Woody and the Halloween Carnival

Today was Jackson's Halloween Carnival at daycare. We were excited because it was the first year that Jackson would actually be old enough to really take part in the activities. Jackson's costume was so cute! He loves being Woody. We tried it on last night, and as soon as he had it on, he said "Mama say cheese". I quickly figured out that he wanted me to take his picture. After each picture, he'd have to take a look at it. Sometimes he'd get a big smile on his face, other times he'd give it back and make me take another picture. He approved of this one:

Jackson quickly found his best friend, Nash (aka Mr. Incredible), for a quick picture.

We're so sad that Nash is moving up to his new classroom tomorrow. The next two months will be long without his best friend at school. For the first part of the carnival, Jackson and Nash sat at a back table eating cookies and goldfish. I think Jackson spent half his time at the carnival eating goldfish!

Jackson made a beeline for the bouncy Thomas jump as soon as he and the class got to the rooms. Just as I feared, he wanted to take off all of his clothes to jump. I guess his costume then would have been a streaking boy....but fortunately, he didn't have too much of a meltdown when I refused to let him take everything off!

Our class put on the bean bag toss (highly recommend this one in terms of ease of set-up and take down!). Jackson didn't quite see why this was so difficult for everyone - he mastered the technique quickly:

Jackson and the other kids really liked the sensory table, which was filled with rubber ducks hidden in Styrofoam peanuts.

Woody found his friend Buzz (Finn Delgado) at the Carnival.

Jackson was really excited when his Gramma walked in the door.

Gramma heard that Jackson loved reading lately, so she brought him his own Halloween book. Jackson had to read it first before going off to play - that's my son!

Another popular table was the cookie decorating table. I really think Jackson just wanted the plain cookie; he wasn't too into the decorating part.

After doing a few activities, it was back to the snack table for more of his cookie and goldfish.

Last weekend, Tom and I were trying to decide if Jackson was too young to go bowling. I thought we'd try it at the Carnival. And we found out - yes, he's still too young! They used pumpkins for the bowling ball. Jackson kept trying to throw the pumpkin overhand. Apparently, so did a few others; in less than 1.5 hrs, they had already gone through 3 pumpkins!

I think one of Jackson's favorite parts of the carnival was the stage and running with the other kids. It is so cute watching him jump in the middle and try to be like the older kids. It always makes my heart melt when he meets a group of kids. It's like you can just read what he's thinking: "Hey, can I play with you? I want to play. Will you be my friend?" It's so sweet. The kids had lots of fun running from one end of the stage to the other.

After a few runs across the stage, most of the kids left to do another activity. Jackson stayed behind, and his friend Reese joined him. It was so cute watching them chase after each other, while turning their heads to make sure the other one was close behind. Reese tripped in one trip. Jackson the stunt man decided he'd copy her, and did the exact same tumble when he followed up behind her. Here are Jackson and Reese playing together - notice how each trip he has to make a quick detour for some more goldfish:

Unfortunately, Tom and Papa were sick today, and they couldn't be there. We hope you feel better soon!

This weekend, Jackson decided to play dress up in his engineer's hard hat and mommy's heels - quite the combination!
It was cute watching him clomp around the house in the heels.

Going grocery shopping with Jackson is also quite an experience lately. Jackson loves pushing the cart or hopping behind you as you push the cart. He easily gets distracted, especially when he sees Elmo or McQueen. I've resigned myself that each shopping trip is going to cost at least $3-5 in a new toy, bowl, balloon, or book. As soon as I give it to him, he just keeps saying "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" How can you resist that? On our last Walmart trip, I bought him a book. That book kept him occupied the entire trip - he must have read it at least 5 times! When we came home, he propped himself up in the chair, copying the way I was laying on the loveseat, and read his book.
Here he is reading out loud. No matter what book he reads, it seems to be the same story. We love your stories Jackson!

Pumpkin Patches, Parades, Parks, and Pottytime!

This week is sponsored by the letter "P".

While Tom was in St Louis at the band contest, Jackson and I went to Stillwater to go to the pumpkin patch and the OSU Homecoming Parade with Gramma, Papa, Johnnie and Reese. We all went to the Grider Farm in Perkins. I don't know how many times I've driven to Perkins in my life, but I still don't know how to get there! I was glad I was riding with Dad. I didn't realize the farm would a true farm (without the animals). In my mind, a pumpkin patch was simply a place with pumpkins placed all over cleverly placed hay bales. This was a learning experience for both of us!

