Mixed Nuts

Team Mixed Nuts completed their first run this weekend! The newly formed team is composed of family and friends alike--all nuttier than ever!



Jace heads the Fan Club as indicated on his totally awesome shirt designed by Fabulous Aunt Kay. Actually, the entire team wore shirts in various colors which caught the attention of race organizers. A photo of Team Mixed Nuts was subsequently featured in the post race analysis email sent out to competitors.

Fabulous Aunt Kay, who completed her first 5k in outstanding fashion (finishing in the top 5 in her age group), also made the local newspaper. Her determined mug shot was captured at the start line and somehow made local news! Mommy can't help but point out that she herself ran at record pace (for her that is), finishing in 24:30....that's 7:53/mile for those who care! The rest of the competitors fared great as well, with one Nut even wearing a tiara during the entire race!

The fun filled weekend began with Grandma F., Aunt Erin, Tom, and Kona arriving for their stay at Casa Jace. The rest of the crew came later and joined in some carb-eating pre-race fun.


Race day was forecast to be snowy and cold so Grandma F. and Jacer decided to cheer from the comforts of home.


Throughout the weekend, Jace was more than willing to partake in some Erin and Tom fun.


Ozzy was more than willing to partake in some Kona fun.....which wore the old man out!


And what Sunday morning would be complete without a swim at the hotel pool?? Ok, maybe a 'skim the edge' of the hotel pool...and this was after much coaxing!


Congrats all you fellow Mixed Nuts! Can't wait until May when various Nuts will Run Like a Mother!

Usually......

...Mommy isn't a huge fan of 'flashcard learning' with a 2-year-old. However, a certain 2-year-old loves, loves, loves his foam alphabet cards and asks for them multiple times a day. So, Mommy cannot deny her little man's zest for learning. Here's to hoping it lasts a lifetime!

Stellan

Mommy mentioned MckMama in a previous Not Me! Monday post. Her blog is awesome and is read by millions...literally. Her son Stellan was diagnosed with heart problems in the womb but was born completely healed. Now, 4-months later, he is in the hospital with heart difficulties again. Many people are praying but it can't hurt to have a few more. If you get a chance check out her blog and keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Uncle Tom!!

Jace can officially call Tom Thomas.....Uncle Tom! Aunt Erin had made the stipulation that 'Uncle' was not allowed to be uttered until a ring was firmly planted on her left ring finger. Tom Thomas went above and beyond that this weekend by not only surprising her with an awesome sparkler, but also with a slew of family and friends to help celebrate. Poor Aunt Erin thought that Mommy couldn't keep a secret......score one for Mommy. The whole family was hiding in the apartment next door as Tom Thomas popped the question. To nobody's surprise Erin said yes and subsequently picked up the phone to spread the news. As she was telling Mommy the news via phone, the whole crew knocked at her door. Seriously, who can argue with Mommy being totally trustworthy with secrets now? The rest of the weekend was great and included a wonderful hotel, eating lots of yummy food, shopping (including some preliminary dress looking), and watching Ozzy and Kona wrestle. Check out the pictures to help you better understand!
Warning: After being off work for 9 days Mommy's brain has turned somewhat mushy and lazy so these pictures are in no particular order.

Jace and his hero....Uncle Tom!


Jace got to meet up with his buddy Preston for some good eats before heading out of town.


As indicated previously, Mommy was able to partake in some shopping. As usual it ended with purchases for Jace...including his stylin' new hat!


The happy couple just after he popped the question!


Jace and Erin celebrating the occasion


Leave it to Jace to go out to eat with his Daddy, Mommy, Grandma, and Grandpa....and pick up a girl. They were holding hands after about 5 minutes of flirting.


As usual, Jace went sans nap on his trip. The closest thing was when he insisted on getting in Kona's kenel.....has Mommy mentioned before that Jace is an odd one?


Congratulations Erin and Tom Thomas---from your official wedding planner!!

Practice Makes Perfect

Jace and Daddy's Bachelor Weekend

Jace and Daddy flew solo this weekend as Mommy was away with some great gal pals from grad school. Jace got to live it up 'Daddy Style', hitting the bar, eating, farting, and just being dudes (and this was all on Saturday!). Sunday, Jace and Daddy went down to Great Grandma Rosie's to see her and Nana. Jace loves diken (chicken) and nooles (noodles) both so Grandma Rosie's famous Chicken and Noodles was a hit! Apparently, Jace didn't really seem to notice that Mommy was gone--which she anticipated. Mommy also did well with the separation...although she did miss her little man, it was a wonderful rewind to her carefree college days.

Apparently, Jace talked G-Gma into SEVERAL cookies.



Jace and Nana goofing around




Smooches for Nana



And G-Gma



And finally, Mommy has to give a shout out to her lovely weekend partners Abbie, Paula, and Jen. Although weddings, kids, and jobs have certainly changed things somewhat.....gone are the days of being in New Orleans on Bourbon St. until 5 am, RV trips to Memphis with mucho liquor, or crazy clients named Ape....SLP's still rock!!

Just one question??

Ya think Jace likes his new Thomas shades??

