Just for funsies
Im sorry I’ve been MIA lately. Things have been crazy.
However, I just had to add this to my post. I was looking at my sister’s friend’s blog and she had this link about a man’s perspective on the Twilight series. Very entertaining read. Hope you enjoy a small chuckle or two 🙂
http://mormonhusbands.blogspot.com/2008/02/twilight-series-for-dummies-and-totally.html
A little privacy please…
So potty training is like the least cool thing about being a parent (oh well – that and public temper tantrums) But currently we are focused on the potty training issues. Jack was doing awesome prior to our move in August and then like most big changes for children, it caused a bit of regression.
We are working to get back on track and Jack seems to be doing fairly well with notifying me when he needs to go potty. (Strangely, it almost always occurs as Im trying to get him down for a nap or night-time…) Now I’ve heard some nightmare stories out there of potty training (the accidents, the “FINDS” in the corner of a room, or bath tub) but Jack has most fortunately spared me of those. Our little thing is privacy.
I had heard my sisters teaching their children about bathroom privacy so I thought I could start Jack thinking about that at a young age. He accepted the notion and has held onto it with fervor. We now have a ridiculous bathroom routine…
Jack has me sit on the training potty/step stool across from him. He meanwhile, is on the toddler insert on the “big toilet”. He then asks for a little privacy at which time I pull over the shower curtain and separate us. A while back I had made the mistake of continuing to sing “Love at Home” while this was going on because I was carrying over from attempting to get him down for a nap. Apparently Jack liked this little set up and now requires me to sing to him while he is working on his business. I suppose its a sort of variation from the bathroom fan.
So here I sit on the tiny blue and white stool, holding the shower curtain to maintain absolute privacy and sing aloud my arsenal of primary songs – I think to myself “this is ridiculous…Isn’t motherhood grand?”
p.s. totally can’t wait to share this bit of priceless info to his lovely fiance 🙂
It’s trick or treat time!
We had a mild Halloween this year. Jack was feeling sick (perhaps a little too much fun from the trunk or treat the night before) We had “cheese tacos” quesadillas and then passed out candy. Jack did say something cute to the trick or treaters – each time they came to the door he would call out “it’s trick or treat time!” We then played a little Rock Band Beatles style.
Jim did try to take him out to a few homes. Everyone loved the single 2 year-old in the Thomas outfit. Jim said they were more than generous in giving him some extra candy. The funny thing is – Jack doesn’t really like candy. Oh sure, he loves the “left over candy” or “crappy candy” such as smarties and dum dums, but the good chocolate ones (my opinion of course) he’s really not into. Out of the Halloween spirit I let him try a bunch (skittles, M&M’s, snickers, reeses peanut butter cups, etc.) each which promptly ended up on the floor or the kitchen garbage.
Oh well, all in all it was a pleasant evening. I was happy just to spend time with the family 🙂
A little rock band Beatles with dad
Its trick or treat time!
Arrgh mateys
Welcome Fall – I missed you!
Way back when, I thought I needed a little fall break up in Utah. You know, to get away from these 100 temps and pretend that fall still exists in other parts of the world. I had originally planned to come up in October for a week or so but then as luck would have it my mother was in town and offered another idea. “How about we just drive up to Utah?” She asked. Hmm, I thought, no real reason I couldn’t …. and so we did!
Jack and I were able to spend 4 lovely weeks in “Uptah” as he calls it. It was beautiful as ever. I was totally pleased with my fall experience. We got to take it easy and visit with many family and friends and do just about every free thing along the Wasatch front. I was surprised to see how quickly my blood had “thinned”, as I was freezing most of the time. Jack is clearly an Arizona boy too – as he would lean over at night and say “momma I’m FREEZING!!”
The drive to and from was not as bad as I had expected. We did break it into 2 days so that definitely helped. Jack was a new man up with all his family and friends. He was so pleasant. It was heaven for him to be running around outside instead of pent up in our little home staying out of the hot sun. Today I think he was depressed just to have it back to the two of us. Thank goodness for preschool!
As per usual, I have misplaced my camera. It is somewhere lost in the recent move. So my only pictures were taken by my phone. It was fun to look at the pictures of everyone again. Clearly I missed many events but I caught a few great ones. Forgive the slew of recent memories – I have been most behind on the blogosphere.
