Sometimes it's not better the second time around

Little Mr. Nico is not quite the veggie-lover that Jacob is. I knew deep down that Jacob's great eating habits had nothing to do with me. I knew it. But I hoped that perhaps it was because I was an amazing mother who introduced healthy vegetables to her child early. Or just that I had stumbled upon a good vegetable-introducing system that would save me a struggle with our subsequent children.

How do you think my system is working with Nicholas?














Almost as well as the beef experiment of 2006.

One Man Band

Jacob's been a very musical boy lately.

He sings the typical LDS-child canon: "I am a child of God", "As I have loved you", and "Popcorn popping on the papercut tree". He also likes to sing requests (demands) to the tune of "Sing a song". Example: "I want some milk, I want some milk, I want some milk, milk, milk, milk, milk, milk." Sometimes he even replaces a few "milks" with "please". He makes a mother proud.

But now, but now this mother is extremely proud. I have always enjoyed some good-natured scatting. You know, adding a little drum or guitar never hurt anyone. It's not a cool habit, but I guess it's a part of my make-up that I'm passing on to my young.

I really like his choice of song. You will too. I've embedded it to the right for your enjoyment sans Jacob's enhancements. (Notice how in the middle of the first video Jacob takes a break to exclaim, "car transporter!")



Here he is being traditional and singing with the words a bit.



He is one cool scatting cat.

Did I tell you we went to the beach?

We did. Three weeks ago. We went to Destin, FL and had a fabulous time with Matt's family. So, finally I am getting to these wonderful beach pictures and memories.

One of the greatest parts was the dramatic improvement in the car trip. Jacob had alphabert and Nicholas had his bottle and they just did great.




























Also, Nicholas did a little snoozing.














If the ride was this good, imagine what the actual beach was like!!!!!!

So so much to do

Honestly...sometimes Jacob is so poetic. The way his expressions capture my feelings so perfectly. Beautiful.

The eagle has landed

Can you believe I only just found out about this? Someone thought to build a park right next to a small airport runway. Yes, you heard me, a park next to a very active runway and (lest I forget) heliport. It was little boy heaven. Not to be confused with John Deere Heaven, "where all is mellow and even the cows are green and yellow". I digress.

Check out our proximity to those mo'sheens.














Of course, the playground lay untouched for a very long time. Just too much to see!




























I didn't really get a good picture of the runway, but it was close and it was hopping. Planes just landing and taking off all of the time. Jealous? You should be. It rocked.

We waved at helicopters and discussed, "what dat plane doing?" and "why dat propeller stop?" for about 40 minutes. Since this trip, Jacob likes to show us how the propellers stop by pumping his arms fast and then slowing them down and then delicately stopping them. When he stops them he crouches very slightly and drops his voice to hushed tones.


















After a long while we made our way over to the playground.


















































In conclusion, this park was wonderful. We will definitely be coming back often. Especially because what other park can you go to that has this threat?














Jet blast? Eeeyikes!

And what other park has this friendly reminder?


















Nico liked it too.

Competition's Good for Everyone!

This chrome buddy just can't compete with...














...this guy!














Bath time has never been so easy or so full of smiles. (And full of my constant refrain: "Jacob, don't pour water out of the tub...I mean it." But "I mean it" really peppers all of our dealings.)

Isn't he cute?














If you want to read a lot more about competition in the marketplace (and such) read this. Don't hate Matt for loving economics (the dismal science) and the White Stripes (a great band) so much.

Higgity Hair Cuts

Finally.



















































They really needed it.

Brothers gotta hug

Hugs are usually initiated by Jacob.

They are wildly and happily accepted by Nicholas.

There is always a risk of injury.

Mother usually has to ask Jacob to end the hug when things get violent.

Nicholas laughs through almost all violence.

And lastly, often Jacob prefaces these hugs with the phrase, "I just love him so much".

Was this worth 1,500 dollars?

Our buyer (yes, you heard right) wanted the septic tank pumped and inspected prior to purchase. Apparently, before finding our amazing home, they were very interested in another home with a septic tank. A septic tank that hadn't been pumped in 30 years. Yes, you heard right, 30 years! To add to the nightmare, the owner of that disgusting septic tank didn't want them pumping and inspecting it! Oh golly, it's so gross (having looked our septic tank in the eye) I can't stand it!

Anyway, when the septic tank guys came they had a DIGGER hitched to the back of their big pump truck. Now, it was actually a mini-excavator. Jacob was hooked. So happy. And totally engrossed.


















They located the septic tank through a 6th/septic sense. They stuck a small rod into the ground and thumped on the tank to show me that it was there. I truly had a small hope that there was a treasure chest there and not a box of poopies. Alas...

We stayed outside and watched until they opened the tank. I had read online that you should never clean your own septic tank (like we would want to!) because the fumes would kill you and--ahem--anyone who attempted to rescue you. Truly. That's what it said. Unfortunately, the fumes aren't really that deadly, because they beckoned me out and (as I previously mentioned) they forced me to come near it and look into it! The workman insisted that I OK every aspect of the job. Please, no! My eyes! My nose!

They were using septic terminology that just meant nothing to me and the smell and concept were horrid. "The hoozibob is crumbling and there are roots growing all through the whatsigig. We really should put some chirrioos in it and replace that crumbling hoozibob."

I would have agreed to anything...ANYTHING! Just to escape!

So, I was able to flee after forking over $1500 and looking into the thing 5 times. It was harrowing.

But seriously, to have a digger in your own back yard...

Priceless?

I sure hope so.


















Do you see Jacob?























Jacob had one request during the digging. Listen up as I coy-ly ask him "what?" about 4 billion times. Diggers are amazing AND loud.

Make him an offer he can't refuse

Could you refuse him?