Some of my favorite pictures

Bowling spring 2013

Apple picking 2013

winter 2012
Apple picking fall 2013. 

Holyoke Children's Museum

On Saturday, Jacob and I headed to his friend, Walter's, house so that we could take a mommy/son field trip to the Holyoke Children's Museum - about a 1.5 hour drive. It was a lot of fun. They have a Crazy Climber (different levels to climb on and netting all around so it is safe). Walter and Jacob spent the majority of time on that, but also made gigantic bubbles, played on the fire truck, and a slide. The museum also has a few pretend play stations like a grocery store, a restaurant, a post office, doctor's office, etc. Add in a picnic lunch (brought from home) and it was a fun day.

Some Recent Activities

Yesterday, when I went to pick Jacob up from Preschool, his teacher, Roberta, mentioned that Jacob and Walter made their own ABC books. The pair sat down at the writing station and set to work creating these books. They looked at the laminated alphabet (upper and lowercase) and sat for a very long time creating their books. This was their choice and teachers were impressed at their work and choice of how they would spend their "choice time." The book is excellent! I will have to add more pictures. And to think that these two have another whole year before they start Kindergarten!

Over the weekend, Jacob had been working on his "build a face" books and wanted me to take a picture of him next to his creations. What a cutie!

When Jacob was home from school last Thursday, I let him pick out a dessert to make from a M&M cookbook. He chose Domino Brownies. We made brownies with a box mix (they suggested to make from scratch) and they came out fluffier than if we did them by scratch. I didn't think that we could frost them as pictured, but Jacob proved me wrong. I though he was just going to frost and top with M&M's (or "yummy yumms" as he calls them, but this is what he came up with. :)

Saturdays in the Spring

Our Saturdays from now until the end of May will be pretty busy. Jacob has been doing Dance since last summer and he LOVES it. The recital is Sat night of Memorial Day weekend, so the class has been busy practicing their routine. They will be dancing to Kermit's version of Rainbow Connection. This past Saturday, they were able to try on their costumes. Jacob's shirt and pants were a little (ok, very!) long, but his little blue vest fit perfectly!

After Dance, we had a short playdate with a friend from work and her daughter. And then, we had to get ready for tee ball. I didn't get any pictures, but Jacob LOVED it! The kids were divided into groups to do some skills clinics and the parents had a little meeting. It will be great fun watching Jacob play. Games will be Saturday afternoons with practices on Monday or Tuesdays. In a few weeks we will pick up his uniform. He is going to be adorable! Can't wait!

Around 6pm, we went to a friend's house to watch Robin Hood (Disney). The kids had popcorn and watched the movie, while the moms had wine and chatted. Great fun!

KidSpace @ Mass MoCA

Today, Jacob had a day off from preschool due to the Center holding a Professional Development Day for the teachers. A classmate's mom set up a Preschool Program at Mass MoCA's KidSpace so that our preschoolers could have a little field-trip on their day off. It was such fun! It ran from 10:00-11:30 and included a mini-tour of the museum and an art project (shaving cream and watercolors.) Many of us stayed for lunch following the program.

 

top left: going over rules and turning listening ears on.
top right: going over rules
bottom left: "what is this sculpture made of? Where is the water coming from?"
bottom right: "try to look at the painting as long as you can without blinking."

Jacob: it was fun going on this little field-trip with you. I can't wait for more opportunities like this. I am also so glad to have places like Mass MoCA in our area. Whata great resource. You are one lucky boy!
XOXO
Mommy!

Building a "Nest"

When Josh is away for work/golf, Jacob usually spends one or two nights in our bedroom. Since we do not sleep well together (he takes up a lot of room, as do I!), i make him a nest on the floor. Last night he asked to sleep in "a nest" so we built one together. Looks like it was a success!

Jacob: I love listening to you fall asleep and have you right beside me all night! I hope you never grow too old for your nests in mommy and daddy's room.

XOXO
Mommy!

First "Drop-Off" Playdate

Jacob has had a play date planned with his "best friend" Walter, for the past two weeks. So - yesterday was the big day. He has been waiting and waiting so patiently, often times with the last thing he says at night is: "but mom, I'm so excited!" Saturday night, the night before the play date, Jacob asked if we could turn the clocks ahead again so it would be a shorter night. :)

I dropped Jacob off at 10:30, visited with Carrie for a bit, and then headed to the parents group at church. I picked him up at 12:30 and Carrie said it was a success! They played well together and are looking forward to many more play dates. Here are some pictures of the "best friends."

Jacob: I am So glad that you had fun with Walter today! I love how excited you were to be at your friend's house. I look forward to seeing you develop friendships that last a lifetime. May you always be blessed with amazing friends!
XO
Mommy!