Dyeing Eggs

My lesson of the week: 3-year-olds and real eggs don't work well together. Well, Jack survived it, but those eggs have been slammed around the porch, kitchen floor, garage, etc. We're still waiting on them to "hatch."

The final product ... before they were destroyed.

Pop's Trains

The engineer hat is a "must-have" for Grammy and Pop's house



Jack especially likes it when the train goes through the tunnel.


This gives you an idea of where Jack spends most of his time when we visit.

A Party at the Museum

One of Jack's friends, Bree, celebrated her 3rd birthday at the Children's Museum this past weekend. Not sure if Jack thought it was his birthday or not. Regardless, he had fun. Some pics from the day:


Listening to an audio of the history of the Mississippi River ... or what he'll look like making business deals on the phone in 20 years.


All decked out at the fire truck exhibit.





See how close we are to the birthday presents? Pretty sure he thought it might have been his birthday.


Celebrating with cake and ice cream.

Snow and Memphis

We woke up to lots of snow this morning -- 6 inches, maybe. That's a lot, considering it's Memphis and it doesn't snow here. It was too icy to make it to church, so Jack and watched the Disney channel and played outside. Thought I'd share some of the pictures from the day.




I think maybe there IS such a thing as too many layers. And I think I dressed him for an Alaskan snow blizzard, not one from Tennessee.


See what I mean?


The second trip out, I did a little better. And Jack could actually play




And of course, hot chocolate must finish out all trips out to see the snow.

Almost There!

It's been a couple of months since we've blogged, but have no fear -- we're still alive and well in Memphis! Just busy getting ready for baby brother, whom Jack insists we call "choo choo train." Three months and counting. As Jackman would say, "Almost there!"

I thought I'd post some pics from our trip to Incredible Pizza Company yesterday. Jack woke up this morning saying "go bowling, Mama." But still, I'm certain John loves this place more than Jack.


Jack's version of "go bowling" means we pulls the bumper shields up and he heads halfway down the lane. If we're lucky, he'll knock down a few pins.


Same concept with skee ball. Jack climbs into the lane and throws the balls into the back.


Here's one he's pretty good at ... miniature basketball. Daddy hands Jack the balls while he knocks them down.


We babysat our sweet niece, Mary Beth, yesterday. Of course, she enjoyed Incredible Pizza Company is much as Jack.


I know, Mary, I look like this after spending a couple hours with Jack running around too. This is the way she sleeps.

Enchanted Forest

I decided to take Jack to see Santa this weekend at Enchanted Forest, a special exhibit at a local museum. The forest has dozens of trees, lots of moving mechanical characters, and Santa Claus. But all Jack cared about was the 12-foot train track, where we spent what felt like forever (but was probably about 45 minutes) staring at Thomas and James go round and round and round the track.

Jack did manage to go tell Santa that he'd love a ... yes, you guessed it ... a choo-choo for Christmas.


Jack hanging on the fence in front of the train, so he could see all the action below.


Thomas the Train makes another turn around the track.



One of the moving bears at the exhibit. Jack was NOT impressed.

But he was plenty impressed with the train track.

More hanging on the fence, watching the trains go by.

Catching Up

Oh, I'm so far behind. John will tell you that the Twilight book series has consumed me. One book left ... and then maybe I'll start getting some sleep.

We'll start with Thanksgiving and our trip to East Tennessee. Man, it was cold. There, we visited with my mom and Mamaw and Papaw. Ah, East Tennessee .... We could seriously use some mountains in West Tennessee

My mom, Jack and I at Gee Creek in Etowah

Jack and John on a train car at Etowah's L&N Depot

Jack and cousin Luke on Mom's tricycle. Luke is an expert in using "the stick" to push the tricycle. And of course, Jack was happy to let him.

Jack and Max, my Mamaw and Papaw's dog. I think he was ready for us to leave.

Jack and Jack, as they rode through the fields to move the cattle from one field to another.

Jack helps Uncle Steve feed the cows