Christmas Picture 2009

I know it ruins the surprise for those who will receive a Christmas card from us, but I was just too excited about this picture not to share it. I can't believe how big they all look, not to mention the fact that they're all smiling! ♥

Jackson's Thanksgiving Letter

Jacks and his classmates all wrote Thanksgiving letters to their parents about the things they are thankful for, and I just had to share his.

You never know how much kids remember or appreciate, but Jackson's list really surprised and moved me. The best part is knowing that he notices even the tiny little things we do every day as part of our "job"...how amazing to be thanked for that! ♥

So here it is, just as he wrote it:

Dear Mom and Dad,
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I would like to tell you about the things for which I am thankful. When you gave birth to me, I bet it hurt. When you took me to Chucky Cheese and Six Flags, that was fun! When you taught me how to play baseball and basketball. Thank you for giving me food, clothes and shelter. Thank for teaching me how to read, draw and write. Thank you for giving me brothers to play with. When you teach me the good way when I do something bad. Thanks for keeping me safe on my bike. Thanks for reading to me almost every night. I like to play baseball with you mom. And dad, I like to play basketball with you. When my lung colapsed, you stayed at the hospital and never left. When I had pink eye you gave me eye drops and whatever I wanted. I love all the toys you bought for me like legos and cars. I love you both up to the sky and down again. You are the best chefs in the world. You are number 1 and your the best. You are the best parents in the world. I hope you will be alive intill Im in college. Or older.

Love and cuddles,
Jackson

He also made an Acrostic poem with the word Thanksgiving.

The best cousin Quinn
Henry my cousin
Aunt Jessica
Nothing better than Aunt Emily
Kind mother
Sweet brothers
Grandad
Incredible dad
Very freindly Dulci the Dog
Intellagant grandfather Pop
Nice Aunt Rachel
Great Grandma

************

I am so thankful for this amazing little man. He is growing up before our eyes, and he impresses us daily with his intelligence, sweetness and good heart. ♥

And I hope I'm alive until he's way past college. LOL

High Five!

Cody's 5th birthday was a big success! We celebrated with a family party on Friday night, his official birthday (yep, Friday the 13th!).

Cody is obsessed with all things Iron Man lately. He was Iron Man for Halloween, picked out a special Iron Man shirt from Old Navy as a birthday present and ordered an Iron Man cake from the Walmart bakery (I know, how oogy to get a cake from Walmart...but man, they are GOOD!) for his big birthday party.

So I attempted to make him an Iron Man cake for his party at home. Ha! Making maroon icing is hard! But we even added in yellow sprinkles to be like the light in the middle of Iron Man's chest.

So the icing was perhaps a bit pinker than he might have hoped, but I think he got a kick out of it.

Then on Saturday, we headed over to Pump it Up (an inside bounce-house party place) for Cody's official party. He and about 10 of his friends ran around like crazy people, climbing, sliding and bouncing their little heads off!

Cody had so much fun that before too long, he was bright red and drenched in sweat.


Here's Cody with his best buddy, Trevor.


He and Trev are pretty inseparable. Cowabunga Dudes!


Luke loves these ginormous slides. He climbs all the way to the top himself and goes down on his belly. I start breathing again each time he makes it to the bottom smiling. :)


And here is the "official" Iron Man cake!


Though Cody himself has changed in countless ways over the last 3 years, his reaction to seeing his birthday cake hasn't changed all that much at all. Compare this year's:


...to this one from his 2nd birthday party.


Cody had lots of help blowing out the candles. (Is Trevor blowing on Cody or the candles, here? LOL)


Luke enjoyed the yummy cake, too.


Did I mention how red and sweaty the boys got from bouncing? Well, take a look at Jackson with his best buddy, Tyler. He played HARD!


Overall, it was a great party and I think Cody really had a lot of fun.

And still, I'm asking myself....how can he be 5 already? How is that possible? WOW!!!

Happy Birthday Codybear! We love you!

Hey Batter Batter Batter!

This fall, Jackson played his second season of baseball. He has really enjoyed being on the Orioles and playing with this group of boys.

Let me be honest. Baseball isn't really Jackson's sport. He hasn't yet gotten a hit during a game this season, and he still isn't entirely clear on all the rules.

But he tries! Man, does he try! Look at the effort and concentration here. Pursed lips and everything.


And this is my favorite one. How awesome is this? He's ready to smack that ball into the middle of next week! (He didn't, but he REALLY wanted to.)


Each player got a chance to try every position in each game, and I think Jackson most enjoyed playing pitcher (though this league is coach-pitch, so playing pitcher basically means you cover the pitcher's mound once the ball is hit). But here are a few shots of him in the outfield.


I just keep going back to this one, though. You know those motivational posters? I'd like to use this picture to make one with the word PERSEVERANCE. The kid doesn't quit.


And that makes us pretty darn proud. :)

(all photos courtesy of one of the Orioles team moms...thank you, Lisa!)

Jackson's 2nd Grade Picture

Dear Brunck's Photography,

How did you manage to make my 7 yr-old look so much bigger and older than he really is (at least, than he is in my head)? Please refrain from such age fast-forwarding in the future.

Love, Me

Wordless Wednesday

Cody's School Halloween Party

I got to spend the morning in Cody's classroom a few weeks ago, helping out with their Halloween party. We made spider sandwiches out of Ritz crackers and peanut butter with pretzel sticks for legs, carved a pumpkin, and decorated spooky cookies with candy corn for fangs. I even got to tag along with the kids to Spanish class. I really enjoyed seeing Cody interacting with his friends and teachers, and it was nice to spend time focusing on just him with no big or little brothers around. ;)