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.

Misc. Pictures

I take so many pictures now, it's hard to find time to blog about everything. Here are some pictures from the last week and a half.











Jack playing McDonalds drive-thru


















This is Jack. He purposefully pulled his pants down just enough to show some plumber action. This is soooo something his father would do. He was just walking around trying to get noticed.

Jack looking in on Ben in the pack n play.

Jack on his second-to-last day at school. This is Mrs. Holan. I took Ben in for the teachers to see. Jack is sad because he didn't want Mrs. Holan putting her arm around him - too much excitement with baby brother coming in.

This is the not-wanting-his-picture taken looks.

Deep Conversations

I caught Jack out back "talking on his phone" to someone. It was Shesha. I would give anything to have caught it all on video, but I only got the last little bit. If you listen carefully, you can hear Jack say, "I like you" to Shesha when he's turning around. You just had to be there. He would talk really low and serious to her and then bust out with the "I like you" again in a really soft, serious manner. It was really cute. A minute later, he was calling Stephanie.

My precious boys

Although Jack has been a little booger lately, he is still a wonderful big brother. He loves Ben. He just can't get enough hugs and kisses every day. Here I am feeding Ben and Jack is wanting to love on him. I just loved these pictures.

Swimming video

Jack taking his turn with the nice teacher. She was so good with him.

Swimming lessons and other things

Jack is taking swim lessons. He's been afraid to go under water and doesn't seem to grasp the basics of kicking and treading and all that. So, we decided it was time for lessons. Yesterday he had his first one and up until the last 10 minutes, it was a disaster. He layed on the deck of the pool crying, he cried for a long time. Finally we convinced him that he would NOT have to go under water. It also helped that the teacher pulled out a couple of balls for them to push around in the water.

I thought they looked cute sitting here. But really that other little boy is staring at Jack because he is crying.

This is the "I don't want to be here" face he was giving me 75% of the swim lesson.

Ben before we left for the Y.

Jack has this new thing where he says, "Mommy, can I tell you somethin'?", and then he makes this insane face at me. It's so funny in person because he just does it out of the blue.

Jack and Ben hanging out.

Just some really cute pictures of Ben (looking like Sam I think).

Ben is trying hard to "talk". . .

. . . but Jack keeps reminding me that "babies can't talk!".