Construction Site

Today we had Jackson's 3rd birthday party at our house. He has been looking forward to his party since we started talking about what kind of birthday he wanted. I had a lot of fun "pinning" ideas and recreating them for his party.

Here is a long recap with lots of pictures of a great day!

I created his invitation in Photoshop and had them printed at Walgreen's.

 We lined the walkway with cones and hung a construction from the front door.

 Here is a close up of the wreath that Brian helped me make. The best thing is it didn't cost a thing because we had all of the supplies here.

 When you walked in the front door, we had a Contractor table set up. Jackson's friends picked up their construction hat, work belt, and tools. The work belt contained a shovel, tools, and bubbles. The plan was to play outside and in the sandbox, but that didn't happen.

Brian made the "3" and Party Zone signs for me. There was a construction sticker site for kids to decorate their hats and we crossed off different areas of the house for decorations.

 Pictures of my precious family.

 Love these two boys!

 Grandma Elly, Papa Gary, Katelyn, and Garrison with Jackson

 I went rather simple for food. We had building blocks (cheese and crackers), sandpaper sandwiches (PB&J), and fresh fruit.

Why they put a wet bar in our house, I do not know. But, we utilized it today. We put ice in the sink to keep the juice and water cool.

 

 Jackson was asking about his special cake since his actual birthday, so as soon as Aunt Midge walked in with the cake he wanted to eat it.

 The table became a main attraction since we couldn't go outside. Brian drew a road scene on the table. At first the kids played with the construction vehicles and then they drew for a long time with chalk.

We had some extra sand on a tarp in the garage, so we let them play out there.

 Jackson (and most of the other kids) didn't want to wear their hats, but he loved his work belt. He kept it on all day with his tools.

 We did the cake pretty early on in the party because Jackson couldn't wait any longer.

 My Aunt Midge did an awesome job on the cake! Check out the inside of the cake, love it!

 Jackson with Aunt Midge

On the counter next to the fridge, I had a Building Mix set up.

 Their were black bags with caution tape for the kids to put their mix in.

 Nuts and Bolts= Cheerios and Pretzels

Screws= Tangy BBQ Frito's

Boulders= Chocolate Covered Raisins

Pebbles= Reese's Pieces

I also made some cupcakes to use my cupcake toppers one more time.

 The rest of the morning was spent opening presents and playing with friends.

 On last family picture with our construction hats on. I really do love having a boy. More fun than I could have ever imagined!

Jackson saying good-bye to all his friends!

The dump trucks are parked, the tools are put away, and the construction site is closed. It was a great work party day!



Ready

I can't wait to:

-See my parents

-Shop with my mom

-Stay up late

-Sleep in until woke up

-Spend a week with my sweet boy



 -Date night(s) with my hubby

-Go to the Livestock Show and Rodeo

-Read some books for fun

-Relax and whatever else I want to

Over Spring Break! (T-minus 1 day)

Side note: Look at what a sweet co-worker/friend I have, made my day!



Golden Birthday Celebration Part 2

After getting home from the water park, we had the right amount of time to rest, set out cupcakes, and shower before celebrating some more.

I had made Bob the Builder cupcake toppers to add a little construction to his actual birthday celebration. He kept asking for his real cake!

A quick family picture with our THREE year old!

We let Jackson play at Chick-fil-a before eating. When I asked him the other day where his favorite place to play was, he answered Chick-fil-a and Old MacDonald's (aka McDonald's).

My Uncle, Aunt, cousin and her family joined us for dinner. So thankful they all love Jackson too!

Aunt Midge brought Jackson a dump truck balloon, which he LOVED!

They all came back for cupcakes at our house. When we sang Happy Birthday to Jackson, he joined in and sang to himself too!

Thanks to technology Grandma Elly, Papa Gary, Garrison, and Katelyn were able to sing to him too!

We were all completely worn out and ready for bed after that.

