Jack turns 5 - How can this be?

Jack Jr is 5! How did time go by so quickly? It seems like just yesterday that our sweet Jack was born. Last year I wrote about the day he was born, November 3 2004. See my favorite pics here. (My all-time favorite pic is on that page. :))

Yesterday morning we headed out to McDonalds for a special breakfast. At last that is what Jack wanted us to do!

Caption: Jack got some Bakugans and a camo stop watch.

Caption: so cute to me. :)

Caption: Jack makes this face lately when he asks for something. its hysterical.

Jack's school allows you to come up during snack time to talk about your child. So off Daddy Jack and I went to Daffodils. I didn't think i would be nervous in front of kids but i couldn't think of things that would interest them about Jack. They laughed hysterically when i told them he had super big cheeks when he was born. :) Basically, you show pictures and talk about your kiddo and things he has done over the years. Very fun. The kids were adorable. It was so nice to meet all of Jack's friends!

Caption: At Daffodils in the watermelon room.

In the evening Jack wanted to have dinner at Hibachi Rock! I think most kids love this place because they have fire! Just a moment to brag a bit... i think the people sitting next to us were impressed that the boys ate edamame and their hibachi dinner, all of it. :) Here the chef made an onion birthday cake (instead of the usual volcano) for Jack as we sang Happy Birthday!

Caption: Jack received a lego watch too. Daddy Jack attempts to assemble it while dropping all the black lego pieces on the black floor. :) Finally it works later at home.

Caption: Celebrating at home with dessert. Ice cream cake! Scott is actually trying to catch the smoke from the candles.

Caption: Sweet smile from my sweet Jack. Happy Birthday, Jack. I love you so much.

Happy Halloween 2009

Even though Halloween is the same date every year and I bought the costumes in advance (yay me!) I still felt a bit like it snuck up on me. Maybe its because we didn't have many dress-up parties to attend this year. Sad. But it was also good as I'm pretty sure we might not have made it.

On Friday, October 30, we went to the boys' school to watch the Halloween parade. All the kids wear their costumes to march around in front of the parents. The wearter had just stopped raining, literally, after the 2nd class started parading. Since the rain stopped we were able to move the parade outside. thank goodness! Because I learned that other parents just don't care about others. Some people wanted the best view for themself rather than making sure everyone could see the kids. Oh well. the kids looked adorable. :) And our kids were the ones who got out of line and ran over to us for hugs. Yes!! The boys were ninja turtles, red and blue. We don't know the names.

After school and lots of calendar received at school we went to the club for dinner. it was a Halloween themed dinner, of course. I was all dressed up and about to walk up there when daddy Jack called to tell me to change. No adults were dressed up. :( I really wanted to cuz I had a great costume. We get there and the kids ran to the kids room (all kids were dressed up). they got more candy, more treats, decorated pumpkins and had cool balloon creatures made. Meanwhile, our good friend came dressed to the 9s. she looked beautiful as the good witch, Glenda. but her husband was late for dinner. and she was the only one dressed up. We felt bad for her but she looked absolutely gorgeous. Her husband later joined us for an unexpectedly good time of visiting!

On Saturday we went to our good friends' the Donatos house. This year we didn't even bother trick or treating in our neighborhood because we don't know anyone anyway. :) We got to meet lots of their neighbors; watch tons of kids run around like crazy. I handed out candy while Jack took the boys to the houses with D and the rest of the kiddos.

The boys are getting prepared by showing us their sword-fighting techniques. (Scott, Jackson, Jack Jr)

Jack and Jack making funny faces

All the kids ready at dusk... Hayden, Ryan, Scott, Jack Jr, Jackson

All the kids got pretty tired after a full day of play time, trick or treating, candy eating, running around and wrestling. Movie time...

Repairing the crack

Working hard on it, many of you know. Now I've added sleeping like normal people (for 8 hours a night), epsom salt baths, no caffeine (one week down!) and running added in to my walking workout. Not bad except the crack is only slightly better. I think more things will kick in this week and we'll see some progress. :)

Scott being Scott

Enuf said.

Jack's foot

Doesn't look like much, does it? Well, this is Jack's foot on the day he could not walk. Last Wednesday he woke up unable to put pressure on his left foot. I thought it was asleep so we tried to massage it out. Nope. He could not walk at all after being awake an hour. he was not in a lot of pain unless he had to walk so he just crawled or drug (correct english?) himself across the floor. it was incredibly sad to watch this. For no known reason was this happening. he had not injured it playing. nothing dropped on it. he wasn't sick. nothing. Off we went to the pediatrician in the pooring rain. I got my work out in carrying my 43 lb kiddo through the dr offices. The doc was a bit stumped too. After a strep culture (negative) and blood tests (all good) he had an xray which didn't show much except some fluid around the cuboid bone. He sent us off to the orthopedist. (I'm proud to say that Jack is about as good a patient as I am. He cried through the whole xray. Yes, the xray. I don't know why.)

After seeing the orthopedist the next day we learn that Jack has a high arch and had irritated the ligaments/joints around the cuboid bone by doing who knows what. Maybe jumping off the monkey bars? Maybe playing soccer? Cuboid Synrdome (the official diagnosis) caused swelling and the inability to walk. but with rest, elevation and ice... he is all better. To prevent this from happening again Jack gets to wear othotics, lucky kid. And must wear hard soled shoes. no more crocs, sandals or going around barefoot. Yay! Fun! Jack is so happy about this. :) The good news? He is fine. its manageable and nothing serious. no infection. no surgery. I must say that serious worry started to overtake my head when we could not think about what caused it.

Max's Closet

Last weekend we hosted a party/baby shower honoring 'soon to arrive' Max! The theme was 'Max's Closet' since he will be the 3rd boy following brothers, Jackson and Ryan. Doesn't Max just sound cool with those names? Anyway, we thought he shouldn't be relegated to hand me downs forever :) so we had a little party in his owner where he received tons of clothes.

I didn't many pics but another friend did (Daisy! :)) so i'm just waiting to post more. Below is one group pic but without even the honoree.

More pics to be posted!

Cracking up?

Yes, I am. Lets just hope the crack is repaired before a severe break.

Welcome home, Tyler!

Seems like my brother just left for Afghanistan... but its been 6 weeks and he made it home safely. Since we were in Fort Worth for the weekend we decided to welcome home my little brother. ;)

Caption: Scott, Mia and Jack waiting patiently. Tyler's plane had a bit of maintenance issues on its last leg so they were slightly delayed. nothing to it though. Give the kids some flags (like Mia is chewing on)and they are happy. Of course my boys were super excited because they knew Unca Ty would be here soon!

Caption: there might be more patriotic people in this country but I think you'll be hard pressed to find them. :) My parents have more red, white and blue than I do white and black. HA HA. Seriously. Their shirts say 'Home of the Free because of the Brave'. :) Aren't they beautiful? the whole family, that is...

Caption: Tyler taxis in

Caption: Tyler smiling at us through the window! He missed his baby girl, Mia. His face just lit up in to a million grins when he saw her through the window.

Welcome home, Tyler. thank you for your service to our country! We are so happy you are safe.

If you don't mind please keep my brother in law, Steve, in your thoughts and prayers as he is still in Iraq for a one year assignment.