play-doh

My nearest and dearest friend made us some home made play-doh.  It has been a huge hit around here.  Jackson specializes in making tails.  Not snakes or worms or spaghetti or hot dogs or anything else that I suggest, but tails.  Big tails, little tails, long tails, short tails, Greta tails and tiny turtle tails are just a few of his master pieces.  I showed him how to make imprints with his thumbs and cookie cutters.  As usual he took it a little bit further and made it on his 'bellwy and booby.'  Here is the recipe for your own tail enjoyment.

1/2 cup salt
1 cup plain flour
1 cup water
2 tbls. cream of tartar
1 tbls of oil
food coloring
I just mix it all up while it is heating and heat until it starts to form a ball

cake

I had a feeling Mr. Nash would not be as excited about diving into a cake as Jackson was when he turned one.  He was a good sport, but I was right, moms are always right, his first lesson as a one year old.  

ahh, why is everyone staring at me, what is up with the flame, and what are ya'll yelling in my ear?

no really what do ya'll want me to do?

ok, I'll touch it, yep sticky just like I thought...

Everybody happy now, I got a little on my lip, take your pictures and this party is over.

Well, well, well... Baby Nashy didn't want his cake...

Nash's 1st birthday family picture, we really have to work on this!

1 year!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Nash. Happy Birthday to you!

We have been celebrating this sweet boy all weekend long.  Yesterday we had a little party with family, friends, subs, cake, cookies AND fruit and cheese-puffs (Nash's request)! Today we went to a dinosaur exhibit (Jackson wanted to take him...) had some Neomande for lunch (Charlie wanted to take him...) and then went to the park and had ice cream (I wanted to take him...)!  Thanks for sharing your special day with us Nash.  You fill my heart with joy everyday.  I love your sweet shy smile, not so much your pterodactyl yell.  I love the way you wobble around the house, not so much the way you have figured how to climb up the stairs. I love the way we share waffles and fruit for breakfast in the morning, not so much the 5am bottle of milk. I love the way you can't wait to go outside, not so much the way you put every single thing if your mouth.  I love the way you watch your big brother, not so much how quickly you learn from him.  OK OK actually I love every single thing about you.  You have brought so much joy into our lives this year.  I could not ask for anything more.  

cold

Rain, Rain Go Away! We are ready to get back outside and play.  Spring time please come sooner than later.  Yes this is a plea from all moms.  We need some sunshine asap.  Ok, thanks. 

Will!

Speaking of dad's, Happy Happy 25th Birthday to my dad!  He is the reason I feel the need to eat ice cream every night before bed, cheer as loud as I can at ball games and put way too many miles on the road to see family.  We love our Will! Yes, after all the debate over what to call him, Jackson has appropriately chosen Will, his name.  Why didn't we think of that?

'Hey Will, you want to share your ice cream wif me and watch basketball game on tv?'

Mmhmm, Jackson has got him right where he wants him.

DAD!

At least 10 times during the day Jackson declares, 'I need my dad because...'  Nothing after the because.  I mean who really needs a reason to hang out with your dad.  He is a pretty cool dude if I do say so myself.

I need my dad because... he lets me watch as much TV as I want and he loves all my shows.

I need my dad because... he makes sure we win all the games at Chuck e Cheese and shares an extra large pizza, no mushrooms for me.

I need my dad because... he reads me books at night, my new favorite 'Mr. Funny' just like us.

I need my dad because... he makes me brush my teeth even though I don't want to do it.

count down

In exactly one week Nash will be 1 years old.  I will have a 1 year old and a 2 1/2 year old.  No real 'babies' around here anymore.  WTF, that went by fast.  Except the night time cry outs, those minutes, not so fast.

aww geeze mom, this is embarrassing...

ridin' dirty

Running errands is a big fat hit or miss around this house.  The timing has to be perfect, the snacks and water cups ready to be passed out and Jackson in an 'i'm a big strong tall helper cause i'm 2 1/2' mood.  If all of this lines up then they are pretty funny tag-a-longs to have.  

'I just show baby how to do it.  Good job Nashy.  It's ok mom, we just pretending.'

My Valentine

Nash's 1st Valentine's Day!  Like his older brother, Nash took me out to Jersey Mike's for a lunch date.  We shared a turkey sub, some chips and cookies.  He was the cutest date in the place.  I mean look at those cheeks.  

girl time

I had a fabulous trip to California meeting Miss Hannah Banana.  She is a good baby, like real good, like I may be a little jealous, like my sister has got it and I don't, dang it.  If only she lived closer!  Jackson is still wondering where 'cadiforn-i-a' is and why my 'girl cousin hannah' not come play with my toys.  Hint-hint-hint as if her mom needed anymore...

stays stylin'

photo bomb mom!

'bahhh, are they seriously dressing me up like a mermaid?'

Girls weekend! Miss you Aunt Nat! 

BUT glad you stayed the weekend with my boys and THIS happened, wooohoooo...

#2, all by himself, in my bathroom, all by himself, lets see if we can do this again!

tgif

Nothing like a Friday night bubble bath to get the weekend started right.  Nash loves the water.  You have to watch him closely while he is in the bath.  He tends to put his head under the water and stick his whole face under the faucet.  Maybe we have a swimmer on our hands or just a little dare devil.  I am squeezing my boys extra tight tonight because I am headed to California this weekend to finally meet my niece!  I know they will be in good hands with their dad and aunts and uncles and grandparents but I already miss them!

snooze time

This boy goes, goes, goes, and then he naps.  He still has to have an afternoon nap.  It usually only last about an hour but if he misses it, boy do we know.  He usually falls asleep in the car and I carry him to his bed.  Sometimes we read some stories and he falls asleep and then some days I find him on the couch like this.  It is my favorite.  

 'I so tired mommy.'

'Let's go take a nap then.'

'I can't sleep, I need to drink milk, read a story and watch Word World...'

1st date

1st dates are always a little awkward so we went ahead and set this one up for Nash and Jean-Margaret.  I mean it was going to happen at some point.  All in all I think it well.  Football, bows, and plenty of chips... what's not to like?

Great, no one told me I had leftover chip on my shoulder, how embarrassing...

Big bros right around the corner in case added entertainment was needed.

super bowl

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us and like most college basketball fans, I have moved on...

I am looking forward to hanging with some good friends, eating some chicken wings and pulling for Coach Harbaugh.  My NFL team the Patriots (not just because Tom Brady is the QB, please people!) lost so I am left mourning at the food table.  But in the spirit of football I made my boys dress alike for church.  Boys can be cute and wear matching outfits too.  I promise to only make them wear matching outfits until they are ten years old.

"Why doesn't dad have to wear one?"

Because he would, and I just can't have that.