Sippy cup?

Dear more experienced moms:

Please send your wisdom my way. Jack is having a tough transition from bottle to sippy cup. He takes the cup for snack times, but for meal times- no way. Any brilliant ideas?

Much appreciated,
Frustrated in Fort Worth

Ninja Tales: duped by a 14 month old

Did you ever read the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip as a kid? For some reason Jack made me think of that mischievous blonde boy today...

The Ninja-tot as of late has a very naughty fascination with the trash can. For example, he threw away his brand new, left Nike sandal at my parents' house. Well, if any of you know my mom, you know that the shoe was promptly taken to the curb, where it is now presumably sitting in a trash heap somewhere. Oh, I have the right foot sandal, but honestly, what good does that do me? So as you can see- naughty.

Jack knows that the instant he touches the trash can, stern looks and words come his way. If he still persists (which he almost always does), then he's physically removed from the temptation. Well imagine my annoyance when he persisted in playing with the dang trash can today. I come around the corner- where he gives me the cutest, most adorable smile imaginable- and have to fight to keep a stern face. Well he comes right up to me, pushes on my legs, and walks behind me while holding my legs. This is a new and fun game to him, where you just try not to trip while walking with him in between your legs. Okay, Mommy sits down, fun over. The Ninja-tot walks straight back to the trash can, knowing FULL WELL that it's trouble! So the gullible mommy follows and again gives the stern look, when Jack is just flashing that Tom Cruise-esque smile at me and then walks right up to me and pushes on my legs again, for the second time. Okay, Mommy lets him push her around for awhile, and then sits down- fun over. A THIRD TIME, the Ninja-tot goes to the forbidden trash can...annoyed mother now quickly follows, where he immediately leaps from the trash can (and I kid you not, he nearly sprinted at me), grabs my legs and pushes me around to play his game. Have you caught on yet? Because it took me THREE times of this routine to figure out that the Ninja-tot had been using the trash can to lure me out into the open! He never had any intention of playing with the dang trash can, actually using my annoyance with it to his own advantage, so he could push my legs around! Seriously, this boy is sneaky.

What have I gotten myself into?

4th of July

For the 4th of July, we celebrated by going down to San Antonio for an extended weekend. We had a great time, especially since my parents rented a BIG Ford Explorer for the trip, giving us plenty of space. I have tons of pictures, so bear with me as you scroll down, or feel free to skip straight to the comment column!

Jack wearing Daddy's hat, sleeping in the car- (a whole 15 minute long nap!)

Jack with his great-grandmother Nelson, riding in her chair!
Jack stumbling around in sunglasses

INSERT HERE: pictures of our day trip to the waterpark Schlitterbaun, which we wished we had taken! We took our cameras into the park but left them in the locker ALL day and don't have any fun photos now...too bad.

My mom with Jack, directly behind the Alamo.

Really cool tree at the Alamo- they had it blocked off so we couldn't sit on it!

Jon, Jack, and me posing in the area behind the Alamo

Jon, Jack, and me by a fountain near the Alamo.
Drumroll..... the Alamo!! Isn't it beautiful?

My parents and Jack in front of the Alamo

Jon, Jack, and me by the famed Riverwalk. There goes a river boat!

THE CUTEST PIC EVER!! He is the photographer's dream- always smiling!

FYI: THE REST OF THE PICTURES ARE PICTURES FROM OUR RIVERWALK BOAT TOUR

Beautiful views...I felt almost as if we had left Texas!

Really tall building, which I can't remember the name of now!

Gorgeous trees, offering wonderful shade and picturesque views

Awesome architecture downtown with eye-catching bridges. I love the spiral staircase on the left.

Another example of great architecture: click on the picture and check out the "grotesque" faces on the building!

Quack, Quack! Ducks wading through the river.

More wonderful architecture...how beautiful is this bridge?

One of the several hotels lining the Riverwalk. The Hilton, when it was being built, was only allowed to be so tall, fearing that too much height would cast a shadow on the hallowed Alamo!

Another hotel...palm trees to the left.

Colorful umbrellas lining the restaurant decks...

The Tower of the Americas, 750 ft tall!

Jack visiting with his great-grandma one more time. He was checking out her scooter, trying to push it like a stroller. He was frustrated when it wouldn't go!

Me, Jack, cousin Anna, Jon, and Great-Grandma Nelson. Anna had just returned from an African safari, how adventurous!



It was a fun trip. We wish we had more time to sight-see. It's such a great place- you really get a feel for Texas history there, with all the old churches and missions. We will definitely return! What did you do to celebrate the 4th?