THE ADVENTURES OF THE JAC ATTACK!

A Blog about a clever boy and a mom determined to out-smart him.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Metaphorically Speaking

I have finally gotten the hang of winter running.  The trick is to wear 3-4 layers depending on the weather.  I've run four times this week and it felt great.  I also found my lost running glove under my bed.  (Please insert the Hallelujah Chorus here.)  I'm really pretty fond of these cheap cotton gloves and was happy to see the pair reunited.  Speaking of gloves - I'm thinking of buying stock in a factory that makes kids' gloves.  We seem to be always missing one.  Today on our run JAC wore one blue glove and one black mitten.  It was all I could find and I was in a hurry.  Winter running also requires me to dress a small wild child in eight layers.  I'm moving to the tropics next year.

For some reason I find myself thinking of sappy metaphors when I am running.  For instance, every day we cross an extremely busy street on our run route.  JAC and I wait patiently at the crosswalk for a gap in traffic and then make a mad dash across four lanes.  I count this as my sprint workout.  Some days we get lucky and a nice soul will stop their car at the crosswalk.  Once one car has stopped it has a contagious affect on the other three lanes and the traffic comes to a complete stop.  JAC and I can cross safely.  Don't you think they could make a sappy T-shirt that said "Cause Traffic to Stop - Obey the Crosswalk!"  I also like, "Cause a Trend - Stop." 

I admit these T-shirt ideas seemed better mid-stride.  I think that is part of the joy of running.  I can stop being serious and enjoy the rhythm.  As an added bonus JAC points out every squirrel and dog along the trail.  I would hate to miss that. 

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Last


In our house Christmas ended on the Dec. 26th.  I tore down the tree and we moved on.  In D.C Christmas lasts until Jan. 2 and all of the best Christmas attractions are open until that date.  We had two bits of unfinished Christmas business and I finished the last bit today.  I wanted to go see the Christmas lights at the Mormon Temple and I wanted to see the train display at the Botanical Gardens.

Last night we drove to the Mormon Temple to see the Christmas lights.  The Mormon Temple is impressive.  It reminds me of the Emerald City on the Wizard of Oz.  I have always wanted to go inside but the temple is "dedicated" and you have to be a good Mormon to enter.  Part of me has considered converting to see the inside of the temple...actually not.  Even though we couldn't go inside the grounds hosted a spectacular display of lights.  JAC loved it and ran around shouting "Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiights!" and "Whoooah!"




Today JAC and I met our friends Valerie and Blake and went to the train exhibit at the National Botanical Gardens.  It was awesome!  The gardens were beautiful and all of the structures were made of plant materials.  JAC loves trains and was thrilled with the exhibit.  We had lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian.  The cafe has Indian Tacos and they remind me of New Mexico.  You can't go wrong with an Indian Taco.  The kids ate chicken nuggets and fries and I chatted with my good friend.  Valerie is always down to earth and a blast to hang out with.  All in all it was a great day.






Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Bah Humbug!

My kid is sleeping late.  I think he about to have a growth spurt again because he has been eating massive quantities of food.  He reminds me of an alligator.  He'll spent weeks casually picking at his food or refusing to eat all together and then eat a few gigantic meals for a solid week.

It is really cold here.  Yesterday the wind blew a gale and JAC and I hunkered in trying to stay warm.  I also think the house seems really small during the winter.  The cold forces us inside and the walls begin to close in.  I think this is why the day after Christmas I demanded the Christmas tree had to go.  It was a beautiful tree but the Christmas clutter was driving me bonkers!  The tree seemed to take over half of our living room.  Christmas cards seemed to me sitting on every ledge.  I just couldn't breathe.  While the neighbors have Christmas lights and decor displayed our tree is lying abandoned on the curb.

Jess really wanted to watch football but I begged for his help and he obliged. JAC was almost gleeful about the project.  He had been dying to touch the ornaments all season and he finally had his chance.  He also loves putting things in and out of boxes so most of the time he was a great help.

