SoccerTots Week 3!

Jack had his third practice with SoccerTots today. Since I had my running class at the same time as Jack's soccer practice, the boys dropped me off first and then headed off to soccer. Kevin gave Jack an A++ for good behavior. He said Jack listened to Coach Chris, followed directions, and when he was feeling overwhelmed, he took himself out of the arena to sit and calm down. Jack has been fighting a nasty cold so I'm sure he was exhausted and not feeling his best, but he gave it all he had and did really well. I'm so proud of my little tot. I hate seeing him grow up, but I also love it at the same time.

Today was my first day of running class. There are about 80 of us in the class, and I have Laura, my sister-in-law, and our friend Valerie in the class. I decided to start out with the walker group which is the old lady group. I am not athletic and I can't even run a mile, so I think it's important to start off slow. I bought my new walking/running shoes this week, bundled up in several layers since it had snowed, and showed up at 9am with my fellow walkers/runners. The organizers of the group started us off with a clinic which they will do each week which teaches us important things about running and walking properly like posture, where our hands and arms go, proper attire, etc. I found it to be really useful and when I did what they told and showed us, I found I was able to go much longer then I normally can. Although we are broken up in groups, you can go at your own pace, so after spending a while power walking around Drake Park (for all you Reno people, it's just like Virginia Lake) with my group, I decided to try running. I broke it off in run for a minute, walk for 3 minutes, run a minute, and so forth. By the time I was done, I was sweating and smelled awful and I hate sweating and smelling awful. But when I got back to the Foot Zone where we all meet up, my sweet boy Jack was waiting there for me cheering me on. It's amazing how much inspiration and motivation I get just from Jack. He is like my own personal life coach.

Once I got home, I was exhausted and slept for hours. For the rest of the day, I just relaxed. My feet and legs were sore and I had a monster migraine from the cold. Jack kept me company part of the time. I woke up at one point spooning the cat, and another with ice cream in my hair. Oh being a mother. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Me after running!

Jack "hiding" so he doesn't have to go to bed.

One of Jack's fish. He's trippled in size over the past year!

Sick Tot

Jack's cousins and Aunt Silly (Jessica) all have bad colds, and it looks like Jack has gotten the cold as well. Runny nose, fever, and wants to do nothing but cuddle me. You know he must be sick if he wants to cuddle me over other people!!!!! So we cancelled having James come over tomorrow so Jack can rest and recover. Lots of fluids and blah blah blah, yes, I know what I'm doing!! Anyway, Mr. Jack should be better by next week I hope.

Baking With BabyCakes

For my birthday in December, Kevin bought me a KitchenAid Mixer. The other week, Jack and I decided to try it out without supervision (me + kitchen appliances usually = fire). We started off with make pizza dough which came out fabulously! Then we made banana bread. At first it was very scary looking (see pics!) but by the time it was done baking, it came out really well.

Kevin's specialty is chocolate chip cookies. I don't know how to explain it, but that man can bake some seriously rad cookies. Jack's job is always to be the taste tester. I think he approved!

Go Jack!

We've signed Babycakes back up for SoccerTots this season. His first day of practice was last week. When we showed up, Coach Olivia said "Oh it's Jack!" You know it is never a good sign when the coach has had 100+ students, hasn't seen your child in 6+ months, and remembers his name. Jack has a lot of energy, a very independent personality, and kind of likes to play by his own rules, so I'm not surprised Coach Olivia remembered him so well. Plus, he's by far the best looking child ever, so I mean, he is unforgettable!

His first practice went OK. Grandma Tutu came out to see him do his thing. He had to be taken outside a few times because he wasn't following directions and throwing tantrums left and right. Not his best moment. However, yesterday at practice went really well! He listened to Coach Olivia, followed directions, and only had to be taken out one time (which is really good!). He has 12 other team mates and loves the little girls. He hugs them all the time! One mom even got the cutest picture of Jack and her daughter hugging and once I get the e-mail of the picture I'll post it. Seriously, my kid is a lady's man! And he loves Coach Olivia. He flirts with her every chance he gets. We also have a new coach this season, Coach Renee, whose first words to me were, "The first time I saw Jack I knew he had more energy then me!". Glad we have him signed up in soccer though, he really needs that outlet. Swimming will be coming up next month for him so that will be another good way to get his energy out of him.

