Outside Fun

So, like most of you moms, we must go outside and/or to the park every single day. That is fine by me! Outside fun is great.....we go to Sequiota--which I prefer--and to Finley River Park--in Ozark. (we have to go to Finley River more often because gas is quickly approaching $5 a gallon). Anywho, back to the outside fun. Jack could care less about the swings, slide, or anything like that. He prefers to just run and run and run. (oh, he also likes to get really close to the geese at Sequiota---it's crazy how close they let you get to them)

Now, we all know that you cannot stay at the park forever. It is really exciting when we get to leave the park, no matter how long we have played. Jack starts to cry...I mean, scream. Like it's a help-me-my-mom-left-me-and-a-stranger-is-taking-me scream. The worst part...people are always there and they stare. You know, the wow-someone-is-killing-her-kid stare. Well, some of them, who can see me, understand what is going on...and they don't stare as long at you. Oh well--it is still worth it!

Also, if we are not at the park, we play baseball in our backyard. Really, it is just crazy that Jack is my little outfielder and brings the balls right back. (he gets really excited when I turn on the baseball toy which shoots the ball really high in the air for me to hit)

HI!!

(no idea when this pic was taken).......

FFNR

That's right, FFNR. Anyone have a clue? FLOWERS FOR NO REASON. AHH....ask any woman on the planet and she will tell you that these are fantastic. It could be one rose, a huge million dollar bouquet, or a nice arrangement like you see here. FLOWERS WILL GET US EVERY TIME. Thanks, babe. I love them....and you...


We went to the dam on Saturday for a little while, yes....us and 3 million other people. (I am sure you all got the message from my husband...he was really excited.) It was actually fun to watch the rushing water in good ol' Branson...even though it was a little chilly. Jack especially liked it because with the 3 million people, there was about 2 million dogs running around. Dog-dogs really get him going...


NOTE: if any of you read any comments, please disregard the wierd, rude ones---those are Provard comments.....East Coasters just trying to be funny.

Little One...

Ok, ok...I know what you are thinking. It looks like there are weeds on my counter. Negative.....these are THE FIRST flowers that Jack has ever picked himself, and given to his "Mae Mae"...(that is how it sounds when he says Momma...sometimes). And I also realize that this picture is a little dark....sorry to all of you photographers...






More importantly, yesterday......ah yesterday... my child has now decided that he no longer needs his morning nap. That's fine. He is 15 months old, he should be taking just one long nap per day, correct? WRONG. He now sleeps for one hour per day. That's right...ONE. Now, for myself, this is very shocking to my system and scheduling. It's a good thing that I am so flexible. So, for the past 15 months, he has slept 3-4 hours per day, napwise. Any mom will tell you that this is the time that we shower, fold laundry, go to the bathroom, try to sit down for five minutes, etc....Now that I have an hour to work with, I must be more efficient than before..:)
Toddlers, they are just so much fun.....but they will always, ALWAYS keep you guessing.

(by the way, he is wearing his Phillies overalls---East Coast Rules).

Whoa MOMMA!!

This was Labor Day of 2007--it was Jack's first plane ride and he loved it!! (notice my mom--blue shirt, right next to me....)



Now......


Below is RIGHT NOW....





That's right....homegirl lost 100 POUNDS in less than 10 MONTHS!!! Her secret???!!???---she was seeing a nutritionist and walks 3 miles a DAY! (and she walks really, really fast!!!)

Memories......

So, this time last year, was when I resigned from my office duties and took up my fun, real duties---being a mom all the time! Actually, it was on April 24th, but you get the idea. Two days after I resigned, the boys--Andrew and Jack--and I busted out to the East Coast. We did this for many reasons but I am telling you this because there are many pics for April and half of May, just no dates. Therefore, I will start to randomly post them because they are just darling!!

It is funny because I try to remember things like thinking of what we did this time last year, the year before, etc. I have to do this because Andrew can barely remember what we did yesterday, let alone years ago. I also do it because we have only been married for a little over 3 years and so much has happened. Vacations, various friends coming and going, and, please, having a baby......things are just never the same!!--but in a really good way.

Most importantly, I have been reflecting on things I have learned.

**I just figured out that it has been 5 years since I graduated college--that just makes me feel old.

**I have truly realized that you cannot worry about what people think of you--I know everyone knows this, but certain events have to occur for you to really embrace it. Face it, people talk about other people all the time and usually when they have nothing profound to say (yes, I have done this, but I am turning over a whole new leaf).

**It is really important to have good "come to Jesus meetings" with your husband....as in, discussing your hopes, dreams, and areas that need to change or places that you just need to move on from.

**Change is good. Things are always changing...sometimes it is good, sometimes it is too slow, or sometimes it is just the wrong direction.

Friend Fun

I love it when you have play dates. Well, your child gets to interact with other children, and more importantly--your house must be turned into a perfect, put-together house that every toddler mom has at all times......:)

(The above is Ollie---he is 7 weeks younger than the Jackster).

More swimming fun---tomorrow is our last official swim lesson. The kiddies are pumped to stay underwater for 5 seconds---that's right.....1 Mississippi....2 Mississippi...etc....

(I just thought this pic was cute. Somebody got a new sweater that was $2.48...gotta love those sales)