Our Little Golfer

Joey has had a little set of plastic golf clubs since he turned one. He loves to play! In the last couple of weeks, I have been getting my clubs out when we played outside to get ready for our trip to Birmingham last weekend. Once my clubs came out, he didn't want to play with his plastic ones anymore. So, we decided it was time for him to have his first set of "real clubs". The trip to Golf Galaxy was a hoot! We picked his clubs out based on age/size, but those weren't the ones he wanted. He preferred the "big boy" clubs.  Once we let him go in the practice area to test them out, he was ok with the purchase. We also couldn't leave without getting the practice balls and a glove. He even wore the glove home in the car...too cute!!! He has been practicing non stop and always asks for me to practice with him. Joey even told me that he couldn't play with Jack in the sandbox one afternoon because he needed to practice so he could play golf with Joe and I. When he concentrates, I think he is really good...but that could be the proud mommy talking! But, most of the time he looks like he is playing field hockey :) All that matters is that he loves the clubs and has a great time. The best is when he is done practicing, he has to attach his glove to his bag strap so he knows where it is at all times! Precious!

The Last Month

I have been a little lazy the last month on the blogging...we have just really been enjoying having daddy "back in our lives" since the draft! We've been doing a lot, so I'll just share some of the highlights:
+ The boys got a Jeep the first week we were back from Dallas...based on the GREAT advice from the Foster clan, we purchased a two-seater so if one is driving the other can ride. Joey loves driving all over our neighbors yards and Jack is very content just going along for the ride (as you can see in some of the pics).
+For the first time, as a family, we participated in the Fiesta 5K to benefit ALS research in downtown Baltimore. Joe and Joey had gone before, but this was mine and Jack's first time. I got lucky and found a used jogging stroller for a great price and the boys rode while we pushed. At the end, Joey got out and ran to the finish line. It had to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen!
+Joe and I have been fortunate to have a few "date nights" too! A couple of dinners out and an O's game were so nice! We also went to Preakness last Saturday! It was beautiful weather and a lots of fun to get dressed up!
+Joey went to the dentist for the first time! HE DID AWESOME! Dr. Marks takes the kids back without mom or dad and I wasn't too sure how he would handle it. Not one tear or one second of fussing! We have to work a little harder on the brushing, but all in all it was a good visit. :)
+I finally gave in and we now own a Wii.  I had been trying to delay what I knew was the inevitable...I just didn't want Joey to become a Wii fanatic when he loves to play outside so much. Needless to say, my fears came to fruition in the first 48 hours. We had more fuss fests than I care to remember. I am hoping that the newness will wear off and that my time limit guidelines will be less cause for crying soon!
+Monkey See...Monkey Do! That is the theme of our house these days! Jack does everything Joey does...literally! If Joey yells, throws something, says he has to go pee or wants to play Wii...Jack has to do those things too. Except Jack yells louder, throws something harder and with his diaper on he goes and sits on the training potty.
+Jack, the instigator...Jack is also starting to take on the annoying little brother role. He loves taking food off of Joey's plate...even if his is full with the same food.  He also loves throwing food at Joey when he is done eating. He will walk right up to Joey and take a toy out of his hand and run the other way. Jack does truly love his big brother, though. This morning, Joey went down to the fridge in the garage and Jack started fussing calling Joey's name because he thought he had left. Then later, Joey stepped outside when he walked Joe to the front door. Jack started fussing again because he thought he was leaving. Jack wasn't worried about daddy leaving, just Joey.  It is so funny to watch them now...I know I shouldn't laugh but it is so hard sometimes. ;)
+It rained here the last three days and Joey was out of school for a holiday, so we were going a little stir crazy. I took the boys to Storyville. It is like a little town inside one of the public libraries. There is a house, a library, a theatre, grocery store and tree house. They had the best time! Jack just ran everywhere! Joey went right to work in the kitchen. I think he liked the grocery store the best, though. He has his own play register, food and basket at home. In Storyville, there were two check out lines with registers, a whole wall of food, aprons and baskets. He just took over like he was running the place!

We have begun our countdown to the beach trip! In the meantime, Joe and I have a mommy/daddy trip planned next weekend to Birmingham! I am so excited for my first visit since we moved. Golf, 2 Pesos margaritas, Edgar's strawberry cake, a little Auburn baseball and sleeping late are just a few things that I am looking forward to!

