The Buzz Heard 'Round the World

In case you haven't seen it yet...

(There's something wacky about editing the video from my Flip camera so we sound like chipmunks. Sorry!)

Jack and Friends at Epcot

Jack with his BFF Nemo.

And with "Nemo's dad", Marlin.

And with Dori.

And with a random seahorse he liked (holding his new plush Dori).

Santa Pictures!

Why do we think that kids like Santa?

Happy Birthday, Jack!

We can hardly believe our little man is 3!

Three years ago today we were enjoying our tiny baby boy in a hospital in Bitburg, Germany. And now he's a rambunctious, moody, talkative, hilarious, lovable boy.

Jack is trying very hard to prove the old wives tale that three is actually worse than "terrible two." To put it mildly, he's been very difficult lately. But, in the midst of testing boundaries and working our nerves, he remains charming and sweet. (Thank god, or we might give him away. Just kidding!)

Jack loves "school" two days a week and talks my ear off on the drive home about his friends and "craps" (crafts). When we're playing at home, he likes to drive his Lightning McQueen car (an early birthday and Christmas present from Memere and Papa Lou), play with puzzles, crash matchbox cars and read books. He continues to have mixed emotions about Ellie - in one moment annoyed that she is trying to play along with him but the next saying "I wuvs zhu, Ewwie" and giving her a hug.

In true birthday spirit, Jack sang to himself all day. Here's one performance for your enjoyment.



Happy Birthday, Jack! We love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Jack & Ellie!

Five Fat Turkeys - a Thanksgiving Production

Jack's pre-school class "performed" a song at today's Thanksgiving Luncheon. It's hysterical. Jack was very eager to sing, as evidenced by his announcement he's ready to sing and the fact that he started singing before the music started.

Enjoy!



And, Saturday is Ellie's first birthday party! She turned one on Monday and I've been so busy since that I haven't updated this blog. The other has totally taken over. So, if you'd like to see how she spent her big day, check out this post on The Shopping Mama. And then Sunday Kevin and I hit the waters for a "media" preview cruise on The Oasis of the Seas. It's the new Royal Carribean boat and it's the largest cruise ship ever. We only have to pay for Kevin's flight there and everything else is covered. Ca-razy! I'll update when we get home.

Southern Boy?

You know how people say Florida isn't really the south? Well, apparently Jack didn't get the memo. He has been saying a couple words with the most ridiculous southern accent. I think it's exaggerated for our benefit because we crack up and make him repeat words over and over again until we're hysterical.

Here's an example of one of our favorites - "down" - from an interview with Lightning McQueen.

Meet Nemo

To say that Jack enjoyed Disney World would be a major understatement. But of all the characters we met, rides we rode and shows we saw one is a clear favorite. The Finding Nemo Musical. How do I know it's his favorite, you ask?

Exhibit 1: This video of Jack, I mean "Nemo", singing "Big Blue World" from the musical and then telling me our names.



In case you missed it, Jack goes by the name "Nemo", Ellie is "Dori", I am "Mr. Ray" and Kevin is "Mr. Shark" - all characters from Finding Nemo.

Exhibit 2: School yesterday. Hysterical. Kevin took Jack to school in the morning. When he was preparing to leave the teacher said, "Jack say goodbye to your dad" (because, as usual, Jack had run off to play with not a care in the world). Jack said, "I'm Nemo!" to his teacher and turned to Kevin and said, "Goodbye Mr. Shark!"

It was more of the same when I picked him up. As all the other children we squealing "Mom!", my son saw me and yelled "Mr. Ray!" as he came bounding toward me for a hug. His teacher must have been corrected enough throughout the morning because she correctly said, "Goodbye Nemo" as we left.

This isn't the first time we all have to go by character names. For a while, I was always "Sally" to Jack's "Lightning" (Cars). And sometimes he is "Alex the Lion," I am "Gloria," Kevin is "Melman," and Ellie is "Moto Moto" (the fat hippo ha ha!) from Madagascar.

Oh, and when we were at Disney there was one day we were all princesses. Jack was "Aurora," my mom was "Cinderella," I was "Belle," and Kevin was "Prince Charming." Who was Ellie? "Princess Castle Sidewalk." I kid you not. I could not make this stuff up if I tried.

In any event, even with all the imaginary play and names we have had over the past couple months none have stuck quite like Nemo.

Phew, this was long. I'm off to make Nemo's breakfast.

