The Start of Summer

I have completed my fourth year of teaching, CRAZY! This year I had to pack up and bring my whole classroom home because I will be teaching at a new school in the fall. After numerous trips from my classroom to my Jeep and the Jeep to the upstairs spare bedroom Brian was tired!! I helped some:) I think it is more work for him when I changed schools than me. The last day is always bitter sweet for me. At least most of my students are going to the new school with me, so I can still see them next year. I am excited for what the Lord has placed in my future, butI am going to miss some sweet, sweet friends next year.

Jackson had a 102 fever the last night of school. So instead of going out to celebrate, Brian brought Chick-fil-a home. His fever was down so he went to the sitter's house the next day while I wrapped up shop at school. Talk about a waste of a day! He was still not feeling well and fell alseep at 6:00 without dinner. Around 10:30 he woke up. I got him up and fed him dinner then we stayed up playing until midnight. Jackson let me sleep until 9:00 on the first day of summer vacation. However his fever was back and we were off to the doctor. He had streph throat. Off to the pharmacy for Jackson and Sonic for me!

You wouldn't guess he didn't feel well~what a goof ball!

I wish I could say he was on the mend, but now he has a deep cough that has been keeping him up and he is still running a low grade fever. It is so hard to watch your baby not feel well. We have our 15 month well check tomorrow, but I have a feeling he won't be well enough for his shots. Please say an extra prayer for my boy to feel better.

I am loving this summer SAHM stuff:) Even if my summer didn't start off with the bang,I am so thankful to be home to love on Jackson when he is not feeling up to par. Plus we have 3 months to make a lot of bangs!

15 Months

Today was the last day of school for the year. YAY!! I now get to spend the next 12 or so weeks with the cutest 15 month old around:)

1. Jackson has his 15 month well check later this month. I will get all his updated stats then. He is still wearing size 4 diapers, 18-24 month clothes, and size 5 shoes.

2. He loves to be outside! Whenever he wakes up, even at 5 am the first thing he says is "outkide". He stands at the window and shouts "outkide, outkide". So cute!!

3. Outside is his new favorite word, he also says up, what's that/this, all gone/done, hi dad, hello, meow, wow, mom.

4. Jackson is not patient. He knows what he wants and wants it right away. This is usually the case with food.

5. He loves bike rides. When we go in the garage he walks right over to the bikes and says up!

6. He throws his head back when he doesn't get his way. (We're working on this one and #4)

7. Jackson gives big bear hugs and pats your back while doing giving you one. So sweet!

8. He still loves his hats, shoes, and bike helmet. He now tries to put his shoes on himself .

9. Jackson still loves to read. His new thing is to climb up on the couch or chair by HIMSELF, tuck a blanket in around him, and read his books.

10. He goes to bed around 8-8:30 each night and sleeps till 6 or 7 each morning. We have been taking walks each night and he falls right alseep. Probably not the best habit to get into but Brian and I get some time to talk each night:)

11. He is a great eater! He has slowed down a little bit. His favorite foods are mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, strawberries (really any fruit), goldfish, graham crackers, and he loves his milk!

12. Jackson's hair is growing and growing. It is a light brown, blondish color and very long in the back. I think I will just let it grow for now!

13. He loves to swim and is learning to kick his feet and blow bubbles in the water. We have plenty of time to practice this summer:)

14. He is very smart and responds to everything we say and amazes each day with the things he is able to do.

15. Jackson loves Old MacDonald Baby Einstein DVD. He stands and dances, points and oooos through the whole movie. He also loves to dance, bob his head ,and lifts his arms when he hears any music!

Memorial Day

I love three day weekends because of all the time I get to spend with my boys! Summer is near and for that I am beyond excited but it is still not the same as three day weekends because Brian is working. Man, I wish he would have finished his teaching degree:)

Today we celebrated Memorail Day by BBQing with some family and friends. Katrina, Louis, and Lori were able to join us for a little bit! My Aunt Midge, Uncle Dan, and cousins Korey and Kim and her husband Jonathan and son Aaron came over too.

We grilled hamburgers, brats, and a hot dog for Jackson. We also enjoyed lots of fruit, potato salad, spinach dip, and brownies! I always eat way too much on days like this:)

The rest of the day was spent having fun out in the sun!

Trying to blow bubbles!

Playing washers

Brian set to work yesterday to create what we needed to play this fun game. It is a favorite at all Hartzler get togethers. If you get three ringers in one turn you get to sign the board. Ofcourse Brian accomplished that feat on the first day of playing! Uncle Dan and I did dominate for a few games:)

Jackson must have been warm, he dumped a whole cup of water on himself. He was such a trooper today! He was outside almost all day and was exhausted tonight. He was soundly sleeping by 7:30.

It feels like summer to me, I would love to sleep in tomorrow... I guess that will happen Friday:)

Play Day...

At The Little Gym

Jackson was not shy, he joined right in with all the other kids. We decided to visit before we signed up to see if he like it and what it was all about. He liked it and we liked it so we are signed up for the summer session!

