Sunday, May 29, 2011

Jack is Six Months!

Mommy's Birthday
My Sweet Son,

I've not taken nearly enough pictures of you in the last month. This is probably because you're keeping me so busy. I'm going to also use that excuse for why I never posted a "Jack is Five Months!" update.

Daddy & I started to worry about you. Jenny was bragging on her blog about how Benjamin was rolling from his back to his tummy, and he is a whole month younger than you! So, we upped your tummy time and you started rolling over in a couple days, which is incredibly ironic because you still hate tummy time. Now when I leave you to play in your room, I often return to find you in a whole new spot.

Jack Loves Sweet Potatoes.
You're such a happy, little man. It's great because if I leave you playing in your room for awhile, you do pretty well on your own. And when I come back to check on how you're doing, you are so excited to see me!

We have a new friend who comes to play with you once a week. Kelsey is practicing her babysitting skills by watching you while I'm here. So far she's doing really well. You love to play with her and today she was even able to get you to sleep, which is quite the feat!

Speaking of sleep, it's about time you learn to fall asleep on your own, Little Bug. Soon the Furbers will teach you all about Ferberizing, and you're not gonna love it. Just trust that Mama & Daddy know what they're doing, Jack. At least, we think we do.

Photo Credit: Kylie Lenee
We still think you're pretty wonderful. Even your big sissy, whom you adore, thinks your special. The other day she had a little photo shoot while you slept. It turned out that her photography homework was to take a picture of something "perfect". That's you, Jack.

For the Grandparents: Jack is getting quite big. We can squeeze him into 6 month clothes, but mostly he wears 9-12 months.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Flashback Friday

I'm unsure when this was taken, but definitely pre-1995.  Kirby & I loved chasing the waves out and then rushing back before we got wet. Oh, for the love of cheap thrills. Tomorrow I get to see my sweet sister and I'm so very excited because I love her. And, as Kylie said, Kirby is so beautiful it's annoying." But, we still love her. Seriously, it's not just the free haircuts. Really.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Alpha!

Tucker was not impressed with the new lil pup.
 A couple years ago, we welcomed a rambunctious puppy named Charlie into our family. Kylie & Therin were surprised to see me laying on top of the liitle brat until I explained that it was a technique that taught the dog who the alpha of the pack was. Whenever Charlie disobeyed, I told them that Charlie needed a reminder that I was the boss.

A couple months later, Therin was laying on the living room floor watching t.v. when Kylie jumped on him and yelled, "Alpha!" This sparked a new rowdy, slugfest game of declaring "Alpha!" at all sorts of random times.

Apparently, the game is contagious. After a short afternoon with friends, Kjerstein and Doug, we parted ways, but not before we heard one of them yell "Alpha!"

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Jack Loves Grandmas

Grandma Brenda's Bday

Jack is a big eater, but he wishes Grandma Mary were here to see him.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Cake Box Cookies

1 box yellow cake mix
1 large egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 can vanilla frosting
Colored Sprinkles
Food Coloring

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pan with Pam.
2. Combine cake mix, egg, oil, and buttermilk in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Shape 1-inch mounds of batter into balls and flatten slightly. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet and top with sprinkles.
3. Bake until cookies are golden & firm, 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
4. Divide frosting  among three bowl, add food coloring to tint and sandwich cookies together with frosting.

For my second attempt, I wouldn't make sandwiches. Instead I'd top each cookie with the frosting & sprinkles so people could still eat a couple, rather than filling up on just one. Also, I substituted rainbow chip frosting because it's my favorite more festive.

*Recipe in Parents April 2011 issue.