Friday night fun

We deviated from our normal Friday night pizza routine since we had pizza the night before.  Instead we went to Firestone for dinner and walked along the riverfront and then went home.  Jackson picked up Daddy's phone and was laughing at a video of himself and saying his name (which until last night had escaped him).  

Wearing Christmas pajamas and his hat, Jackson decided to ride his truck backwards

Luau at Goddard

On Thursday, Jackson's school held a Luau open house to welcome spring and thankfully I was home to be able to go (after packing my suitcase 4 different times in the past week).  One of the other mothers said "I didn't realize Jackson had a mommy."  Apparently she missed that day in school where it was noted that only women have the luxury of carry 9 lb 14 oz babies into this world........

We had pizza and walked through the various classrooms to look at the decorations.  Mr Bill from We Kids Rock was also there.  Fun times!

Jackson's Happy Heron room

Jackson's art work

Cars are one of his favorite things these days

Reading books (and tearing pages)

March Madness

For his 2nd birthday, Grandma and Granpa Porter hit the nail on the head when they got Jackson a basketball hoop.  At first I thought it was going to be too high for him to reach on the lowest setting, but it's perfect and he can make his shots after he gives the ball a kiss (ok, not really a kiss, but he brings the ball right to his lips when he's shooting so it looks like it).  Now that the weather is nice, he's hitting the "court" for a little action before school each day.  Hooray for play time outside!

Killington, VT

The first weekend in March, we took a long weekend and went skiing in Killington, VT. It was the first time any of us had been to Vermont, and officially marks Jackson's 13th state and first paid flight. No more lap babies in this household! Katie and Andy, our friends from Wilmington (and fellow Badgers) joined us for the weekend.  We were very fortunate with the warm weekend we have had to arrive for what the locals said was the best weekend of skiing all season.  It even snowed while we were there and thankfully the temperatures were reasonable.

Katie &Andy

And what did Mr. Boozer Bear do while we were hitting the slopes?  Play at the Friendly Penguins daycare center!  He was in heaven with all the toys!  Apparently what he didn't love so much was when they tried to get him to put on snow pants and go outside.  He had never put on snow pants before, so I wasn't surprised he resisted.  They do put them up on skis at 2, but they will just have to wait until next time.

Boozer & Daddy resting after a long day of playing/snowboarding

Jaackson & Daddy in front of the fish window at the Albany airport

Bowling bonanza

The last weekend in February we got some friends together and went bowling to make use of a gift certificate Adam won in a silent auction.  Jackson has been to the bowling alley before (for a birthday party), but this was the first time he was big enough to quasi-understand what was going on.  We had lots of fun and Jackson had a great time eating pizza, helping mommy & daddy bowl and tackling his best buddy Joe.

Birthday celebration

Jackson had a great birthday week.  It started on the morning of his birthday when he had some blueberry oatmeal before he headed off to daycare to share some treats with his friends, including a cd of his favorite songs.  On the playlist?  Everything from Viva la Vida by Coldplay to Wheels on the Bus. 

For his birthday dinner, we went out for pizza (it was Friday after all!) and then went to Berry Yummy for some yogurt.

He opened presents and cards from all over the world!  Thanks to everyone for being so thoughtful!

 On Saturday we went to music class, to Johnnies Dog House for lunch and then Learning Express to see a tattered Elmo who was having his own birthday party.

On Saturday night, our friends Andy and Katie came over for dinner and we sang Jackson an out-of-tune rendition of Happy Birthday.  He was barely interested in the cupcake!



The Friday after his birthday he had his 2 year wellness visit.  It just so happens that the pediatrician's office is next door to Chuck E. Cheese and we thought he was at a good age to experience it for the first time.  Crappy pizza and all, it was a pretty good time!

2 years old!

Weight: 33.8 lbs (90th percentile)

Length: 36 inches (90th percentile)

My Likes: Love jamming out with daddy to the "knee" (concerts on TV) and going to my weekly music classes.  I'm less into the iPad these days, which makes mommy very happy.  We are also in the bad habit of going out for pizza every Friday night.  Daddy and I pull up to the house, mommy jumps in the car and I yell "pizza!"  Reading my books, even the ones that have real pages - I'm surprisingly gentle with them.  Watching Elmo, Pooh, Thomas in mommy & daddy's bed, going into the fridge to find something to eat & drink (the pediatrician told us to lay off the milk), when mommy & daddy have friends over so I can show off. 

My Dislikes:  Brushing my teeth and putting my clothes and coat on top the list.

My Words: The week I turned two, I really decided to start talking.  I can say pretty much any (simple) word that mommy and daddy ask me to say, and I'm starting to put lots of words together.  My favorite is "no fill in the blank." No bed, no bath, no coat, no, no, no, nooooooooooooooo.

Trips: Other than our trip to Miami, I've been staying pretty close to the homestead. 

Looking forward to in the next few months: The first weekend in March I'm going to VT for the first time so mommy and daddy can go skiing with Katie and Andy while I chill with the other kids at the resort day care.  I do  get to go out in the snow, which will be fun because we have had almost no snow this year!  At the end of April, I'm going to see Grandma and Grandpa Porter in the Bahamas while mommy and daddy go to Jenna's wedding. I am excited to be in my first wedding in July when G-mommy Kate and Matt get married. 

Miami

On February 2, we woke up bright and early and caught Jackson's last free flight - to Miami!  I had an all-day meeting the next day, so we decided to head down early and then spend the weekend. We had a great time and here are a few highlights!

Thursday
We headed straight from the airport to Key Largo, about 1.5 hours away.  Our first stop was Mile Marker 88, a restaurant on the bay that my colleague recommended.  It was perfect - we enjoyed some yummy seafood, a great view and then some pastel Adirondack chairs in the shallow water. 

We then headed north a bit to the Ocean side for a bit more wading in the bay off the Ocean and playing at a great playground, where Jackson could not get enough of the climbing wall.

Friday
Daddy and Jackson went to the Seaquarium while I was working.  They had a great time, and Jackson sat completely still during the sea lion show and got splashed with salt water during the dolphin show which made him cry until he saw that daddy was laughing. Jack was also introduced to a chocolate covered banana, which he loved.

Saturday
We headed to the Miami Zoo right when it opened and rented a bike cart to get us around the zoo because it was so big.  You basically just stick the kids up front (where my purse is), but by the end Jackson was sitting on our laps.  The highlight was being able to feed the giraffes (for all of us!)

We then headed to Key Biscayne to go to a state park where there was suppose to be a good beach.  It wasn't exactly hot out, but eventually Jackson was stripped down to his diaper and enjoying the water (and seaweed)  And in case that you think Jackson is sweet all the time, I have proof to the contrary - a nice bruise where he bit me. He's a beast!

Sunday
We headed to the hotel pool and went swimming for a bit before we packed up and headed to the airport for our flight.  A great pre-2nd birthday weekend of lots of fun (and great food for Mommy & Daddy)! 

More pictures here.