Dear Jack - Part 6

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy! S I X years with you and they keep getting better. 

This past year held so many firsts: playing a sport (2 seasons of soccer), flying on an airplane & seeing snow in Seattle, graduating VPK and the first day of Kindergarten!

To be honest, the transition from the daycare you had been at for 4 years into a new school was a little rocky in the beginning, but you've hit your stride and are excelling in school and making so many new friends. Seeing you completing homework at the dining table makes me emotional, and the fact that you point out "sight words" everywhere we go amazes me. Soon you will be reading! It's so fun to witness you learning, changing and growing each and every day.

Your love of all things trucks (monster, construction, etc) has evolved into cars - from pointing out sports cars on the road, playing racing games on the Xbox, and creating your own custom cars on your tablet games. You dream of one day owning a Lamborghini (LOL!) 

Your sense of humor and charisma will take you far. Dad and I will continue to challenge you to reach for the stars, while simultaneously keeping your feet grounded. Some day you will realize what a lucky (read: spoiled!) kid you are and hopefully look back on your childhood and know that your parents, grandparents, friends and family love you so much.

- - -

Some things I never want to forget about this age, including a few "Jackisms" I have written down in your Jack Journal:

"Do you know why I like Mustangs? Because they have the DANG!"

While reading a book about space, I asked you to name the planets. You said, "Mercury, Venus, Hulu..."

Jack: "Do you know where my heart is?"
Mom: "Right here" while tapping your chest.
Jack: "no, wherever you go and you feel love, that's where my heart is."

We snuggle most nights after reading a bedtime story. Often it's in a position you lovingly refer to as "baby snuggle" (how you slept as a baby, with me on my back and you with your tummy on mine and head on my chest.) You were being so considerate asking if I could breathe or if my stomach hurt.
Mom: "I'm very comfortable, just don't move."
Jack: "You stop moving."
Mom: "I'm not moving."
Jack deadpans: "Your mouth is."

It was so spunky (and kind of rude!) but I spent the next 30 mins laughing! To this day, I am unable to retell this story without cracking up before your punchline.

One night while reading a book and working on sight words, I asked you to name the letters in a word and when you got to the exclamation point at the end, you made a fist and did an explosion noise!

- - -

I love you to the moon and back, Jackman!

{lover boy}

{happiest at the beach}

{doppelgänger: Kevin McAllister in Home Alone}

{lion blanket Aunt Patty made!}

{VPK grad}

{swinging in Seattle}

{snow at Mt. Rainier}

{cat nap with "River Cat"}

{Home Depot kids workshop}

{first day of Kindergarten}

{homework, wearing the crown from your first birthday!}

{two seasons of soccer}

{cutest pumpkin in the patch}

{Batman for Halloween}

{Go Noles!}

No Bean Chili

We host an annual Friendsgiving + Football party on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and invite friends and family over to watch the Florida vs. Florida State game. We had our first real cold front come through so chili sounded perfect to serve our guests. I have always enjoyed the flavor of a good chili, but the beans just do not agree with me, so I searched Pinterest for a no-bean chili and then tweaked the recipe a bit. It turned out SO GOOD! Greg and I have been eating the leftovers for 3 nights with zero complaints!

ingredients

3 pounds ground beef (I use organic)

2 pounds Italian sausage

3 packages of chili seasoning (I use organic/GF)

2 tbsp cocoa powder

6 green peppers, diced

1-12oz package of carrot sticks, diced

2-6oz cans of tomato paste

2-10oz cans of Rotel

3 cups chicken broth

directions

{1}

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat. Add chili seasoning and cocoa powder and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Pour the cooked meat into the crockpot.

{2}

Add the carrots, green peppers, tomato paste and Rotel to the crockpot and mix until all ingredients are combined. Cook for 4-6 hours on high, or 8-10 hours on low.

{3}

When done, stir in 3 cups of chicken broth and set crockpot to warm.

{4}

Serve with your favorite toppings - we like shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, corn chips and some diced onion.