Here's a short clip of Lyla babbling. She says "bah"....sounds like a sheep!

Jack's new song

Jack learned a song at preschool called, "Five Coconuts". He looks so cute when he sings it and does all the motions (especially shaking the tree)but it was hard to get him to do the motions while holding the microphone. I bought him a $10 tape recorder so he could hear books on tape (his new favorite thing) and he discovered how fun it is to talk into the microphone. He says "Hi! My name is Jack and I like to read", we're not sure why he says that?? The song is "5 coconuts hanging high up in a tree, I cannot reach them, I have to shake it, Ouch! One fell down on me". It continues until there are no coconuts and the tree falls down on me. Here he is singing the last line.

Jack modeling his "big brother" t-shirt from Grandma He was hugging Lyla and actually WANTED to hold her -- but when he realized he was on camera, he decided it would be fun to kind of "throw" her onto the couch next to him. OOPS! She was fine....just happy to get attention from her big brother! Matt made a do-rag for Lyla, she looks like a funky nun?! Jack choosing a sticker for going pee-pee on the potty! He's doing so good! He got his hair cut today at a salon, only the second time we've done that. The stylist actually put "product" in his hair (a ton of pomade)! She gave him a fauxhawk - but then changed it to just a messy do. He was pretty good and got to sit in a Lightning McQueen car and watch a few minutes of "Cars".

Bouncy, bounce!

Lyla is 5 months old

She's getting soo big! She can sit up for a few seconds on the bed --here's a comparison to Jack at about the same age. Wow! What a melon he had (has)...

Jack was rolling a ball to Lyla (after I asked him to stop throwing it at her) She was laughing so much that she dropped her paci...after jabbing it in her eye and then her nose, Jack finally got it in her mouth. A hug and a kiss... Awww...I sure hope these two are buddies as they grow up together!!

A Birthday Party

Our neighbor, Luke, turned 3 today and we celebrated with him at a neighborhood pool. It was a PERFECT day for swimming! The water was a bit cold at first, but Jack didn't seem to mind and so I had to suck it up and get in anyway! Daddy stayed dry with Lyla, who slept most of the party. The last picture is Luke opening his remote control batmobile...it was a Batman party. Thanks for a great time, Luke!

Jack's second day of preschool

Jack had a great second day of school. It was "spirit day" so he got to wear his new Apple Creek shirt! He was happy to go and knew exactly what to do when we got there --but then seemed a little worried when some of the other kids started (hysterically) crying. He still said "Bye, Mommy" without tears and I quickly left. When I picked him up, his teacher said he didn't cry the whole day. YEAH, Jack! We took him to Chuck E. Cheese that night to show him how proud we are of him!! He had a great time.

Jack's first day of preschool

Jack started preschool on Tuesday. Matt left work to meet us and then he, Lyla and I had lunch after we dropped off Jack. Jack did well with the drop-off, the concept of Mommy or Daddy not being around for a few hours was beyond comprehension to him before Tuesday so I don't think he even knew to be afraid. He walked in, put his backpack away and found a few things to do (the home center, leggo table, and reading corner). Then Matt and I said quick good-byes (as other children were starting to melt-down left and right) and we left. I cried the whole way to the restaurant but was fine after a while. When I picked him up after school (grandma came with me), he had a single tear on his cheek. I scooped him up and squeezed him as tight as I could (it was a LONG 2 and a half hours without him)!! His teacher said he cried off and on a few times, but each time was easily distracted and stopped crying quickly. Hopefully tomorrow goes as well or better! Even with a tear in his eye, he said "yes" when I asked if he had fun and if he was ready to go again on Thursday.... we'll see how it goes!

Lyla's Dollie

Matt's Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dick sent this baby doll to Lyla. She cuddles it and tries to eat the baby...I think that means she likes it??

Labor Day Fun

We found a cute swimsuit on clearance for Lyla and I just had to buy it (and then have a photo shoot). The next day was Labor Day. My mom and Don were in town to visit and spent most of the day with us. We started the day swimming at their hotel pool. Then, after lunch, we went to Main Event for some arcade fun (we wrangled an ostrich, hyena, and rhino...flew a helicopter, raced cars, road a wave runner, played skee ball, and air hockey!) Later that night, we went bowling! It was Jack's first time bowling and, other than waiting for his turn, he seemed to really enjoy it!

Lyla's using the high chair!

My back was hurting from leaning over the table to feed Lyla in the bouncer so I washed off the high chair (it's been used for Jack's haircuts for about a year) and she's doing great with it!