Thloo-thloo

A week or two ago something in our neighbor's yard caught Jacob's eye. Namely, this pinwheel. He begged to cross the street and investigate that spinning wonder and I obliged. Once we got there I told him it was a pinwheel and a new word was born, "thloo-thloo".



We started crossing the street three or four times a day to say "hi" to the thloo-thloo. Each visit lasting no more than 2 minutes. Just a few quick spins and we were on our way.

After a few days of that I decided it was time to get our own.

Ta-da!





(In case you're wondering, we still pay daily visits to our neighbor's thloo-thloo.)

Beans, Beans...

It started modestly enough: one bag of red beans, one bag of great northern beans, two metal bowls and two plastic measuring cups.







Sometimes things with small beginnings turn into a whole lot more. I'll let the pictures tell the tale.























We LOVE beans.

Sick House

That's right, I believe I am incapable of keeping my child healthy. Heaven help us when we have two! I would like to blame church nursery (and do), but seriously, what is it that makes germs stick to Jacob like flies on stank (no offense, J.J.). This latest sickness has included a mystery fever for two days and now some mild stomach problems, about which I will not elaborate. It hasn't been a terrible experience by any means...we've just spent a lot of time inside, which is a tall order for us.

He fell asleep on me today, which is a sure-fire sign that he's feeling ill and I didn't know what to do!?! Let me explain.

1. I was REALLY hungry. In fact, my stomach was growling. In other words, which child do I take care of. Hmmmm.

2. I needed to use the bathroom.

3. He was only wearing basketball shorts. No socks, no shirt.

4. I had put his bedding in the wash and had not put the new sheets on his bed yet.

So there I was, trapped under a child woefully unprepared to take a nap in every way yet desperately needing a quality nap (read: a nap in his crib). So, I eased him onto the couch. I got up, turned to look at him and gasped. He was an angel. An angel wrapped up in a ratty old Daytona Beach towel laying on a sheet to protect the couch. It didn't matter, he took my breath away.







(The end of the story is a 4 hour nap in his crib once I dressed his bed and dressed him. Tricky mommy!)

(Also, I do know how to take pictures, but silly blogger cropped them...just use your imagination for the forehead, fingers and toes that are missing.)

My Body Makes Music!!!

That's right. But don't worry, this is not one of those posts. It's merely the first line of Jacob's new favorite song! It's called "Mi Cuerpo" [My Body]. I have used this song in every Spanish class I've taught. Here's the translation:

My body, my body, it makes music;
My body, my body, it makes music.
My hands go [clap, clap, clap],
My feet go [stomp, stomp, stomp],
My mouth goes "la, la, la",
and my body, "cha cha cha".



He's bilingual!

Potty Acquainting

I'm not posting this picture because Jacob's a "potty train". I'm basically just posting it because it's oh so cute. He's gone #1 twice on the potty and we're pretty darn pleased with that. Here's to Jacob getting to know his potty!

While you were out

Daddy is studying hard at the library today (after helping us bulk up) and we sure missed him! We're proud of his efforts and know that they will pay off big time in June and later in jobs, opportunities and lots of kizash! However, we did not let daddy's absence interfere with the joys of an early summer Saturday (which, if pressed, I would say is a bit like everyday...but, I digress).

First, we played outside with "ha-teur", construction paper and paintbrushes.



Soon enough our little neighbor Madison joined in the fun.



Madison comes and plays with us often...which Jacob and I both love. She is old enough to be very interesting to Jacob, but young enough to be curious and interested in what he's doing. (I guess what I'm saying is that I've drawn enough circles at his behest to fill reams of paper, but she hasn't! It's mutually beneficial.)

Jacob also took a moment while outside to point out (and say) the "C" and "A" on his brush.



After playing outside for almost 2 hours it was bathtime. (We are now averaging 1.5 baths a day, don't ask me how.)



For lunch Jacob feasted on chicken salad and limas at his very own toy table that pulled an extra shift as his very own big boy eating table.



We were wondering why he was so contrary at meals lately, and we've realized that he just craved good food and sweet freedom.



Now the boy's asleep. His momma and baby bro (my official guess) are sure to follow. We missed you today Daddy, but we're proud as punch and love you always.

Cuckles for All! (Or at least for his one and only)

No, I'm not talking about Katie. I'm talkin' 'bout Jacob's bunny.

We have been fruitlessly waving stuffed animals under his nose for almost two years now, and finally he hit it off with one. It's a blue easter bunny that Grandma and Grandpa Gam sent him. I don't have a really good picture of the bunny because Jacob is usually doing this,



or this,



when he's with him. He typically throws the bunny on the ground and then body slams him in a loving cuddle. Needless to say, he LOVES his bunny. Tonight we heard him talking after we put him to bed and realized that he was saying, "cuckle" over and over and over again. When we check on him later I am pretty sure we'll see Jacob and his bunny in a warm embrace (just like we did last night).

Ah, Young Love

Well, at least young friendship. Jacob has found a wonderful friend just up the street (to say nothing of mommy finding this wonderful friend's mother as her own friend). Her name is Katie. Jacob actually started saying Katie (phonetically: Tay-dee) almost two months ago, that's the kind of impact this sweet thing has had on him. They have attended movement class together, played at the park together, and run naked through the grass together. What?!? Yes, naked (okay, diapered) and hand in hand through the grass. Just scroll down, you'll see.



These pictures were snapped after Katie and Jacob had been playing with water and these amazing spongey balls in Katie's back yard. She just couldn't resist grabbing him by the hand and running off with him. And he was more than happy to go.



p.s. Katie's got lovely olive skin and Jacob is white!