Weekend Recap

Jacer spent the past weekend at Grandma and Grandpa F.'s to catch up, get away, and attend a birthday party. He had a wonderful time as usual and managed to wrap Grandma and Grandpa even further around that little finger. It was his cousin Emma's 5th birthday blowout so Jace couldn't miss that. He and Emma are special friends and always have fun together. Unfortunately Mommy forgot to feed Jace so the first part of the party was a little rough. Seriously, who forgets to feed their child? Mommy and Grandma kept saying how tired Jace was.....well 2 lbs of french fries, pizza, chicken, chips, and cake later (without sleeping) Jace was a-ok! Apparently those little bodies need food! Forgetting to feed Jace leads Mommy into her next blogging experiment. First, you must see weekend pics. Look to the end of the post for Mommy's Not Me Monday installment!

First, a reminder of just how darn cute Mommy and Daddy's first furry baby is:

Jace and Grandma walked around downtown while Mommy attempted to spend money on her own. They went to the pet store and Jace picked out some treats for Reggie. He was so excited but Reggie turned his nose up at them...that is until everyone left later and he got into the bag and ate them all!

Jace received some late b-day presents from Fabulous Kay and Debbie. It was great timing after getting so many b-day and Christmas presents all at once. He, of course, loved the Duncan train.....that he really got because he whined for it.

Jace and Gma checking out the Mighty Mississippi

Jace even learned how to skip...ok, throw rocks.

MMMMM Gma and Gpa cooking.....much better than Mommy's.

Jace's first attempt at bowling. Luckily Fabulous Uncle Doug was along to save the day when Jace was done after 3 frames.

Hmmm, which ball shall I choose???

Jace among girls....seems to fit him well. Notice the birthday girl...making the strange face.


Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
MckMama has an awesome blog and is a very talented writer. She does Not Me! Monday! weekly in order to let bloggers share some of their proudest...or not so proudest moments from the week. Since Mommy frequently has these moments she decided to share a few this week. Of course keeping with the 3rd person theme of the blog, it shall be renamed Not Mommy! Monday!

Mommy did not forget to feed Jace for a span of nearly 6 hours. That would be ridiculous. She would never forget to feed her own starving child!

Mommy did not, no way what-so-ever call Daddy from her cell phone upstairs because he was downstairs. No Way! Mommy is a runner for pete's sake. That would make her lazy!

Mommy did not decide on one particular night that skipping teeth brushing for Jace was ok since he hadn't touched a morsel of food since afternoon snack. Again, Mommy would never be that lazy. Not Jace's Mommy!

And finally, Mommy definitely did not nearly fall off her chair laughing with 5th grade boys because the vocab. word was duty. She would never have a dirty enough mind to think of duty in an icky way. Of course that never happened because Mommy does not by any means have potty training and doody on her brain. Nope, Mommy is not as immature as a 5th grade boy!

When Daddy and Jace are alone for the day.....

THIS is what you get...



Jace and Daddy had another leisurely Wednesday today. Actually, it didn't end up being that leisurely because Mommy was a little confused (can you imagine that!?) about the hop-a-thon. For some reason she had it in her head that the hop was on Tuesday. Well, apparently she was wrong....it was today. Of course it was on a day when Jace doesn't typically go to daycare. No worries, Daddy just took Jace in to hop with his class. The problem was.....Jace wouldn't hop!! Ok, he hopped 4 times. What kind of wus hopping is that?! MeMe says Jace is the best hopper in class (of course right) but for some reason he was not gonna do it today. Turns out he was a tired munchkin and came home and took a 3 hour nap! He woke up and was hopping like a bunny on his way to Easter! Figures. It's a good thing everyone gave flat donations instead of pledging per hop. Jerry Lewis would have been mighty disappointed otherwise!
After the hopping madness was over....and the much needed nap was taken, Jace and Daddy headed out to get his weekly haircut. Ok, it's not quite that often but with that mop he could almost handle it. Actually it isn't even a mop anymore. It literally does not need all that fancy gel Mommy used to get. It now stands perfectly straight up all on it's own! The problem arises when it has had a week or two to grow. Can anyone say...he stuck his hand in a light socket? Anyway, he is back to being cute as a button now with hair standing only where fashionably necessary.



Thanks again to all of Jace's hopping supporters. Sorry for the disappointing finish.

Boy's Night

Daddy and Jace had boy's night last night. First, they ordered a hearty, meaty pizza and then headed out to the final UNI basketball game of the season. They had been talking about it all week so Mommy was nervous it wouldn't live up to the hype. On the contrary friends....Daddy and Jace had a blast!! Jace, once again was loving every minute of the game. The kid LOVES his b-ball!! It was just icing on the cake that they won.....and subsequently won the conference. Whoo Hoooooo! Mommy couldn't believe it when Daddy and Jace got home and Jace was still awake....it was nearly 10:00....yes, that's p.m.!! Let's just say Jace has been catching up today. Actually he didn't even make it out of his p.j.'s. Sorry, there are no pics of the actual event since Daddy isn't quite the camera fanatic that Mommy is. There are a few however, to evidence Jace and Daddy's 'hangover' from a great boys-only night.

So how DO you recover from a late night out with your Daddy??

First, you eat any leftover pizza.....and make sure to get plenty on your face. After all, Mommy had the night off last night....she needs to be kept busy today!

Proceed to rest.

Next, love on your ever faithful canine.

Then....rest some more.


Yep,Daddy taught him everything he knows!

P.S. Thanks to everyone who is supporting Jace in his quest for hopping greatness! Mommy will be sure and post after the results are in and the hops tallied!!