Who needs a fancy push toy to learn how to walk when you've got boxes at home?

You only have to turn your back for a second for this to happen:

And that, friends, is how food pouches become finger paint.

Everywhere we go, Jack makes friends. Big kids seem to love sharing their big kid knowledge with little ones, and this weekend was no exception. We met a new friend, Cathy, at the park. Cathy was determined to help Jack swing and walk, and she showed him how to climb on the monkey bars. She also told us - "Wow, he is soooo white." Indeed, Cathy. Indeed.

Exploring the jungle gym with daddy

Cathy and friend teaching Jack about the monkey bars

Jack's attempt on the monkey bars

Cathy teaching us how to teach Jack to walk :)

Jack's current favorite place in our house is our freezer.

Yes, you read that right. As soon as he hears me open it to get out his dinner, he scoots right over and pulls up to look at the bounty inside. Crinkly bags! Cold ice cubes! The items available to feel are amazing to a 10 month old.

Totally worth the 3 degrees of electricity we lose when he comes to play.

Just look at how happy he is.

Most nights after work Bryan goes out to water the plants, because we forget to do it in the morning. And by we, I mean Bryan, and by Bryan, I mean I'm too lazy to water the plants so Bryan knows he has to do it or they will die. Sometimes Jack goes out with him. Last night Jack was too busy playing to go outside, so Bryan went on his own. When Jack looked out the door and saw Daddy outside, he went over to wait for him.

Adorable.

Also, the decision to get the half glass / half screen storm door is already paying off.

We took Jack to the local kiddie pool this weekend for some splash time. He takes after his mama and seems to really enjoy the water! He was playing with some big kids and didn't even mind when they splashed him (not on purpose) and water got in his face. And he was so cute in his swim suit and sun hat :)

 

Click to see the video!

Last week Jack welcomed a new cousin to the family - Miss Matilda (Tilly) Grace Naughagle! She was born on June 27. She's beautiful and a bit hefty for a newborn at 9 lbs 6 oz. 

To give the new mama and daddy some time to get to know their peanut, we invited Cousin Alice to stay with us for a few days, and we promised to return her to Auntie Mere and Uncle Joel at the Muenich Family 4th of July BBQ. I got to spend a whole lady day with Alice, getting our nails done, visiting American Girl and shopping at H&M, and then Jack, Alice and I spent the next day together at the park and the nature museum. Alice is a great cousin to Jack, and they loved hanging out together.

At the 4th of July BBQ, Jack discovered a new, amazing food - corn on the cob! He was gobbling up kernels of corn and then just grabbed the whole cob off my plate and started chewing on the end. It was delicious!

Click to see the video!

That night, we left Jack with a sitter and Bryan and I headed out on the Mosination with his cousin Melissa and fiance Matt and some friends to watch the fireworks at Navy Pier.

The next afternoon, we met Matt and Melissa at the park to play with Jack a bit before they returned home to Iowa. Jack was pretty taken with this cousin, too :)