A new word "BOAT"

Jordan learned a new word ... BOAT! It has been added to his other favorite words, Motorcycle, Firetruck, and train. A couple of weeks ago we were invited to go to the lake with a good friend and his family. The kids were really excited about it ... Jordan didn't really understand why, he just knew his sister was really excited and we were going somewhere with Tony (a friend who works with Mike). We went to Centerhill Lake which was a little bit of a drive ... of course we heard, "are we there yet", "how much further" over and over until we finally arrived.

After getting everything to the boat, we headed out to a nice little cove where we spent the day. Constance was totally in her element, being the little fish that she is. Jordan on the otherhand ... well, when he first got in ... his little face got in the water ... He does not like it when his face gets wet. After that he it took a lot of coaxing to get him back in. He was just as happy in the boat walking around and playing. He was very excited when he got to help Tony "drive" the boat. Dominic wasn't too sure how he felt about the water. It took him a little bit to warm up to the water ... then he started splashing. It took him a little bit to get used to the life jacket as well. We found he couldn't roll over with it on, which made it quite nice when we had him lying on the seat, even though one of us were with him at all times. He actually fell asleep on the way back to the dock ... of course, it was right before we got back to the dock.

We went to Tony's parents to eat dinner and visit. It was a really fun day! Now, Jordan points out all the "boats" he sees.

Back To School

It is hard to believe summer has come and gone. It went by so fast. Constance is back in school, now in the 2nd grade. She was so excited to get back. Mommy on the other hand wasn't so sure. Time seems to be slipping by faster and faster and sometimes it would be nice if it would slow down.

We met Constance's new teacher on the 10th of August. She seems to be very nice. Constance really likes her. Constance knew a few of the kids in her class. She was a bit nervous, some of her really good friends were in different classes this year. We keep reminding her she will get to make more friends this way.

After a couple of weeks of school ... hard to believe she is already 2 1/2 weeks into the year ... she has settled in nicely and loving it. Jordan, on the other hand, isn't so sure ... he misses his sister. He gets really excited when we go to pick her up.

Constance's favorite day of the week is "Fun Friday". If they have a good week, they get to bring a toy in to play with on Friday. Her favorite class is ... Art. She loves reading. And, of course, she loves to play outside during recess.

Oreos

The all important question ... How do you eat your oreos? They have the new soft oreos ... my kids love them ... anyways, the other day I noticed that Jordan likes to take them apart and eat the centers first. With the soft ones he will actually eat the outside too ... but he doesn't on the regular oreos. I actually paid attention to this because my mom had bought a small container for my kids to share. By the time I got to where I was going and went to get the kids out of the car ... I had little oreo cookies without the centers all over Jordan, his carseat and my van.

Shoes

Jordan has discovered shoes. At first he would just have fun taking your shoes off ... now he has started putting them on. He thinks it is pretty funny putting his daddy's shoes on. He doesn't get too far in them though. He put his sister's shoes on the other day but I didn't document that one. We are waiting for him to find Grandpa Sandstrom's boots and try them on ... something all the grandkids do at one point or another.

Lots of Laughs

Dominic has discovered his big brother.
The other day I had him in his jumper. He was having all kinds of fun. Then I start to hear laughter from both of my boys. Jordan climbed under a chair nearby and the two of them were just playing together and they were both tickled. I just sat there and watched them and laughed. I think hearing kids laugh is the best sound.
Dominic gets so excited when he sees Jordan and Jordan just breaks into a BIG grin when he sees Dominic looking at him. Absolutely Priceless.

Fireflies and Fireworks

We arrived home a little later then usual. The sun had actually gone down. Mike was at work and I was trying to get the kids in the house so I could get them in bed. All of a sudden I hear Jordan say "fireworks". I was looking around trying to figure out what he was seeing. He kept repeating it ... and trying to get me to see them as well. I was a little slow ... I finally realized he was seeing the fireflies or lightening bugs (whatever you want to call them). Every time they would light up he was sure he was seeing FIREWORKS. He thought it was pretty cool. I just thought it was cute!

Need I Say More!

One look at this face and smile and I have just one thing to ask ...
Need I say More?

What I see vs. What you see.

I am learning that the world viewed through the eyes of a 2 year old are definitely different. It is a lesson I am learning over and over again. I am sure I will be enlightened even more as time goes on.

I see a baby swing. Jordan on the other hand sees his own personal indoor swing. It is hard to get upset when he plops himself in it and says "weeeeee".