I bought JAC a basketball for Christmas.  The whole family has played basketball in the house after dinner ever night since Christmas.  I know the landlord would likely cringe at the idea but we have had a blast dribbling, passing, catching and occasionally tackling.  It seems much more fun than watching TV.  I hope everyone is staying warm.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas with the Connellys

This Christmas came together - complete like a perfect puzzle.  It was magical.  On Christmas Eve Jess took JAC to Home Depot to do some last minute shopping.  While at Home Depot JAC fell in love with two foot edging shovel.  It was heavy duty and a small replica of a shovel Jess uses to do yard work.  JAC carried the shovel all over the store and Jess couldn't resist.  He bought JAC a Christmas shovel. 

Later that evening we talked with my family back in Texas.  They were all together having fun and I felt a little homesick.  I tried not to think about it.  I stayed busy playing with JAC but then we heard Roxy barking outside.  When we opened our front door we saw our new neighbor busy lining half the street with luminarias.  Luminarias are a Christmas tradition in New Mexico and I immediately felt less homesick.  I rushed to Rite Aid and picked up the last bag of tea lights.  Jess and JAC helped me fill brown paper bags with dirt and tea lights.  The Christmas shovel proved perfect for the job.  We lined our half of the street with luminarias and stepped back to admire our work. The candlelit bags gave the street a warm glow.

We took a frigid Christmas walk in the dark with our neighbors to admire the Christmas lights.  When we arrived home JAC could barely sleep.  He knew Santa was coming.  He was in our room at dark thirty Christmas morning ready to open presents.  It was all I could do to make him wait until Jess woke up.

When we finally started opening JAC embraced the practice with his typical exuberance.  He tore into packages shouting "More Presents!" and occasionally used his teeth to break into hard to open packages.  He loved his new trains and toys but when he opened a box of  clothes he gave me a look of annoyance and moved on.

 Santa was good to the whole family but my favorite present was a hand-knit sweater Jess brought back from Sarajevo.  Jess picks out great gifts.  Just as we finished opening presents we looked out the window.  Snow was coming down.  We were tucked into our warm house listening to Christmas music and enjoying gifts from the people we love.  The snow came slowly down and it felt like the perfect Christmas!







Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas! Love, Jesse, Toni & JAC

Friday, December 24, 2010

It's Tradition

Every year we have lived here we have gone to visit "The Christmas Camel."  Every year George Washington brought a camel to his farm to for Christmas.   Mt. Vernon continues this tradition and hosts Aladdin the Camel for the Christmas season.  I couldn't tell you why, but Jess and I both love this camel and make a frigid visit to Mt. Vernon an annual tradition.  As a bonus the third floor of Mt. Vernon is open for viewing this time of year.  As an extra bonus "Apple" the pardoned turkey was gobbling about this year as well. 

JAC of course protested the cold and hated his winter clothing.  He loved the camel, sheep, turkey and cows.  Jess and I had a great time and today we're going to our second favorite Christmas tradition.  We are watching "Water-skiing Santa" on the Potomac.  Merry Christmas Friends!




Notes on Nothing

I am swimming in Christmas cheer.  Actually I am exceedingly happy because my childcare duties have been cut in half for over a week.  Jess has been home all week and I couldn't think of a better Christmas present.  It is amazing how much I love my child when I'm only on duty half of the time.  Perhaps it's time to hire a nanny.

As I mentioned in a previous post, JAC has learned how to escape his room.  Now, every morning he climbs the stairs and crawls into our bed.  I think this is really cute.  He always goes to Jess' side of the bed.  I often find myself wondering if he knows I'm a big grump in the morning or just likes Jess best.  Lately JAC has also brought us weird things when he came to wake us up.  For instance, yesterday he brought us an orange.

This has been the Christmas of trains.  Trains are fun to buy and when friends and family learned JAC loves trains he has received several as presents.  We had planned to drive to PA and visit Thomas the Train but Thomas was on vacation.  Instead we spent most of the Wednesday at Union Station watching trains and window shopping.  Jess had never been to Union Station and really loved it.  Here are a few pictures.




Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Under the Moon

Last night I was snuggled in trying to stay awake.  Jess was pacing.  He was so excited and kept glancing out the window in anticipation.  Finally at two in the morning he gently woke me up.  "It's time," he said.  We bundled up in six layers and stepped outside.  We stood in our front yard and watched as the moon became a dull shadow and then slowly glowed orange.  The night was almost silent as we stood, hugging and watching the lunar eclipse.  I marveled at how fascinating this event must of been for Galileo and the ancient astronomers.  It was worth waking up for.  The next time we witness both the Winter Solstice and a lunar eclipse together will be in 2094.  I likely won't be around to see it.  That somehow makes the event extra special.  It was a once in a life time event and I got to share it with Jess.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Two Years






My son shares my sweet-tooth. Today for the first time in his life JAC turned down a cupcake. Instead he begged for use to light his birthday candles over and over again. He loved blowing them out and just couldn't get enough of it. He chose fire over sugar.

I love having a late December baby because no one expects a huge birthday party and everyone is too busy to attend. Instead we get to celebrate JAC's birthday with just our little family and it feels extra special. Today we did everything JAC wanted to do for his birthday. We played with his trains, ate french fries and cleaned the house (JAC absolutely loves cleaning the house). JAC seemed extra cute and spent all afternoon leaping from our ottoman to our chair to the couch and back again. I love to watch his joyful never-ending energetic games. Lately JAC has been an absolute blast to hang out with. He's been extra daring, really goofy and unusually cuddly. I've loved it.

My mom bought JAC new trains and new books for his birthday. JAC was excited and we let him stay up extra late to play with them. Later in the week we plan on taking a short family road trip to see "Thomas the Train" in honor of JAC's birthday. I know when JAC gets older he will wish he could have bunches of friends for his birthday but I hope we always get to take special birthday trips together and have quiet family parties too.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Toothless

My computer is missing the right "shift button". The gap created in its void mocks me and reminds me of a toothless grin. The computer key is just one more thing sacrificed to my rambunctious two year old. This is the reason I don't buy nice clothes or attempt to decorate his room. I know that in a matter of days the whirlwind of energy will become a destructive tornado.

For months we have placed child-proof door knob locks on JAC's bedroom door. It keeps JAC from escaping his room during nap time. Today twenty minutes into his nap time he proudly came upstairs and presented his Jess the door knob lock. JAC had discovered how to take the lock off.

Jess dumped JAC back in his room and replaced the lock. All was quiet for almost half and hour. We were relieved that JAC was finally taking a nap. I was quietly reading my book when I heard a loud "Choo, Choo!" JAC has become obsessed with Thomas the Train. He escaped his room and I found him jumping around our basement joyfully watching Thomas on my computer. I have no idea how he learned to turn on his video but apparently in his attempts he also removed the "shift key" from my computer.

Nothing is sacred in this house and now nothing is childproof. JAC has outsmarted us. I am sitting guard outside his room cringing at the inevitability of daily sentry duty. While I guard his room door I think I'll start looking for my lost computer key or perhaps my last bits of sanity. Merry Christmas Friends!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Without a Partner


This weekend we turned the Christmas music up really loud and danced all over the house.  JAC really got into the action and danced with great exuberance.  When a slow song came on Jess grabbed me and we slow danced in the living room.  JAC was left without a dancing partner but was not deterred.  He ran into our kitchen and grabbed our broom.  While Jess and I slow danced together JAC danced the whole song with our broom.  I guess he just didn't want to be left out of the fun.  Here's the video!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Oh Christmas Tree!

Have you ever noticed how some traditions happen almost accidentally and others take a little extra effort?  On Saturday we purchased our Christmas tree.  We go every year and it is one of my favorite holiday traditions.  We always go at night.  We tromp through the whole lot examining trees and debating the pros and cons of each.  When we pick the perfect specimen we tie it too the roof of our car and head to the Starbucks drive-through for cocoa.  We drink cocoa, listen to Christmas music, and look for Christmas lights.  Finally we bring the tree home and decorate it while eating a supper of chips and dip.





I insist the tree must be decorated in a specific order every year. Jess kindly obliges. First the lights go on followed by the garland. Next we add the balls and ornaments and complete the project by placing the star on top. Finally we turn off the living room lights and admire our glowing tree. Every year we swear it is the best tree we have ever decorated.

Every year I can expect a few other less planned traditions. For example, every year Jess fights to get the tree into the stand and swears we are buying a new stand. Yet every year we use the same old stand. This year in a bought of frustration Jess brought in the big guns. When the stand wouldn't attach to the tree he pulled out his power drill and bored holes in the trunk. He screwed the stand into the holes and looked absolutely triumphant when the project was completed. He had beaten the tree into submission!

