Learning colors, you first catch, and "reading" books.

Jace is almost 3 1/2 and is about 3 months into his preschool experience.  There was some adjustment with him learning to share, follow the rules, and listen, but the teacher remains steadfast that he is a typical little three year old boy.

I decided to hit colors really hard recently because he is just not getting it and he really is too smart not to know his colors.  Cody would get frustrated and say he's not trying, but I kept with it.  He's getting better and more consistent, but he does still need some practice!  The Christmas lights going up everywhere have given him new incentive!

Of particular note though was that he just could not catch a ball.  Cody and I would play with him, and he would get disinterested after a few minutes.  The other day, we were over at my parents house and my dad played ball with him.  They did silly things like throw it behind their back, hike it through their legs standing upside down, and make funny noises.  My dad started bouncing it and making Jace hold his arms out, and wouldn't you know it Jace caught his first ball!!  He went on to catch quite a few more and I got one on videotape.  When we all cheered his little proud face killed me.  It was so cute.

The other amazing thing he did was "read" the Mighty Dad book from cover to cover.  He had memorized the entire thing.  As I videotaped him that same proud look washed over him and he happily read to us again.

I'm so proud of my smart little guy.

The frog hopped into my mouth again!!!!!

This story really starts with Ashlynn, but Jace is the one who has kept it going!  Both of my kids caught their first cold of the year.  One day, as I was dropping Ashlynn off with her Grandma, I told DeAnn that Ashlynn's throat had a frog in it, but I thought she could still go to school.

Thus ensued the never ending saga of the frog.

Ashlynn exclaimed to her Grandma:

"You know I opened my mouth.....and a frog jumped in!"

LOL

Jace though kept it going.  When he got sick after Ashlynn, he dramatically exclaimed, "oh no!  The frog hopped out of Ashlynn's mouth and into mine!!"

Well, both of them recovered and the frog it seemed had returned home, that is, until today.

We were driving home and Jace coughed!   A look of panic swept across his face as he said, "Oh no!  Mom!  The frog hopped back into my throat!!!"

I can't do anything but laugh.  Seriously.

I cannot EVEN mom.

Jace continues to make us laugh with his sayings and an uncanny dry way of speaking that seems to lend itself to the perfect punchline.

The other day he was trying to pick something up and exclaimed exasperated, "Mom!  I cannot EVEN pick this up!  It is TOO heavy!

It might be funnier in my head, but seriously he cracks me up.  I've always said he is my future engineer, but maybe I can see comedian in his future as well.

This week we were listening to a bible children's CD his Aunt Kris gave Ashlynn for her Birthday, and after so many songs singing "praise him" Jace demanded to know, "So mom, what's the deal with these princess songs?"  It took me a minute to wonder why he thought they were princess songs until
"praaaaaaaise..him" wailed once more on the radio.

ROFL

My favorite part though...I kiss him goodnight and tell him he's my good little boy, and he always responds with a hug and that "I'm his good little mommy" too.  :)  Love that kid.  Here's his first ever school picture.  His eyes are Cody's, but his expression is such a Baskall.  Love that boy.

Mommy

Floating on his own!

I have so much guilt sometimes because Jace's life has been tagging along while Ashlynn gets dropped off at speech, OT, and swimming.  Even though it's work, I don't think Jace sees it that way. Ashlynn gets all the attention, then she is told we are proud of her, and he is left out.

I did enroll him in preschool even though it's costing me over 200 dollars a month just for him to go two half days a week, but I know his self-esteem needs it.  He loves acting big, putting on his backpack, telling me goodbye and sitting at the table with all the kids.  His smile is worth more than the money we are paying.

Since he's been really wanting to swim, I've been having Ashlynn's swim teacher Josh see him the last 5 minutes of her sessions, so he doesn't feel so left out. Today Ashlynn was sick, so Jace got to have the entire session to himself and boy did he make the best of it!

