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Ten Awesome Things About Jack

1. He loves all sports, and all aspects of all sports.  He loves to play, watch, analyze and talk about them all.  When his dad gets home, the first thing he asks is for the days sports news.  Since today is the beginning of the NFL draft, it's like and extra birthday present for him.
2. He is an excellent student.  He does a really good job at school.  He has a teacher that lets him do his homework in his free time at school, and boy has that made this year nice.  The only homework he and I have to debate over is book reports, and they are only once a month.  
3. He is a great friend.  He always gets along with so many kids, and such a variety of kids.  I like that he can play nicely with anyone.
4. He is an avid reader (except when it comes to book reports).  And he and I like to read some of the same books.  We just passed the fifth Fablehaven book back and forth.  We raced through the Septimus Heap books.  He loves Harry Potter.  We read Chronicles of Narnia together.   
5. He likes to be moving.  This kid only sits down to read so far as I can tell.  He's outside playing as much as possible.  He plays indoor basketball in my sewing room constantly if he can't be outside.  I can't remember the last time he sat and watched a movie here at home.
6. He's always willing to try new things.  The kid has foods that he despises (potatoes), yet still eats them without complaint.  If we are eating something new he is always willing to give it a try.  He will also try new non-food things whenever he gets the chance, I would bet that I am not witness to most of those though.
7. He is a fabulous big brother.  He takes good care of his little sisters.  He helps Sophie get breakfast regularly, and keeps an eye on Bella wherever we go.  He's always been good at being the oldest, though I am sure his sisters think he is a bit bossy sometimes.  As an oldest child myself, I give him the benefit of the doubt.
8. He's a great conversationalist.  I love to talk to Jack!  I love his ideas and hearing what he has to say.  He's not shy about his opinions.  But he's also respectful and introspective about things.
9. He is my right hand man.  He always helps out when I ask, and even when I don't.  He cleans up messes that aren't his.  He shares his treats, even when he doesn't have to and isn't compelled to.  He loves a schedule and will gladly complete tasks I give him. 
10. He is a great all-around.  I love hearing people tell me stories about Jack!  They always have such nice things to say!  I am so grateful to have been able to see him grow up these past ten years!  I love every minute of it!

Imitation Is The Highest Form Of Flattery

Sophie and I went on a little adventure in March.  We flew to California to see my Grandma in the bay area.  Sophie was a trooper all through the airport.  Loved traveling and everything went really smoothly.  Even better, when we got off the plane she ran to my aunt and uncle and hugged them.  This was their first meeting.

The weather was perfect.  My grandma has flowers and greenery everywhere.  I totally associate the smell with good things.  The first morning I went out to get her newspaper and was inundated with the aroma of the dogwood tree.  I loved going to her house in the summer.  My brother and I spent a few weeks there every summer growing up.  That is one of the hardest things about growing up, not being able to visit as often.

Sophie loves Grandma Penny.  She still talks about her all the time.  She would crawl up in her chair and snuggle her.  She followed her around the house.  Grandma now uses a cane, so Sophie found the umbrella stand and found herself a "cane" and walked around.  It was hilarious, and something you can get away with when you are two years old.  Because it comes from love.  Grandma and I had a great visit, and I always long to go back.  This trip my uncle took us to Tilden Park, which is filled with memories and nostalgia.  We rode the carousel and the little train.  We ate lunch at the club, the same waiter has been there as far back as I remember.  Sophie and I wandered around the yard and looked at all the flowers and fruit trees.  And best of all, Grandma told me stories about my family.  Some things I had never heard before.  I wanted to hear more.  I love our visits and can't wait for the next one.

New Chair!

After much wandering around furniture stores I finally found a chair for my computer desk.  I had just about given up, I went to Ethan Allen for goodness sake.  I found one chair that I kind of liked there- but just kind of and it was around $1000 dollars.  I can't justify that much for kind of.  So as a last ditch effort, I went over to Pier 1.  I hadn't been there in quite a long time, so I only remembered wicker type furniture, which wasn't really what I was going for.  Then there was my chair, and on clearance! 

I am going to make a pillow to put on it, then I will post that over at Sew Accomplished.  It is just the right height, the same color as the armoire, and pretty comfortable.  All in all I am very pleased.  And so is Sophie, she won't have to spend her days wandering the furniture stores any longer. 

Family Home Evening Treats

I love Jacks intensity.  I think he could eat a dozen of these a day.  I have decided when you make chocolate chip cookies, the only logical thing to do is to take two, slap some ice cream in between.










Bella really loved these, she wanted the biggest one of all, then ate half and gave the rest to Jack. 

Day off school

We had a random day off school on the fifth of March.  Random because, it's not a holiday-well, it was my brothers 30th birthday, but I haven't heard him refer to his birthday as a holiday before.  And I don't know of any other reason but to just call it a day.  It turned out well for a day off, there was all sorts of snow.  So first thing, I sent the kids out to build snowmen.  Jack built some in honor of Calvin and Hobbes.  Bella and I built a mouse with Sophie.  I am glad I took pictures, because the neighborhood snowman slayer came and knocked them all over while we were having lunch.

 Then the kids and I went to the new local bowling alley.  A new bowling alley is a nice thing.  When I was little, my brother and I bowled league in a bowling alley that was a bit smelly and old.  This new bowling alley, aptly named Jack and Jill's, has new balls, new shoes, new chairs.  It's all lovely and bright.  The kids had a blast.  It was the first time Bella has bowled without the thing you roll the ball down.  She was pretty beat by our second game. 

After bowling we went on a wild goose chase for a new chair.  I am looking for something to go in the family room to use as a desk chair, but I don't really want wheels.  The kids were very patient, I was not.  By the end of the day I would have bought anything, but nothing was quite what I was looking for. 

Basketball-Season 1

Jack has really wanted to play basketball for a while.  Usually after Christmas I am ready for a break and am reluctant to sign them up for any sports until spring.  However, he finally wore me down and he got to play basketball.  It turned out good.  The practices were right before games, which I love.  The games were on Saturday mornings, barely making a dent in the schedule.  And he had a lot of fun.  There were a few kids from his class on his team, which hardly ever happens.  He is a great rebounder, and a great passer.  This officially marks us as year round for sports. 

New Carpet

When we moved in, almost five years ago, the carpet was pretty worn out.  Nate really liked it that way.  He said it was good not having to be careful about the carpet.  I did not concur on this point, but getting new carpet wasn't on the top of the list for a while.  Well, it slowly worked its way up and finally at the end of February, it was at the top and ready to be installed.  The end result has been so worth it.  I must say, we still haven't put the whole house back together yet.  I think I really don't want to.  I am liking the minimal stuff, lack of toys, and overall space. 

We did stay in a hotel the night before the installation.  The kids thought that was the greatest thing ever.  We went swimming, went out to eat, and enjoyed the large Belgian waffle breakfast.