Dora and Diego

The Children's Museum has a new exhibit featuring Dora and Diego. Josh and I don't know much about the characters, but had fun watching Jake play with everything. We went on Sunday and enjoyed a lazy morning going through the exhibits. As Josh said, it's more enjoyable each time we go now that Jake is getting older and is more adventuresome. His favorite spots this time were the sand table, trains and dinosaurs.

OH MY!

Josh had to work today, so Jake and I had a day to ourselves. We started out at Dunkin Donuts and then came home for a day of rest and relaxation...or so I thought. I decided it would be fun to get out the paint set GUS and Aunt Sally gave Jake for Christmas. Finger painting soon became body painting. Needless to say, we went straight to the bath after. As a friend said to me today, "I'm sure Picasso's mother cleaned up many similar messes."



Step One: Get a little paint



Step Two: Add a little more paint

Step Three: Paint your arms

Step Four: Add as many colors as possible and make as big of a mess as you can before Mommy catches you.

Josh says, "Jake, one of those looks like peanut butter and Jelly."
Jake responds, "Daddy, don't eat it."

One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind



Jacob had a BIG day. He went #2 in the potty for the first time and is sleeping in a big boy bed tonight. He is now the proud owner of a race car bed (thanks to Grammie and Poppie).  He slept in it at their house last weekend and loved it. I may just shed a tear when the crib gets taken apart. He sure is getting big. The next thing is to have him stop sucking his middle finger. He went to the dentist yesterday and he wasn't too concerned with him doing it, but we would like to stop it soon. I bought the nasty tasting polish for his nails, but haven't had the heart to do it yet. We'll get him settled in his bed first and then start next week....hopefully.  

We went shopping for linens. Jacob insisted on green sheets and a blue blanket for his new bed. A man who knows what he wants!

The Holidays

The holidays were busy, but great! We all enjoyed spending time at the Welch's and the Ryan's. Jake, of course, made a haul. We have all had a blast playing with all of our new toys. The weather has not stopped Jake from riding on his Gator. He was a little aggravated at first because it doesn't ride exactly like his tractor and he couldn't control it as well. Just like with anything else, show him once and he's got it. Josh took him for a spin the other night and he made it all the way around the block. We'll keep working on reverse!

Jake LOVES his new baby cousin, Ryan. He wanted to hold and kiss him as much as possible. Ellie is a great big sister. Jake picked out a green lizard as his gift to Ryan. I don't think Jake or Ellie let Ryan go anywhere without it. At one point the kids placed it on his stomach while he was sleeping. I guess the lizard was playing protector.

Sending his letter to Santa-Christmas at the Zoo

Cousins

Christmas Morning

Let It Snow

Jacob has become very helpful around the house. He has now mastered the snow blower and is an expert at shoveling. Having a boy does have its perks.

We are all gearing up for the holidays and can't wait to see Jake with all of his gifts. It should be entertaining! The magic of Christmas has finally come back with all the little ones.

Making a Mess

Nana and Bumpa came over this weekend. We all had fun watching Jake make a mess of the kitchen.  He made a whole tray of cookies and loved decorating them. Josh was in Florida with his parents for a car race; which they did very well in. One of their cars got 6th place! Jake was very excited to have Daddy home. Last night they put together a gingerbread train and Jake again showed us his great decorating skills. This morning he was insistent on having it for breakfast. I finally convinced him to eat hash browns and oranges.  I'm sure we'll have the same argument this evening at dinner time. 

He concentrated so hard

He is taking Christmas orders, if you're interested

Working with Daddy on his Choo Choo

Still a work in progress. He hasn't added his finishing touches-sprinkles

Weekend

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with the Welches and a productive weekend decorating for Christmas. Jake enjoyed picking out the tree, but was ready to go inside where it was warmer and get some treats. He loved decorating his little tree and helping mommy put the lights on the family tree. Maybe next year he can do it so I don't have to! Josh was in charge of the outside lights and they look great. Jake made me take him outside three times last night to look at the lights. He was equally amazed each time he saw them. Oh, to be 2 1/2 again. Enjoy the pictures below.

He loved putting on his ornaments

Coming in from the cold at the tree farm.

                                                                             One cool dude!