Sadly, I will not be attending any more of Jack's SoccerTot practices. My running class starts next Saturday at the same time as Jack's practice, so Kevin will be doing soccer with him as a daddy/tot activity. Jack listens a lot better to Kevin and they love doing boy stuff, so this will be good for both of them.

Today we are baking cookies and brownies, laundry, and then the boys are going to watch football. They love football! Sounds good to me though; it just means I get to take a nice long bath and have a day to myself. Bring on the football! w00t!

For My Mary - Chugga Chugga CHOO CHOO!

For Christmas, Santa Clause bought Jack a brand new train set by toy maker Melissa and Doug. It's wooden and comes with a large track, trains, and many other accessories. We were finding it was hard for Jack to use it on the carpet because it was a very unstable surface, but it was too large for his kiddy table and the dining room table is something we use all the time.

I spent a few weeks looking for the perfect one. Originally we were going to get him one from Target, but it was kinda crappy looking and prices started at $85. Kevin then wanted to make Jack a table (which he is an awesome furniture maker!) but the price for the wood and stuff was about the same as if we bought one brand new.

Since all the stores were too pricey and making one was just as expensive, I was off to my favorite little craigslist.com site to find him a train table. Most of them were really ugly and I was confident they were so old they were painted with lead paint and had termites. Then one early morning, a new posting popped up for a table! I e-mailed the guy right away and I was the first one to contact him (within minutes of him posting it, actually!) and we were off to Sisters, OR to pick up Jack's new train table for just $40! It seriously is in fantastic like-new condition and Jack is a nut for it. Plus, it makes a nice table for my morning coffee while I'm reading the news.

Since getting his new train set, Jack plays with it daily. His friend Sam and James love it, too. Jack can now say, "train" "tunnel" and "chugga chugga choo choo!" Ok, so it more sounds like, "tain" "nunnnel" and "ugga choooooo!" but we know what he means. Awwww, my little snickerfritze, he is the cat's pajamas!

WoW

It's not easy playing video games with his dad! Poor Jack Jack just didn't have it in him to stay up. Sweet dreams, little tot!

Some cute pics of Mac stalking me!

Nom! Nom! Nom! Nom!

I have been such a bad blogger! I have no plans this weekend so I'll have plenty of time to catch you all up on Jack's adventures, but in the mean time, here's a few pictures of my ham bone to hold you over. (Awesome pajamas care of my bff Cindy, and notice Blue Bon having a snack with Jack!)

Grand Theft Auto

Awww, just look at our little Jack Jack! He's still trying to learn the concept of "sharing" as you can see from his Grand Theft Auto photos here with his cousin William. That's okay, William took some train pieces from Jack, so it was a pretty even trade off.

Today I signed Jack up for soccer lessons aka SoccerTots. Last year he did it and loved it! He got all sorts of socialization and interaction with other kids, and just loved running around kicking the ball. His Aunt Stevi bought him a soccer ball and soccer net for toddlers so he'll be able to practice a lot at home and show all of the other 2 years olds up. Our motto is either go big or go home!

We also have signed Jack up for swim lessons. He loves the water and is a champ at going under. Again, this is more for the socializing and learning directions thing more then how to actually swim. Lets face it, the kid would sink like a rock if he was on his own. So until he's old enough, he'll be doing lessons with me at Juniper Pool. It's a lot of fun watching him kick his legs and move his arms. By this time next year he'll be the next Michael Phelps of toddlers.

All is well here in Bend. Lots of snow and ice and cold weather. I'm still taking care of James but other then that, I just spend my days with Jack. It will be nice to have him back in some sports. Also, I've signed myself up for a running class and yoga. Ok, I bought yoga pants but the actual going to classes has not been very successful. And the running class I signed up to do with Laura so I'm super grateful I'll have a buddy there. I have some big saddle bags and don't fit into any of my jeans. Luckily all of my new yoga pants are super stretchy! I just want to lose 10 - 15 pounds and I'll be happy. Then I'll probably eat an entire Boston Cream Pie again in celebration and gain all of the weight back, but whatever!

Story Time at the library is back and is one of Jack Jack's favorite activities. We missed it last week because I wasn't feeling well, but we have plans to go this week. It's full of singing, dancing, and stories. Afterwards we'll walk to Starbucks and get ourselves a nice coffee and hot chocolate. Good times with my favorite boy. xoxo

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

I was going to blog but after seeing this sleepy boy, I got sleepy, too, so I'll just do it tomorrow. =D