Yosemite Backpacking & Camping Trip

Jack going off the trail a little. He would not admit he was tired, and when it was pretty obvious Dada put down his backpack and came to pick up Jack. Jack immediately said "kiss" and kissed him. That was just about the cutest thing ever.
The lake where we had our lunch next to...
Poor dirty little child!




Jack picking the M&Ms out of the trail mix while Dada cooks








All clean and fresh before we started our hike.
People on the hike would make comments like we must love him a lot and what a lucky boy....or they wish they got started that early (or, they got started that early)...or, perhaps some just thought we were crazy.
Ready to rock and roll



Testing out the cold river next to our 2nd campite






Sitting on the log- on our hike up and out

1st campsite, inside the tent.


This was Jack's first hike. In fact, on this trip he learned the words hiking, backpack, mushroom, and pinecone. He says cooking (in context) a lot now. At home he also insists on climbing the stairs without any assistance. In addition to "me too" he says "mine." He did really well on the 2 night stay (3 nights if you count our hotel room in Bishop).... despite getting a bit dirty and feeling rough around the edges. On the first day he had so much energy that he walked/hiked very far (we figured at least 2 miles!) We went about 8 miles that day 15 total.

This afternoon when he was supposed to be napping, Jack CLIMBED OUT OF HIS CRIB for the first time. He just started playing in his room in between banging on the door. Time to put together his big boy bed!

Pics from last night

Jack riding around on Dada in the front yard. The sky was pretty after a stormy evening.

Big Boy Jack

Yesterday we met up with fellow art teachers for a pre back to school lunch. Jack had a lot of fun with Andrew who is just a few months older than him. They practiced sharing crayons back and forth and thankfully kept each other occupied throughout lunch. Jack was polite and said "pease" and ate an entire bowl of kids macaroni. Later in the evening when the hot sun went down, Jack and Dada went to the park down the street. Jack rode his Strider bike there. Dada said Jack met a neighbor girl and went up to her and said, "friend" and gave her a leaf. He also entertained people there with his running and hopping.

Saturday Jack rode the Lazy River at Mandalay Bay. He seemed to like sitting on the inner tube with Mom, but did not like going under the waterfall. Later at home, he was a big helper and assisted Dada with yardwork and mopping the floor. When they went out to breakfast, Jack yelled, "all-right!!" when the waitress bought him milk. She laughed.

He has also started to say, "me too."

5's and Kisses

Jack woke from his mid-day nap (his only one per day these days- but it is 3 hours typically) the other day and came downstairs with his hand up requesting a "five" from Mom then a "kiss."

He kisses the kids at daycare especially Mia.... He brings her name up at least once a day, especially as we approach daycare. Mia said that Jack kisses her a lot! What a ladies man!

Pics after Jack's first haircut!

Still getting used to just sitting on the potty (diaper is still on)
His car that Gina at daycare gave him....he would not part with it for 24hrs and even took it to bed. When we got him the next morning, it was clutched in his hand.
No more mullet!

Jack covering his big bear with toys (he really likes Bert and Ernie these days and can say both of their names)



Examining the contents of the drawer


The famous mischievous look- this was taken right before he got a huge grin and headed straight toward the camera lens to attack it.
He adores his big bear that he got for his 1st bday