Tulsa Aquarium!

Last month, we took a family trip to the Aquarium in Tulsa, and we had so much fun!

Jackson's 5th Birthday Party!

Crazy world we live in that 5 years could have gone by at super speed.  The last 5 years with this boy have done just that... yet, I don't remember life before him.  He's amazing.  He's awesome.  He's ours.  

Jackson's 5th Birthday Party was at Malco Cinema... He had 6 of his best friends there - they ate pizza, cake, opened presents, then went in to see Epic in 3D.  Life is good when you're 5.  

2 Mos Old!

Yep.  He's 2 whole months old (as of the 21st).  Took him to the doc and he is 11 pounds, 11 oz (34%) and he was 22 inches long (22%) and his head is 39cm (43%).  So he's still a little dude, but he's growing fast!  We decided to go ahead and put him on Zantac.  He's throwing up a little more often than he should, so hopefully that will help him keep the milk in his tummy.  :)  He is just the happiest blue-eyed little guy.  He has been sleeping through the night consistently for a week, and off and on since about 6 weeks old.  He just switched over to 6 bottles/day (vs 7 last week) and he takes his last bottle about 830p and doesn't wake up to eat again until 6am.  He has been smiling so big lately and cooing - which just makes this momma melt.  He is starting to grow back some of that hair on his head (finally!).  He is wearing 0-3 mos clothes - officially out of newborn clothes.  He sleeps swaddled in his woombie with his ocean waves sound machine on every night.  He enjoys watching his big brothers play and especially loves his piano playmat that Aunt Carla got him.  He does very well with his naps... Often if he doesn't take a great nap, he makes up for it at the next nap.  He rides AWESOME in the car - usually zonking out within a minute or two of the car moving.  He is such a special little guy.  I can't believe he's my last one, but I'm trying to soak him in.  I want to savor his little age every day.  I want to enjoy every single bit of this stage because it flies by so quickly, and unlike his big brothers, I won't get a repeat this time.... He's it.  So he's extra special.  Can't believe he's 2 months already!

Playing Well Together...

For the most part, these two actually do play really well together.  I suspect that someday, they will look back and be so glad they have each other.  They entertain each other so well - but they fight like brothers too.  It's really nice to watch them grow.  :-)

Last Day of Preschool...

Jackson's last day of preschool was on his actual birthday -which was also "Rainbow Day" at the school .  Ryan and I took cupcakes to his school and took pictures with Jackson and his friends. This was his first experience at a "real" school, getting "real" work and his first experience starting a class where he didn't know anyone in his class.  That was a little strange for him at first, but within a few weeks, he was telling me about all the friends he made in his class.  Ms. Malia, his awesome teacher, said that just like this picture - the boys play with the boys and the girls with the girls.  We had such a great experience at this school and Jackson will be returning there next year for their Bridge Program (it's the fusion of kindergarten and preschool - for children who could go to kindergarten but would be one of the youngest (like Jackson) or for children who have Aug/Sept birthdays and have missed the cutoff to be able to go to Kindergarten).  We're excited that Jackson will be going to this school again before his journey to public school.

 

Jackson and Ms. Malia

Jackson and Mr. Jason (the principal)

Of course Jackson and Ethan Winant had to do some goofy pictures!  Their little brothers had to help too.

Jackson and Ms. Brenda - his afterschool teacher.

Looking back at my big boy.... First day to the last day... Crazy how fast they grow!

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was so special - and a whole weekend long!  My four boys and I had fun at the zoo on Saturday... Then, on Sunday, I got spoiled with fun sweet meals cooked for me, homemade chocolate covered strawberries (yum!) and the ability to relax all weekend... AND I got to sleep in til 8am on Saturday AND Sunday! YAY for being a mother!  What a special privilege it is to a mom!

 This was in Jackson's backpack too!  LOVE! 

(my zero baby is cuz Christian is "zero" years old. so cute!)

Five Years Old Today!!

I cannot believe my firstborn in FIVE years old!!  What is going on!!?  

