Summer Hiatus

I wish I could say that I have actually taken a hiatus and (ha ha) relaxed, but actually NO..sadly the hiatus was only for this blog!  I have been SO busy that I am ready to revel in this next week of nothingness!  Between three AMAZING summer camp shows, play dates, appointments, photo sessions, this summer has flown by.  No, actually more like, took off like a runaway train and didn't stop... 

In two weeks we head to Disney World for Jackson's first meeting with Mickey and Co.  Needless to say, it was really something that I would never in a million years imagine myself doing, taking a two-year-old to Disney World that is, but the stars aligned and we jumped on the opportunity.  We are all really excited to get away and enjoy some family time in the happiest place on earth.  (I'll let you know how that one goes). 

And, now just a few pictures of my favorite little guy loving life in the summer! 

 

Lost Phone Photos

In a pinch, I will snap a few pictures with my phone if I am sans camera when we are out and about.   Usually I forget that my phone takes pictures and I forgo all together.  Occasionally I will remember that I live in 2011 and I will catch a moment in time on my iphone's not-so-great camera.   Once the picture is taken however, it seems as if that instant it is wiped from my memory.  I totally forget that they are there...all of these not so great pictures of really great moments. 

Today in Target as Jackson and I were shopping for undies (for him, he requested monkey undies) I quickly grabbed my phone to take  this picture:

"I am a lion" he proclaimed

So that is what underwear are for.  I get it now! 

"ROAR!"

As I quickly texted Frank the picture, I looked back at some of the previous iphone photos,  all of which I deem worthy of there own individual post but for time and memory sake (mine) I will post them as the lost phone photos.  Enjoy!

 

 bathing with balloons

resting in Mommy's bed (as he calls it)

double brushing at the zoo

taking a break at the farmer's market

stickers are for arms

and legs

Clyde the Lion

Jack roared louder than Clyde...not really a surprise to me

Phun at the Phillies

the lovely lime lolly

There you have it!

Happy Summer

There are moments in my life, often the most trivial or seemingly meaningless, are the ones that I wish I had a picture of.  Of course, my camera is not within arms reach for the majority of these mundane daily occurrences that might mean nothing to the average guy, but to me are everything.  Any parent might have a shred of an idea of what I am talking about....  Being greeted with a huge toothy smile first thing in the morning upon opening your child's bedroom door.  Watching them miraculously master and use words like cylinder and trapezoid.  Catching them opening up their art kit on his own (while Daddy left the room) and taking the cap off of every single marker and organizing the caps by color.   That last one, the non-washable marker one, was where the distraction of his first visit to the ice cream truck couldn't have come at a better time.  (marker was all over the toy box, hands, paper....)

I was lucky enough to remember to grab my camera as I grabbed my kid and headed out the door just in time to greet Mr. (Miss) Softy.  Well actually I missed the actual truck and the money exchange but I did get the devouring of the cone.  Chocolate with chocolate sprinkles, just in case you were wondering.

I love the one lone sprinkle on his chin

These are the moments I am so thankful for.  These small happy snippets bring so much joy and meaning to  my life.  And, here are a few more....

King of the turtle shell

Hanging on the "monkey branch"

In awe of the fireworks

Happy 4th, Happy Summer, Happy Life.

Ducks For The Tub

On Sunday our family ventured out to Phoenixville, Pa to visit friends and family and to enjoy Canal Day, an annual tradition with canoe races, live music, even jousting (? if that is even what you would call it?) over the water.  The favorite this year, surpassing even the craft table and blow up bounce house was the rubber duck pond where every child is a winner.    Not only was this great because they could choose from a myriad of blowup baseballs or footballs with arms and legs (Jackson actually chose a soccer ball man), but for the sheer fact that they could cool off in the duck pool.  The above picture was snapped by the photographer for the Phoenixville Patch newspaper, showing our happy toddler delightfully splashing away....right before the meltdown and tears when I told him that, "No buddy, I'm sorry we can't take ALL (or any for that matter) of these ducks home for our bathtub." 

The (Busy) Beach Bum

Taking a two year old to the beach is a production all it's own...one that really can't be managed without some help.  When I was asked to do a beach family photo shoot for one of my very favorite families I jumped at the chance.  When Frank told me he would be away that weekend, I quickly became re-grounded to the earth.  I didn't take me long to figure out that I was going to need a helper to come along for the day, and by the time Sammi (babysitter extraordinaire) agreed I was back to jumping for joy. 

The photo shoot was great and Jackson LOVED playing in the sand with Sammi while I blissfully snapped away.  Easy breezy day at the beach.

Ha ha ha ha ha.....until he discovered the ocean.  Which he did not want to ever get out of.  Needless to say, by the end of the day not only were Sammi and I both exhausted, but my back, arms, and legs were all sore from the workout of chasing a non-stop (and when I say non-stop I really mean didn't-stop-for-one-minute-to-even-have-a-drink-or-a-snack-or-give-mommy-even-one-second-to-catch-her-breath kind of non-stop) two year old around in the hot sun all day.

The gleeful shrieks and screeches of "Mommy we're in the ocean!!!" and "Ha, ha, I wanna swim again" made it all worth while!  I can't wait to take him back to the beach with Daddy, I have after all been told that he takes after his father when it comes to the water!

 I will conquer the ocean!....(and, he did)

Father's Day Preview

With Father's Day this weekend, I thought I would post a few of my favorite pictures of Jackson with his Daddy.  Sadly this daddy will be out of town for the weekend and won't be returning until the ending hours of actual "Father's Day".  We will miss you Daddy, while you are away, and I guess it just means that we will have to celebrate extra hard when you return!

 Sons with their Daddies

Say Cheese!

Usually when I try to take a picture, Jackson runs away from the camera full tilt or turns his head away in a flash leaving only a hazy trace in the picture.  Lately though, he has been saying "Cheese Mommy!" when I pull out my camera.  Here are some of our latest pieces of "Cheese" (which, yes, just in case you are wondering he loves the edible kind too).

 Would you like some cheese whiz with that?

 How about some cheese fries?

 Yum!  More Cheese Please!