I have been working on little details for Jackson's construction birthday party the last month and have a few things left to do this week, but I am so excited for his party on Saturday. I think he is too!

Golden Birthday Celebration Part 1

Friday night I went to a Women's event at church, and Jackson was already sleeping when I got home. I went and snapped one last picture of him as a two year old. I crawled in bed with him, and he cuddled up and scratched my shirt still wanting to sleep. But, when I said "Do you know who's birthday it is today?" He jumped right up and asked if he was three now and if he could get up! He requested Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast.

Since we had time before we had to leave for the water park we let him open his presents from us. I love his face when he realized it was a Cars helmet with a bell. 

We brought in his bike. Of course, he wanted to ride it right away! He wasn't as thrilled with the bike once he actually got on because he had a hard time pedaling it. Daddy will have to work with him. But, the bell was still a hit!

We had decided to take Jackson to an indoor water park for his birthday because he loves water. We are having his party next weekend when my parents will be here, and we wanted to spend his birthday doing something he enjoys.

After the hour and half car ride, Jackson was ready to play. First up was the kid's park. It had a green frog slide he loved!

It also had a big pirate ship where we spent a lot of time sliding and driving.

There were two tube slides that Jackson could go down if he rode with us. He was brave enough to try it. 

He would scream and laugh the whole way down the slide. He wasn't scared and went down the slides 5 or 6 times. 

There was another smaller ship with a slide that Jackson loved equally as much!

The lazy river went around the inside of the park. I froze going around as cold air was blowing in from outside. Jackson made himself comfortable and enjoyed floating around. He asked to go again, I sat that one out. 

Jackson had a great time which means we did too! The air was heated but the water not so much. I think we would have had even more if we wouldn't had been shaking half the time.

Jackson fell asleep on the car ride home, but woke up in enough time to ask for a drink from Sonic.

Anything for our boy on his birthday!

Jackson is Three!

 Dear Jackson,

I can't even believe you, my baby boy, are three today! My life has changed so much but for the better, and I have learned so many things because of you. You are a mixture of your Daddy and me. You hate to be dirty, you are a perfectionist, you are funny, you are creative, you are sweet, you have a temper, you love, you are smart, you are vocal, you a joy, and you a handful. I pray each and every day for you that you would grow up to love the Lord and shine for Him in all you do. I am so incredibly thankful you are my son. I feel like you look the same, but clearly the baby face is almost gone and has been replaced with the cutest little face I have ever seen. I embrace the next year of your life and promise to love you more each day, parent you the best I know how, and share God's love with you. No matter how old you are don't forget that "The Lord your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Happy 3rd Birthday Jackson Oliver!

Love you forever,

Mom

As I looked back through pictures from the day Jackson was born, I remember the excitement of it all. I almost don't remember life before him. What a great day March, 3rd 2009 was!

Packed and ready for the hospital

First time seeing Jackson

Love!

So sweet

Can't get enough of that face

He was such a good baby

 6 months old

Love those eyes!

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

Jehovah-jireh (#2)

Last Thursday when Brian was home with Jackson it got up in the 80's. When he turned on the A/C it never cooled the house down. Well, I immediately jump to the conclusion we will have to spend three grand on a brand new air conditioner.

The old A/C unit

We didn't call anyone right away because the forecast for the next couple of days was cooler again. Brian decided he would call our realtor and get the number for the A/C guy who fixed our air conditioner the nigh we moved in two and half years ago because we like him. We call, he comes the same day, tells us everything is under warranty, comes back to fix it, and never charges a thing. Far cry from the three grand I was freaking out about in my mine. I am going to send him a thank you card and something to compensate his time for coming out.

The Lord shows me, yet again, that he is capable of anything and it does me no good to worry about something I have no control over. I guess I need to do more of what Kay Arthur teachers "learn to turn to Him immediately, pray that we will not react to the natural, but that we will respond to the spiritual."

Lord,

Help me to run to you right away and be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you for always showing me your ways are higher than mine.

Amen

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10