Spring Fling, Squirt Guns, and Skype

I know I say it all the time, but the weekends go way to fast! We had a laid back one with just enough play, relaxing, and work (ok probably not enough work). We spent a few hours on Saturday at Spring Fling at my school. Jackson's favorite thing was the bounce house. It was the only thing he did! He basically had it to himself because none of the big kids wanted to go just in the jumper. They wanted the ones with slides. It worked out perfect for Jackson and it was something that cost no tickets!

It is always fun to see my students, their parents, and other teachers outside of the daily routine of school.

Brian introduced Jackson to The Squirt Gun. Ready, Aim, Squirt Mommy!

It hasn't left his hands since we opened the package. Just wait until he sees a Super Soaker:)

Jackson loves talking to Papa and Grandma on the 'puter. He asks almost daily to call them. I think he just likes them in his living room because half the time he won't actually talk to them he just runs around and acts crazy.

I love technology! I am pretty sure at 2 I didn't know the words computer and Ipod or how to work the DVD player.

Surprised!

It was no surprise that Jackson wanted to read books before bed, he usually does.

It was no surprise that Jackson picked David Goes to School as the first book to read, he usually does.
It was no surprise that Jackson knew the character's name and told me what he saw on each page.

It was no surprise that Jackson wanted to hold the book and turn the pages by himself.

It was no surprise that Jackson said he wanted to read it to me, but I was SURPRISED when he started reading the actual words on the page in the order they were on the page. He even knew which pages had David at the beginning or the end of the sentence or not at all! He read 7 of the pages. Now yes he has probably just memorized the words I have read to him many times, but this is reading at his age! (I am going to try to get this on video!)

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I am so excited that my boy loves books and that he read his first book to me!

Happy Days

Spring Break was so relaxing! I loved just staying home and taking each day as it came. However, I am not ready to go back tomorrow. The first day back after a break is hard for me. I miss Jackson so much more on those days and always wish I was a stay-at-home mom.

A few memories we made together:

-Playing machines inside our garage
-Reading books first thing almost every morning and after naps

-Car washing and

-mommy washing!

-Early morning bike rides

-Many, many trips to the park

-Napping together

-Lots of pool time for Brian and Jackson and my 1st time in the big pool this year (thank goodness for pool heaters)

-Lots of walks around the block and bruises all over Jackson

-Panera Mango Smoothies

-Shootin' hoops

-Climbing trees

-Lots of hugs and kisses (and some time-outs)

I am so thankful for all the happy days I had with my love ones this week! I don't want to wish the rest of the year by too fast, but I think I am ready for summer:)

The Rest of Their Week

My mom and Garrison left Wednesday on an airplane as Jackson keeps saying . We enjoyed our time with them and it always seems to go too quickly.

My mom watched Jackson Wednesday and Friday last week while I was at school. Then we spent the evenings taking bike rides and playing at the park. Jackson loved having Garrison to play and hang out with but not sharing his toys with:) Then Saturday was Jackson's birthday party. Sunday we got up and went to church together. Of course we took a few pictures in our Sunday best.
My favorite brother:)
My mom and me
Uncle Garrison and Jackson
All afternoon on Sunday Garrison swam and swam some more while we attended Lilah's birthday party.

We thought about going to the Rodeo on Monday but when we woke up to thunderstorms and fevers we opted to stay home. I am actually kind of glad we didn't have to fight crowds or walk a mile. We did go out to dinner and went in the pool.
Tuesday morning we went to Chuck E Cheese. Jackson has never been here. He was so pumped up to play games.
He played a few games but was WAY more interested in all the things he could drive!
That afternoon the boys swam some more.

Wednesday morning we loaded up the car and then headed to the park. We played for a while and then enjoyed lunch at Chick-fil-a. After that I drove them to the airport and Jackson was convinced he was going to get to ride in an airplane too. I hate saying good-bye and think my family should just move down here so we can hang out on non-scheduled times. Thanks for coming to visit Mom and Garrison (Dad, next time you better be here too!)

Question Answered

I had been wondering if I should sign Jackson up for The Little Gym this summer and last Sunday I got my answer. We went to Lilah's 2nd birthday party there and for a hour the kids got to play and do different activities around the gym. It is definetly a great place to have a birthday party!