Jackson is amazing.  He is quite a funny boy.  He's sweet, loving, generous, funny and playful.  His heart is so big and so kind.  He loves to please, and he loves to be pleased.  He loves being the biggest brother and takes that job seriously.  He stirs up trouble with Ethan every single chance he gets... He is wild, hyper, rowdy (all of those at the same time).  He is my rule-follower - but he tests those boundaries... He is impatient and temperamental and a terrible eater.  He is absolutely perfect, just the way he is.  I love hanging out with him at this age because he is so thoughtful and asks very interesting questions "mom, is Jesus more powerful than tornadoes?"  I'm so in love with this boy, and I'm SO proud to call him mine.

Looking back, it's hard to believe 5 whole years have passed - but I remember each of these years like it was yesterday.  He means the world to me!  <3 

Jackson at Birth

 

1 year 

 

2 years

3 years

4 years

 FIVE YEARS OLD!!

Jackson's 5 year old interview:

What do you think of when you think of... 

• Ethan? He's cool. And he cries a lot.
• Christian? He cries a lot too, but not really. He's awesome.
• your home? It's Nice.
• magic? It's Awesome.
• bedtime? We have to sleep.
• school? We can learn stuff.
• love?  I love mommy and daddy. I love everything in the whole wide world except scary stuff.

• Are you scared of anything? Scary movies.
• If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would it be? A dog.
• What do you think you'd like to be when you grow up? A Super Hero- I want to be Wolverine.
• Do you like your name? Yes, because it starts with a J. 

What is your favorite...

• Color? Dark Blue  
• Things to do? Paint, Play 'Angry Birds' on Mommy's phone, do art, and play outside - especially with my bike.
•  Song? Jesus Loves Me (same response as last year) 
• Book? Magneto Vs. Wolverine 
• Movie? Diego's Safari Rescue 
• Show on TV? Super Hero Squad
• Toy?  Spiderman. 
• Food? Popcorn
• What makes you happy? When mommy and daddy tickle me.
• Who is your best friend? Ethan Winant.
•  What do you think about turning five years old? When I turn five, I can run super fast. 

Love you so much Jackson!  Happy Birthday SuperHero!

Tulsa Zoo!

For Mother's Day Weekend, I told Ryan I just wanted to go to the zoo!  Our family are zoo addicts, so it sounded like a perfect day to me!  I put Christian in the Moby Wrap and off we went! So fun!

Ethan's last day of MDO

Ethan has really LOVED his MDO class this year.  He made some really good friends, learned a lot about Jesus, enjoyed all the new songs, but most importantly, he LOVES his teachers.  I requested Ethan be put into Ms. Dawn's class because Jackson just thrived in her class two years ago.  Well, I was not disappointed.  We were blessed with Ms. Dawn and her long, longtime best friend Ms. Sherry.  These two teachers are the definition of love.  Ethan would run into class every Monday and Thursday - into their arms to give giant hugs.  One day, he told me that Ms. Sherry is his best friend.  I just couldn't feel more grateful that these two Godly women were loving on my son, and teaching him... They truly have a way with this age group.  On the last day of school, I grabbed some pics of these wonderful teachers, and I just happened to have Jackson with me... so I got some pics with him too.  In 2 years, I will be pushing my way to the front of the line to get Christian in this class too! xoxo!

At the beginning of the year, Ms. Dawn kept calling Ethan "Jackson."  She said she can't believe how much alike they look.  That made me happy.  :)

 

Flashback - July 2011.  Jackson and Ms. Dawn.

Tee Ball Friends!

I'm still having trouble believing Jackson is old enough to play tee ball, but he has been having SO much fun playing.  He seems to really enjoy the sport, and it doesn't hurt that Ben is on his team.  These two have been like brothers since they were less than 2 years old... Man, how time flies.  

Bonus:  we ran into his other BFF, Ethan Winant, the other day after Jackson played.  Needless to say, Jackson is like his momma and really REALLY loves his friends.  :)