He was jumping in the pool without hesitation, jumped right into his head bobs, and when it came to his back float, Josh let go and Jace floated alone for 10 seconds!  He was soooo proud!!  Look at that smile!  He also did a back kick on his own for four seconds smiling all the way.

He gets so cold easily and was shivering, but he was determined.  He was so tired by the end he couldn't even manage a kick.  He truly gave it everything he had!

I really want to find an activity that is just for Jace...maybe Karate, maybe soccer, I don't know.  I want him to feel special and proud in his own right.  He deserves it.

Fascinated by the cowboy, stealing the violin, and other pumpkin harvest adventures.

We went to the pumpkin festival today.  Both of you kids love to dance. We spent a large amount of time with the band, which you loved.  You sat down and banged together your two spoons, staring at the band members.  You have always been that way though.

When you had colic as a baby, we would get out the guitars and you would quiet right down.  You would lay on the floor and listen to us play.  Out of all you crazy and rowdy boy antics, stick live music in front of you and you are calm.

At one point, the woman lay down her violin on the ground.  You were eyeing it the entire time.  I saw you make a break for it and though I jumped up weaving through the crowd as fast as I could, it was too late.  You were holding this violin as though you had found the golden treasure and your eyes were dancing.  I took it away and you cried like you had lost the golden treasure.  lol

Later we watched a cowboy tell stories of life back in the days of the pioneers.  You were the youngest audience member that was completely enchanted by his stories.  You took mental notes of everything, and if I had any doubt, you reminded us later to look for "snakes in our bed" because they might have snuck in during the day."  LOL  How is one three year old so dang smart?  I hope you never lose you sense of wonder (I just hope you learn to reign it in a bit).

Solving life's mysteries

Jace continues to be funny and amazing.

Does the sun wear pajamas?

The sun doesn't have a bed.  He sleeps in the grass.


We had Aunt Dede's wedding this weekend, and you kept me on my feet as I chased you around the venue.  You were upstairs, in the kitchen, behind the bar.....ahhh.  I was so tired, but I picked you up and danced with you.  I know you won't always want me around, so I tried to revel in the moment. Your smile was so big and bright, and you absolutely loved it when I spun you.  I was lost with you in that moment and it was amazing.

Camping brought fun with cousins, but you are still you and want to know how everything works. You kept dismantling this tether ball game determined to figure out how it went together.  Despite getting into trouble constantly for it, you did if fact, figure out how to put it back together by yourself.  Oh Jace.

Bumps and bruises

We went to Boyd Lake this past weekend with the Powers family who has a kid your age (3) and another boy Ashlynn's age (5).

When you were little learning to walk, we used to say you had one speed!  Go!!  Things haven't changed much!

You love camping!  Boyd is great for kids  because there are playgrounds and pavement that kids can ride their bikes.  You zoomed around your big wheel and wiggle seat so fast I just knew you were going run into something!  Vroom Vroom!!!  you  say as you ride.  Wahoooo! is another favorite phrase of yours.

Your dad always says you are going to get hurt, but I always want to prevent it as much as I can.  Some things just aren't preventable though, like this:

I'm sure you're hoping there is a great story to this, but I will have to disappoint you.  You were just bouncing like a crazy kid at the table in the trailer and hit your head on the edge.  It gave you a big goose egg and tired you out from all of your crying.  I was so worried, but I don't think you had a concussion.  While you slept snuggled in blankets from Grandma Smith, I iced your head.  :)  I don't usually think you look like your dad, but this picture reminds me of a picture of Cody sleeping when he was a teengager.  Maybe I can find it and post it later (probably won't happen) haha

Among other things this trip, besides dominating their jetski floatie: 

You tied a knot with one of our tow straps!  We use them to strap down the wagon and when I went to pack up, I had to untie it.  It was very loose, but I was so surprised and proud of you.  No one taught you, you just pay attention and had done it yourself.  You are amazing like that, and you're only three.  I can't wait to see what you can do when you're older!  Help your poor old mom I hope!

I love you little guy!