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!