The Petting Zoo

Last Saturday we had the chance to visit the petting zoo in Sea Pines. We were there to celebrate Jack and Finn's friend, Lucy's, birthday. Everyone had the best time!

Here's the birthday girl. Isn't she a CUTIE!?!?

Jack got up close and personal with the animals. We have failed to teach him the rules of personal space. I also didn't do a good job explaining what to do with the carrots and apples that the other kids were giving the animals, because every time I looked at Jack, he was eating them himself. Maybe I'll start taking him to the zoo whenever he's due for some fruits and veggies.

Here are some of Jack's buddies: Neely, Shelby and Owen on the right. The older kids enjoyed running through the maze of fences and dirt. Mine were by far the dirtiest. We don't like to disappoint. Unfortunately we had to go shopping afterwards. I thought about going home to change, but we forged on, looking like a homeless family.

Finley LOVED the goats. He kept roaring at them, like he does at every animal. He, too, wanted to kiss the goats.

See the horns? See Finn's hiney? Well...the two were introduced shortly after this picture. Don't worry. No one was injured. Finn's shorts just got a little entangled in the goat's horns and the goat went a little nutty. There is excitement everywhere we go.


Funny Jack Story....

Yesterday on the way home from CBS (Community Bible Study), I asked Jack what he had learned. Here's what he said:

"Moses. Then his yard caught on fire. Then fire said, "MOOOOOOSES...HERE I AM!!!" Every once in a while he'll look at me and say "MOOOOOSES" in a really deep (and hilarious) voice.

The Party

So much for "next year we're just throwing a small birthday party". It seems that birthdays have become a favorite part of being Mommy. They are so much fun to plan and so much fun to sit back and watch. Our boys had a Wet n' Wild themed party this past Saturday. Bounce house, waterslides, kiddie pools, tattoos and all! I think it's fair to say that, despite the heat, everyone had a great time.


Jack was the first to christen the water slide. He made the mistake of going down the slide pre-water, so he basically tumbled down the whole thing and landed in a cold pool. The look he shot me was priceless. "This party STINKS!" But once the water was flowing, he didn't stop except to finger swipe his birthday cake.

Jack figured out that he could go backwards in a pike position and not get as much water in his face. It was a very strategic move on his part.

This was another allowed position. I say "allowed" because of course Jack went headfirst, which is the only prohibited move mentioned on the dotted line that I had to sign as the 'adult in charge'. Scary, I know.

In addition to the slide/bounce house thing was a tattoo booth! The rental company (Kidz Play Rentals for all you Bluffton folks...they were GREAT!) brought this along as well. It was a hit with all age groups. I recall several "MOM" tattoos, some tigers, fairies, butterflies, and even a Playboy bunny by one of the sketchier attendees. :) Jack chose a baseball that had flames coming behind it. He called it his baseball with fire. So far he has not given me the go ahead to wash it off.

Jack and Finn each had their own guitar cake. They turned out really well, and the kids loved them. The only time the activity stopped was to inhale cake. Who says you can't eat cake at 10am? A loser, that's who!

I wish I could say that this was definitely Finn's first piece of cake, but I'm sure it wasn't. With Jack, being the first, he was on a sugar free diet until his first birthday when he got his first piece of cake (and freaked out). I can't remember, but I'm sure Finn has indulged himself in the yummyhood of cake before. Why? Because he knew exactly what to do with it. There was none of that hesitant finger poking typically seen at 1 year old birthday parties. No, he looked at it like, 'Oh...you again' and then ate the whole thing.

Jack and Shelby enjoyed their share of icing, too!

The party was so much fun! Thanks to everyone who stuck out the heat with us! It was so great to have our families here to celebrate. Here's Finn with Gigi.

...And Finn with Mimi. The grandmothers took over Finley who ran all over the yard. He did take several ventures down the big waterslide, too, and he loved it. He's a daredevil in training!

This picture was taken on Saturday night after dinner. The boys loved having Mimi and Poppy in town. Happy Birthday to Poppy today! Thanks for all of your help. See you in October!

Mohawks and Waffles

This past week marked the end to our summertime schedule. School already started for Jack, CBS starts tomorrow, and MOPS starts next week. It's about to get nuts at the Ussery household, but I think we're all up for the challenge. Our home has been abuzz the last few days while John was off of work. We've all been thrilled to spend time with him. The boys both got haircuts today, and Jack continues to say the strangest and funniest things.


Don't worry. Jack's hair is not cut into a mohawk. Rather, it's just styled into a mohawk. Danielle, the boys fabulous hair stylist, cut Jack's hair in such a big kid way, but she added some fun for him by punking it out a bit with some 'product'. John and I thought he'd like it better than he did. He kept asking for us to take his hair off, which he didn't understand couldn't happen without some serious damage being done.

And here's our almost one year old who looks suddenly three. After three people thought Finn was a girl, we decided it was time for a haircut. Now there's no mistaking him for a chick. He's such a little dude.

Here's the backside of his new do.

Jack loves waffles, so I surprised him by making some for breakfast on Saturday. He used to be satisfied with frozen Eggos, but now that he's had the real deal, he'll say "NO MOM!!!! Get the waffle maker" whenever I try to serve Eggos for breakfast anymore.

Jack has started giving us the thumb's up sign. I'm guessing he's learned it at preschool, but we'll never know because he tells us nothing about preschool other than "I eat snacks." He's surely his mother's son. Not from the lack of talking (obviously) but more for the love of snacks!

When I bought this water sprinkler ball thing on the summer clearance aisle at KB Toys, I pictured the boys running and laughing through the shooting water with a little Beach Boys playing in the background. Well, no. Jack karate chopped the water the entire time it was on, and Finn stood beside the 4Runner and banged his hands on the side of it. So much for toys!

At the rate Jack's feet grow, he may be wearing these shoes by next summer.

Teethy McTeetherson


Jack has learned the Pledge of Allegiance at school. Here's his typical speedy delivery that he likes to give...oh...and he has to stand on a chair to do it. Enjoy!