Unplugging For a Bit

We discovered a little gem of entertainment located right here in Edmond. It's called Unpluggits Play Studio and it's a fantastic little play center for kids. They have a big craft and activities area, where they can make all kinds of wonderful messes, and an enclosed playground area. Because it's enclosed, you can let them run amuck and not worry about them wandering off or picking up icky things they shouldn't. And the big bonus? It's air conditioned!!! We took the little ones there yesterday and I don't remember seeing Nicholas react to something quite like that. He was running around like a wild animal, inspecting this and that, climbing, sliding, crawling, you name it! By the time we left he had successfully worked himself up into a frenzy of energy, running in circles and waving his arms in the air! He was quite a sight and he had everyone in a fit of laughter. It took me awhile to bring him back down, but it was totally worth it. It was the perfect solution to his afternoon boredom and a pleasant refuge from the sweltering heat!

I was only able to capture one photo of my guy. He's a fast little sucker!

Daddy's Day

Daddies are great for so many reasons - shoulder rides, tickle fights, letting you run through the sprinklers with your clothes on, and especially for making blanket tents on the living room floor (just to name a few)! It was a great Father's Day with our main man! We're so lucky to have him and it was our pleasure to devote an entire day to telling him so. He even hung in there through a few hours of furniture shopping, which I'm sure was the last thing he really wanted to be doing, and I love him all the more for it.

Nicholas also got to go with Grammy & Papa to watch the Red Earth parade on Friday. He had a wonderful time watching the festivities and even got to gaze at a few trains that passed by. For Nicholas, life doesn't get much sweeter than that!

It's Here!

The day has arrived...FINALLY! After an almost 6 month wait (Don't even get me started. All I'm going to say is Babies R Us buyers beware!), Nicholas' new bed is here. AND IT'S HUGE! We had no idea it was going to be so tall but he's as agile as a little monkey and hasn't had any trouble finding a way into it. But we're panicky parents so we're trying to think of a functional alternative so we don't worry every night that he's going to fall out and break his neck. Anyway, here it is:

He also had his 2 year checkup with the pediatrician on Friday and it went great, minus the fact he was cranky after only a 45 minute nap. He weighs 28 lbs (50%) and is 35 inches tall (70%). We don't go back for an entire year so we're saying a big "HALLELUJAH" to no shots for 12 months! And he even got to impress the doctor with his quickly maturing vocabulary by telling her "I appreciate it." He picked that one up from Daddy. We all love it.

Summertime = Pool Time

Our neighborhood pool opened last week so we took the first opportunity that came along for a swim date with Kacee & Max. We were all a little cold at first but we quickly got used to it and the kiddos were splashing around in no time! After burning some energy we went back to the house for pizza and more birthday presents. I think Nicholas has had the best week EVER! Life is probably going to seem pretty dull now.

"BOAT! BOAT! BOAT!"

For months now, Nicholas has been obsessed with Papa's boat sitting in his garage. Every time we visit all we hear is "BOAT! BOAT! BOAT!" Well, we decided it was time to show him what the boat can really do! He was a little leery of being in the water at first, but once he realized he gets to steer and go really fast, it was ON! Idling was not acceptable and he quickly learned which handle brings on the speed. We practically had to tie those little lead hands down. Love of boats and fishing poles? Yep, he's definitely a Jaggi.

Party Animal!

This boy sure likes to party! Aunt Cindy, Uncle Ryan, and Jillian came up from Texas for the weekend so I whipped up a birthday cake, Daddy fired up the grill, and we had another birthday celebration on Saturday. The kids had the best time ever running around the backyard in their teeny, adorable swimsuits and we all enjoyed watching their boundless energy. Where does it all come from??? And can I get some please!!

Isn't this the way it goes? The kids get to open the presents then the grown-ups spend the rest of the evening trying to put everything together!

Here we have the moonbounce that was our gift to Nicholas. It was a huge success!!

And it doubles as a loung chair, to be used whilst sipping a cold one.

Practicing with his new fishing pole, compliments of Mimi & Papa.

And he had a riot with the sprinkler that Aunt Cindy & Uncle Ryan got for him. He thought nothing of sticking his face right in the spraying water!

And then we have the cake. It wasn't the fanciest thing but it was made with an extra helping of love and tasted quite yummy!



But fun times mean getting dirty, so we tossed them in the bath together for a little cleanup. Just wait until they're 16. BLACKMAIL, BABY!

Happy Birthday, Nicholas!

It's official, we are the parents of a 2 year old boy! I cannot believe we've come this far and he's no longer a tiny, little baby that I can hold in my arms. But, with this new year comes many hopes and plans of all the adventures we're going to embark on. This is where the fun really begins. I'm going to try not to get too sentimental here, even though it would be easy for me to do, and instead tell you the top 5 wonderful things that having a 2 years old means to me:

1. Having every single word you say repeated to you instantly, including the bad ones.

2. Hearing unabashed laughter as your boy discovers something brand new and hilarious.

3. Getting kisses and hugs without even having to ask for them.

4. Taking a 2 minute time out....again....because he's discovered his willfullness (which will allow him to take on the bullies and the naysayers of the world later in life.)

