Thomas--A Circus Comes to Town!

Mommy really isn't an obsessive person. She can usually go with the flow and not stress. Over 5 months ago however, (in November) she received an urgent call from Daddy while he attended a UNI basketball game. Apparently the jumbo-tron had just advertised that Thomas the Train Live was coming in April. Most rational people would think, 'oh great, lets remember to get tickets'. Mommy, on the other hand, had standards to live up to after the front row Elmo show. Sooo, that very night, way back in November, tickets to Thomas Live were purchased. A very proud Mommy had the front row secured before Daddy even returned from the basketball game!

Fast-forward 5 months....Jace sat in the front row of Thomas Live last night!! He loved it of course! It didn't start until 7 pm so naturally Jace was a little tuckered out. Once the performance started he was mesmerized! He was a little confused because it was in the same place where they played basketball. It took him a while to get past the fact that he really wasn't there to watch basketball this time!

Wow!!


Pointing out all the engines....this continued throughout the show.


J and MommI before the show started. He was still in denial (and therefore sucking his thumb) that he was actually going to see the real Thomas.


What outing is complete without fruit snacks? The boy cannot get enough of them.


No applause please....Mommy knows she rocks at getting close seats!


Jace and Daddy checking out the stage at intermission


All the engines in the finale.


The problem with Mommy's now streak of 2 consecutive front row shows is that she has set the bar a little high for herself. Jace probably thinks this is how he's always gonna roll!

'Lil of this and 'lil of that

The title is not only indicative of the pictures included today but also of the recent weather. It has been anywhere from the 70's, 80's, and nearly 90's at the end of the week to 50's and rainy this weekend.

What is a boy to do? What is a boy to wear?

Mommy has been hard at work organizing and toting up (as opposed to boxing up) winter clothes. She has labeled and stored, shoved and pushed; only to open and pull again this weekend! Jace hasn't had the luxury of organizing and storing his clothes but he is confused as to if it is winter or summer? He always likes his arms and legs covered...and clean. The recent shot of hot weather threw him for a loop (understatement). It took some convincing to get him to wear shorts and t-shirts. It took even more convincing to get him to wear these clothes all day after getting sand and dirt on them. He is constantly asking to wash his hands and clothes. If he thinks Mommy is going to be able to keep up with this weird cleanliness he somehow acquired, he has another thing coming. Cleanliness has always been somewhat of an afterthought for Mommy!

Anywho, enough chatter about nothing. Here's the pics that really have no purpose other than to satisfy certain people's need for visual documentation of Jace.

What lovely flowers MomI..er..Daddy planted! Really, it's only smart. Mommy has somewhat of a...shall we say, black thumb. Black, meaning death. Poor plants never know what hit 'em!



More M's pease?


Jace loves him some trains (still).


And some Elmo.

A little piece of heaven!

Ok, so this is a GIANT piece of heaven for Mommy. What is better than looking into those deep brown eyes, watching those little feet run around, and hearing that sweet (most of the time) voice? Not much!

What Mommy was actually referring to as her 'Little Piece of Heaven' was her Tuesday activity. She and Grandma F. decided to road trip (and meet eachother) to a food show! For those who have never been to a food show...take it from Mommy...it is heaven! Picture this: a giant convention center filled with free samples!! We're talking chicken, pizza, fries, cake, pie, cookies, and the list goes on! There was even free-flowing Mt. Dew! Whew! When it was over Mommy and Grandma were worn out and just full enough to only order soup and salad at Panera! It was also Grandma's birthday so a little splurging was in order (although this is too out of the ordinary)!

Since there are no visuals of Mommy's heavenly day, here is one more of Mr. Jace!



And a Happy, Happy Birthday to both Grandma and Aunt Erin (who celebrated the big 2-5 on Sunday)! You will recall that Mommy has sworn off chasing Jace with homeade signs and forcing him to sit in posed positions while holding said signs. Not gonna happen anymore....besides it's the thought that counts...and Mommy did consider making a sign!

Orange For Stellan!

Jace is wearing orange for Stellan today. Check him and many, many others out here! You will have to scroll down to the Orange For Stellan Post and then find Jace's pic. There are so many that you may not be able to actually find Jace because they are continually updating the pics. Regardless, please keep Stellan in your thoughts and prayers today as he is undergoing a risky heart procedure.

Pictures Please!

