PAH-Coo-Say!!! And Jack, our budding Alcoholic.

So I generally don't like to give my kid sugar. I'm kinda weird like that, but hey, it works. Never had ANY cavities growing up. It has been ........ difficult to do the same with the Jackster, how-ev-uh, because of the nice people that live in our condo's. You see, otter pops are cheap, and they freeze well. So when the Andersens, or the Taylors, or the Petersens bring out a handful of otter pops for thier kids, it is IMPOSSIBLE to a) NOT let Jack have one without a GI-HUGE-IC meltdown, or b) NOT let him have one. I use to be better about this, and would offer Jack animal crackers, or orange slices, or apple slices-seriously, I tried. Of course, Jack would spend the entire time either throwing a huge fit (complete with headbanging on the ground) or staring at the lucky kids whose parents cared not a whit about this current set of teeth like a starving monkey would stare at a big bunch of bananas just out of reach. So, I've finally given in, and now, I bring *&^%$# otter *&^%$ pops to the playground with me. If you can't beat'em, join'em, right? So there. Jack is a lot happier now, and besides, it's not like these are his permanent teeth or anything, right?
On the alcoholic front, Jack has a friend who introduced him to the wonderful concept of 'cheers.' Rhaegan (there's a picture of her in the 'Orsey' post) was out on the playground with a PAH-coo-say (Jacks word for popsicle) and taught a bunch of kids to say 'cheers' and bang their popsicles together. Well, little Rhae is a great teacher, cuz it stuck. Jack says 'Cheers' now for everything, from popsicles to juice to carrots to pizza. Really, a wonderful addition to the Acosta family household. Cheers!!

Dancing in the Park

For Strawberry Days, we went to the free strawberries and cream and concert in the park, and hung out with our condo peeps. Here is some dancing that resulted, for your viewing pleasure.

Squirrels

We either saw a bunch of squirrels at Zion's, or there was this one crazy squirrel stalking us. I vote for crazy-it makes a better story.

Besides being a crazy (or just a female) squirrel, she was very cute.

Jack loved it. Luckily he never got close enough for the critter to try and see if Jack's fingers taste as good as they look.

And persistent. I'm telling you, its following us!

There it is again! See how aggressive? Crazy critter....

Wildlife at Zion's

Turkey. Turkey gravy. Turkey legs-more on that later. Turkey dinner. Not the country.

This picture, beside being beeeautiful, represents the wildlife we saw but did not get pictures of. We saw birds, deer, and lots of people. Yes, people count as wildlife, specially all the Europeans and Asian people we saw.

Little fish. They may even have been tadpoles, I'm not really sure.

Thanksgiving dinner. It was kinda weird to see a turkey out in the wild and realize how different they really are than the domestic ones I usually eat November to January. The ones I eat all have 4 legs, but I could only see two on this guy. Like I said, it was odd.

Snake. Not good for eating. Also, no apples in sight. I still didn't let Heather near him, you never really know, right. I mean, look what happened last time, right?

Sant George & Great Granma's

We went to Grandma's House. I had a week break from school between semesters, and while we initially planned on going to Seattle, the cost would have been too much. So, I suggested we go to Sant George, and it turned out great! Granma McEuen was so kind in offering us her home, and we got to spend some time with her and get some sun and swimming and hiking at Zion’s in our mini-summer vacation.

Jason Jack and Grandma McEuen. I guess technically she's Jack's Great-Grandmother, but whatever.

Plus Heather.

Jack is now officially too big for his travel crib. Really Jason, ya think?

Kisses!!

Jasons Hair-Doo

So, my hairs (the ones on top of my pointy head) are getting pretty long. These are a few pictures of me at work pretending I'm a samurai. There’s a funny story about my hair, here goes. There is a new family that moved in one building over, the Tao’s, and the Dad looks JUST LIKE ME. Seriously, people are ALWAYS asking if we are twins, never mind brothers, we look that much alike. He mentioned to me the other day at church that he though the people in the ward were really friendly, but now thinks that people just think he’s me. The first time Heather saw him at church she had to do a couple of double-takes just to make sure. So, seriously, we look alike. But wait, there’s more. His wife was at the pool with their two kids, and I was at the pool with Jack. He has a cute little 3-4 year old girl and a boy about Jacks age, and I was at the end of the pool that has a kiddie section, an half-circle are about a foot deep. I’m actually standing in the 4 foot deep part of the pool, Jack has floaties and is swimming around, and Riley (the Taos’ little girl) is in the kiddie part. Well, she must have thought I was her dad, because next thing I know, she’s jumped out towards me in the deep end! I catch her (she’s not wearing floaties) and ask her mom if Riley knows how to swim. She does not, she just got confused and jumped out me. Even the kids are confused!! Hilarity.

I will get a picture of him to prove it, see what y’all think. The reason I mention this, besides the story of my long-lost twin Mike, is to say that soon I will premier my summer doo of shaved head. If only the weather this summer would actually get warm, I might be prompted to do it sooner.

PS, I could never actually be a samurai, wearing my hair like that hurt, and it was only for like, 5 minutes. Like, totally.

Orsey! Orsey! Orsey!

Jack loves horses. We live in Pleasant Grove, Utah (it really is quite pleasant, as mandated by the name) and there are plenty of horses around. Every time we pass one Jack will point out the window of the car and say "Orsey! Orsey!" until we pass the animal, and then it will be "Bye orsey, bye orsey!!" for five minutes after. No, it doesn't get old. Yes, I am being sarcastic. But you probably knew that, if you know me at all. ANYWAY, for our town's summer festival, called Strawberry Days, there was a Huck Finn day, and there were free doughnuts and free horseback rides and stuff for the kids. Heather dutifuly took Jack and met with some other moms from our condos to stand in line for the stuff, bright and early. Of course, the point of this story is that when it was Jack's turn to ride the horse, he refused to let go of Heathers' leg. Of course. That is why there is a picture of Jacks' friend Rhaegan riding, but not one of Jack. Sheeesh, man.