Most Decorated Toddler

We've really enjoyed watching the Olympics this year, so we hosted our own "Hirst Olympics" With Jacob.  it was pretty low key, and he and I (and I guess duck and bear) were the only competitors,  but it was a lot of fun.  We did our own versions of trampoline, shot put, 100 m sprint, long jump, and 100 m freestyle.  Jacob received the gold in all events! 

"Trampoline"--most bounces in a min.

Long Jump

shot put

Hudson didn't know what to think of the performance

Sprint (with the shot put ball in hand)

I didn't get any pictures of the swimming, because I was by myself, but basically he raced me across the length of the pool.  We even had a medal ceremony, complete with the national anthem playing in the background.  

I tried to get him to hold this flag towel...

So proud of my little Olympian:)  Go U.S.A.!!!!!!

*I was inspired by this

The dreaded swim class

Last month we decided to put Jacob in a swim class at the local rec center.  I figured he would like it, because he likes going in the pool in our complex.  And I wanted him to start learning how to actually swim.  But it turned out to be an incredibly stressful two weeks!  First off, we had to do an evening class so Kevin could be there to watch Hudson (one parent had to be in the water).  And it was everyday, Mon-Thurs.  So it was hard getting the kids fed and ready for swim class every day.  Doesn't sound like much, but it was a lot of work!  Then we would get there, and he would happily get in the pool.  But then the teacher would give us instructions, such as "put them on their backs" or "scoop your arms and kick your legs".  Well, Jacob hating being on his back and that would set him off crying through most of the lesson.  And the water was a little cold, so that probably didn't help him.  It was torture for all of us.  We even started bribing him with candy if he would go through a whole 20 min lesson without crying.  It kinda worked.  One of the days we had to leave 10 min into the lesson because he just wouldn't calm down.  I am so happy these lessons are over!  In the end he did learn some new skills and Kevin and I learned how to continue teaching him on our own, so it wasn't a complete loss.  And he was happy ocassionally, and we managed to get a few picks of that  

Hudson was a gem and sat quietly the entire time:)

We also got to go fruit picking a few weeks ago in Brentwood.  Jacob thought this was so much fun, especially picking the strawberries.

Once Kevin said to Jacob "Aye aye aye, no me gusta!" and now Jacob repeats it all the time.  It is hilarious because he even says it in the right context.  This kid is a sponge and remembers everything.  

Every little boy's dream

Actually, I should title this "every guys dream", because Kevin thought it was so cool too.......

A couple weekends ago, we visited Tilden Park in Berkeley.  There is a little farm there where you can feed the animals, but the main reason we went is for the steam train.  But I'll get to that in a sec.

Jacob has always been a little timid with cows (while visiting Kevin's brother and his wife, Jacob would take off anytime he heard a "mooo" from thier cow), so I was happy that he was willing to feed this one celery.  His expression is awesome. 

He looks like an old-fashioned soldier in this picture to me.

On to the main attraction...the steam train.  This thing was awesome.  It is a real working miniature steam train that takes you on a little ride through the mountains.  At one point we had an amazing view of San Francisco too.  Jacob was in heaven (and I think Kevin was too).  I also kept thinking how much my dad would get a kick out of this:)  

don't worry, this track wasn't in use

Enjoying the scenic ride.  

The steam train.  

Two happy boys.

4th of July

Our fourth was pretty fun this year.  We started off with a parade in Pleasant Hill.

Then we headed to the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield to go on a factory tour.  It was really interesting to see how the jelly beans are made.  Jacob is obsessed with jelly beans so this was awesome for him.

We weren't paying attention very well, so Jacob ended up eating this entire bag of jelly beans.  They give you tons of free ones and he also got some from a little vending machine.  It's funny how kids can eat sugar and become instantly hyper.

After the factory we headed to Kevin's parents house in Elk Grove and spent time with the fam.  Jacob really likes fireworks.  He loved the sparklers, and whenever the fireworks would be going he would say "can I touch it?"

Oh, Jacob can say the pledge of allegiance and it is so stinking cute.  Proud to be an American!

Wednesday Field Trips

Since there are so many fun things to do in the Bay area, the girls in my ward started doing "Wednesday Field Trips" for the summer.  Every Wednesday we have a fun outing.  This usually means I have to sacrifice my precious afternoon nap time (when both boys are sleeping at the same time--it is wonderful), but it is worth it to get to explore this great area that we live, and it is a lot of fun for Jacob (Hudson could probably care less, but he's easy-going).  So far we have had three outings and all three were a lot of fun.  We went to Pixieland, Mrs. Grossman's sticker factory, and into the city to Mission Dolores Park and Bi-Rite Creamery.

Pixieland

So excited to be on the train

Pixieland is a tiny little amusement park (and I'm mean tiny).  I think there are about 5 rides, but it is perfect for Jacob's age.  His favorite thing there was the train that takes you all around the park.  He didn't really want to go on anything else, but I was able to get him on a few other rides.  He also liked driving the old fashioned cars.  This place was great because you just pay as you go, so once they got tired and cranky I was able to just leave and didn't have to worry about getting my money's worth.   

Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory in Petaluma

Remember these stickers?  While touring the factory, I saw displays of sticker designs they had throughout the years, and when we came to the 1990's I recognized most of the designs because I had most of the stickers!  That was back in my sticker-collecting hay-day.  The tour was really interesting and they gave us a ton of stickers.  Hudson tried to eat his.  After touring the factory, we went back to the viewing room where we watched a little video and the kids made a picture with even more stickers.  

here's all our loot!

Mission Dolores Park and Bi-Rite Creamery

Mission Dolores Park is in San Francisco, so we took BART with some friends to get there.  Riding the train was so much fun for Jacob--we probably could have just done that and called it a day!

This park is awesome.  I would say the only downside is that there is not much shade, but it has the most awesome play structures and huge slides!  

After playing at the park for a bit we headed over to Bi-Rite Creamery for some amazing ice cream.  Jacob got an apricot popsicle, and it was sooooo good!  While we were outside eating, a photographer was getting ready to take someone's engagement photos.  He saw our kids eating and asked to take a picture of them, and it turned out so cute:

Back to the park for some more playing!  I would definitely make the trip to come to this park again.

Can't wait for more Wednesday Field Trips!

1st solids

On Sunday we gave Hudson his first taste of solid food.

"I'm ready!"

"Looks weird, mom"

"interesting texture....."

"ok, I'll have another bite"

"you call this food!"

"Please, no more"

had to call in big brother for back up

"yay, it's over!"