As you can tell, Jack wasn't all that interested in the zebras.
He was fascinated by the meerkat. I love his little face in this picture (although there is something on our camera lens blurring the shot).
He also wasn't sure he wanted to participate in the brushing of the goats. He's a pretty cautious kid when it comes to new things.We enjoyed our first family trip to the zoo today. It was a beautiful day so the zoo was actually pretty crowded. Jack was funny in that he wasn't all that interested in the animals - but mostly wanted to play in all the bushes and trees at the zoo and watch all the other little kids who were running around. Oh well...there were several animals that seemed to attract his attention. The birds and meerkat (is the plural of meerkat "meerkats"?) were some of his favorites and he also liked watching the sharks swimming in their aquarium. Hopefully soon I'll be able to download some better pictures taken by his Aunt Lainee (visiting on her Spring Break).
So, I don't often let Jack have ice cream, but we had such a fun day playing outside that I couldn't resist taking a break and having some dessert with my favorite little man. It didn't take him long to figure out how the Push Up worked.
Here is Jack taking some fashion advice from his father. I think his red shoes compliment this outfit nicely.
The before shot...He's looking a little unkempt
Here he still has no idea what's to come.
He was so serious (but very calm) during the actual "cut". They had a movie playing for him to watch but he was much more interested in watching his stylist work.
The finished product...although Daddy thinks the hairdresser went a little overboard with the gel. Doesn't he look so much older?
In case there was ever a question as to whether our son acted like a boy, just look at his hands (and his mouth). He loves the dirt and if he goes outside that is right where he heads.
Recently, in the midst of our packing, Nathan found a stuffed animal that he played with when he was Jack's age. Jack loved the new puppy and carried it around like it was a baby. I've never actually seen him hold anything else the way he held this little dog. It was so cute.
Jack's Aunt Lainee just headed home after a weekend with us. Jack was a major chatterbox/entertainer during her visit. He cried today when we dropped her off at the airport. I keep trying to tell him she will be back...
During her stay she also was able to get him down for some great naps. We're trying to figure out what her secret involved???
Jack reading the Valentines from his classmates.
I love this picture because he looks like he's actually reading his card.
Unhappy Cowboy
Guess it was the hat...
Jack's school has been celebrating "Western Days" these past few days so I wanted to post a couple of my favorites pictures. I don't think Jack was a huge fan of the hat. Apparently, however, he WAS big fan of the mini corndogs and had about 5 each day. That's my boy!
Lately Jack has really been cracking me up. He has developed this great sense of humor... and he is totally into everything. Nathan has a djembe (drum) from Malaysia that he plays occassionally. The base of it is open and Jack has learned he can stick things into the base and if it's small enough it will go through the small hole that seperates the base part from the upper drum part. The other day Nathan went to play his drum and it was making a funny sound, so he looks down the hole and finds a spoon. It wasn't even a Jack-sized spoon. It was one of our spoons that I'm guessing he yanked when I was putting dishes into the dishwasher.
He also doesn't allow any time for cuddling when you get him up in the morning. Once you pick him up from his crib, he immediately begins pointing to the various objects he wants. And if you take something away these days and try to hide it in an unreachable location, two weeks later he can remember exactly where you placed it! He'll stand at that location and just say "up...up...up...up". Smart kid.
So, Jack has become much more confident on his feet this week! It's shocking what he's able to do now in such a short time. It's now possible for him to follow me from room to room (I'm learning to deal with my new "shadow"). He also much prefers walking to crawling now so when he falls he always attempts to get back on his two feet. He still hasn't conquered standing up on his own and requires some type of still object to help him regain his stance after falling...but he's a tall guy so it may take him a while to have balance like that. He's also walking much better in shoes these days. We did have to go and find a pretty flexible pair as he boycotted walking whenever his stylish but uncomfortable Gap shoes were on his feet. (We purchased a pair of "See Kai Run" shoes...I'd highly recommend them for any new walker.) But I'm guessing soon he'll be off and running.
Jack with Mom and Dad by the tree. He was so excited to open presents again!
Jack with a cool puzzle from his Aunt Lainee.
These last three pictures are of Jack modeling his cool new Peyton Manning jersey from his Great Uncle, Dick.
Jack and his Uncle Nick
Jack and Nana
Jack opening presents...he loved his Sesame Street friends until the "Animal Train" arrived.
Getting ready to take off for Missouri on Christmas Day.
Jack catching up on some birthday presents from Nana & Papaw.
Matching day with Uncle Mike.
(Don't worry...it wasn't planned...we're not THAT kind of family.)
Bundling up in our hat and winter coat to face the cold (although it was mild weather for Pittsburgh, it was freezing to us!).
A bathtub just Jack's size (seriously).
Jack loved hanging out with the boys.
