Happy Birthday, Jack!

Jack is four-years-old today. It's true what they say about time...it flies by. Below are pictures from his friend birthday party at our house. They played, ate cupcakes and ice-cream, opened presents and then played again. Jack had a great time with his Lightning McQueen-themed party.



















Jack isn't mad here, he was just trying to be serious.


















Slip n slide and pool time.


















Cupcakes and ice-cream.


















His face resembles his first birthday with all the chocolate.



















Present time.

This is the present Jack received from Sam and I. A faster four-wheeler that he has been asking for - forever. He has been riding it like a crazy man.

This is Jack and the four-wheeler in action.

Tummy time and the Gazebo

Ben is finally enjoying tummy-time, somewhat. He'll stay on his belly for about 5-8 minutes now.

Our new thing while the temperature was mild last week was to take a walk/bike ride to the neighborhood gazebo and "take a break". There's a pond and fountain and Jack enjoyed sitting up there and resting. So did Ben.

Jack has a toy that he took on the bike ride. He would stop and take it out and show it to cars driving by.

At the gazebo taking our break.

Ben just going along with everything as usual.

16-week Achievements

Ben turned 16-weeks-old yesterday. He is growing and getting so big. It just kills me how fast he's growing and how the time is flying by. Yesterday he rolled over for the first time all by himself. He has also achieved the art of sleeping through the night without his "dreamfeed" at 10pm. It's only been two nights of that so we'll see if he can endure. I can't complain. He still takes four naps a day. I still manage (more like manipulate) Jack and Ben's schedule where they still take an afternoon nap at the same time. Mama gets a much-needed break :)

Below you will see some comparisons of Jack and Ben at 16-weeks.

I love the look on his face here. My little supported sitter will be ready for solids soon!

Does it get any cuter?

Jack

Ben

Jack

Ben

Makin' Scones and takin' pictures

Sam decided Saturday morning that he was going to make scones. He cracks me up. You give him a long weekend, send him to the grocery and there's no telling what he'll decide to cook. Jack helped make the fruit scones but didn't like them (surprise-surprise). I also set up a poor-man's photography studio in the living room, trying to get a few good pictures of Jack and Ben. I took most of them with a film camera.

That night, Sam made shrimp, scallop and fish fra diablo for dinner. It was delicious!

Bonding Brothers

I love all of these pictures. Jack voluntarily hangs out with Ben; he really wants to be with him and loves to try and make him smile. Every morning before breakfast, Jack lays on the playmat with Ben. I hope it stays like this...

This is just funny because he has his two hats (fireman and construction hat) on at the same time. He was playing around and he's takin' a break.

Jack and the babysitter

Sam and I have actually been out twice in the last two weeks (crazy, I know). Once for a work dinner and then for our anniversary. Miss Deanna is a YMCA childcare worker and loves kids. She is in college to be a Preschool teacher and has worked out great. When we returned home the other night, she said, "we took some pictures with your camera". Here is what they came up with:

Jack and Miss Deanna

Ben just being Ben through it all.

Happy Anniversary!

Since we are the reason for there being a "Jack and Ben, Inc.", I thought I'd say, Happy Anniversary to us. Seven years, two kids, lots of love and going strong!

Fun with Friends

We are very lucky to have so many boys in our court. Jack will sit in his clubhouse out back and wait until he sees someone out. This night we went to Brenden's house, Niko too.

I bought a slip n slide in the winter-time - knowing that I wouldn't be able to take Jack to the pool this summer like he wants. He has thoroughly enjoyed it. He had Niko over the first day and they had a blast but couldn't quite get how to slide on their bellies, so they ran and slid on their knees instead.

Jack had a playdate with his buddy, Ryan. Ryan had Jack over for three playdates soon after I had Ben and it was a life-saver. He and Ryan had a blast on the slip n slide - although it was a little chilly that day. Those "chilly" days are gone I'm afraid.