Jack and Poppa - Good little buddies
- Grandma Connie and the wonderful Pepsi truck gift
Oktoberfest! - The King sisters loving the afternoon at Snowbird
Poppa's truck "Big Foot" - "green ferd" and overall Jack's favorite thing in the world. He played in it night or day.
Jack and uncle Albin at the zoo
Ellie and Jack at Gardiner Village - People think they are twins
Giddy-yup little cowboy Jack. Totally pleased with himself atop of Daisy the pony. He didn't want me holding him or standing too close to him or his horse.
Time to make the donuts... Can any visit to K-town be complete without a trip to Krispy Kreme? Of note, Jack really doesn't like donuts. He was fascinated on watching them be made. I was more than happy to "help" Jack eat his donut. 🙂
Hunting for the perfect pumpkin with our dear friend Kari (Jack's NICU nurse)
The Elton ladies at a REAL pumpkin patch. I had never been to one where the acutally hand you gloves and clippers. Jack was not so sure of the "pricklies" but we had a fun time picking our favorite pumpkins.
A veiw from the dam's bridge at Page AZ on our way back down.
What kind of King kid would I be if I didn't get a picture of a turbine at the dam? I honestly couldn't tell you how many dams were included in my summer vacations - thanks to dad's business trips/King family summer vacations.
Silly Things
Jack's new buddy - He was in love
Jack’s been doing a few hilarious things lately so Im just blogging for posterity sake.
1. Jim taught him how to fill up his bath toys and squirt me when I enter the bathroom. He’s totally mastered it. He’ll sit and start whining and fussing calling out my name. When I finally walk in the bathroom he’ll hold up the fish in each hand and squirt me all over. He just sits and laughs and say’s “Sneak!” “Squirt!” Clever, little man, clever. It makes me nervous that he already knows how to pull a fast one on mom 🙂
2. Today he got Mac & Cheese (aka. Jack and Cheese) on his elbow. Like a little boy he decided to lick the spill off. Only problem is – one can’t lick your own elbow. It was hilarious watching his determination.
3. Jack came up with a new activity. We were playing out back and Jack took the giant beach ball and would run, throw the ball down in front of him and then he’d roll across the ball and do a summersault. We both enjoyed a good chuckle at his creativity.
He’s such a little boy now. I can’t believe how quickly he’s growing up. I’v e got a few recent pictures. Unfortunately, I have once again lost my camera, so these are fuzzy one’s from my phone.
Jack at Seaworld (July 2009)
Sneaking a peak at the horses at Seaworld
“Beaner” Baby – he found a hat during the move and needed it to play trains
Mr. "Beaner"
Im alive!
So I took way too long of a hiatus. Im sorry. I’ve been baking in the AZ sun and burying my head in the sand. We had to move. Our landlord was going through a foreclosure and told us we had to be out by Aug. Moving is so not fun.
Reasons moving is not fun:
1. It’s moving…that involves change
2. It’s stinkin hot outside
3. Im such a pack rat with “Rosie piles” galore
4. I become lazy, and find it easier to repack or just continue to box stuff that I know I don’t use  – because it’s easier than unpacking and finding it a home in the garbage or recycling bin.
5. I had to do it by myself (aside from my wonderful sister Jen coming down to help me pack. If she hadn’t showed up, I swear I’d still be sitting in my closet staring blankly. ) Then we hired 3 guys and a truck. They were awesome and pretty darn funny too. A special thanks also to the ward ladies for watching Jack during the moving days.
I guess I really can’t say I did it by myself. As mentioned above, there were several people who I simply could not have done without! THANK YOU!!
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Now we’re in a teeny tiny townhome (800 SQFT) temporarily – while we look for our next step. Who the heck knows what that will be. Jack likes the new digs because they have a great pool and a huge playground. Fortunately, we’re only about 2 miles from our last house so I still get to keep my fantastic babysitters.
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Speaking of babysitting… Jack is a proud new attendee of Preschool!! Hip Hip Hooray! Both mom and son are thrilled for the new experience. Jack started preschool today at Miss Rachels. He brought home his hand painted apple picture and was very excited to show it off to dad.
I’ll try and post the picture I took when I can get everything working again.
Until then, Im alive and well(?) and taking a day at a time while staring at the towering bins of food storage that have taken over my teeny living room. Can I just put a lacy table cloth over them? 🙂
Hooray for Daddies!
Just a little post about Father’s Day. I am always so grateful for the wonderful men in my life that are dads.