Since everyone was so patient in waiting for pictures from Thursday, Mommy threw in a bonus! She edited a couple of the photos for an even more pleasurable viewing experience!
Thursday night Uncle Chuck (Untle Chut), Nana, and Papa met Daddy, Mommy, and Jace for dinner and a carousel ride at the mall. Jace had a super time and even scored a new Hawkeye football from Chuck!

The carousel was in motion (at an alarming rate Mommy might add) during the taking of these pictures so they are a little blurry.


Mommy and Jace holding on for dear life!


Lovin' on Mr. Mouse


Jace had a great time playing with Papa C. He sat by him during supper and made sure he knew where he was the rest of the night!


Really, did you expect a post without a picture of Oz? Daddy found the camera again!!

2 and 1/4 years!!

No, Mommy will probably never stop celebrating the littlest milestones. 2 and a quarter years deserves some recognition people! Anyway, Jace has changed so much since his 2-year update that Mommy just wanted to fill you all in on some of his crazy antics.

First, Jace STILL loves Thomas. The Thomas movie watching has slowed significantly however. This could be due to the nicer weather or perhaps sheer boredom after the zillionth viewing.

Jace is making a very slow transition to the 2-year-old room at daycare. The reason is two-fold. One, they are trying to find another teacher since the numbers are increasing. They really don't have room at this time for another kid in the 2-year room. He does spend part of his day in there at times. Two, Jace is in love with his toddler room teachers! Seriously.

Going along with the daycare discussion....Jace has decided to nix the nap most days at daycare. The reason was just recently discovered....While all the other kiddos are tucked in and snoozing, Jace gets his teacher MeMe all to himself. Apparently he waits until the others are asleep and then talks her ear off! Smart kid!

Speaking of smart kid and sleeping. Jace's newest thing is unfortunately testing the waters at night night time. The other night he started yelling, "Daaaaddy, OOOOWWIE"!!! Of course, this got Daddy's attention and got Daddy in the room, thus delaying Jace's night night. He was of course not hurt.

Jace and Morgan continue to have a pretty serious relationship at daycare. She is his soulmate....she sucks her thumb and twirls her hair! According to his teachers, Morgan doesn't have to lift a finger when Jace is around. He takes his snack garbage to the trash and then comes back and gets hers! What a man!

Jace's alphabet has taken a backseat at the moment (his choice). He currently knows about 1/2 of his letters and can sort-of sing the song. He loves it when MomI sings and lets him fill-in-the letters when she stops.

Jace can count to 10 and is working with Daddy on 11, 12, and 13. Mommy was satisfied with 10 but Daddy and Jace are on a mission!

Jace continues to be a pretty picky eater. It is like pulling teeth getting him to eat some days. His favorite foods at the moment are olives, broccoli, pizza, and M&M's.

Speaking of M&M's, potty training is on hold. Mommy gave it a half-hearted try over spring break but Jace just wasn't ready. Since that time, Jace has appeared more ready. Mommy however, still has a month and half of work left so it is on hold until summer. It really is true that it is more training the parents than the kids. It's so much easier with a diaper (for Mommy anyway)!

Jace knows all of his colors....well, obviously not ones like teal or violet but he knows the important ones.

His newest saying (the one Mommy and Daddy hear close to 30 or 40 times per day) is "Choo Choo Trains go on tracks, say Bye-Bye". Seriously, Jace...we know.

Oh and probably the most important thing to note at this age: Jace continues to say MommI!! Mommy is thrilled and seriously hopes someday when he is giving her a call from his college dorm room, he still begins with 'Hi MommI"!!

Mommy is on her slow computer today so there will be no pictures for your viewing pleasure. Jace had a fun visit with Uncle Chuck from Florida on Thurs. night (and Nana and Papa) so check back for pics tomorrow!!

Jace is in Training!

Jace has officially entered his first race! In July he will be running in the 5 and under division of the Jr. Bix! The 2-year-old race consists of a 70 meter run....Go Jacer!

Silly Wabbit!

Jace is in awe of this silly bunny that keeps leaving stuff everywhere he goes! Seriously, Jace went to Grandma and Grandpa F.'s on Thursday night only to find candy and presents all over from this mysterious bunny! Jace dealt with it, mostly because the candy and presents came in an Elmo basket (which has accompanied Jace to bed ever since).


Things got a little stranger on Saturday however. Jace thought he was going to the park to celebrate his cousins Tate and Tauren's birthday.



