Grammi's Cookie Tree

Jack was old enough this year to get in on Grammi's cookie tree tradition.  One cookie off the tree each day before Christmas.  We got behind a day, so Jack was nice enough to share w/ dad.  (I got a bite...if you can call it that. :))  What a fun tradition.  (Can't wait for Lane to be big enough to join in...what a fun fight that will be every evening! :D)

Picking a cookie...always a hard decision 

Cheers!

Mmmmm!

Family Night

We actually have a LOT of family nights at this stage, but the other night I especially enjoyed our simple evening together as I started to think about how much we'll miss these years when things start to pick up in the not-so-far-away future.

Stickers

This morning I watched a friend's kids for a few hours.  Before they arrived Jack had a couple of sheets of stickers he'd been given yesterday.  I suggested that maybe Lainey would like to have some stickers--did he think maybe he could give her a sheet of stickers?  He was very enthusiastic about the idea.  The problem came when deciding which sheet to give her.  (He had used three stickers off one of the sheets yesterday.)  I tried to help him understand why he should give her the sheet he hadn't taken any stickers off of yet.  I could tell he wasn't really buying it and that selfishness was winning out in his little heart.  Just then the knock came at the door--the kids were dropped quickly and Jack proceeded to exchange gifts with Lainey, who had brought him a Christmas treat.  A little later I noticed the two sheets of stickers.  Jack had been encouraged to give Lainey "sheet B" (see photo below), which he had done.  However..."sheet B" was now three stickers short, while "sheet A's" three missing stickers had been carefully replaced.  Yeah, maybe it's a little funny and my friend comment on how smart that was and maybe I should be all impressed that my 2-year old was willing to share at all.  But God calls us to more--to be completely selfless--not to just give what's easy to give.  I say this not as an expectation on how Jack should be acting at this age, but as an object lesson of sorts, I guess.  Unfortunately I still see that tendency in myself--to keep the best for myself.  To think of me first.  Perhaps he's only following my example.  Ugh.  I look forward to chatting with him about it when he gets up from his nap.

"Sheet A": kept by Jack...notice 3 replacement stickers
(row 1 #1 and row 2 #'s 1 & 2 [whoops, not the best matching buddy!])

"Sheet B": given to Lainey...sans 3 stickers

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, so here are some randoms from the last month or so for our own record...and your viewing if you're interested! :)

Don't tell Jack I rode his car while he napped!!

OSHA approved safety practices being used

Daddy and Lane

This could be a problem this winter...
Lane was quite interested in the first fire of the year.

One tooth :)

On his way to "work" in his
not-so-OSHA-approved-job-site-gear

Kids and mirrors are one of my favorites!

Brothers

What a joy to see these two little boys interact.  Lane is always trying to see what Jack is up to and Jack often lets me know that Lane wants to play with him, so I need to put him down if I'm holding him.  Lane steals toys and Jack steals them back, and so forth, but for the most part things usually go pretty well.  I'm thankful for two and the opportunities it provides to teach and train them.

Twice the fun at bath time!

Explaining something to Lane, as he often does.

"One for Lane...one for me."...no wonder he was up for giving Lane a snack!

Trailer ride...I think the trailer needs wheels,
18lbs w/out wheels is almost too much for Jack!

 Every once-in-awhile Jack gets to watch Donald Duck with Dad.  It's hilarious to hear him crack up while he watches!  Lane got in on it too this time...

Trick-or-Treat!

Jack thoroughly enjoyed trick-or-treating last night, as any 2 year old would!  He appears to be a construction worker, but he's actually a Jackhammer...keeping with the Jack theme. :)

"Are we going to the next house?" 

Lane the Lion

Happy Halloween!

Learning to Work

Jack has two chores...so far. :)  Putting away the silverware and picking up walnuts.  Ryan never thought he'd be thankful for walnut trees, but it's a bit harder to find jobs for a town kid than a farm kid, so he just might end up being okay with them...I said might.

Getting some help from his dogs

Getting a little help from dad...or dad getting a little help from Jack!