Twinsfest is not for young kids...

We went to Twinsfest this year with both of the kids and Cathy and her boys, Blake and Paul. The event started out on a good note; Jackson got to kneel down and touch the field that the Twins play on, he jumped in an inflatable bouncer and took a picture with "the team". After that it went south and I could be found pinning the three year old to the artificial turf like it was a WWF wrestling match. Then with him over my shoulder climbing the two-thousand and one steps to the top. Okay, maybe not two-thousand and one but it sure as hell felt like that many as my thighs were burning while carrying the thirty pound toddler -- kicking and screaming no less -- to the top... TWICE! Should have gotten a picture of that, because according to these photos we were a happy family at Twinsfest and let's be honest, there was no HAPPY going on.


Check out number 00

The allergist...

Today we brought Jackson in for a follow-up appointment with the allergist. We were hoping for the good news that we could bring some nuts into the kid's diet, but not so fast! The results below don't mean much to the layman, however I wanted write them for recording purposes.

Summary: It's looking good for peanuts, however he did have a small reaction to tree nuts again. The newest one was shellfish, his reaction was STRONG. So to get a better idea of what these mean, they drew blood. We'll have the results in a week. For now, we'll keep him away from all nuts (including peanuts) and shellfish for sure.

There is a chance that we'll be able to try some nuts, but not just yet.

His results were:

Cat 0
Dog 0
Tree pollen 0
Timothy Grass 3/7
Ragweed 0
Alternaria (mold) 3/6
Aspergillus (mold) 3/8
Corn 0
Egg 0
Mil 0
Peanut 0
Soy 0
Wheat 0
Saline 0
Almond 0
Brazil 3/6
Cashew 3/5
Hazelnut 0
Pecan 0
Walnut 0
Cod 0
Shrip 6/30

Winter Carnival

We took Jackson and Addie to see the Winter Carnival ice sculptures and ice rink. The wind was biting and I was worried Addie would be too cold, but she never complained. Jackson had fun look at the sculptures and couldn't decide on a favorite. Though his favorite part of the adventure was definitely the mini donuts!

Raindrops...

Jackson's favorite song lately, and he has the chorus down completely!


Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

A lesson in cooking...

For my birthday this year Ron surprised me with cooking lessons in my home! My mom and friend Dana were invited along for the experience.

The meun:
Homemade pasta
Roasted pumpkin ravioli with a sage brown butter sauce
Chicken enchiladas with salsa verde
Seafood bisque
California rolls

We had a great time learning new techniques and eating delicious grub.







And Jackson even got to try out one of the menu items the next day:

Gastrofamily: Brussel Sprouts

Next in our adventure of eating with more variety came brussel sprouts. I steamed them with a bit of butter and oil. Then when they were done I drizzled a stone-ground mustard over the top. They went over with some success, Jackson even ate the leftovers again the next day with lunch.

They were served with a crusted chicken and a packaged rice. Yes, packaged! It was a weeknight, what can I say?!? That's Jackson's finger pointing out the new menu item to the camera.

Jackson's three year stat...

Jackson is growing well!

Weigt 32 lbs. (53%)
Height 3' 2" (56%)

How far we've come...

Jackson...

• is having a lot of potty accidents.
  
• loves watching Go Diego, Go.
  
• is a good big brother.
  
• is a good eater. He tries most foods and there isn't much he won't eat.
  
• is learning letters and the sounds they make.
  
• can recognize his name when it's written.
  
• can sometimes count to 20.
  
• is climbing on chairs and cupboards to reach things.
  
• has a great imagination. He likes playing with puppets and pretending to be animals.
  
• likes to be creative; stamping, coloring, cutting and glueing.
  
• is very musical. Plays instruments and is a pretty good dancer.
  
• knows all the words to many, many songs. Magdalena and Caroline by Ian Moore, The Star Spangled Banner are some the new additions to the repertoire.
  
• is interested in learning about things and often uses the line "let's talk about (insert thing here) to learn about something. The other day he said "let's talk about power lines."

Addie...

• smiles every time her brother enters the room.
  
• is getting better at eating rice cereal at her one dinner feeding.
  
• is trying to roll from front to bad and has been successful on occasion.
  
• enjoys her swing a little more.
  
• has started to giggle. Jackson can really get her going.
  
• doesn't cry much unless she's hungry, tired or has a poopy diaper.
  
• is starting to entertain herself with toys and rattles.

Jackson makes the front page...

On Saturday we took the kids sledding with my dad and Cathy and her boys to celebrate Jackson's birthday. A reporter from the Lillie News was there and caught us on camera. Jackson and his Grandpa Ed made the front page!

Wordless Wednesday...

Ice Skates...

Jackson asked for ice skates from Santa and got them. Today was the day he was able to try them out, he was very excited! Just up the road our little community has a hockey rink, ice rink and warming house. The warming house was not open yet, but the temperature was around 25 degrees, so it wasn't really needed. Addie napped in her carseat on the side of the rink while we all skated. Jackson really did well, we took a small chair with us and he held on to that for balance. After a while he was able to let go, but he didn't go far! Jackson is ready to go again tomorrow.

