This year is Mom's year, Year of the Dragon. Jack was born under the year of the Rat!

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE BORN A RAT!

In China, the rat is a respected intuitive creature, synonymous with courage and an enterprising character. Rats know how to come up with solutions, take care of themselves and others without problems.

Besides being curious and intelligent with a vivid imagination, rats are very lively and need oodles of attention (mental and physical stimulation). TRUE FOR JACK!

To sum it up, the positive side of the rat personality includes being easy-going, smart, magnetic, quick witted and well-liked! On the flip side, rats have also been known to be a tad cool, calculating, selfish, and protective when they're not in top form. TRUE TOO!

What motivates Rats? You guessed it -- money and status. Occupations particularly suitable for people born in the "Year of the Rat" include: spy, psychiatrist, writer, politician, laywer, engineer, accountant, detective, actor and pathologist.

"Earth Rats" (those born in 1948 and 2008), are said to be very honorable folk who love to do things around the home and enjoy a stable life. Although a titch stingy with their moolah, they are cheerful with friends although are prone to stress.

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GANESHA AND THE RAT

Ganesha is the Hindu God of Knowledge, Intelligence, Scholarship and Good Luck. As Lord of Success and Victory of Adversity, he symbolizes the unity of the Small Being, (man), with the Great Being (elephant).

Ganesha is often shown riding on a rat's back or attended in some way by a rat. Since rats are seen as being capable of gnawing their way through most things, the rat symbolizes Ganesh's ability to destroy every obstacle, a perfect companion for "Ganesh, The Remover of All Obstacles".

Like the elephant, he can pass through the thickest growth of wild forest by uprooting everything in his path. And, like the rat, he can also slip through the narrow spaces and thick walls. And, the Atman (soul), symbolized by the rat, is capable of hiding itself behind the inscrutable shape of illusion, and finding a place of solace within the mind and heart of every being.

From http://www.squidoo.com/2008YearoftheRat

Help! Our son is addicted to Wall-E!

Jack says the darndest things

As mentioned before, Jack does not get along too well with the little girl at daycare. Yesterday he said the she is not going to get bigger. "That's my job. NOT hers," he said.

Jack has been FULLY potty-trained for weeks now. He has been wearing underwear during daytime (including his long naps) for months. However, in the past few weeks,he just moved onto underwear all night as well! Goodbye diapers!

Jack the Builder and his imagination

Jack is frequently building with his `Zoob' toys. He makes them into robots that transform and has named them "Hat," "Belt," "Tuba," and "Poombee." He loves dancing to "The Office" theme song and for some reason calls the show "The Doctor." He's been riding his Strider around the house again after a hiatus. Today he said that his bike is really fast! He is just now starting to ask "why" about things. (He always asks about all things but now he is specifically asking why). Today's example was what did a lady have on her face? And when told it was a birthmark, he asked why. Oh boy!

Better Behavior

Jack is starting to have better days at his 'new' daycare. There is a girl about 2.5 that he full on says he does not like. Today the boy he likes to play with that is 4 was not there. He said he missed him, but did not miss the girl. He was not feeling well yesterday and was complaining, but after a long nap at daycare is back to his old self.

He knows his alphabet but still needs to work on numbers. He has a tablet to write on where you trace over letters and does really well. His obsession with Transformers continues. His hitting issues have lessened and he talks about 'poop,' 'pee,' and 'farts' much less. Dare we say his manners are improving?

Jack says the darndest things

After we got in the car today, Jack said, "I have to tell you something Mama." (pause) "Transformers.com"


Mama laughed really hard and Jack responded, "that was cute."

Wow, Happy New Year....this was the first post of 2012!