Fountains of Fun

We were in search of something a little different tonight so we hit the fountains at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. It was awesome! The shopping area itself is super fancy and there are lots of nice restaurants. We looked super classy showing up Saturday night with half naked kids to play in the fountains. But, whatever... it was totally worth it. Both kids had a total blast.

Ellie even got into the fun!
Showing off her new favorite trick - clapping!
Jack brought his new dump truck, that he has creatively named "Dumpy."
I love how totally adventurous he is in the fountains this year. Last year he was a little timid and not so into it. Now, he runs around like a wild man and has a great time.

Sasa's Here!

Sasa / Mama Lisa / My mom arrived Wednesday and we've been having loads of fun. Jack and Ellie are really enjoying the extra attention and love. We're going to miss her after she goes home tomorrow.

Here are a couple pictures from our trip to Seaside today.

Four Generations

When we were in California, we spent some time with Kevin's grandfather. One of the main things we wanted to accomplish was a four generations photo of the Lord men - Jack, Kevin, Papa Lou & Grandpa Joe. So, here are a few of my favorites. (Although, very my favorite is actually one on Kevin's parent's camera.)

Feeding the Ducks

Here's a little video from the park by Mimi and Papa Lou's house. We were having a good time until the big swans came to get the bread.

Our Trip to Massachusetts!

After surviving our day of travel, including delays and changing planes in Atlanta on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, we were rescued by my Aunt Sarah and cousin Erin at the airport! On the drive to their house in Massachusetts we stopped by a sweet dairy farm so Jack could check out the animals.

Chickens...

Baby cow...

Looking in the "cow house"...
Big ol' fat bunny...

Today

I have tons of photos and stories from this weekend at Mount Holyoke, but caught a few photos today that I just had to share immediately. They are so cute!

Off to Work He Goes

Jack dressed himself for "work" the other day. In my cardigan and sneakers.

Fixing his shoes...

I wonder what kind of work Jack thinks he's dressed for.

And, even with his big boy hair cut he still has crazy hair days.

Easter Egg Hunt and the Big Bunny

Okay, so I have about a million photos from our awesome weekend in Kiawah Island with Jenny, Jack and Luke. I'm working my way through them and will post the highlights (like Ellie and Luke being the cutest babies ever).

Sunday morning we went to an Easter Egg Hunt and met the Easter Bunny! Turns out Jack is still NOT a fan of giant dressed up characters. All day when anyone mentioned the Easter bunny, he said, "I cry" even though he totally didn't. He just insisted I hold him and refused to smile for photos. Ellie, on the other hand, was fascinated and starred at the giant bunny. See:

The Kiawah Island Easter Egg Hunt was awesome! They literally "hid" over 10,000 eggs (and then collected empty eggs at the end to recycle them). The hunt was divided into age groups and the Jacks (Lord and Felsen) were in the up to three year old section on the sand volleyball court.

I learned something new about my son during the hunt - he's very competitive. I had to hold him back until the hunt officially began and once he heard the word, "go" he took off running. I love this picture because you can see he is the only kid around. Apparently the other children were not as eager to get their hunt on. What's so ridiculous is that he ran past about a million eggs to the opposite side of the court to start grabbing eggs.

I have about a thousand pictures of Jack putting eggs in his basket, but they all look the same and are kind of boring.Showing off his full basket!I think this is his "Ha ha, suckers... I got all the good eggs!" face.My sweet boy in his Easter duds. (I know the tie is poorly tied, but it was the best we could do after literally trying for hours.)

Happy Easter!

We're kicking it in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. LOTS of pictures when we get back to Sumter.

First Trip to the Dentist

Jack had his first dentist appointment this morning at the interesting Kool Smiles of Sumter. He played on the slide and loved the dentist's office. Until he had to go to the back with the hygienist. I was kind of surprised that they took my little boy back all alone without his mommy. Luckily there was a one-way glass mirror window thing to peek through so I could watch Jack the whole time.

He got wheeled around in a car to and from the X-ray room. Jack totally caught me taking pictures through the small window on the door because I couldn't get any through the window I was supposed to be using.As Jack dutifully reported afterwards, he cried because the toothpaste was "Yukty." It kind of looks like he's being held down to be tortured, but I actually think it was nice that he was held rather than laying on the chair.

Jack did great, but we get a big ol' F as parents. He has two small cavities on his canine or incisor or whatever teeth. I blame it on the non-flourinated water in Florida. I'm sure it has nothing to do with his one-time chocolate addiction. I know, we suck. And now we get to go back to Kool Smiles in two weeks so Jack can have cavities filled. The thought makes me want to cry.