The Real Christmas Story

A couple of weeks ago, Crossings held a Christmas event for toddlers, called the Real Christmas Story. All the children came in their pajamas and watched a live nativity performance. Then they could play games, make ornaments, decorate cookies, etc. Randy and I really wanted to go, but we had our last Bradley Method class that night, so Bebe, Daniel, and Adrienne offered to take Jack. He had a great time! He just loved seeing all the other kiddos and especially loved eating the cookie that he decorated. Here are a few pictures:

If You're Happy and You Know It... Don't Clap- UPDATE

So, I posted a few weeks ago about Jack pretending to play the piano and humming to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It. Randy and I have been so confused because when he would play this song, we would always clap our hands at the appropriate time, only to be scolded for it. Jack would say, "Don't clap!" and then something that sounded like, "Put your toes around the edge." Of course, I had NO idea what he was talking about. But this continued; every time we clapped, he would get frustrated and repeat, "Don't clap. Toes around the edge." ??????? Finally, I decided to email Kathryn, Jack's music school teacher to see if she had any idea what he was talking about. Turns out, he wasn't singing If You're Happy and You Know It at all. He was singing Put Your Toes Around the Edge of the Rug. Apparently, each morning at school, in order to get the kids lined up on the rug to say the Pledge of Allegiance, the teachers sing this song:

Put your toes around the edge of the rug!
Put your toes around the edge of the rug!
Put your toes around the edge,
Put your toes around the edge,
Put your toes around the edge of the rug!

Ah, that makes so much more sense! Check out the video to see Jack getting frustrated with Randy.

Jack Helping Elmo Go Potty

Jack Playing His Footboard Piano

Hayley's (Jack's??) Birthday Party

On Sunday before Hayley and Nick headed back to Dallas, we celebrated Hayley's birthday. Technically, it's not until the 13th but they won't be back in town until Christmas. I think Jack must have thought it was his birthday, either that or he just needed a warm up for February 9th. Check out the way he dug into the presents, candles, and cake!

Papo modeling the new musical Santa hat and Rudolph nose

Jack's Turn

Helping Hayley open presents

Apparently he likes cookie cake

Jack and his Mumo

Thanksgiving at the Ranch

For the past few years, my family has begun a new Thanksgiving tradition of celebrating at my aunt's house, which is on a ranch in Wetumpka, Oklahoma. Last year Jack was a little young to realize where we were, but this year he realized that he was in heaven. Little boy heaven, anyway! Not only was his favorite person there, my 8 year old cousin, Cody, and lots of yummy food within reach at all times, but there were also horses to ride, tractors to drive, etc. He was in awe and just had the time of his life!

Of course, the rest of us had a great time too. I always love getting together with the whole family and this was the first year in awhile that both Daniel and Adrienne, and Hayley and Nick were in town for Thanksgiving. It was so nice to spend time with everyone! We all went to see the movie Blind Side on Friday afternoon and went to the Thunder basketball game that night. It was a busy, but enjoyable weekend!

Jack snacking

Playing pool with Hayley and Nick

Playing in Cody's room

He discovered his passion for the guitar!

Eating at "the little table"

Heading down to see the horses with Daddy

Meeting Trigger with Grandad

Jack can't be anywhere too long without cleaning the place up a bit

Collin and Cody

Riding a tractor

An attempt at a family pic

Jack's first ATV ride. Mommy was very nervous

Somewhat better family pic

My parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents

Showing Hayley how it's done

Snuggling with Uncle Nick

Here is a video of Jack playing the guitar for the first time:

And one of Jack's first horsie ride:

O Christmas Tree!

Jack just LOVED decorating the tree this year