Dallas #2 - Fishing

We had an action packed Friday! That morning, we went over to the Halsey house to visit with Kristin, Hudson and Preston (Jensen was at school). We had a fun morning playing and moving from room to room in the house checking out all of the toys. K, I hope we didn't leave to big of a mess! We came home and ate lunch with Grandpa, who had the day off from work. Uncle Eric came over on his lunch break and we all went down to the pond for the much anticipated fishing session! Joey went right to it...before Eric and I even made it to the pond with Jack, he had already gotten his line stuck in a tree and whacked dad in the back. You have to really pay attention when he has a rod, as there is NO TELLING where the hook is going to land when he casts. Jack was more interested in finding the ducks, but had a great time doing it! Needless to say, when it was time to go in for naps, there was just a little bit of a 3-year old fit :) I knew Joey would love going fishing but I think everyone was surprised at just how much. Now, he does not really have the patience to hold his line, and prefers to cast and reel, but has a blast just the same. I think my dad was the happiest that Joey had such a good time...so much so that while the kids were napping, he dug up worms out of his flower beds (we had not been fishing with bait, just tackle). That night, mom, dad, Eric, Ashley and the boys and I went out to dinner.  What did we do when we got back to the house? Go fishing! I stayed behind to watch the draft and everyone stayed at the pond until dark. After our usual Saturday morning donuts, we were on the go all day Saturday as well...had to make the rounds to all of the cousin's soccer games. Joey went with Eric to Trevor's game. Then we all loaded up for Cooper's game. Coop is a star in the making! I know I am a little biased as his godmother and a former soccer player, but he really did a great job (when he wasn't distracted by what Joey and Trevor were doing :)). After a break at the busiest Chick-fil-a I have ever been to, our next stop was Maddie's game. She is so cute with her pigtails and loves to put on a show. Maddie does the most precious walk past everyone as she is going back down the field...it was actually the perfect pageant strut! Sunday began with a big breakfast and some playing in the pool. And then it was off to the ponds for some more fishing. This time grandpa made a trip to the bait shop for worms, so we were ready to do some serious fishing! The bait seemed to make all of the difference in the world as there was a constant flow of bass. Jack, sitting with grandpa, caught the biggest one of the morning (after he took a break from chasing the ducks). He really didn't seem to care though as you can see in one of the pictures. Joey was so excited. He caught a "little Joey fish" and 2 bass and told my dad on the way home that he had a great time! Later in the afternoon, Kelli and Brody joined us and back to the ponds we went. It was mostly brim this time and unfortunately, they kept swallowing the hooks, so were provided the turtles with dinner. As we were walking back to the house, dad dropped his line back where the bass had been to finish the bait. Of course, Joey was not leaving yet. So, he and grandpa stayed. With less than a whole worm, they caught another "joey sized fish" and 2 more bass...one of which was bigger than Jack's. He was SOOO happy when he got back to the house.  It was a great conclusion to the week and I know now that Joe and I have a serious fishermen on our hands!

Dallas

The boys and I are in Dallas for our annual draft week trip. We arrived on Saturday afternoon after a UN-eventful flight...thank you, American! We all went to breakfast on Sunday morning and then to Wal-Mart for toy buying. Since we flew on AA, I would much rather spend $50 buying new toys to keep at Granny's then to give $50 to AA to check an extra bag. It was fun watching them pick things out....although Jack was fixated on the play-doh and literally put 10 jars in the cart. Later that day, we met the ENTIRE family at Uncle Buddy's new restaurant for dinner. Pure chaos is all I have to say! Joey jumped right with Maddie, Austin, Trevor and Cooper...like they see each other everyday. The weather did NOT cooperate the first few days, but on Tuesday the sun finally came out and we went to the park down the street from mom's. Most of the pics are from that day. I will say, though, that the weather has not detered my little men from getting in the pool. They don't care how chilly the water is! One of the many great things about mom & dad's pool is the wading area....it allows them to stand in 6 inches of water and play. Jack is exactly like Joey was at the same age...any excuse to get in the pool. I remember that we could not go outside without having the expectation he was going to end up wet. The same applies to Jack, except now it is worse because he also follows everything Joey does. :) Yesterday, the boys and I walked down to the duck ponds with some bread. There weren't many ducks out, but we threw to the turtles and the brim. Joey really seemed to enjoy watching the fish snatch the bread. As we made our way back around I let them out of the wagon again because we spied some bigger fish. I knew is the back of my mind that it wasn't a good idea to let them get so close to the edge...but I let them anyway. Sure enough, on his first attempt to throw bread in, Jack slips on mud and goes face first into the murky pond. I pulled him up and he soaking wet and covered in algae! Luckily, it only took him a minute to recover. The last few pictures are of him after we made our way back to the sidewalk.

18 months....

I can't believe it has been 18 months since Jackson came into the world!  It seems so long ago at times and just like yesterday at others. Every day brings a new action or word, but his beautiful smile is a constant! We visited Dr. Lake for his check-up today...we knew he was growing like a weed, but were completely surprised by the numbers. Jack weighs 25 lbs and 15 oz which is 60th percentile. The shocker was his height, which came in at 34" and 90th percentile. Of course, both his grandpa's genes are showing in head circumference...95th percentile. Dr. Lake was obviously very happy with his growth, motor skills and the improvement in verbal communication. Although, I hope he didn't take it personally when Jackson ran across the exam table, scared, when he walked in the room :)