BIG BOY BED

Daddy's finally home and Jackson couldn't be happier. Jackson couldn't get enough hugs from Daddy. He would play then run give Mike a hug, then play some more and run give him another hug---that's our cuddle bug! Mike took Jackson to a Lowe's workshop and they build a firetruck together---what an event! Jackson still likes to show everyone exactly how it was made.

This weekend was also an eventful one as we finished up Jackson's "big boy room" and he slept in his new bed for the first time last night. He did great! We never heard a peep out of him....let's just hope nap time is as uneventful. Here they are reading some bedtime stories:
And this is how Jackson chose to sleep in his new bed. So cute!

Duck looks like he's about to hang himself but at least Jackson is comfy

And who needs a pillow anyways! Jackson thinks they are just to lay against for story time. Whatever works!

Flying Solo

When Dad is out of town for an entire week what do we do?? Well we found lots of things to occupy our time! We started out last weekend with lots of park trips, playing in the yard and a first at Chick-fil-a. Jackson discovered ketchup and loves to dip those nuggets! Luckily during the week we kept busy with our normal routine: Mom's group, music class, a trip to the gym, and some play dates with friends. But other than that we did have several silly moments. Here's one of Jackson playing with his "I'm One" hat.

We also had a few not so good moments. Like this one---YIKES! A squished blueberry is on his finger!!! "hand wipe NOW Mama" were Jackson's exact words.

And Jackson decided to eat some tree bark---yummy! I tried my best to dig it all out of his mouth

And no days would be complete without lots of snuggles from Jackson---he is quite the loving kid

And of course Bear gets lots of loving too!

And last but not least Bear even got to sleep on the furniture (we're getting rid of it anyways). I think she was more exhausted at the end of the week than I was!

Best friends

They say that best friends share everything. Jackson got a boo boo on his toe so he asked that Tiger have one too.

Bath time fun

We haven't really shared many bath pictures in awhile so here are a few:

Jackson loves the new faucets that he can turn on himself....

Ohhh...bubbles on the hand!

CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

more CHEESSEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Squinty face


Sticking out the tongue

Just hanging out

I was inside fixing dinner the other night and came out to check on things and this was what I found. Apparently Jackson didn't want to sit in a chair but wanted to sit in his stroller so he and Mike are just hanging out talking on the driveway. Funny!

Another driver in the family

So we aren't quite sure that Jackson should have a license to operate this Jeep yet but he sure has fun pretending to drive! Here's Mike turned mechanic as he tried to put the Jeep together. Good times! And Jackson couldn't wait to hop in! He woke up asking to drive the car...NOW!!! So he ran downstairs and hopped right in (even before eating breakfast!)

Baby kicks

At 16.5 weeks I can already feel the baby move which is my favorite part of being pregnant. I just love feeling all those little kicks. I didn't feel Jackson move until several weeks later but maybe this time I just know what it feels like or maybe this kid is quite the kicker! Either way it's been a fun week. Jackson has enjoyed listening to the baby's heartbeat at doctor's visits. He always leans in close to my belly and says "hiiiii baby, hellloooooo" and then gives it a kiss. What a nice big brother!

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH

Here are the enormous amount of pictures from Jackson's birthday. Hope you are ready.

I can't figure out how to get this picture in the right order but this is Jackson making sure Tiger can see the story time at the hotel (once you get to this part you'll understand)
Before the weekend started we had to finish playing with the moving boxes...
Boxes make great garages....


And places to play

This is the start of the birthday weekend as we called it (nice to have a birthday on Labor Day and why not celebrate the entire weekend??) This is Jackson having his FIRST donut. He loved it!

And who doesn't love arcades?

A trip to Thomas the Train world. Jackson hated this train ride---not sure why

And playing with some trains (even though we have them at home--guess they are more fun somewhere else)

Next we tried glow in the dark putt putt and he really liked it

Mike's trying to help him get his swing right

And what birthday weekend would be complete without a trip to your favorite restaurant? The rainforest cafe! Where all the jungle animals come alive!

Jackson watching the gorilla move and yell

After lunch we checked into the Great Wolf Lodge hotel. They have a FABULOUS indoor water park right inside. Jackson loved the water!!

And squirting other kids was fun too.....

Good times had by all!

Another first was stopping off at the hotel ice cream shop for Jackson's FIRST ice cream cone (shared with mama of course)

Tiger had to have some too but with a spoon---his tongue wasn't long enough

Mike and Jackson waiting for the Clock Tower story time to start. In the hotel all these animals come alive and sing and give a bedtime story to the kids. It was really cute.

The first picture in this blog is suppose to go here. Somehow it got moved and I can't get it back. Anyways Jackson made sure Tiger could see the story too.

Bath time at the hotel---fun times

This is the next day. We are home and as we were trying to pack up our entertainment center Jackson kept opening the movie cases. He fell asleep reading the inside cover to Monsters.

THE BIG #2 BIRTHDAY BASH!!!!! The presents were a little out of control we'd have to say. (oh and if you can't guess---his "theme" was diggers!)

Opening presents and he had to play with each one first of course.

Tiger tried out the new sleeping bag

Reading some new books

He was a little overwhelmed at first but then he got excited about opening MORE!!

There's nothing like getting a cement mixer!!

Okay, so last year's cake was quite an accomplishment. I think it took 4 people about 15 hours to make this barn cake.

This year's cake wasn't quite such an event. I am really proud of it though. But this one only took 1 person 3 hours to make. Not too bad! I think I'm getting better at this cake making business. Jackson even recognized what it was!

Speaking of progress. Last year Jackson wouldn't even touch his cake (even after we told him it took 15 hours to make!) but this year he participated by blowing out his candles and even diving right in.

Yummy digger cake!

And what birthday isn't complete without diving on balloons and getting tickled??