Puddle Jumping

Do you think the rain can keep us inside? Not a chance! After 3 days of rain, rain, rain, Jack and I decided it was time to get outside for some afternoon play. The clouds broke just long enough for us to do a little puddle jumping among other things. Jack got the chance to break in his new dino rain boots. Although, he alternates between calling them "algadoors" (alligators) and "rinohs". I think the horns on the top really throw him off. Enjoy the pictures of our wet afternoon...

Jack was on a mission to find puddles.

Not a puddle, but definitely something interesting that the rain washed in....such a boy!

Off to the backyard to "feeeed da birs". Jack put one seed at a time into the top of the bird feeder. He even test tasted to make sure the feed was fresh. What can I say, our boy loves food!

Jack heard some birds in the bushes behind the fence. So why not feed them through the fence?

So proud of his bird feeding duties!

A boy, his dog, and the creek. Jack decided the "feesh" were hungry too. (too bad I've never even seen a fish in there)

One last puddle before dinner time.

Guess What's Back On?

Yes, it's Dancing With The Stars--Season 8. One of my few late night T.V. addictions. Don't judge...so, I may be one of the only people my age who watch it (so my friends say), but it's my feel good reality show fix.

So far this season, I'm loving Julianne Hough and her boyfriend Chuck Wicks. Julianne is always my favorite professional dancer. Pair that with her country singer boyfriend and oh, are they adorable. Not to mention, country singers are my weakness.

I'm also really liking ex-bachelorette, (my other reality show addiction), Melissa Rycroft. I can't help but feel sorry for that poor girl. Although, she seems to have bounced back nicely.

And my final top celebrity is Ty Murray, Jewel's rodeo husband. Okay, so maybe he's not the best dancer, but he has the most innocent personality that it is absolutely precious. Maybe it's that country thing again.

However, it's still way too soon to pick my ultimate fave. I like to do that about mid-season.

Needless to say, there won't be much blogging going on Monday and Tuesday nights for the rest of the season. I'm sure all of you DWTS closet fans will understand. Gotta run...14 minutes till showtime.

Are You Kidding Me?

This is just a short rant from a frustrated Mommy. I don't need any comments on how uptight, overly organized, or how schedule bound I am. I CAN be flexible just not 5 days in a row. Without further ado, here is my rant...

Nap time has been AWFUL around here for 5 days straight. And if you know my Jack, naps are rarely a problem. If there is a problem, it's too much sleep. But, the past 5 days have been anything but that. I put him down between 1:30 and 2:00 after a very active morning and a good lunch. He takes Lovey and we part ways. Normally, he would be crashed out, oh, in about 15 min. After a book or two on his own, he would be in snoozeville. However, this week it has been a full out play session up there. He sings...loud, he flips, rolls, and jumps, he dances his Lovey along the crib rail, he pulls the letters of his name off the wall, and he talks...a lot! I've tried to ignore him. Normally, I would just say "oh well, he misses a nap today", and go on with my household duties. But, today...day #5 mind you, I am so frustrated!! I have gone in there one time everyday and in a very stern and serious voice reminded him that "it is nap time". "Our crib is for sleeping, not for playing". Do you think he cares? Not a bit. He gives me that precious Jack grin and without a hesitation starts up a very enthusiastic conversation with me. I don't give in, I don't even smile. I simply say "night, night" and close the door. He talks to me until I'm down the hall. It doesn't seem to be working.

My other strategy--remove all books and stuffed guys from his bed. No distractions, right? Ha! That's the day he pulled the letters off the wall. He's going to find something to entertain himself whether I provide it or not. I really don't think that is the issue though. Those things in his crib never caused a nap issue before, why should they now?

Now, if you think that is the best part, you are sorely mistaken. Oh no, it gets better. I make him stay in his crib until 4:00. I figure that is fair because on a normal nap day he would be sleeping until 4:30-5:00 anyway. Besides, he's having a great time up there. However, the best part is...four of the five days, he has crashed right at 3:50. 'Are you kidding me?' is all I can think. No lie, I've watched my video monitor and it's true. So then, I go to plan B--he gets until 4:30ish. Yes, what once was a two to three hour nap is now 45 glorious minutes. What a waste of 3 hours...ugh!

Finally today, I pulled out my sleep bible. I haven't looked at that book since J was dropping his A.M. nap about 7 months ago. The only advice I got was make sure bedtime is appropriate--check--and wake time is sufficient that the child recieved enough sleep--check again. And then it gave a solid reminder that the average kiddo doesn't drop their P.M. nap until at least age 3. I knew that and we ARE NOT dropping a nap. So, where to go from here? I guess just ride this out and chalk it up to another stage.

We've gone through this before. However, it was only a day or two at a time. Not 5 days straight. Has this ever happened to anyone else? And if so, what did you do? (and don't tell me to relax and be flexible--this does not call for flexibility)

Note: these pictures were taken post 45 minute nap...a 45 minute nap does not equal a happy toddler in my house:) or a happy Mommy for that matter

Breakfast of Champions

What is Jack's newest hobby you may ask? The answer is...stuffed characters. He now enjoys a new "character of the day" to eat breakfast with him, play with him, nap with him, go outside with him, and even call it a day with him. Depending on his mood and the activity, his character of choice varies. And many times, as noted above, it is significantly more than one. You can almost always guarantee one of the Sesame Street buddies are going to be on the top of his request list. (I'm beginning to think he might have an unhealthy obsession with Sesame Street;) Out of no where, Jack will just belt out a random request for one of his stuffed friends and he doesn't give up until we have found it and it is right next to us. Oh, but don't even think for a second that this new crew has replaced Lovey... no,no, no this is all in addition to. Jack has always got his hands full these days--literally! Hey, whatever keeps him happy...for this week, anyway!

p.s. Lovey, Grover, Baa Baa (his sheep), and the green Monkey accompanied Jack to bed tonight. That's 4 for those of you counting.