobs of slobber again- and he chews on whatever he can get in his mouth, books, car keys, blankets, spoons, anything!

Arlin was memorized by the campfire. Grandpa was trying to teach him “hot”… His eyes were glued to the fire watching the flames and ambers, definitely one of the highlights of camping for the Captain. Chad got a bunch more pictures on his i-phone…I’ll see if I can get em’ uploaded soon.

Look at the Big Boy! He’s totally figured out the wave to say HI! and he does it all day long to anyone and everyone trying to get their attention…it works, he pretty much has everyone’s attention where ever we go. He’s quite the champ when it comes to getting out of his car seat. The minute I unlatch the safety buckle he rolls over and stands up…I just happened to have the camera in the car…speaking of car the new ride is pretty sweet! We’re looking at getting the windows tinted darker and some new rims.

Chad met his parents and took Tristan, Stella, and Arlin to the Boulder Festival on Saturday while I was in Milwaukee. Looks like fun in the sun. The top picture is Tristan and Stella sword fighting. And the others are shots of Stella on some jumper thing…hopefully something that was done before lunch! Papa called me worried Captain Jack got sun burnt, but turns out he was just a little rosey on the legs from crawling around on the grass.

We went to Abby and Kiko’s for Mother’s Day and barbecued in their back yard. It was hysterical to watch Palmer and Arlin baby cage fight in the pack-n-play. They are total buds now and they can actually entertain each other for quite a while. Arlin has been Mr. Fussy pants lately…he is totally teething. I’m just waiting for the pearly white smile one morning!

We went out for Sushi Friday night to a place called Osaka’s on Colorado Blvd. we had never been there before but it was recommended by a few different friends so we thought we’d try it out. Arlin ate when we were eating and as you can see in the first picture his belly was full enough to pop the button on his pants!

Papa Says…”Well he’s definitely Italian!”

We both got a good laugh! As dinner progressed captain Jack’s patience wore thin. The next two pictures are him trying to escape his car seat!!!