Party time!!!

February has been a month of celebrations for the Pelhams and Jack is enjoying very bit of it! This past week we celebrated Zack's birthday...Lemon Meringue pie for all! Jack loves the pie...this picture was taken right before bedtime so we just let him lick the candle. (We are such mean parents)

I asked Zack where he wanted to eat for dinner and he said the the Woodhouse (local place). So off to the Woodhouse we went. Funny thing about the Woodhouse is that you have to order your food by telephone at your table!! Jack wanted to talk on the phone too...
Zack and I had the itch to "go somewhere"...Hawaii was out of the picture so we opted for our neighbors to the East - MN! We quickly realized our travels are no longer about us...we planned the weekend around the Children's museum, meals and naps. Jack did very well in the car and we only stopped once there and back. The first night in the hotel we took Jack swimming...he started to cry when we put his swim diaper on (that should have been our first clue things would get worse...). We took him to the pool and he cried the ENTIRE time. I guess we will have to try again this summer. The rest of the pictures are from the Museum - It was a great time had by all!

There was so much to see and do...

I love his expression - WOW!

A great place for an animal lover.

A trip to MN would not be complete without a little fishing!

When we arrived the bookshelf was full of books when Jack was done with it all the books were on Zack's lap!

This was really fun until Jack threw a block on a little boy's head...

Jack enjoyed pushing the buttons and hearing the different animal sounds...Big surprise he picked the owl first :)

We spent most of our time (and energy) in the "Habitot" section but we checked out some other sections. The LEGO Castle was fun...Jack liked the BIG Legos. Jack is exhausted by now...in the following pictures he is in the stroller and has his nukker!A quick stop to see the turtles.

Exhausted smiles...

5 minutes after we left the parking ramp...

We had a great time. We did manage to squeeze in a little shopping...although everything was size 18-24 mo. or 2T.

Parent Moment: Zack and I officially experienced our first toddler meltdown. After the museum we decided to pick up some lunch - keep in mind it is 12:15 on Saturday at Panera AND Jack has not had a nap. When we go to a restaurant we have a divide and conquer mentality - one person orders the food while the other tends to Jack. Zack stood in line and ordered the food while I took care of getting the table and watching Jack. Jack did fine for a while but then he wanted to be with Zack in line and he started to cry then one thing lead to another and he had a complete meltdown. (Of course I picked a table in the middle of the restaurant!) I packed Jack up and quickly headed to the car (which was two blocks away!). Zack waited for the food and asked the gentleman if we could get it TO GO. He was not happy with that request until Zack told him it was HIS son that was crying!!! I still got to enjoy my soup and breadbowl, maybe they weren't together but they were still good!!!

Pictures, pictures, pictures...

So many pictures this week...I will start with the continuation of valentines day! Zack prepared dinner for his valentines! He made hearty halibut chowder, I think he spent more time in the kitchen making it then we did eating it :) He topped the dinner off with one of my favorite desserts - french silk pie. Mmmmm! Jack was more interested in this pie then HIS birthday cake!

Zack and Jack surprised me with beautiful roses.
Jack absolutely loves Zack's shoes...
Not so easy to walk in though...

"Do you wanna try mama?"

Jack now completely understands when he hears the word "GO"...I said "let's go" and he immediately ran to get his hat and then ran to the door!!!

Wrestle time with daddy!

This weekend we called Grandma...

Jack would rather play with the phone than talk on it!

We went to visit Great Grandma (GG) this weekend. Jack pretty much destroyed her place! Below he is trying to get to the dog treats! You will notice in every pictures GG looks nervous...

Jack found this spool under then table...GG doesn't want him to unravel it...!

"I love to draw GG."

"AND I love to play with remotes GG."

"But GG it's so fun back here!"

Notice GG is happy in this picture...Jack is seated :) When we tell GG we need to leave she usually asks why we need to leave so soon...not this time!!!

And who says wheelchairs are for senior citizens?!?!

This video is so funny because Jack usually insists on feeding himself but here he opens his mouth when Zack gives him the spoon...what a goof! (He's fussing at the beginning because he wants see see Elmo and Cookie Monster on the plate!)

"Baby it's...HOT outside"

The weather was sooo nice this weekend...we hit a high of 44 degrees! Weather like that calls for a trip to the zoo. We had a great time...it was not very busy and all the animals were very active. Even though it was "hot" out we still bundled up! (Thanks Aunt Rosie for the fleeced lined pants.)

This is the closest we have ever been to the tigers! They are so beautiful.
Brown bear, brown bear...

I just love this picture...all the wolves are lined up! They must know Master Jack was in the house!!!

I know I have shared this story before but when we were little my parents started the tradition of the Easter bunny trail...I decided to carry it over to Valentines Day! Can't have enough candy trails, right?!? It was fun watching Jack collect his kisses! He put each one of them in the bowl. (sideways video below!)

And the kisses lead to...

We bought Jack some musical instruments...a drum, shaker, tambourine, jingle bell, and maraca. We also added three tennis balls... And I bought Zack a stud sensor...I'm such a romantic!

Of course he would like the tennis balls the best!

As I said earlier the animals were very active. The wolves were running back and forth...Jack loved it.

Not sure what I was thinking...guess I had the camera turned around...sorry :(

I'm sure next week I will have more Valentine pictures...Zack is making Jack and I dinner tonight - Mmmm!

New things...

Jack is always finding new things to do. His latest thing is anything rolled up...a map, wrapping paper, plastic covering...I think his favorite is the map! Here he has put his sippy cup in the tube and is trying to drink from it - crazy kid!

Jack has also discovered the light switches! If Zack or I switch on/off a light he insists on being picked up so he can switch the light off/on.
I'm sure every kid has a picture like this. I usually put his food on his tray and he feeds himself. However during this meal he kept pointing at the bowl so we just gave it to him. Next thing we know...it's a hat!!! Good thing it was bath night :)

While I prepare dinner Jack plays in the kitchen. He probably gets away with more than he should but it's hard to make dinner and play with him. He lights up when I open the refrigerator door to get something out. When the door does open Jack is RIGHT there. He enjoys taking all the bottles out and pretending to drink from them!

His favorite bottle is the hot sauce...maybe it's because I ate so much hot sauce while I was pregnant with him??? (not sure why he only has one slipper on??)

Jack has a fascination with Zack's boots...he is always putting something in the boots. Lately Zack has found a ball, puzzle pieces, a sippy cup and a car in his boots. We thought it would be funny to put the boots on Jack or maybe I should say put Jack IN the boots...he loved it :)

And you thought these were only used for cooking!!!