Jack and his "School House"

My little man started his first day of Mother's Day out on Monday. It's not like the MDO where I went as a kid. It was all arts and crafts and unlimited play time (not that that is a bad thing). It's more like a preschool with a curriculum, bible stories, and a schedule. So appropriately, Jack calls it his "school house" which is just so cute because I'm not sure we have ever called it that. He came up with it on his own. Reminds me of how Jimmy use to call dawn and dusk "night-morning".  How very perceptive. Anyway, back to Jack's first day at his school house. He woke up super early and I was afraid he would be grumpy, but as soon as I reminded him that he was going to school today (he remembered it from his open house a few days before - see an open house...so very preschool like) he got right into the swing of things.

He helped me make his eggs for breakfast...with very close supervision for all of those worrying about the stove.

Then he ate a whole plate and was happy about it! Which is why I let him help me (for those of you still hung up on the image above) because he is more likely to eat something he made..aren't we all?

Then he gathered his things.

I love his school things. Curious George is his main squeeze so it was an obvious choice. I made the nap mat but not the back pack...that's still a little out of my crafting league.

Then into the car.

And into the "school house"

And right into Mrs. Beth's room and over to the toys.

Mrs. Beth asked him a question and I slipped out of the room. No tears from my boy :) His teacher said he did really well. He had a few scuffles with some classmates, but as Grandad just informed me, that comes with the territory of being a "Jack Chapman"

"Summons tales of Jack's Great Grandpa Jack. Jack's mother, Lena Belle, would dress Jack sharply in his knickers. Off he road to school with his sister, Blanche Belle, on the back of the saddle holding on. By the time school let out, Jack's knickers were dirty and torn. Jack was good at fighting you see. Sweet memories, Grandad"

Overall, Mrs. Beth was pleased with his first day and said he was confident and well adjusted. I'm proud of my  baby big boy! I have to admit, sissy and I missed him terribly. When I told her it was time to go get Jack, she dropped all of her things and ran to his room to look for him. She was sad when he wasn't there. But as soon as she saw him at pickup, she ran over to him and laid down on his nap mat with him. Such sweetness. But I know she enjoys time with just me... oh and no one to take her toys.

For the love of shoes

I love them.

You know you love them.

And Katelynn certainly loves them.

Shoes.

Yes, I know, it might appear that she has too many shoes.

But I stand by one of my firm beliefs, a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes.

Katelynn wakes up from every nap and every morning, reaching from her crib to grab a pair of shoes. You ask her to pick out a pair and she will. She will thoughtfully look at all of them and reach for a specific pair with a grin on her face from ear to ear.

And then you ask her if she wants you to put on her shoes. She will bring them to you, sit in your lap, and point her feet as you put each one on. And then looks up at you with that million dollar smile. And it makes you want to buy her more.

She will wear them all day. No need to accessories. Her outfit is complete. Diaper and shoes.

She might even run out into the living room to dance.

Because what good is a pair of shoes you can't dance in?

I love having a girl.

I see many shopping trips, many shoes, and a broke daddy in our future.

Bet I can make you smile...

Did it work? Did I make you smile? Well, certainly, if this adorable 1 year old doesn't make you smile, than nothing will.

She is 1!

She is 1.

And got a new dress from Nonnie and Pop.

She put it on and went outside to play baseball with her brother like a true tomboy.

She can almost run now.

And still likes to pose for the camera. Well kind of...

And has learned how to throw fits.

She has a brother that likes to play until he crashes onto the living room floor.

She had her lamb cake.

And a sneaky brother.

She decided it was yucky. (It was)

She had a party.

And wore her swimsuit.

And played with her friends.

And had another cake.

And wasn't so sure about it after the last cake we gave her.

But this one tasted much better.

So she shared with her Daddy.

And then let her friends hit a pinata.

And then, when it was all over, took a 3 hour nap.

And so did her brother.