Little J's Bday!!

Well, our 'little man' is getting SOOO big!! My goodness how time flies! I have so many great memories of little J. He is a bundle of fun and is always going! Things I love most about him: his giggle--if you've heard any happy noises from him you'd know how this is first!, his laugh, his dimpled little smile, the way his eyes squint cuz his smile is so big with a hint of goofiness, his thoughtful personality, how he would do/give just about anything to make his little sister happy (at leat 95% of the time), his love of helping me around the house with everything, his fashion sense, snuggles in the morning, his love of learning and curiosity, how patient he is, his enthusiasm, how he loves things that are all boy--wheeled anything and everything, playing sports, tools, getting dirty--yet manages to be one of the most sensitive little boys I could even imagine. I love how he talks-- from his explanations of how things work to the way he phrases things and his understanding and use of intonation. I love, love, love my little bear!

Little J LOVED playing soccer

this fall and even got to

have his last game

quite close to

his bday!

His team

was his fave

color too! The other

pics are from his birthday

party, which we had a little early.

Fun Friday!

I just had to post this of B, the cutest little tree-hugger in the East. :)

What did we do with two extra days off school? Well, Thursday we bummed around the house and went to a friends' for a bit but Friday we went out and had us some fun all day long (even big J beat us home!). We loaded up, picnic and all, and went to a place called Insectropolis which is kinda like a zoo for creepy crawlies.

We had so much fun learning more about insects, arachnids and other creepy crawlies! How do I know the place is good? B remembered much of what we saw, touched, and experienced and learned some new things and so did I.

I could not believe the kids all touched everything they presented--a live Madagascar hissing cockroach, African Giant Millipede, Scorpion, and a tarantula. I almost passed on the tarantula but figured I may as well as who knows if I'd ever get the chance again.

We all had good time there and then headed over to the beach. Yes, the Jersey Shore in November is still open and quite uncrowded. In fact, we got front row (and Free) parking! Besides, how could I be 10 minutes from the beach on a sunny day and not go. It was a fantastic fall day--mid-50s and sunny, and miraculously little wind. The kids played in the sand for a while before heading down to the water to play their favorite game of trying to dodge the waves. We picked up a number of large shells and as the tide was going out the kids even crossed a small 'stream' out onto a sand bar and little J had a blast making the sea gulls fly as he ran toward them on it. The only thing we were missing was big J who had to work. :( But he sure enjoyed hearing the kids tell him all about their fun day! (Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics at the beach cuz I was holding a snug, sleeping little Bug):