Although this celebration did take place....low and behold there were eggs laying all over the ground from that same silly rabbit! Jace was such a good boy and helped his other cousins pick them all up!


Sunday, Jace thought things may get back to normal. He got all spiffed up for church with Mommy and Grandma.


Yep, things seemed to be in order. Church went as expected with no messes waiting for Jace. Sooo, he decided it was safe to hop in the car and head to Great Grandma A's to visit Nana, Papa, and the rest of his silly family!
But wait....what's this?? MORE eggs laying all over!! What is up with this rabbit?


Once again, Jace spent time cleaning up after the Easter bunny! At least he had Nana and Ali to help him out.


Finally, Jace decided enough was enough! He headed back home to relax (and hopefully get rid of that messy bunny once and for all). He slowly opened the door and peeked in.....whew, no eggs anywhere in sight! But alas, just as he got a train between those fingers (sticky from chocolate of course) it appeared the Easter Bunny had struck again! Luckily, this treat didn't require Jace to pick up a mess! Instead he was surprised with awesome new p.j.'s (via the US postal service).


Thanks Aunt Erin....er Bunny Erin!

Thanks Aunt Rita!

Jace received a super cool Thomas card in the mail from Aunt Rita the other day. He loves all cards that have sound and he loves anything to do with Thomas. Combine the two and you have one excited little man! Sorry about the sideways picture again....it should be fairly obvious by now that Mommy is an extremely slow learner. Mark Mommy's words: Someday that picture will be turned the right way!

April Shmapril

Mommy isn't sure shmapril is even a correct word (ok she's pretty sure it's not) but really, how 'correct' is 5+ inches of snow in April? Sigh. So Jace and Mommy have been cooped up this weekend, which is never a good thing. There are only so many pictures to color, things to count, or Thomas videos to watch. Momm-I and Jace NEED fresh air!!
The weekend wasn't a total loss as Jace visited Chuck E. Cheese on Friday night. No particular occasion--just Mommy and Daddy wanting to make Jacer's day. It worked. He was thrilled and ended up eating 2 1/2 pieces of pizza. This is huge for Jace....the little bird!

As has been mentioned before, Jace is quite the daredevil (insert sarcasm). Notice how he holds on for dear life to the ride that goes MAYBE .2 miles per hour. Yep, this one's a daredevil!



Saturday, Jace's buddy Gaige came over for a playdate. Gaige is a little younger and has just started getting in to Thomas. Other than a few spats over engines, they really enjoyed eachother.



These next few pics have been added for you viewing enjoyment since there was a lack of other pics. Hmm, Mommy will call this section, "This is how Ozzy Rolls". Or maybe "The Life and Times of Oz".







P.S. Ozzy IS awake at times but really, look at his set-up....can you blame the guy?

Well, Well, Well

It appears that all you loyal blog readers are just as gullible as Mommy thought. No offense of course.

Did you really think that our sweet, well-mannered, innocent, etc, etc, little man would ever do such a thing at daycare?



Ok, Ok, maybe....just maybe Jace is a 2-year-old....who has his moments....maybe it was a smidge believable. However, it cracks Jace up that a whopping 100% of you (who replied anyway--via text, email, or commenting) were spoofed! Ha!



GOTTCHA!

Daycare Drama

It was bound to happen.....Daddy and Ozzy LOVE to wrestle and play ROUGH. Jace has always enjoyed sitting back and watching the action.....until yesterday.

Apparently there was an incident at daycare involving Jace and another little boy after lunch. Jace did some sort of John Cena tackle and got the kid on the floor. A few punches ensued, followed by hysteria on the part of the kid on the bottom. Jace was promptly removed from the situation, put in time-out, and forced to wait for the rath of Mommy and Daddy.

It would have seemed like all was forgiven until this morning when Mommy dropped Jace off at daycare. The director of the daycare wanted to have a little 'chat' with Mommy, which ended in a 'suggestion' that Jace find a new daycare. Apparently, his 'attackee' has powerful parents who do not want to see Jace around anytime soon. Needless to say, Mommy and Daddy are extremely upset and unsure of what to do. Jace had never even been put in time-out at daycare prior to yesterday. Of course Mommy left tearfully and prepared to start her daycare search again. She keeps playing it over and over again in her head......


Does this look like the face of a violent toddler?

Ok, maybe a little mischievous....but what about this face?


Mommy and Daddy didn't think so..........that's why it's a good thing it is.....







APRIL FOOL'S DAY!!!