After many years off skates, Ron and I were almost as wobbley but got the hang of it again. I'm not sure I'm up to going again tomorrow, but we'll see.

My mom was able to stop in at the rink to catch the sight and take some wonderful photos.

5 months

And the girl is 5 months old today!

Happy Birthday Jackson...

Jackson started his day with cinnamon bread from Breadsmith with a candle to blow out in the center. When he blew out the candle he said that he wished for a rocket ship and I'd give this kid the moon if I could. (By the way that's life cereal with a couple of crunch berries in it, I don't allow my kid to eat a bowl of Crunch Berries just yet.)




I can't believe my first baby is already three, where does the time go? Every day I wake up and I'm excited to go in his room and wake him up. I love his soft skin and puffy lips as he lies on his pillow, even on days that it's lying in a puddle of drool. His morning breath as he snuggles me in the morning is my favorite part of the day.

Jackson is growing and learning so fast! He is eager to learn to do things for himself, climbing chairs to reach the dishes, scaling the refrigerator so that he can reach the juice on the top shelf. It scares me to pieces; these visions of my Jackson crashing down, but I'm thrilled to see him exerting his independence.

Happy Birthday young man!

A Super Hero...

Party number one is behind us. On Sunday we had my whole family over to celebrate Jackson turning three in super hero fashion.


I made centerpieces filled with candy, complete with splat, bam and zing graphics.


Luke made is super hero cape.


Malak started the mission with his cape as well.


Here is Jackson transforming into his super hero


Look out villians our team of super heroes is on the lookout.


And Addie came in her party dress.


And here is the birthday boy with his Batman cake.

Gastrofamily Week One

I am fully aware that I will not be doing this weekly or even bi-weekly but if I set my goals high perhaps I will be satisfied with the outcome.

As one of my 2010 goals states, I would like to get our family eating a better variety of foods. So it is my goal that we will try a couple new foods each month.

Gastrofamily Week One:

Beets. The beet chip recipe I had was not a complete failure, but it only produced a few perfect chips. Some were too thick and came out rubbery and most were too thin and burned to a crisp. For this reason... I need a mandolin. Jackson tried a couple but was not impressed and Ron felt the same. I will try beets again, another way.

Parsnips. Success! I made a apple and parsnip mash that went over well with both boys, actually.

Apple Parsnip Mash
A delicious alternative to mashed potatoes.

20 ounces parsnips
2 apples (Honeycrisp)
1 tablespoon margarine
salt
pepper

1. Peel and cut parsnips and apples into ¼ inch chunks. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil until soft, about 20 minutes.

2. Drain.

3. Add 1 tablespoon margarine and salt and pepper to taste. Puree in food processor.


Yields: 6 servings

Time to make: 35 minutes

Favorites...

A conversation with Jackson:

What's your favorite color? Byue (Jackson has trouble saying this word)
What's your favorite food? Broccoli
What's your favorite number? 5
What's your favorite letter? A
What's your favorite book? Green Eggs and Ham
What's your favorite thing to do? Watch TV
What's your favorite TV show? Go Diego, Go
What's your favorite toy? A train
What's your favorite thing to do with Mom? Wash clothes
What's your favorite thing to do with Dad? Toss pillows
What's your favorite day of the week? Sunday and Monday
What's your favorite song? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Where's your favorite place to go? Ikea

I don't need more toys...

When Ron would head off to work while I was home on maternity leave, Jackson would ask him why he had to go. Ron's response was always that he had to work to earn money so that he could buy Jackson toys.

Today I was putting my makeup on while in Jackson's bathroom. He wanted me to read him a book, but I told him that I could not because I was getting ready for work.

Well today was my turn: He asked why I had to go to work and I told him that I needed to earn money. His response: "You don't need to earn money, I have enough toys."

Christmas at my mom's...

The Saturday following Christmas celebrated with my mom's family at her place. Some of these photos are taken by auntie Mell, I have to give credit where credit is due:


The whole family



Tinker holding our sleeping Adeline




Donnie and the boys, picture perfect


The pose could last for only so long


Lukie couldn't stop giving Addie Christmas kisses



A sweet photo with cousin Damian



It's so rare that I take a good picture these days, I had to share this one with Tasha. What I mean to say is: A picture taken when I have makeup on and I'm not in sweats!

Christmas Morning...

On Christmas morning my mom came over bright and early. I woke Jackson up and asked him if he thought Santa had come to our house. "Let's go see!" he said. So we trotted downstairs and sure enough, Santa had come for a visit and he left some strange big yellow ball... a beanbag chair Jackson later learned and took to it right away.


Santa ate the cookies!



Is this how this thing works?


Let's see how the baby looks in this thing!



I got the movie Up!


And just what I asked for... ice skates! Santa is smart.


Grandma got an iPod


Presents are opened, now it's time to play. Check out this cool remote control Jeep that I got from Steve and Kathy. Vroom Vroom... CRASH


I think Addie's doll should drive.

Jackson stayed in his pajamas all of Christmas day. We ate, we napped, we played with toys... there was never any reason to get dressed. I think in the picture of him playing with the remote control Jeep he has strawberries on his cheek from breakfast and pizza sauce on the other side from dinner. It was just one of THOSE days.