Jackson is 4!!

Hard to believe my "baby" is 4 years old!  As I was reflecting on this past year, I wondered why it was so difficult to remember many "first" milestones?  Sadly, it's because there seem to be few left! He is growing up so fast. I'm just thankful he still wants to cuddle with me every morning. And it's so funny how much he remembers. Now that the seasons are changing and we are having cooler mornings, I have brought out my soft robe. One morning I didn't have it on. He said "Mommy, can I get you your fuzzy scarf to put on? It's so cozy!" Just love it.

He (or shall I say We :) survived his first year of Preschool and he is off again for his second year.  He absolutely loves school.  And although he will occasionally ask why he can't go to school with his big sister, I secretly think he likes having his own thing. Daddy has discovered that Jackson really enjoys fishing so I know where they will be every Spring from now on! He started soccer this year and his experience with an indoor soccer class last Winter prepared him for a league team this Fall.  He had his first game last weekend and loved playing goalie! We are excited to watch him play this season.

Jackson's personality is developing daily and we are noticing his quirks :) Early on in my working career, my manager at the time shared with me this quote from Grace Hopper: "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission." At the time, I thought it was brilliant.  However, that was before I had a son who decided he was going to make this his life motto!  Jackson is my impulsive child.  I have to keep an eye on him at all times or else he is doing something like: putting his fingers in food he is not supposed to touch, taking something that does not belong to him apart, or hiding behind a chair attempting to eat a whole pack of gum! Rarely does this boy ask for permission. He would rather enjoy the moment and deal with the consequences. This may be the start of a very long road for this child :)

Nevertheless, we love him and all the crazy he brings to our family :) I love to watch him meet new friends, talk with elderly shoppers at the store, and have entire conversations with just about anyone who will listen!  Jackson, you bring us such joy and laughter!  We know God has BIG plans for you, son!
Happy birthday, big boy!

(I filled in some of the below and "interviewed" him with what I was unsure of.  Fun to hear his responses!)

NAME: Jackson Lee

HEIGHT: 3' 6 1/2 "

BEST FRIENDS: Lily, Judah, Gianna, Jacob

AGE: 4

SCHOOL: Sycamore Hills Baptist Preschool

PETS: Kelsey

HOBBIES: playing cars, Legos, soccer, dancing to KidzBop, and iPad time- of course

FAV THING TO DO IN SUMMER: go to California and the lake

SPECIAL SKILLS: memorized Llama Llama Red Pajama, learning to write his name, count to 30

WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP: Batman

FAV SINGER: Michael Jackson and Jamie Grace

FAV SONG: Awake my Soul- Chris Tomlin...he calls it the "Rockin' Song"

FAV COLOR: blue and orange

FAV FOOD: nachos

FAV DRINK: Root Beer (he had it in California this summer and went nuts!)

FAV TOY: airplanes

FAV BOOK: Llama llama red pajama

FAV MOVIE: Snow White, Oz: The Great and Powerful

FAV ANIMAL: lion and cheetah

FAV HOLIDAY: Halloween (candy!)

FAV CANDY: Lollipop and chocolate candy bars

FAV SPORTS: Soccer

FAV PHRASE: "Guess what?"

SEVEN WORDS TO DESCRIBE JACKSON: Outgoing, Inquisitive, Impulsive, Jokester, Smart, Determined, Mommy's cuddle bug :)

Back to Preschool!

This week was Jackson's first week back to Preschool! Since his big sister started back to school a couple of weeks ago, he has been ready! His teacher this year is Ms. Gloria. She has been with the preschool since it started in the 70s so it is evident she loves preschoolers!  We are very excited for Jackson as he begins this new school year!

Back to school night

This was his "second day" of preschool. As you can see from the top picture, the outfits are different. His first day did not go so well. Not sure how to explain his 3 year old behavior, other than maybe some first day jitters. Once we arrived to school and got out of the car, his whole attitude changed. He did not want to take a group pic with friends and did not want me to leave! I ended up calling Daddy for reinforcement (thankfully he was working in the area) and once Daddy arrived, he calmed down. 

So, these "second day" pictures are of a much happier and cooperative Jackson! Phew! As I've said before, this one keeps me on my toes!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

What is seeming to now become a trend, we discovered that although one of Lily's front teeth was loose, it was not planning to come out on its own.  And...her permanent tooth was coming in behind it! (again!)  So, off to the dentist we went...