And my very, very, very favorite

5. Hearing the 3 most beautiful words in the world - I love you.

And here's a little poem I found that pretty much says it all ~

A two year old is so many things,

A tiny discoverer of butterfly wings.

A hugger of teddies, a sweet sleepy head,

And someone to dream for in bright years ahead.

A special new person who right from the start

Has a place in the family and a course in your heart.

And just when you think you've learned all the things

That your dear son is, and the joy that he brings,

A hug or a grin comes with such a sweet surprise,

That love finds you smiling with tears in your eyes.

Happy birthday, baby. I love you so very, very much!

VACATION!

I hope you're ready, guys. This is a long one...

We just got home today from our week long vacation to Missouri and man did we have a great time! Our first stop was in Branson for the weekend visiting my family. The whole gang was there - Grammy & Papa, Pop, Jeff, April, Alli, Jake, Kami, Julie and an extra special visit from my cousin, Renea, and her family. We haven't seen each other in almost 10 years so we had a great time catching up! On Saturday we all went to Silver Dollar City to ride some rides and just have a good old fashioned Branson experience. SDC was my favorite place when I was a kid and my parents took Jeff and I all the time, so it was really special to take my own family and enjoy it in a whole new way.

Nicholas had never been on any rides before so he was about to burst with impatience while being forced to wait in lines. But, eventually it was our turn and his little face lit up with pure excitement when he finally got going. This is the jumping frogs, which I think was his favorite because he laughed through the entire thing! I have to admit, for a kiddie ride it was pretty darned fun!

Then Papa took him on the bug ride that flew up & down. He liked it too but I think his heart belonged to the frogs.

And of course we had to take a ride on the choo-choo train!

But the day couldn't end without a trip to jail. Every 2 year old boy should be in one at least once!

After a few hours, Grammy & Papa took Nicholas and Jake, who wasn't feeling well, home for naps while the rest of us "kids" stayed to play. We rode all the roller coasters and ran from one end of the park to the other at least 5 times! We left no ride untouched and some we even went back for again and again. I haven't had that much fun since...well it's been a long time, to say the least. We shut the park down that night, leaving sweaty and completely exhausted. It was the best feeling in the world! It's hard to top a day like that but we gave it our best shot. The next day was my parents' 40th wedding anniversary (Happy Anniversary!) so we went to a lovely family brunch then set about preparing for Nicholas' birthday party. Things were going according to plan at first, but then we hit a snafu. I was picking up the cake and balloons when all of a sudden I felt really SICK. So sick that I had to go home and climb in bed for a few hours while I left the preparations to everyone else. I'm not sure exactly what I had but it was bad. I managed enough stamina to get out of bed for the party but in case you notice me looking a little drab, that's why. It hung around for a few days afterwards, but I didn't let it keep me down one bit. There was too much fun to be had! Anyway, the party was a success and all the kids had a ball!

On Monday, it was time to say good-bye and head off on the second leg of our journey. Destination = St. Louis to meet up with Mimi & Grandpa and visit Grandma Jaggi.

Another great couple of days were in store for us there with a lot of family time and a special little outing to the Transportation Museum which was FULL of old train engines. Nicholas was in sheer heaven. Seriously, he paid no attention to the sweltering heat. Nope, he ran around those trains as fast as he could checking every little nook and cranny he could find. Our boy was definitely in his element.

These things were mammoth. Just look at the size comparison!

Nicholas and Papa working hard on the railroad. It's a tough job, people.

We even got to take another train ride!

Then it was onto the last section of our trip in Rolla, visiting Grandma Smart on the farm.

Nicholas loves it here because he gets to get dirty and play with all the animals! We saw the usual suspects - chickens, cows, and kitties. But Nicholas also discovered the old tractors this time, which you could hardly pry him away from. He loves anything mechanical, what can I say?

And there was more mechanical fun in the form of 4 wheelers! We rode, and rode, and rode some more. And as soon as we stopped, he'd yell "MORE!" Insatiable!

Then we had a little fishing time at the pond with Cousin Adam. We didn't catch anything because we started getting rained on, but there's always next time.

And more birthday presents!!

Before we knew it, the time had come for us to head back home. We were all a little bummed after such an awesome week and so many fun adventures but it's always good to be back in your own bed. But before we left Rolla, Aunt Kathy made one last attempt at getting us to accept Nicholas' birthday present, pretty red bow and all. It was very tough to refuse:

All in all, this was one of the best weeks I can remember. Nicholas is getting older now and we have so much fun exploring the world through his eyes. And being with family is the best thing in the world. Especially when we live so far away and don't get to see them very often. Thanks for hanging in there through all these pictures. I'm terrible at choosing just a few because I love them all!