In The Pool

After Jackson's nap we all jumped in the pool. Daddy dunked Jackson for the first time today and he liked it the first few times. Each time in the pool he gets better at kicking his feet. I think he will be swimming by the end of the summer:)!

In The Chair

Jackson's new favorite thing to do is say "up" and then climb up on our big chair. He tucks in a blanket around him and then either reads his book or types on his laptop. It is so darn cute! He doesn't want any help or anyone sitting by him.

At Target

After dinner at the ghetto Schlotzsky's (love their sandwiches) we headed over to Target to pick up a few things and left with a lot of things!! Seems to always be the case. I was trying on hats and Jackson wanted one too. At one point I looked down and this is what I saw:

That is two different color flip flops! How EMBARASSING! I wanted to leave right away but Brian made me walk around the whole store like that. I felt like everyone was starring at me. Yes, I even went to dinner like that!

In The Bathtub

After all that play Jackson was one stinky boy:) There is no objection to the bathtub. He still loves his baths and looks just as cute in his hooded bath towel!

And after Play Day, tomorrow must be Work Day. We will be cleaning the house, yard, and pool for our BBQ on Monday!!

I'm Smiling!

These are a few things I just can't seem to live with out right now:

Instead of soda I have been drinking Crystal Light Green Tea Peach Mango. Not sure how much better it is for me, but at least it is not a Diet Coke.

I love Target's soft pretzels. I probably eat at least one a week! Next time your there try one out, you will thank me:)

Another drink mix I have always loved is Nesquik! I have recently started drinking it again every night for my bedtime snack. I love drinking it with a spoon.

The infamous Nedi Pot. I have used this once a month for the past few months and I am sold! I have not had any sinus problems and it was not nearly as bad as I had imagined.

Flip flops (sandals in general) and pedicures. I can't believe I never had gotten a pedicure until about a year ago. I always said, "why would you waste money on something you can do yourself?" Bow was uneducated!! I am so glad someone twisted my arm to go!

Lazy Day of Some Sort

Today was a great day because we had no set agenda. We didn't even change out of our workout clothes until late in the day, and I never did do my hair or make up after I showered.


Brian and Jackson were up by 5:50, thankfully they let me sleep in until 7:00. By 9:00 we had gone to Old Navy, Target, and Wal-Mart. We had also taken a bike ride and picked up our pool tags!
Jackson went down for a nap around 9:30, and I was off to spoil myself with a pedicure. Let's just say I was embarrassed with what I looked like when I saw who was sitting next to me. Maybe next time I will shower and get ready before going? or maybe not?:)

I got home right when Jackson was waking up from his nap. This morning we decided to buy him a swimsuit with the floaties right in it. He needs more time to really get used to it!

After lunch, Brian couldn't hold his eyes open so I sent him to bed. Jackson and I played, read books, and sang Lynelle Pierce songs together. (Dad you would be so proud I still remember the words to all the songs.)

When Brian got up, I put him to work hanging pictures. Our bedroom has been empty long enough.

Our master bedroom had one accent wall of light blue paint when we bought it. We painted it a darker shade of mocha. The lighting in these pictures do not show the true color of our bedroom. We didn't hang too many pictures, but it makes the room feel more like our bedroom now.

Master bedroom looking out to the hallway (with new picture of Jackson hung)

Master bedroom looking into the master bath (with star hung above our bed)

Master bedroom looking into attached room (with wedding picture hung above dresser)

When you walk through the door in the above picture, you will enter my workout room. I enjoy having this room for many reasons a) I can get to my "gym" in seconds b) I can workout at any time c) I actually have a place for my equipment. However, I hope this summer it gets a lot more use!

Brian installed a new ceiling fan and recessed lights with a dimmer for me. While he was installing them I was a bit nervous, but it all turned out perfect in my eyes!

He painted the walls a dusty purple (again the color looks much better in person) and then today hung the collage of pictures on the back wall. I am going to order some saying to put above the pictures since the wall is rather large. Did you notice Jackson's pack and play that is so he can play while I work out if needed:)

My dad gave me a flat screen TV and Brian hung it. I love my workout room!

And after dinner:

Of course we made a trip to the Splash Pad. Jackson's face tells it all!

Lazy day? You decide!

Just the Two of us

It was a warm and beautiful afternoon when Jackson and I got home from school today. I decided to brave the water and take him swimming. The water felt awesome, it was a tad chilly for the first few seconds. I must say I am pretty proud of myself, Jackson must be making me tough:)

Jackson loves to splash around on the top step of the pool. Then he thinks he can walk right off and into the rest of the pool. This weekend we are going to see if we can find a suit with floaties in it.

The sun was bright! I know we are going to spend lots of time here once school is out, YAY!
I am debating whether or not to do mommy/baby swim lessons with him or little gym classes with him. Is the swim lessons too basic and something I could do with him at home?

Brian had to work late, so he missed out on the fun! I was glad to soak up some sun and relax a bit this afternoon as this week has been a very long and hetic one.

Looking forward to summer days where it is just the two of us each and every day (plus a playdates everynow and then)!