I see a car seat. Jordan on the other hand sees his own personal rocking chair. He will rock himself back and forth. He hasn't rocked himself to sleep in it yet. I personally don't think it looks very comfortable. That's just me.
I see a walker. Jordan on the other hand sees his own personal vehicle. He will climb in and walk all over the house. He thinks it is pretty cool until he his leg gets stuck and he can't get out. Then he is not so happy.

He hasn't had any luck in climbing into the Johnny Jumper ... yet!

Of course, there is always the big empty diaper box ...

It's a Hat Of Course!

A few weeks ago we had an extremely busy week. A friend of mine wanted to learn how to can. My parent's apple tree was ready and so I invited her to come over and we could do it together. My kids were very patient and by the time we were done we had Apple Pie in a Jar, Apple Butter, Strawberry Freezer Jam, Strawberry Jam, Peach butter, Peach Jam, Sweet Relish, Salsa and Chili Sauce. Of course, I was worn out and ready for a break.

My mom had let me use her strainer. We had cleaned everything up and Jordan manages to find the strainer. He wasn't about to keep all the fun for himself either. Thankfully the camera was close at hand.

A good day for a water fight!

My dad was over the other day doing prep on our house for brick where we did our conversion (garage to bedroom). When I got home from running errands, Constance just had to help Grandpa Sandstrom, of course! She loves to help. After she changed she loaded up all the brick into his truck and did whatever else she could to help.

I asked Constance to change and fill the kiddi pool for our dog. I don't know who started what but the next thing I know I see Constance -- wet. Let the Water fight begin! Grandpa seemed to get the best of Constance and seemed to be coming out fairly dry. So of course, I had to step in and help out a little. By the time all was said and done. The pool had to be refilled ... it had been successfully emptied, Constance was completely soaked and Grandpa left with wet legs. And there were plenty of smiles. Constance was quite pleased with herself, even more after Grandma Sandstrom called to tell her "congrats" on getting Grandpa so good!

Disappointment

The other day I took the kids out to run some errands. Mike was at work at the Fire Department so I figured we could swing by there on the way home so the kids could see their dad and the fire trucks. I called Mike to make sure he was there ...

I forgot to mention they have moved him to another station. He used to be at the one by our house, which was wonderful. Of course, we drove by it all the time and Jordan started crying if we didn't stop, but it was nice to have Mike so close. He was moved out to the one by the airport ... which I figured Jordan would love because he would get to see his firetrucks and airplanes. He is one SMART boy. ...

We were getting ready to turn onto the road going to the firestation when I see the nice big ladder truck with lights and sirens coming down the road. I pointed it out to the kids ... Jordan loves to see the lights. Well, the happiness was very short-lived. It ended as I kept on driving past the street ... Jordan quickly started crying for "dada and firetruck". He wasn't hearing or understanding the explanation that daddy was going on a call and we couldn't stop to see him ... He just kept on screaming. Even when we passed by where the call was on the way home and I pointed out ALL the firetrucks with their lights ...

I just couldn't win!

Our Newest Addition

Dominic Michael Cook joined our family on January 23, 2009. He was 7lbs 9 oz and 20 inches long. We were all surprised by his size, including the Doctor. He had been telling us all along the baby was going to be a small one ... he just knew it. Not Quite! There was nothing small about him ... he was born with cheeks. Now you have to understand that we are comparing him to our Little Constance who was 5 lbs and 15 oz. and our Little Jordan, who was 3 lbs 8oz. To us, Dominic was HUGE.

It was great to watch the other two kids with him. When they came to the hospital, Jordan was just interested in all the buttons and what they did when you pushed them. He didn't even seem to see there was a baby there. Constance, on the other hand was so excited and just held him and loved him.

We should tell you, Constance picked out the name. Neither, Mike nor I could settle on a name and we were going through some and as soon as Constance heard the name, Dominic, she just knew that was his name. She informed us, she didn't get to name Jordan so she should be able to name Dominic. We liked it and were just grateful to finally have a name.

Our little boy is growing by leaps and bounds. There is nothing small about him. At his 6 mo. check he was 18 lbs and 27 in. I looked back at Constance and that is a good 5 lbs bigger then she was at the same age and about 2 in. longer. He is a very happy and content boy. He loves his sister and his brother ... and gets very excited when he sees either of them. We are grateful for his patience ... it helps when we seem to be constantly chasing his older brother.