You're right Mommy....

Those are some of my favorite words to hear, ever....but in the context that he said them I'm not so sure I should be so happy or proud of myself. This is how it all played out.

We were in the van on the way to the airport and I was behind this guy in a red corvette (I think) and the light turned green and he didn't move. I waited about 15-20 seconds then I honked my horn and he laid on his engine and took off FAST, and just about hit a lady in a black car turning into a parking lot. Having been in an accident last week I was cringing watching it happen.

So I said: "Oh you're a jackass"

James pipes up from the back and says: "He's just an idiot"

I said: "Oh no honey, that's not a good word to use at all"

To which James then replied: "Oh you're right Mommy, he is a jackass!"

I tried (and succeeded I think) to suppress my laughter and just said "uuuuhhh no honey, you shouldn't use that word either"

* Side note: IMMEDIATELY following this short exchange he told me that the guy was a "shooty head". I'm guessing he's heard me use the term shit head and he knows he isn't allowed to say that word so this is his alternative to that. He breaks this one out as often as he can if he thinks I'll let him get away with it!

Oh dear, I really need to be careful what I say around this kid! He just kills me sometimes.

Double J Photos – Week 41 – Oct 5 - 11

Starting with a cute photo of me and James this week. 

Hair cuts and beautiful sunny evening

Cute photo courtesy of Auntie Sheri

Who doesn't love seeing their kid sleeping. He is so peaceful and QUIET!

And of course snuggles with Daddy are the best kind

Puddle jumping

Jordie's turn now....eating is hard work for this guy and if you leave lunch too late this is what happens almost every day!

Super blurry iPhone photos but the smiles and giggles from this guy were awesome.

 Haircut for Jordie too

Such a good boy eating supper in this stroller so mommy could get her hair cut and coloured too

Love these next 5 photos

He was randomly up one night at 11pm which never happens, apparently he was thirsty because he wouldn't settle down until I offered him a drink.

Poor sick little teething baby boy

Morning cartoons

Cuteness

Bathtime brothers

2014 Double J Photo Project

"Watching my boys grow up right in front of my eyes"

Barrows Family Favorite Meals

My boys sharing their first lunch time meal at the small table we brought down from James's room. Here they are doing "cheers"

And here is James helping Nana make fish one night when they were there for supper 

while I was working.

I'm sure I'm not the only one out there that is always searching for a meal to make for supper and is feeling uninspired and thinking about making supper is always a hassle. I like to pre-plan my week when I go grocery shopping but when I sit down to think about what to cook I feel like I draw a blank. I've been wanting to do up a list/menu of our favorite meals so now when I'm not sure what to make I can come to this and pick and choose what I feel like for that week. I'm hoping this helps me with cooking more healthy meals for me and the boys on the nights that I'm home. 

And I definitely plan to update this as I try new recipes and/or remember ones I've forgotten that we do like to eat around here :)

Chicken
Honey mustard garlic chicken
Bruschetta chicken
Easy tomato and onion chicken
Crockpot Snappy chicken
Chicken strips/nuggets
Baked chicken (plain or marinated)
Shake n Bake chicken
Crispy baked cheddar chicken

Pork
Marinated tenderloin
Pork in mushroom gravy
Pork and rice casserole
Honey garlic pork tenderloin
Ham

Beef
Beef dips
Steak - bacon wrapped tenderloins
Spaghetti
Lasagna
Goulash
Hamburgers
Tacos
Meatloaf
Meatballs
Homemade hamburger helper

Breakfast Foods
Pancakes
French toast
Waffles
Scrambled eggs
Fried eggs
Toast
Bacon
Ham
Sausages
Christmas morning wifesaver

Wrap foods
Breakfast burritos
Quesadillas
Chicken Caesar salad wraps
Fajitas/Tacos

Other
Macaroni and cheese
Tuna casserole
Baked white fish
Pizza bagels
Bacon, onion, cheese and lettuce bagels
Perogies
Meat pies
Stirfry - beef or chicken
Hot Dogs
Nachos
Grilled cheese
Soup
Kraft Dinner

Treats
Pizza
Subway
Safeway subs

Sides
Pasta and sauce
Rice
Egg noodles
French fries
Hash browns
Roasted potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Scalloped potatoes
Baked potatoes

Veggies
Carrots
Corn
Peas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Asparagus
Cucumber
Peppers
Roasted veggies (peppers, onions, potatoes, carrots)

Salads
Caesar
Green with veggies
Greek pasta
Macaroni
Potato

James and Freedo – 4.5 years – October 13, 2014

He was super giggly so it was hard to get a good picture of him where you can see his eyes through his glasses but I do really love his natural smile in this one. And I can't believe that we are only 6 months away from him turning 5 and starting Kindergarden in just under a year. 

Wow, where in the heck has time gone?!

I know I post a lot on this blog and on Facebook about how wonderful of a little guy that James is, but I think that most people that have met him or spent time with him would agree with me. I am so very proud of who he is and can't wait to see the kind of man he turns into. He does of course have a cranky and mouthy side to him which I think is to be expected at this age, but overall he is obedient, funny and charming as all heck. 

He is extremely loving and kind to everyone that he comes into contact with and always has a hug for anyone, even a stranger in the mall if they ask for one. He tells me multiple times every single day how much he loves me and refuses to go to sleep at night without his hug and kiss. He loves to snuggle in the morning and is still very attached to his Nana. He loves all of his family and loves to talk about who everyone is and how they are related. 

I worry about his kind little heart getting stomped on when he gets to school next year but I am already teaching him every day about how is he is a good boy inside and how to act as a good boy. I hope he will be the boy that will stick up to the bullies with no fear of being picked on himself. I know my heart will ache when his does but I also know we all went through it and survived and he will too. I try hard to teach him to be nice to everyone and if we have any problem at all it's that he sometimes doesn't give people their space. The teachers at school said they had to talk to him about his hugging and picking up of the other kids, especially the 3 year olds. I've never met a kid yet that he didn't like or that he spoke badly of. I love his innocence so much, it's so refreshing these days!

He is sensitive and sweet to his little friends, especially the little girls in his class. I know he is well liked when I drop him off at school and a little girl that I don't know says to her dad "oooohhh, James is here today" after I had already taken him inside. She clearly recognized me and was happy to know that he was inside already. He has a wonderful imagination and plays very well alone, as well as now with his brother. I won't lie and say there are no fights or disagreements, but usually it is Jordan as the instigator. James is gentle with him and still insists on hugs and kisses multiple times per day and regularly tells Jim and I that he thinks we need "just one more baby....or twins!" hahahaha, yeah right little buddy, we'll see about that one!

Speaking of babies, now let's go back to the very beginning and see how much James has changed over the last 4.5 years. I Love You More...my big guy! 

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

18 months

2 years

2.5 years

3 years

3.5 years

4 years

4.5 years