I am sure Jess finds the fight with the tree stand infuriating but to me it is part of the tree decorating tradition. I consider it similar to watching my parents debate the proper placement of lights on their tree each year. It just wouldn't be Christmas without witnessing the struggle and I will be sad when our old tree stand has to go.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Friday Adventure and the Great Shoe Casualty



It feels like Christmas and I couldn't be more excited.  To help us get into the Christmas spirit JAC and I headed to Union Station to see the Christmas tree.  The tree is an annual gift from Norway and absolutely lovely.  There is also a great model train display.  JAC has started loving trains and all I had to suggest is we were going to see a train and he was ready for the adventure.

Union Station was well decked out for the holidays but even without the decorations Union Station is beautiful. I always think its speaks to what travel used to be - a relaxing luxury rather than a great cattle call.

We finished our adventure by eating a pizza. I really felt like we were on a special mom/son date. JAC sat next to me and we looked over the balcony at the train below. He was charming and we only had one mishap. He became restless and tossed his toy truck over the balcony. A sweat young man was nice enough to run up the stairs and return it. He even made funny truck sounds for JAC.

On the way home JAC was fighting sleep. There is a steadfast rule that if JAC sleeps in the car he will be grouchy and awake for the rest of the day. I couldn't take that risk and opened his window a bit. The brisk air perked him right up. We were making quick time down I-395 when I heard JAC say, "Bye Shoe!" I looked back just in time to see his shoes fly out the window. They bounced down the pavement and were crushed by the high speed traffic.

A few minutes later JAC started asking for his shoes. He really loves those shoes and often insists on wearing them to bed with his pajamas. When I told him the shoes were gone forever, he broke down into hysterics. He wailed, "BYE SHOES!" and punctuated it with loud sobs of "WHY?" The whole scene was regrettably tragic but also just a tiny bit funny. I hope your Friday has been an adventure and you have a good reason to go shoe shopping too.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

On a Winter's Eve



Tonight the temperatures have barely peaked past thirty.  It is December and feels like it.  About 1.5 miles down the hill from our house there is a community called Shirlington and tonight they were hosting a tree lighting ceremony.  When Jess suggested we walk down I gave him a crooked look and countered that we should drive instead.  I am so glad Jess kept encouraging me.  I am easily deterred by cold but Jess grew up in the arctic regions of Pennsylvania and is not intimidated by icy weather.

We bundled everyone up and made the walk down the hill. It was absolutely wonderful. We sang Christmas carols and raced each other down the trail. When we arrived in Shirlington the street was aglow in Christmas lights and the tree was lit. JAC was entranced by the street performers and loved watching the horse drawn carriages.  It was cold but it was worth every minute.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Winter Work Out



In the last hour our temperatures have plunged.  It is beginning to feel like winter which is fitting for December.  I can't help but feel chagrined.  I hate cold weather.  I usually attempt to hibernate all winter and gain ten pounds of fatty insulation.  This year I am attempting to buck my trend.

Warm rain came down most of the morning and when I saw a short break in the weather I ventured out for a fast run. The break was much shorter than I anticipated and we were caught in a windy downpour. We returned home - soaked - and I started my back-up workout plan. I ran my basement stairs.

Running stairs is both a great cardiovascular workout and tones your butt. Since I surrendered my abs to pregnancy I embrace anything to help my butt defy gravity. Running stairs is also really boring and a bit hazardous. Before you start sweep the area of tripping hazards. I almost killed myself on a stray piece of Captain Crunch.

To break up the monotony I rock out to Christmas music on Pandora. I also keep track of each time I make it up the stairs. I'm very competitive with myself. Seeing the tick marks accumulate keeps me motivated and provides small goals. Its much easier for me to finish a set of five rather than push through twenty more minutes.

My favorite part of running stairs is that it is warm. I hate being cold. Occasionally JAC will get in on the action. He has his own page of tick marks at the top of the stairs. This morning I ran 150 sets of stairs and burned over 600 calories. It took me 42 minutes. 

Are you exercising or hibernating this winter? I would love to hear your winter workout plans. In the meantime I'm going to eat 600 calories worth of cookies.