Swimming Lessons Session 2

He's His Daddy's Son

I can't tell you how many times John has told me about the Matchbox car collection he had as a little boy. Jane has even shared that as a tiny boy John used to sit for hours and look at the catalog that came with each car. They don't make those catalogs anymore, but Grandma Jane found one for Jack on Ebay. We're saving the catalog for when he's a bit older. For now, I took him to the book store and bought him a board book with pictures of cars and trucks. It's currently his favorite book, and just like his daddy and those catalogs, Jack will spend long periods of time studying the photographs.

When Jack came home from the hospital, there were already Matchbox cars waiting for him. John has added to that collection with every trip to Target. The other night I was feeling pretty tired when John got home from work. I think it only took one look at me for John to decide that it might be a good night for him to take charge. So he loaded Jack into the truck and off they went. Jack came home with a sack full of Matchbox cars that he was pretty proud to show his mother, and he's been playing with them ever since. In fact yesterday morning I was feeding Jack his oatmeal when he started to whine and gesture that he wanted something that was on the counter. Usually that whine is reserved for food and since there was no other food on the counter I was confused about what the little guy wanted. Before long tears set in. Finally, frustrated, Jack decided to communicate another way and said, "Vrrrrm." That's when I knew that he wanted the cars that I had picked up off the floor the night before and set on the counter.

Jack is crazy about cars just like his daddy. These days it isn't Matchbox cars that John is crazy about. It's cars that are much larger. In fact, John just ordered his next lease car. This lease is a compromise. John has spent the last several years wanting a motorcycle. I really would prefer that he not get a motorcycle. So, I suggested that John pick whatever car he wanted for the next lease and I'll drive the Versa for a year. John has chosen the 40th Anniversary 370Z. What a lucky guy. And, won't his son think he's the coolest?

Remember Our Friend

the turtle from last fall?

He's back, and a little boy I know is very interested in him.

Disclaimer: Rest assured; I washed his hands very well right after I took this photograph. 

Fun With Friends

Check out this video that Sarah took of the kids enjoying the May sun. It's super cute.

Another Great Craigslist Find

I've been trying to buy a climber for Jack for a month or so now. I began my search on Craigslist, but every time I inquired about one it was already sold even if it was less than an hour since it was posted. These things go like hotcakes! I decided to just buy a new one and had one picked out online, but then we went to the YMCA for swimming lessons and saw the exact one I was looking at in person. I was disappointed in how small the climber was going to be for how expensive it was. I finally gave up on getting one for Jack, and then Daddy took over. In one night, he found this one on Craigslist, called the seller, and went to pick it up. And the best part is Jack loves it!

First Swimming Lesson

Jack had his first swimming lesson at the YMCA this morning. It was a parent and child class. John and I spent a good deal of time arguing about who got to take the class with him. John won. Then this morning, I saw a mom and a dad getting in the pool with their child. Why didn't I think to ask if we could do that? I am glad that I got to photograph the lesson though, so I won't be too miffed. The lesson was for children ages 6-36 months, but I am quite certain that Jack was about the youngest child in attendance. He did a great job! The children worked on blowing bubbles, splashing with their hands and feet, going underwater, and lying on their backs. Jack will go to five more lessons before he has completed the parent and child program. Maybe John will make him a swimmer yet!

New Tricks

Jack is learning lots of new tricks as he approaches 16 months. This one is his new personal favorite much to my dismay. I can only use the back burners of the stove now, and they are the small burners. Ugh!

I've noticed lately that Jack's receptive language has absolutely taken off. Yesterday he was playing with my cell phone. I started looking for it about fifteen minutes later. When I couldn't find it, I asked Jack. "Jack, where's Mommy's phone?" He promptly went over to one of his toy boxes, picked it out, and brought it to me. Today I asked him to go find his new book about trucks. After a look through his book bin, he brought the exact book I was thinking of.

Of course, just because Jack can understand what I am saying doesn't mean that he obeys any better. There is too much Thorn running through the child's veins. No is not a word in his vocabulary.

Mother's Day 2010

A Day at the Park