Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband. Thanks to Matt I get to stay at home full time with Jack & Josie. The kids and I often bust out the flip camera to record our good times. In attempt to capture some father's day love messages from the kids, I had to do multiple takes. Josie is acting SOOOOO TWO, even though her birthday is in July. Everything is "NO". She is also obsessed with looking into the video camera, not being in front of it. Although I did capture her doing one of her favorite activities, jumping on the bed with Jack, I was not able to get her to talk to daddy...sorry Matt! All in all the kids love their dad very much. He keeps our lives happy and exciting with Saturday dance parties in the living room, Sunday morning family time in bed, tickle attacks, towel whippings and fun family vacations. Happy Father's Day honey, hope you like the videos. We love you!

Now, it's time for a big "Happy Father's Day" to my doo da daddy (yes I call him that!) Big Dave Decker! Dad, I wish I could be there to give you a big hug and a hard time. I miss you and thank you for being such a great dad. My kids love you too, and have a message for you. Well, Jack does...again, Josie did not cooperate. She did, however, draw some lovely pictures in your card. When we were working on it, I said, "Come here Josie, come color for Grandpa!" She came right away (which IS a big deal at this age) and said "grandpa, grandpa, grandpa..." as she colored. Jack chose the song "You are my sunshine" no coaxing from mom! Big hugs and kisses from the whole family. We love you!

We are not forgetting "P"! He gets a personal message at Aunt Katie's house and plenty of hugs/kisses too. Happy Father's Day to all the dads in the family.

Memorial Weekend

Eat, eat, eat! That's what we did over Memorial Weekend. Sunday we attended a fish fry (you have to say it with a southern drawl) at Aunt Katie & Uncle Hunter's house in the country. They fried up bass, potatoes, hush puppies and the cat. No, but Matt suggested it! They also boiled some shrimp, sausage, red potatoes and corn on the cob. There was enough food to feed an army. We hardly put a dent in it...but we tried. YUM! The kids had a blast chasing around the baby chicks and terrorizing the mama hen. Mattie and her friend Aubry treated Josie like a giant baby doll and hovered over her the whole time. She loved the attention. We always have fun at aunt Katie's and can't wait for our next family gathering.

Memorial Day brought sunshine and lots of outdoor play in the yard. I bought the kids a slip n slide...a poor man's pool as Matt calls it. Setting it up was quite a comedy act. Were we the peaceful, fun loving family outside for a fun afternoon? NO! Jack ket crying and yelling because he was sticking to the slide and not making it to the end. Matt and I were frustrated with him and trying to calm him down, which ended up being threats if he didn't stop acting like a spoiled brat. Josie started crying because she got knocked over, then Jack slid into a pile of ants and started screaming. I ended up inside with 2 crying, wet kids. What fun! I was so glad I bought the slide!

The evening was much better, as we invited our neighbors Karol, Bill and daughter Ava as well as our neighbor Judy and her famous dog Daisy over for a bar b que. The kids had fun getting wet and running wild in the yard. The picture is from a brief still moment when they all settled in one chair for a rest. We are very blessed to have wonderful neighbors in our hood and enjoyed their company very much. Hope everyone had a great 3 day weekend. Summer is here!

The bow is in!

When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with long hair. I wanted long hair! I wanted to brush it, curl it, put bows and bobbles in it. My favorite swimming teacher, who taught me to swim when no other could, had looong hair. I would have jumped off the highest high dive for her. One of my early childhood friends had a collection of decorative hair rubber bands in her top drawer that I would beg to look at every time I went to her house. My favorite "toy" as a young girl was the giant barbie head with hair that you could style. You get the picture.
So, when I had a little girl, not only was I thrilled that she was happy, healthy and adorable...but she would be able to wear pigtails, and bows....so I thought! My first issue was that until approx 5 months ago, Josie didn't have enough hair to put in any type of clip. Now that she has her "almost two attitude" putting anything on her is a challenge. I finally figured out that if she is watching a Baby Einstein show and totally transfixed, I can sneak in 30 seconds of "styling".
Here is a clip proving the bow is in! She looks sooo cute too! Little pill!

Jack vs. The Golf Cart

This blog is supposed to be about the family, not just Jack...but he sure does give me a lot of material!

This past Friday, Matt took Jack golfing. They had a lovely morning until the 17th hole. Matt had just finished his putt when he told Jack to drive the cart to him. From the report I got from Matt and Jack, they had been enjoying driving the cart TOGETHER the whole round...together being the missing key component to Jack's driving on the 17th hole. Instead of heading straight for daddy, Jack turned the cart where it proceeded to go up and over the hill and straight for a water hazard. Part way into the downhill descent, Jack got scared and bailed out...the cart ran over his foot and cruised straight into the pond. No, it's not a joke...I asked the boys that at least 10 times as they told me their story.

No worries, Jack is ok, foot in tact. The cart however had to be removed with a tractor by a not- so- happy golf course worker. I am not sure the Hands family is welcome back at Keaton and could still be asked to pay for damages...we have yet to get the call. All in all it's one for the baby book! Jack will never look at golf carts the same way again. Either will I!

May Day

The kids are growing up fast. I love it when Matt gets out his camera and captures them interacting. Thank goodness we have a talented photographer in the family. Here are some May Day pictures to enjoy. Also, a big HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of the moms out there. I am blessed to know each and every one of you.

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"You did WHAT with the roly poly?"

One of our favorite activities at home is playing in the yard. Jack loves to turn over all of the bricks around the tree and look for snakes or other creatures. I am now desensitized from my fear of snakes thanks to Jack. I guess when you are exposed to them daily...shoved in your face..."LOOK MOM!"...you get over it! (I still don't hold them!)

