A Day On The Farm

We have had the most beautiful weather this weekend, and I am so thankful. This is why I live in Texas. 65 and sunny in January, yes please!

 

I knew I wanted to spend Saturday outside soaking up the sun. We decided on Old McDonald's Farm. Jackson hadn't been here since his 2nd birthday party.

 We fed lots of animals.

 The deer are the only animals Jackson let eat right out of his hand without being freaked out.

 

 Goats vs Hartzlers

 We just enjoyed the day and took our time doing everything.

 Papa and Grandma

Riding the train 

 Jackson on Bullet

 A baby sheep had been that morning and a baby donkey 3 days ago.

The baby animals were so cute.

 LOVE spending the day with my boys

 Jackson spotted the sand pile and after convincing him it was okay to get dirty, he was all about it. Of course it was more fun with Daddy!

Maybe the highlight of the day.

 Blessed!

Our Weekend Friend

Jackson made it through his first full week of Preschool. He continues to love it and kept asking if he could go on Saturday! We created a little behavior/incentive chart for Jackson to encourage and reinforce good behavior at school. This week he needed 4 stars and wanted to buy a new sword.

 He did it! However, the dollar store was all out of swords. No meltdown occurred (surprisingly), and Jackson chose a bug catching kit instead.

 

We spent Friday night getting the container ready for a bug. Jackson put some stones and grass in the bottom.

 Off to find something for his container!

 We had no luck Friday, but on Saturday Daddy and Jackson caught a little toad. He was so excited! He named him Thomas the toad.

 We got him a little cap to hold water and tried to catch him so bugs to eat. Jackson slept with Thomas in his room and talked to him.

 Jackson decided that it was best if we let Thomas go because he probably was scared and missed his friends.

 

Now, we are on the look out for a new friend!

23 Days...

Until every day is as great as a Saturday!

Saturday morning Jackson and I had a date at McDonald's at 7:30 in the morning. He is extremely goofy and sweet. While we were there he told me over and over "Thank you for taking me on a date" and "This date is so fun!"

 We ran some errands together and then came home to play. The bike we got Jackson for his birthday is a bit hard for him to ride. So, I got out his trike and and he rode away. He was so proud he could do it. He chased me for a long time. I was proud of myself for the train track I help Jackson construct. We used every piece and have many different paths the trains can travel.

 Once Daddy was home, we decided last minute to go to Nature Fest. Jackson shot the water hose with the firefighter, rode the train, feed the goats, rode the ponies, jumped in the bouncers, and saw a white tiger and armadillo.

 Jackson also enjoyed riding the shuttle bus there and back.

 We came home and put Jackson down for nap. Brian planted a Hibiscus tree, and I went and relaxed. I picked up a Sonic drink and headed to the nail salon. My feet were in bad shape. I left feeling like a new woman!

I am blessed!

Christmas Festivities

TACKY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY

Our Sunday School class had their Christmas Party Friday night. Brian and I dressed our part and were not ashamed of our good looks! I think Brian's comb over makes his sweater even worse. I still don't know how Brian did win for tackiest!

 There was a friendly build your own Gingerbread House competition. After 2 years of building them with Katrina, I think mine finally turned out decent.

 Brian and my houses respectively.

We had a fun evening with everyone!

VISUAL NATIVITY

Saturday my Aunt's church had their annual Live Nativity. I love that this Christmas activity had nothing to do with Santa, Christmas trees, or presents. We were able to talk to Jackson about Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus a little bit more.

 Jackson absolutely loved riding the animals. He rode on the donkey all by himself.

 This is round 2, or maybe 3!

 The camel rides were also a hit. Daddy and Mommy both got to ride him too.

 Jackson told everyone he liked the animals but the camel was bumpy!

 Jackson also enjoyed petting and feeding the little goats and sheep. He liked how soft the sheep were. These are the things he likes to tell us as he is going to bed.:)

They also had a cupcake walk, and Jackson won the first time around. He had one cupcake after we at lunch at the Church, and of course wanted to eat them all!

It was a sweet time with our little guy!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

We only put white lights on our house because I like the classic look of them. However, Jackson loves all the colorful lights, yard decorations, and blow ups. It's not hard to find as you drive around.

We drove around to look at lights. Brian would slow down by the houses we knew Jackson would love and roll down his window. As we making our way back home, we happen to stumble upon this house.

 What's so special about this house you ask? They have their lights set to music! We tuned our radio to the station posted on the sign, sat, and watched for about 15 minutes. Jackson was memorised and enjoyed every minute.

I thought it was pretty neat that someone in the subdivision did this. I feel like we should leave a Thank you note to them and their neighbors! We will probably make another visit before Christmas. I am so glad we decided to turn left and not right!

Feeding the Ducks Gone Bad

Remember when we fed the ducks about a week and a half ago? Jackson enjoyed it so much I decided to take him again. So Monday morning Jackson and I got our bread, hopped on the bike, and were off to the lake. There were a lot more ducks this time and they surrounded us right away.
As soon as we got the bread out the ducks were on top of us. I was thinking this could get bad and at that very moment a couple of the ducks were on top of Jackson. Right after I snapped this picture Jackson broke out in tears. Poor boy!

He said the ducks ate his hands. I had to get rid of our bread as fast as I could so they would stop invading our space. Jackson was upset he didn't get to feed the turtles this time. He told Brian that the ducks were naughty! This experience may have tainted his view he had for feeding the ducks. I am not sure we will be back!

To make up for my fun mommy moment that went bad, I took Jackson to our subdivision pool to swim and have a picnic. He went down the slide like 15 times and loved swimming in a different setting. On the way home, we saw a vulture. We DID NOT stop to feed this bird!

Feeding the Ducks

Yesterday morning we rode our bikes over to a near by pond. Every time I drive by and see the ducks, I think Jackson would love to feed them. We finally did it!

Jackson unbuckled himself and was trying to get out of the bike cart before Brian was completely stopped, if that is any indication of how excited he was!
He had the bread ready and just starting throwing it in the pond. One even landed right on the duck's back!
We didn't want him to fall in. :)

As soon as Jackson started feeding the ducks the turtles showed up. At one point we counted 15 turtles. They were hungrier than the ducks and would fight one another for the bread!

This white duck came over and ate a half piece of bread right out of Brian's hand, but then it started to choke. I was sure we killed the duck. We were trying to coax it to go get a drink of water. Thank goodness it finally made it's way to the pond for a drink.

I love this boy as much as he loved feeding the ducks!

On our ride home it started raining. As soon as we got home, Jackson ran inside to grab the umbrella and then back out to take a walk. He is too funny!

Fun Outside

Saturday morning we took Jackson out to Naturefest. He was in heaven! They had all of his favorite things and thank goodness it wasn't as hot as last year.


Ponies- Jackson did a great job riding the horse all by himself.
More animals- They had a little petting zoo with ducks, bunnies, turtles, and horses. Jackson made himself right at home and sat down right next to them.
Train- Jackson rode the train all by himself as well, actually two times! I am so glad we went right when it started because there was no lines for anything yet.

Firetrucks- "Hi, Papa. I hear you used to drive one of these big trucks!"

Ambulance-

Smiles all around from Jackson while we were at Naturefest, the rest of our day was a different story:) I am so glad we live in an area that offers a lot of free fun community events!