I found a quote that said,
“Anyone can be a Father – It takes someone special to be a Dad.”
I whole-heartedly agree.
Happy Father’s Day to my dear husband. He is such a great daddy to Jackson. Jim’s totally wrapped around his little finger. I don’t think Jack can ever get enough kisses from Dad. I’m thankful for him working so hard to try and balance work and family and being such a good provider. Jim’s always got Jack’s back and I don’t know of a dad who is more proud of his little man.I know Jim does a great job of emulating his own dear dad. Now that was a man who was proud of his kids. They could do no wrong! I miss his great humor and big bear hugs. I like to think that Jack and he spent quality time together before Jack was born.
I’m grateful for my own dear dad. I am so happy that with all his heart issues he’s back and better than ever. I think he was born to be a grandpa /or Poppa. Last time Jack and I were up in UT my dad took Jack around the neighborhood and let Jack “drive” his monster truck. Jack was in heaven!
Happy Father’s Day!
Paper hats
Jim got Jack a few Blue’s Clues DVD’s while I was away. Surprisingly, he’s really enjoyed them. Jack hasn’t been a big tv watcher to say the least. He loves watching his “clues” now and can hum along with Joe & Steve.
One of the episodes showed Steve and the other kids making paper hats. Jack totally thought that was cool. The other morning I woke up to seeing Jack at the kitchen table happily folding and crunching the newspaper together to make his own hat. It was so darn cute. I came out to help assist him with his final touches. Here’s a shot of him showing off his hat to his new “clues” friends.
Addendum
As the old addage goes: Fool me once, shame on you – Fool me twice, shame on me. Well shame on me! I thought by cleaning out Jack’s room we were in a safe zone. Wrong! today I walked in to find Jack smeared in VASELINE!! Can you imagine this greasy little guy?
Of note, the Dawn worked pretty well. He just looks like he’s got a ton of pomade in his hair (really trendy & greasy right?) I think after a few more washings we’ll be presentable again.
Don’t ask me how i missed the container of vaseline…
Here’s a shot of his greasy “hair”ness – After two scrubbings with Dawn
You’re Supposed to do what?
In our ever trying attempts to continue Jack’s nap schedule, I have found myself laying by his bed (I found I cannot lay ON the bed because 1. I am an adult and 2. the bed breaks out the bottom when mommy tries to lay on it.) Usually, Jack will fall off to sleep within 10 minutes or so and I can go about doing my “mommy” things – i.e. shower, get dressed, clean, laundry, dishes, toys, etc.
Today however, Jack was fighting the nap hard! I laid by his side forever and then gave up and told him “You need a nap, don’t get out of bed, don’t come out of your room.” I closed the door and went to do laundry. Unfortunately, Jack had other plans. Oh he stayed in his room allright. He just found everything and anything to occupy his “down time” hour. When I came back into the room Jack was covered with Balmex, diaper rash ointment. He’s used to me putting Jim’s pomade into his hair each day and apparently this balmex looked just as nice. The floors had the diaper cream, the rocking chair was covered in cream, his onsie was covered, his cowboy hat (which he had to crawl up on top of his chest of drawers and get off of the hook on the wall) was covered…But most of all, his hair was covered.
I need not remind any of you that diaper cream serves a purpose and that purpose is to REPEL water and wetness. Have any of you tried to get that stuff out of hair, clothing,etc? Hot baths and scrubbing does not work in the least.
I looked up online and found the #1 suggestion – Shave the hair off, to be an unacceptable answer to my dilema (for now.) The other remedies included Dawn dishwashing soap and a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar. I went and bought the Dawn tonight and will try that tomorrow after tumbling class. If that fails, then I’ll be putting Jack in the tub and turn his head into a recipe of sorts.
If there’s one teeny tiny bright side to this, his hair is totally “moldable” I can make his hair stay anyway we choose. Guess I’ll be going back to making sure he’s asleep before I leave the room. Oh and removing any desirable objects from view.
Oh one more funny thing – When Jack is whining he is told he needs to go to his room and come out when he his happy. Jack will come out a little later and do this locked jaw, cheese-like grin and say “Happy?” So when I came into his room I just kept saying “Oh no Jack, Bad choice Jack” Jack just kept looking at me a pulling his fake smile, saying “Happy?” “Happy?” Super cute, now that it’s over.
Raising Arizona... 
