Insert drum roll here….  A few weeks ago, just after his 60th birthday, my dad became the proud owner of his very own Mustang. 

Now, if you know him, you know my dad is a pretty happy guy, but I have never seen him smile as much as he did the weekend that he picked up his dream car.  Mega-smile.  Perma-grin.  For days.  It was so fun to see him so happy.  Totally awesome.

And, you guys, I gotta tell you…after riding in and driving the car (I still can’t believe he let anyone else near the keys!), I can understand some of that smile.  Mustangs are FUN!

Congrats, Dad.  Hoping your new toy continues to make you happy for years to come. 

But, Jakzen, how I love you, my sweet boy.  I love that you no longer want to watch a movie in the van, but would rather look out the window and take in the world.  And listen to mommy’s phone calls.  And read road signs.  And tell me to “slow down!”  I love that you taught Maguire how to climb out of his crib, and will stand there in the morning and coach him along.  I love how red your cheeks turned today when anyone sang you “Happy Birthday”.  I love that the first thing you said to your daddy when he got back from Mexico was “I missed you so much!”  I love your laugh.  Your crazy curls.  And even your jagged little boy toenails.  (Okay, ‘love’ might be too strong for that one.)  I love how dancing is serious business to you.  I love that you can’t wait each week for school and for Kinder-gym.  I love how proud you are when you accomplish something new.  Like drawing your first smiley face.  And getting dressed all by yourself.  And learning how to put your on coat and zipping it up.  I love your mega-independence, your enthusiasm, and yes, even your sassy attitude.  And I really love that the first thing you said this morning when you came creeping into our room is, “Mommy?  Am I four now?”

Yes, little dude, you are four.  *sigh*

Some recent Jak-isms:

- Jak, the master negotiator:  I really can’t eat this hamburger and noodles together.  Me:  Why?  Jak: Because they don’t rhyme. (Duh!)

- Jak:  If daddy doesn’t feel good, we should take really good care of him, right?  Don’t worry, I’ll do it.

- Me:  Grandma’s name is Melanie, just like mommy’s name is Keri.  Jak:  NO!  Grandma is grandma and I don’t want to talk about that anymore.

- In the van tonight on the way to dinner, he was giving Nana a high-five…and then said, “ok, now keep your hands to yourself”.

And finally, perhaps a new tradition… We had some quiet time this afternoon, and I asked Jakzen the following 25 questions:

1. What is your favorite color?   Blue and grey and lellow (yellow) and red 

2. What is your favorite toy?   A sproingy boingy ball

3. What is your favorite fruit?  Tomatoes  (learned that from his dad)

4. What is your favorite tv show?  He-man

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Gurl geez sandwiches (grilled cheese sandwiches)

6. What is your favorite outfit?  What’s outfit mean?  (such a boy!)

7. What is your favorite game?  My favourite is to play hide and seek

8. What is your favorite snack?   The package of bear paws (a new snack around here)

9. What is your favorite animal?   The monkeys

10. What is your favorite song?   Sexy and I Know It  (Awesome.  Not.  This is also thanks to his FATHER!)

11. What is your favorite book?  Chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-chug-a choo choo

12. Who is your best friend?   Weston

13. What is your favorite thing to do outside?   Water the plants

14. What is your favorite holiday?   Going to Medicine Hat  (like that one, Kristi??  Although I’m sure it has more to do with Logan and Carter than with his auntie!)

15. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?   My giraffe and Foo Foo (blue and white puppy)

16. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?   A cookie??  (laughs)  No.  My vitamin (gummy “Cars” vitamin)

17. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Gotta get a menu at the restaurant.   Mommy, do they got a menu there?  (yes)  The kind you got to hold?  (yes) YAY!

18. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I wanna be a policeman (laughs)…will you be a policeman with me, mommy?  (uh, no)

19. At what age is a person an grown-up?  Four?  (wishful thinking, kid!)

20. What is something that makes your family special?  My party today

21.  What is the hardest thing about being a kid?  Reaching things tall

22.  If you were a teacher and the kids in your class would not listen to you, what would you do?  I’m going to make them listen.  (How?)  Like this…now listen, boys and girls.  It’s going to be lunch, so listen up!

23.  If you could make one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, what rule would you make?  Don’t touch the school taps (they aren’t allowed to turn the water on themselves in the bathroom at school)

24.  If you could give one gift to every single kid in the world, what gift would you give?  A robot

25.  Where is your favourite place in the whole world?  McDonald’s

And that pretty much sums things up at age 4.  Happy, happy birthday, Jakzen.  We love you.  xoxo

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Here’s the resort from the beach.

Nick came across this little guy when checking out the beach.  Let’s hope he stays away during the formal wedding shots!

He’s not enjoying himself at all, hey??  He says they had a great time, but to be honest, I don’t automatically think “4-wheeling thru the jungle” when I think Mexican vacation.  I do, however, think ocean and waves and beautiful sunsets. 

(Side note about this picture:  I showed the boys these photos this morning.  Jakzen said, “I wish I could go to Mexico”.  Maguire then said, “Mexico??  Mexico!!”, and went and put on his snow boots and coat.  And then I apparently broke his heart when I said we couldn’t go to Mexico today.  He CRIED, oh, how he cried.  Apparently he’s jealous, too.)

Wanna share my vicarious Mexican experience??  Check back this week for more pretty pictures.

(To see more V-day photos of the boys, check out www.GetCarded.ca)

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