Anyway, during Jack's bug adventures, he always finds roly polys (pill bugs), which are my kind of bug! I will handle those with no problem. Yesterday, Jack was doing his usual bug hunt as Josie and I played soccer. All of a sudden Jack says, "Guess what mom, I ate a roly poly!" "You did WHAT with the roly poly?" "I ate it!' "He's in my tummy now." I just stared at him for a few minutes in shock, and then busted out laughing. Raising boys is surely an adventure. I guess he got some additional protein yesterday.

"and the trophy goes to....JAAAAAACK!"

Jack ended his soccer season with a bash at Coach's Hamburgers in Dallas. The team chowed down on hamburgers and hot dogs before the big trophy presentations. Jack is VERY proud of his trophy, he told me "Mom, I really like that there are soccer shoes and a soccer ball on it." "It looks shiny!!"

Josie took some time to gaze at the trophy as well...she is planning her soccer debut in a couple of years!

Soccer Season

Jack played soccer for the first time this spring. His season started in February and wrapped up with an end of the year trophy party this past Thursday. I have to say, after the first few practices and games, I did NOT think I was going to make it through the season. Jack did fine, until there was only one ball, then he would pout and walk off the field. He wanted the ball the whole time and couldn't figure out why everyone wasn't sharing. This made sense, since the first 4 years of his life, sharing has been pounded into his head by his mother. He was upset, I was upset, and things were not fun for anyone. Since dad was the assistant coach and on the field during the games (at work during the practices) I got to handle the tantrums. THEN, the 3rd game arrived. A COLD and windy game...no idea why this was the turning point, but it was. He began staying with the pack to chase the ball, cheering for his team mates and not throwing a fit when he didn't have the ball. Haleluiah! From that point on, soccer was a blast. Jack made plenty of goals, and quite a few guy friends in the process. He is a Gunner through and through. The Gunners are going to try to stick together as a team for the fall season, so stay tuned.

Easter Fun

We had a cold and rainy easter in Dallas this year, but still managed to have a lot of fun. The kids woke to easter baskets full of goodies and presents...they really hit the jackpot. The easter bunny hid plastic eggs all around the living room and dining room, I guess he knew it would be too cold and wet to hunt outside. I was shocked at how quickly Josie slung her basket over her arm like a little Prada purse and began prancing around yelling "egg! egg!" as she picked up eggs and loaded her basket.

We attended late morning church at Northridge Presby. Josie tried out the toddler room (kids 18mo-3yrs) with a huge success. After too many Sundays with her screaming in the nursery, we thought a change would be good. She ran right in and never looked back. The couple who watched the kids during the church service commented that "You can tell she has a big brother." "She has no fear!" Not sure that it was a compliment, but they certainly were correct! She didn't want to leave when we picked her up...so I guess it's official, she has graduated from the nursery. My baby is growing up too fast.

Jack loved the butterfly release at the end of the church service. Much to his delight, a butterfly landed on his shirt and stayed for a good 10 minutes. We may have to buy some caterpillars next year and raise our own!

The afternoon brought lunch and more egg hunting with the cousins at Mo's house. (Grandma Hands). What a rowdy bunch! Josie walked around frowning at her doting cousins Brighton and Mattie until they began bribing her for her affection with cookies and easter candy. Once she had that figured out, she began working her Uncle Hunter for candy eggs. She was on a sugar high by the end of the afternoon...fun for mom!
All in all a wonderful Easter Day!

What? Is there something on my face?

Eating is a big part of our day. Goldfish crackers, cheese sticks, chicken nuggets, apples...Jack and Josie are bottomless pits when it comes to food. Jack is a tornado eater, and always has been. Fast and furious leaving a path of destruction all over the floor. When I had Josie I thought, "Yeah!" "I will have one of those calm and clean eating little girls like all of Jack's girl friends." Uh, NO. Josie loves to throw her food (much to Fiddler's delight) and rub it in her hair. Her favorite breakfast, oatmeal, ends up being an oatmeal mohawk/facial. Then there is her favorite dinner...spaghetti. I will let the video speak for itself!

Keeping up with the Williams's

My sister is a super mom. She makes her own baby food, runs her own business and of course blogs regularly. I have decided that even though I have TWO rambunctious kids and am TIRED by the end of the night, I would attempt to keep up with her and start the Hands Family Blog. I guess this will give you insight into our days and WHY I am tired!

I decided to learn how to post a video by recording Jack singing one of his many hilarious and adorable preschool songs. He often busts out with these tunes in the back seat of the car or as he is playing. The lyrics are too cute...of course Josie chimes in too...

The Color Song
R-E-D, RED! R-E-D, RED!
I can spell RED, I can spell RED!
Fire trucks are red,
STOP signs are red,
R-E-D, RED! R-E-D, RED!

B-L-A-C-K spells BLACK (blaaaaack (in whisper))
B-L-A-C-K spells BLACK (close to the camera...blaaaaaack)
Night skies are black,
Kitty cats are black,
B-L-A-C-K spells BLACK

B-L-U-E spells BLUE (he says b-l-r-e)
the ocean is too,
Hi Ho, did ya know,
B-L-U-E spells BLUE.

Song # 2..."A BOOM Chicka BOOM"

The words are simple, it's just...

"I say a BOOM chicka BOOM, uh huh, oh yea, all right" over and over again.

Note the different "styles" he announces:

"monster style", "underwater style", "'opera style", "kid style".