Philip takes on Storytime

I will be honest: sometimes after I drop Jackson off at school on Wedensdays, I look at Philip and wonder "What am I going to do with you for 4 hours!"

I have forgotten all the fun activities I did with Jackson when he was Philip's age! We used to go and go and these days, it seems like all I do with Philip is sit (not really, but it seems that way!)

So last week, I decided to make a change. I was really going to take advantage of the 4 hours I had alone with my Philip. 

I looked up Story Times and found one on Wendesday mornings at a nearby library. We headed that way last Wednesday for a story time about Cats and Dogs and then yesterday for Hop!

Philip really enjoyed it! He was mesmerized by the stories and loved the little activities we did in between the stories. Last week, it was a color game. He guessed "blue" every time. Finally the last one was blue, and he was so excited when he got it right!

I forgot my camera but snapped a few with my phone (which had a dirty lens, sorry for the blur!)

I am really looking forward to this time with Philip!

He was so good and sat on his carpet square the entire time!
Can't say the same about the little girl in front of him!!!

Looking at the puppets after story time was over
(red shirt)

Checking out the puppets - Week 2
Green Shirt

YMCA Lock-In

Wesley was working a YMCA lock-in last night, and offered to take Jackson with him. I knew he would have fun. What I didn't expect was for him to stay up all night!

I texted Wesley at midnight to say goodnight, and here are the pictures I received. My baby was on the rock wall and eating pizza at midnight!!!!!

Look at him around all the ladies!

Luckily for Jackson, the party didn't go on forever and around 1, he cashed out in the Executive Directors office! 

I mean - CASHED out! Sippy cup, Blankie, Patches and his walkie talkie all beside him!!!

Weekend Guests

A few weeks ago, my good friend Erin e-mailed me saying she and her husband Daniel were heading to Atlanta for some shopping (go Ikea!). I was so excited to learn they would be around and quickly replied that they had to stay with us! Yay!

It had been way too long since we had been together and we had lots of catching up to do!!!

They came in Friday night and left early Monday. Every night we stayed up way too late talking and laughing! It was so good to be with Erin and Daniel.

They left little Elizabeth with Daniel's parents so I made them promise they would be back soon with her. I know Jackson, Philip and Elizabeth will be great friends! And...with little Benjamin on the way, soon there will be even more to love!

I love Erin and Daniel and I am so glad they were able to come stay!! Can't wait until next time!

Erin and Daniel
(and baby Benjamin coming REALLY soon!)

No More Passy!

One of the last shots of Philip with his "Pas" 

We knew the time was coming to rid Philip of his favorite accessory - his passy. We tried to break him of it during the summer when he was 18 months, but after a week of him not being himself (he was soooo sad!), we gave it back. I talked to his doctor and she said that meant he wasn't ready to let go.

So, we let him have it for 5 more months and with the coming of the new year, we tried again. This time, he was fine! He cried once for it and that was it. It was such a smooth process, I realized that he really wasn't ready back in the summer.

I hated to see it go because every now and then it really came in handy, but I knew we would eventually have to take it away. The New Year was a great time to make the change!

Bye Bye "Pas"

Trek Christmas Party

For the past 18 months, we have helped out with the young profession class at our church. We have loved getting to know this group. Because of crazy schedules, we weren't able to have our Christmas party until the New Year. Amy and Hector hosted and I think everyone had a nice time.

I know Jackson did - he loved playing with Lucas and Ethan's new toys!

We have decided to take a break from the Trek class this year. While we have loved the group, we wanted to spend some time in a class instead of leading a class. We are really looking forward to this year's study "Seeking God"

Just Dance

I have been thinking about signing Jackson up for dance classes for awhile now. He seems to have great rhythm and he loves to dance along with me when I turn up the radio.

After much searching, I found a local place with an all-boys Hip-Hop class. Today was his first class. I was really excited about it because the price was great; it was close; and it was all boys.

He really enjoyed the class and did a great job. He loved it when his teacher taught him how to "pop it" Adorable! It was so much fun to watch these ten boys, hip hop around the floor.

Jackson - center, orange shorts

We were all set to sign him up until I realized I had misread the price of the class. The great price listed on the web was not the total cost of the class but the MONTHLY cost. Wow! Add to that recital and costume fees and for a 4-year-old little boy who really just likes to break it down with his Mommy, it was a little much!

When he gets a little older and starts begging to go back, we will look into it. For now, we will just turn up Kicks County when he wants to boogie!

UPDATE: It has been over two weeks since his first class, and he has yet to ask when he is going back. I think we made the right decision!

Dinner at the Baldwins

We went over to our friends', Kevin and Meredith Baldwin, house for dinner tonight. It was so much fun. Philip and Jackson played so well with their 4 kiddos.  So well in fact, that Wesley, Kevin, Meredith and I were able to enjoy a delicious meal and great conversation! Yay!

Here are two pictures Wesley snapped:

Jackson and Hunter playing Spiderman
Look at those muscles!

Cooper was playing his video game in this position - legs on couch, head on floor.
Philip wanted to join so he took his video game over and attempted to situate himself like Cooper. It was hilarious! This was his third or fourth attempt and it only lasted seconds!