Play Dates and Plane Trips

This week Jackson caught up with some friends of his that he hasn't gotten to see much. Mommy has been so busy trying to keep up with two kids now that we have been kinda out of the loop socially. We went to Chick-fil-a on Monday with Hannah and Julia and today we went to Radijazz with Isabelle. This was our first time there, and it was lots of fun!! So much to climb and jump off of. He could have gone all day without stopping. Thankfully he did crash when we got home and took a nap. We are going to try to do more during the week again, and hopefully Cooper will be a good sport about it cutting into his nap time. Once preschool starts, he will probably be pooped and want to stay home on his off days!

On a grown up note- Jason and I are planning a long weekend trip. Dell has chosen 1o managers to represent Dell in an "Amazing Race" of sorts. These 10 get to hand over a new Dell laptop to the winners. There are quite a few destinations to choose from: Miami, New York, Chicago, San Fransico, Seattle and Austin too. Right now he gets top pick so we are having a hard time deciding. I envision laying on the beach in Miami doing absolutely nothing. Jason wants to throw himself into the hustle and bustle of New York. Either way it will be nice to have a mini-vacation without the kids. Something tells me we will be missing them soon after we leave though...

Happy 4th??

It has been raining cats and dogs here in Texas!! And sadly, the fourth of July was no exception. Combine the weather with the fact that Jason had to work, it didn't really hit me that it was a holiday until we started hearing the boom and crackle of fireworks. Or as we call them, firecrackers. We had a family friend's daughter ( Brookie Bear ! ) spend then night and she and Jackson sat on our back porch with wide eyes, swatting at mosquitos. Jackson liked the "firecracks" as long as he had his ears covered. He was worried Cooper might be scared ( such a sweet big brother ), but I assured him that he was zonked out in his nice safe crib. We had pizza and ice cream and played indoor soccer. Soccer in Jackson terms is basically keep away, as long as Jackson always has the ball. Brooke was a good sport! The rain has held off today so maybe some of our law-breaking neighbors will give us another show tonight.

Coopster

Cooper is such a little character these days! He is learning to pick up his toys and bang them around. Watching Mommy and Daddy pick them up repeatedly is too funny! He wants so badly to be up and about like Jackson. He loves to talk and babble- "dab dab dab"! Cooper has really been reaching out and touching our faces with such interest. Mouths are the most interesting feature, especially if they are eating something! He is such a happy and relaxed baby. Makes you just stop a minute and laugh along with him, life is so good!

Too Much Fun?

Jackson has been having a blast going to summer camp. When I pick him up he has miles of things to tell me ( I know that will change at around 3rd grade... ) and today sang a "bubble dum" song. Very proud of his art work too! He has been wanting me to stay more and more and gets upset when I have to go. I feel bad, but I know he is fine and having fun when I leave. I think going from staying up late, waking up late, and naps whenever has been hard to give up! He is so tired when I pick him up! Sandy said the other day that the last 10 minutes of the day he lay down on the floor and said he didn't want to play anymore. That's tired! He has told me all day today he doesn't want to go tomorrow. I'll see what he is like in the morning. Is he just tired or is just too much for a whole week? Here is what Sandy and Laurie emailed all the parents-

WE HAD A GREAT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. EVEN THOUGH THE WE HAVE NOT SEEN MUCH OF THE SUN, WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON WHAT THE SUN IS AND WHAT IT DOES FOR OUR WORLD. ALL YOUR CHILDREN HAD SOME GREAT STORIES TO SHARE ABOUT GOING TO THE BEACH OR PLAYING OUTSIDE IN THE SUNSHINE.
TUESDAY, WE LEARNED THE COPY CAT GAME, TEAMING UP WITH A PARTNER TO PLAY A SUN BALL GAME, RACES IN THE BACK YARD, READING AND ACTING OUT [ON TOP OF SPAGHETTI}, AND GUESSING OUR MISSING FRIEND HIDDEN UNDER THE BLANKET.
TODAY WE WENT ON A WALK COUNTING RAIN PUDDLES. OUR GROUP GAMES INCLUDED MS. LAURIE SHARING WAYS TO MAKE DIFFERENT SHAPES WITH PLAYDOH WHILE ALEX SHOWED MS. SANDY AND FRIENDS ALL THE PARTS OF THE TRAIN TRACK AND HOW IT GOES TOGETHER. THIS WAS JACKSONS FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY. WE PLAYED AN ACTION BUZZER GAME, READ AND ACTED OUT WHO STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JAR, FIGURED OUT THERE WAS A POM POM IN THE MYSTERY BAG, AND FOR CAMERON, WE ENDED THE DAY WITH COPYCAT COPYCAT.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR CHILDREN WITH US . SEE YOU ALL IN THE MORNING.
LAURIE AND SANDY

Summer Camp

This morning I dropped off Jackson at his little summer camp. We are calling it "little house preschool" since it is being held at someone's house and not his actual preschool. I woke him up around 8, which is pretty early for him since he doesn't usually fall asleep until midnight or later. As soon as I said "it's time for preschool", he goes "I'M AWAKE". He wanted to get run downstairs and get his new airplane lunchbox, forget about breakfast or gtting dressed! He was all excited until we got to the front door of the "preschool house". Then he froze! I had to carry him in, but as soon as we saw the other kids and toys he was better. I snuck out as he was playing, but he spotted me and came running with tears- "Mommy you stay at preschool with me!!" I helped him find a garage with toy cars and he sat with Miss Sandy's ( our family friend who works at the preschool ) and played with her daughter, Brooke. I snuck out again with success. On the way home I was thinking how nice it will be to have some one on one time with Cooper, maybe catch some zzz's if he actually sleeps, or get the house cleaned up. I also thought about what a big boy my first baby is now and how proud I am of him.

Sleeeeeeeeeep!

This has been going on every night in a row for a week. Jackson will not stay in his "big boy bed". I usually end up laying in bed with him until he falls asleep. I finally give in at say midnight- he still wants to talk and wiggle. A few nights ago I woke up in his bed thinking I'd been there for an hour maybe, and went and crawled into my bed. Looked at the clock- 5:45! As soon as I pulled the covers over me- here comes Jackson crying and asking me to sleep in his bed with him. I just decided that some sleep was better than no sleep. About and hour later I hear Cooper in his room waking up hungry. I always think I might catch up on some zzz's when they are both asleep- but Cooper thinks 20 minute naps are long enough during the day. This won't last forever though- right?

No Shots!

Today was Jackson's three year well check appointment. It was nice to not be wondering if he had a mystery ear infection, like he always seemed to have from the ages of 1 to 2. He has grown 4 inches and gained three pounds. I was suprised to hear he gained any weight at all, since he hardly eats. The Dr. assured me that he is obviously eating what he needs. She was very impressed on his potty training so far. And glad to see that Jackson now and again turns into a dog ( complete with panting and crawling on exam table... ). Unfortunatly we had to get a shot, which required both the nurse and I to hold him down. He was pretty upset. A McDonalds chocolate shake did wonders!

Has anyone seen these?? It is called a Bumbo...I have got to get one! Cooper is a great workout for the biceps, but it would be great to plunk him down in one of these for a few minutes. I think he would feel like a big guy too... Surfing Ebay tonight!