Jack, Ready for School

Jack and I have a bit of a struggle every morning around getting dressed.

Monday, he scampered happily into his room with his attire in hand. I thought perhaps we had reached a turning point.

His giggles gave an indication that he was up to something.

You can tell from the photos how pleased he was with his result.

And,

Kate, asleep in her new "big girl" bed.

Peek a Boo!

Jack with his birthday gift

It's amazing what this boy picked up watching the kids at the skate park. His dad was so inspired he went out and bought himself one too...

Carnival

Saturday after karate we went to a neighborhood carnival. I don't know about elsewhere in the country, but in Florida, a carnival is all about the inflatables... bounce houses, slides and obstacle courses.

Despite the look of sheer terror on Kate's face sliding down the slide, that is the only thing she wanted to do. Over, and over and over. Much, I'm sure, to the dismay of the other sliders as she was not exactly quick to summit.

Jack's favorite was a giant inflatable obstacle course. He pretty much ran laps from the beginning, to end, and around to the start again. These events are fabulous to do before lunch because they make children very eager and willing for nap!

Jack did a little rock climbing as well. Kate, meanwhile, climbed on the playground.

And, I must send a shout out to Grandma and PopPop for the amazing outfit that Kate is wearing... The number of compliments she receives when she is wearing it are astonishing.... Complete strangers were stopping us at the mall (this was later in the day as we shopped for birthday presents) to find out where she got it. Grandma & PopPop, I gave them all your number... :)

oh and, a small disclaimer, regarding the photo where Jack is sliding headfirst down the slide... This is not recommended. Jack clearly could not read the warnings plastered up and down the sides of the slide directing riders to only slide feet first. Ooops! Don't do this at home.

Karate Kid

Jack takes Karate on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning. So far, Jack really seems to enjoy it, and it is really entertaining to watch...

Jack got his first stripe on his belt last Saturday and he is now even more fired up about Karate than before. It's very cute to see him so excited about something. It's also cute to watch 4 year old boys attempt to coordinate their arms and legs into jumping jacks... but that's another story.

It must have been a long hard day...

This is what Kate was doing yesterday afternoon at the YMCA. While I was struggling through a very intense Pilates class, she was getting her beauty sleep.

What you can't see, is the chaos of other children playing all around her.

Sweet thing.

Jack's Birthday Party

Jack had his 4th birthday party on Saturday. A fun time was had by everyone - even me. Although, I failed miserably at photo documenting the big event.

I managed to snap a few pictures before the 40 something guests arrived - and just a handful of cake photos...thank goodness- it was a masterpiece that Jack had been coveting since November. And, a couple of photos after. I'm hoping some kind person will forward me some great shots of everyone having fun... Until then, this is all I have.

It was fun, the kids had fun, and the weather, despite the dire predictions of the weathermen, was wonderful.

We're back!

I have a lot of catching up to do! My office was packed up while we updated our bedroom and master bath, but we're done now.

So, I'll be catching you all up on what we've been doing since November.

Jack and Kate have been swimming in the tub. Back from "winter vacation" in North Carolina for only a few weeks and they are already planning their next vacation. Jack wants to dive, and Kate wants swim and splash like a mermaid. Their words.

Today I told Jack that I though he was really cool (being cool is, as of late, the MOST important thing to him). I said that I knew he was cool the moment he was born.

He asked me what kind of shirt he was wearing.

(when he was born)

Being cool apparently has a lot to do with your t-shirt.

I told him he was born naked. He pondered that for a while and then said, but you got me dressed, right mom?

In a cool shirt?

I sure do love that boy.