Jackson enjoyed every minute crawling on the mats, swinging on the bars, and walking on the balance beam.

Of course he also loved the bubbles and the parachute!

And he remembered he really liked the blow up thing you can jump on and run across!

So YES Jackson and I will be spending one morning a week this summer playing together at The Little Gym!

24 Months

Jackson and I went to his 2 year well check today. I can't believe we don't have to go back for another one until he is 3!

Dear Jackson,
You are a BIG boy! You weigh 34.5 pounds and are 37.5 inches tall. You can wear 2T-4T clothes. I mainly buy 3T pants and 4T shirts so you have a chance to wear them longer than a month. You wear a size 8 or 9 in shoes. You are a great eater! You eat whatever we are having for dinner plus many snacks throughout the day. You still love your veggies and fruits.

You take one (2 hour) nap a day and do not like going to bed at night. You try to postpone it any way you can! We can lay you down by yourself at naptime but at night daddy or mommy has to lay with you. Some people might think we need to let you cry it out but that is not an option any more with you. Although you are only little once so we don't mind cuddling with you! You still use your pacifier through out the day and at night. We are trying to wean you but I think it is going to be hard transition away.

You are a talker! Your vocabulary and expressions have grown so much in the last month. You are always saying something. You talk your way through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You like to call daddy and mommy "Honey?" or "Kyndra and Brian." I get such a kick out of the things you say. After you give your demands you always ask very politely "okay?" You use your manners most of the time. You do not like to share your toys with other kids but like to share your food with mommy. You love to play with your trains, trucks, tractors, and other machines. It is so fun to watch your personality and imagination come out while you play.

You are strong-willed like your mama and very smart! You know what you want and usually find a way to get it all by yourself. You continue love reading books and it is one of the first things you ask for in the morning. You know most of your colors, some of your shapes (heart, star, circle, triangle), the letter J (for Jackson) and T (for Thomas), you can count to 10 but only when YOU want to, identify the number 2, and have a great memory! You love to draw, color, paint, and place stickers everywhere. You have always liked music and dancing but just lately you have started to sing songs you know. I love hearing you sing in your sweet little voice.

You are the sweetest boy I know! Daddy and I love you so much and continue to love you more each day. We are so thankful you are healthy and that you are ours! Jackson never forget how special you are and that you are loved most of all by our King. I can't wait to spend the whole summer with and make new memories together.

All my love,

Mommy

Memorizing Scripture #6

I love the mental image I have when reading Revelation 4 and 5 about the Lord's throne in Heaven. I picture everyone having a great time of dancing, singing, and praising the Lord. Revelation 4:8 says ...the creatures DAY and NIGHT never stop saying "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Then in 5:8-13 says... they encircled the throne and in loud voices sang..and fell down and worshiped.

I want to sing and fall down and worship my God DAY and NIGHT now, here on Earth!!
So I chose to memorize Psalm 95:6-7 "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is Our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care."

I have done a pretty good job of memorizing my previous scriptures, but what I like most about this whole experience so far is that God's word is written on my heart continually. I wake up quoting scripture and many times through out the day I am drawn to these scriptures. I pray God continues to use His word to draw me closer to Him and change my heart.

All Aboard, Look Who's 2!

Saturday we had Jackson's birthday party. I wasn't going to have one at all but then decided to invite just a few friends and family.
It was a BEAUTIFUL day to be outside! We had so much fun and were busy doing something from the time we got there at 10:30 until we left at 1:30.

THE LOCATION:

THE BIRTHDAY BOY (and mommy and daddy):

THE FESTIVITIES:

1st: THE TRAIN (and waving to it):

2nd: CAKE (after lunch):

Jackson loved the cake that Aunt Midge made! Didn't she do an outstanding job?

Huntley loving her some cupcake!

4th: PETTING ZOO:

Jackson couldn't get enough of all the animals!

5th: PLAYING:

THE GUESTS:

Garrison

Katrina and Louis

Emily, John, and Huntley (Jackson was playing hard to get:)

Grandma

Aunt Midge and Uncle Dan

Jonathan and Aaron were also there but escaped my camera!


THE SPONSORS:

We are SO thankful for all who came out to celebrate Jackson with us! Jackson was exhausted and asleep within 5 minutes of being in the car. I think we were just as tired!