Jackson - "Pike" Swim Class, YMCA

Jackson is in his second week of swim classes at the local YMCA. He's a "Pike" in teacher Jody's class and they're just starting out with the basics. He goes twice a week with his nanny Silvana, but I snuck over there today to videotape and photograph the proceedings for your entertainment.

Please enjoy the photo below of his swimming costume as well as the assorted videos in the playlist:

Jackson, Jason and a Helicopter

I don't know why there is a tiny helicopter outside of YouTube Space L.A., but we had fun visiting it anyway. (For the record, I've since learned that the "landing gear" on a helicopter is called "skids." While we were there we had to call them the "landing sticks." Hee.) Observers will note that this is a Hughes helicopter; YouTube Space L.A. is, of course, located at Playa Vista, which used to be Howard Hughes' personal airport. Anyway, photos:

He ran toward the camera yelling"CLOSEUP!"

Superkid is ready for takeoff!

Field-Trip Sunday: Getty Center

Thanks to Grandpa Jack for providing the free parking pass!

Family Gallery

Family Gallery

Lunch

Jen-Mom: "I want to take a picture with your hat off."
Jackson: "No! I need my hat, because it makes me pretty."

Also, here is a video of Jason growing brain cells:

Field-Trip Sunday: Los Angeles Zoo

The zoo is underrated as a botanical garden. There are some beautiful blooms this time of year, including these bearded irises. Jackson thought posing for this picture was annoying and he didn't appreciate that this garden was pointless and had no animals in it. It's a zoo, people. Get with the program.

Yep, that giant tortoise is comin' for you, bro.

Jackson took this portrait of his brother: Baby Jason, age 13 weeks.

Big Boy Had a Birthday

I love you, first-born son! (And thank you Grandpa Jack for the videography!)

Field-Trip Sunday: Petersen Automotive Museum

I think we're just not really car people? We visited the Petersen Automotive Museum on Museum Row on Wilshire's Miracle Mile today, and kept ourselves occupied for a while (not least because there's a Johnny Rockets inside where you can eat lunch), but I think we were all a bit "meh" about the whole thing.

There was an exhibit about streamlining that would have been an amazing resource for a kid studying physics and math, but overall we couldn't quite figure out what to do with ourselves. And it's really dark in this museum. Why no windows, Petersen?

"Batman? ...Mom, he doesn't move." (As seen in the Hollywood Cars gallery.)

This was on the second floor, which I actually liked best because it had the most actual cool cars. The first floor is a weird historical display and the third floor is the thematically confused children's floor.

Hands-on Model T experience in the children's gallery.

There are also two huge Hot Wheels race ramps in the children's gallery. These were Jackson's favorite part of the trip.

This was my favorite thing. Nothing to do with cars although the placard did mention something about "motion." I sat and watched the various routes the balls could take while breastfeeding Jason. Very entertaining. When I'm a gatrillionaire, I want one of these things in my house. :)

Nature Study: Stick Bugs

If it's spring, it must be time to start finding insects in the yard. Above, Jackson checks out two stick bugs we found while clearing out some passionfruit vines. He was largely unimpressed, so we set them free and put a snail in the bug cage instead. Heh.

Happy Jason

Jason is 10 weeks old, and as of today he's able to grip a lightweight toy like the O-ball. He's also still incredibly smiley and joyful, as you can see above.

Happy Easter 2013

I coached Jackson for the Culver City Easter Egg Hunt like I was Haymitch preparing Katniss for the Hunger Games. "OK, when it's time to go, ignore the low-hanging fruit right in front of you. Every little kid is going to go for those eggs, and you won't want to get caught up in that scrum. I want you to run for those trees, as fast as you can go, and don't look back. Show me how fast a two-year-old can run, OK?!" And then I realized I sounded INSANE so I stopped talking. 

The kid did fine for himself, as you can see above!