He loves rock and roll

Here is the story of Jacob's love for rock. It all started when I would let the kids listen to my MP3 player. I had put some children's church songs on it so that when they were getting restless in the car or in stores they could listen to some music and chill out. It also had my music on it (with no play lists created) including one song from blink 182 that wasn't inappropriate but had a heavy beat to it. I wasn't real thrilled about them listening to that song so if it came on I would skip it. I started to notice that Jacob had that song playing rather frequently and one time I tried to skip it he protested saying that he liked it. The little stinker had figured out how to skip through the music and would find this particular song over and over.

When Christmas came, one of his gifts was a big dump truck that could be controlled by buttons on the side. It also had sound effects, one of which was this heavy metal sounding music. (Pretty realistic for some construction sites, but a little weird for a toddler toy). As he was playing with it the music came on and Hannah said that she didn't like the music. I said I didn't either. Then Jacob chimes in:

"My do! (I do) It makes me go like this!" Jacob then clenches his fists and makes this gutteral growling sound "GRRRRRRR. and GRRRRRRRR!"

ooookay. No more rock for you little man.

This is real time people

I took these pictures about thirty minutes ago, so that means just before 11. PM! Let me begin by mentioning that Hannah has this incredible super kid power of talking FOR-EV-ER. When she talks, though, she also peppers in questions after, like each sentence so that the listener has to stay some what engaged. "Look at those trees, they are pretty! Aren't they pretty? Huh mom? Huh mom? Mom, aren't they pretty. I like trees, huh?, don't I mom? It is an incredible technique for getting what she wants because after 5-10 minutes I am on yes auto-drive and that is when she throws in: Can we make cupcakes today? I of course said yes and then four questions later realized that I didn't want to make cupcakes. Then being tired I put Jacob down for a nap, left Hannah playing in her room and stretched out on the sofa to read some Jane Austin. Nope, too tired. Fell asleep for 3 hours. Hannah woke me up at 6:45 saying she was feeling a little hungry and mentioning that it just might be dinner time since it was dark out. Got Jacob up, fed them and then Hannah was saying it was time to make cupcakes. Fortunately Jeff got home then so I could leave Jacob behind when Hannah and I went to walmart. Got home at 8:30. Hannah wanted to make these darn things as much by herself as she possibly could (read: this is going to take all night).
This is what part of my kitchen looks like. (I realize Hannah is wearing a coat in the first photo, she said she was cold. I promise we have the heat on in our house. Also, I mistakenly flipped the photo so that doesn't really look like the layout of my kitchen.)

This is what my living room looked like after we got back from walmart. Needless to say I am feeling a little defeated. I ate two of the "life by chocolate" cupcakes in an attempt to elevate my mood.

Park pictures

Michael with his mouth full of cheerios
Hannah wanting the camera

Jacob really needs to grow longer legs. Michael and Hannah could out run him which would make him growl, or yell "come on guys, wait up guys," or just stop and cry.

Boys doing boy stuff

The weather was nice this day and so Jacob and Michael and I went in the back yard so they could play with sticks and water. Did I mention that I am loving toddler boys? Especially when I can borrow another one to go with mine. I also love Jacob's shirt. It is hard to see but it says mom. Thank you to the woman in the mall for giving me the gymboree bucks.

Bird watching

We have started throwing birdseed out for the birds because the kids and I really like to watch them. That small red speck is a cardinal. The big yellow wave is a slide (thanks Heather!) and one day it will be a play set.
Me and my boy. I love that boy. Picture courtesy of Hannah. I love that girl.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Jacob is now three. He is a home body, can't understand why we would ever want to leave the house when it has everything he wants there. Likes to torment his sister at times. Still comes up to me and says "I want to snuggle," or "I want to be cozy." Loves Thomas, loves looking at the birds outside. Likes to eat his waffles frozen, straight from the freezer. Makes stink face A LOT. Destroys books, papers, and stuff he finds in his sister's room. Still leaves the lids off markers. Has finally stopped drawing on walls (I may have just jinxed myself). Still can't reach the pedals on his trike but can "fred flinstone" it like nobody's business. Makes me laugh many times everyday. Says some seriously funny prayers, has a huge smile, likes rock music (more on that later), and as of today, went all day without a diaper on! I love my little man.

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob

Hannah was a flower girl for my brother-in-law's wedding and she wore this beautiful off-white silk dress. We don't really go places where she can wear that again. It did make it to church a couple of months but then became dress-up clothes. Anyway, I won't bore you with more details but two years later (the size ran large so it still pretty much fits) I dyed it pink. Hannah was excited and later that evening she brought it downstairs to me to see if it was dry enough to wear. I said it was and she immediately starts undressing in the middle of the living room. Jeff kind of drops his head to the side and rolls his eyes as if to say: Seriously? Right here? I laugh and say it is a good thing that he has Jacob to even out all the estrogen in the house. Then I glance down at Jacob and realize that he is gently brushing a barbie's hair.