Her "before" shot

What I did not realize at the time was that the dentist was not only going to take out the loose baby tooth, but the other front tooth as well! (It was not even remotely loose.) He said she needed the space so the other permanent tooth would not do the same thing. Poor Lily. She had quite the ordeal having two teeth removed, but she handled it so well.  

Her "after" shot with her teeth in the treasure box

As we were discussing teeth and the tooth fairy on the way home from the dentist, Lily asked, "what does the tooth fairy do with all the teeth?" I attempted to drop the subject with a quick "I don't know" so as to avoid any further questions that would require imaginative responses, but Lily was not satisfied with that answer. As we were getting ready for bed, I caught her writing this note...

Talk about the kiss of death for this tired mama! I was already trying to figure out how I was going to stay awake long enough to complete the mission, let alone come up with a "fairy" type answer to her question. Not to mention, she knows my chicken scratch handwriting by now so I was going to have to bring back the school girl cursive to make it look legit. So I did what any 21st century mom would do...I Googled her question! I quickly found toothfairy.org that had many answers to all things tooth fairy. I decided on this as my response...

Now, if I were completely on my game I would have used some sort of glitter pen with fairy dust but it was after 10pm and I was in no mood for fanciness :). Anyhow, she completely bought it and was so excited to receive a response from the "Tooth Fairy"! In fact, I honestly think she cared more about the note than the money we left her. That is totally Lily.

Lily's first day of 2nd grade!

Yesterday was Lily's first day of 2nd grade!  Feels like just yesterday I was taking her "last day of 1st grade" picture!  She was very excited to get back to school and see all of her friends.

Her new teacher, Miss "CJ" Johnson had a "Bat Cave" set up in the room for back to school night and a photo booth ready with fun accessories to dress up and pose in.  She seems like a fun teacher and Lily is excited to be in her class this year.

We hope you have a great year in the 2nd grade, Lily!

CA Beach Trip 2014- part 2

We arrived home from the beach house on Aunt Sarah's 40th birthday!  And the festivities were just beginning....

Birthday dinner with the family at Shogun Japanese Restaurant

(Sam cracks me up in this shot :)

 

The kids were excited to try using chopsticks!

Birthday girl with silly birthday hat :)

Jackson had no issues digging in to Aunt Sarah's birthday treat- green tea ice cream!

Lily climbing Grandpa's jacaranda tree

The next day was Aunt Sarah's birthday party.  They rented a bounce house/water slide for the event and the kids were in it ALL day!  Huge hit and great fun for all.

Grandma, taking a much needed break from the party set up!

snack break with cousins Jake & Sam, and friend Olivia

once more kids arrived, we were taking bets on when there would be an injury.
thankfully, we survived without a trip to the ER! :)

We spent Sunday in Indio at Rich & Judy's place.  Nice and relaxing day in the pool!

Uncle Mark came home for a visit on Monday.  It was great to see him as well as visit his new home which he will be moving to in the next couple of weeks.

 On Tuesday, we walked a couple of blocks down from Grandma's to Liz's new place!  We had fun playing with Brooklynne, Cameron, and Dyllin.

Being silly 3-year-olds :)

can't believe they are 2nd graders!

I love this picture...for so many reasons.  This reminds me of Liz and I as kids.  And it's funny too because Liz was always taller than me, up until high school :)  These girls are fast friends every time we go out to visit and I hope they continue to be.  

Drive-in night with the fam!  We saw Planes: Fire and Rescue
Lots of fun!

Our last day was spent at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  I love this place.  So much for the kids to touch and explore and so much to see!  Wish we spent more time there to experience it all...but there were bus loads of camp kids so it was a mad house.  Another time...:)

 I wish I was good enough to say which twin this is! :)  I think the top is Ethan and Grandma is with Charlie

trying to touch the sand sharks and sting ray

silly squid head!

Aunt Lauren treated all the kids to cups of nectar for the birds to drink.  They all had fun watching the birds land on them.

This was totally unplanned and a little freaky.  I was holding my phone out to take a picture of the kids when this bird landed on me!  Thankful for the reverse camera option on the iPhone, I was able to capture him.  I did not have any food, so he didn't stay on me long :)

J-man playing it cool... :)

checking out the penguins

 What a fun week and fun trip to CA!  We can't wait to go back and if Jackson had his way, he'd be living right now in Grandma's "Route 66" room (or "96" room, as he calls it).  So thankful for all the memories!