We ended up "off-roading" it to get to the pumpkin field. We were a little early in the season, so they pumpkins were all green. Jackson kept trying to pick up the big ones, but said they were all too heavy.

We also got to pick gourds in the same field. Gramma liked all of the warty ones. Papa scared us all using the green snake-like gourd to sneak up behind Gramma's shoulder. Jackson liked carrying the gourds for Gramma and showing them to Reese (especially the green snake-like one).

We stashed all of our gourds while we were in the field so that we wouldn't have to carry them one at a time to our car. Before we left, we wanted to get a picture with Jackson with his gourds. He'd been so used to us sitting him on top of the pumpkins for pictures, so when we said we wanted to get his picture with his gourds, he knew just what to do - he sat right on top of them!

After we got all of our gourds, we went back up to the main house for the pumpkins. They had some really cool pumpkins in faded colors of orange, amber, gold, and green. Jackson and Reese enjoyed riding around in the metal wagon. Here are Jackson and Reese sitting in a sea of pumpkins!

After the pumpkin patch, we went to the OSU Homecoming Parade. I was wondering if we'd find a place where we could actually see - there were so many people there, and we were arriving just before the parade was to start. We ended up right behind the cameras. We got there just as the parade started - just in time to see Garth as one of the Grand Marshals!

As you can see in this video, Jackson loved the bands playing! We have to play these videos over and over at home. Jackson loves clapping along, and he's actually learning (slowly) how to spell Oklahoma in the fight song. I think Oklahoma (State) will be his first word that he learns to spell. No cat or dog here!

Mom was brave and ended up finding the kids a place for us to sit at the curb. Jackson loved waving the flag that he got at the parade. He also was given quite a few pieces of candy...I think he likes parades! Reese was good throughout the parade, too.

After the parade, we went to go get frozen yogurt at Orange Tree - that is the coolest place, and it was so yummy! Jackson really liked the music. We'll be going there again.

After our sugar rush, we went to Hastings (to pick up another toy horse and Thomas the train) and then on to the park. Stillwater has the best park. Jackson loves to climb the "mountain". He totally scares me at the top when he lets go and climbs the rest of the way with no hands, but he sure seems to like it!

I think Reese had fun, too, swinging on the swings. You're such a pretty little girl!

After about an hour, it was time to go. Reese was walking with Papa, and Jackson decided he didn't want to be left out. He grabbed Gramma's hand, and then started walking like Reese! We had a great day - thank you!

On Friday, we had another first - Jackson used the potty! I morphed into Kate Gosselin for a moment and had to take his picture immediately....and forgot to empty it out first. Needless to say, I won't be showing that one, except to blackmail him later! Afterwards, he kept saying "I did it!" and I kept telling him how proud of him I was. We ended up making several calls to tell the great news. Potty-training is just around the corner! I just want to know one thing - how are you supposed to clean that thing? I'm afraid this time in his life is going to be just like baby food - extremely messy! We're proud of you Jackson.

It got me! It got me!

Jackson has been doing a lot of imaginary play, particularly with his cars, his Backyardigans stuffed animals, and our big brown blanket. Every night, we'll hear "it got me! It got me!" as Jackson wrestles himself on the floor. If he's standing when it gets him, he'll immediately drop onto the floor dramatically. Sometimes, the blanket will get him, and all we'll see is a big brown blob moving around on the floor. Other times, Tyrone will be "attacking" him on his arms and face. And sometimes, Jackson will "lose" an arm in the couch pillows. It's so cute! So beware when you come over....something might get you!

We're also big into shopping lately (in stores and at home). He'll tear up and down the hallways with his shopping cart, stopping inches away from the wall. When he's not shopping, he's started running in circles around the kitchen and living room...and he'll go for over 10 minutes at a time. It's quite impressive. All the while he'll just look at you and say "I'm running....fast!" Sometimes when the shopping cart is off in the corner, he'll take a break from running in circles and shout "Shopping, I'm coming! I'm coming, Shopping!" I wish I could bottle his energy. We'd be billionaires! After running, he likes to sit on the couch with his groceries from shopping. Here he is taking a coffee break with grapes. Lately he's been asking for coffee. I'm not quite sure who taught him that one.

Jackson is getting interested in helping in the kitchen. Sometimes when he's ready to eat, he'll go to the pantry and get paper plates for everyone and then open up the silverware drawer to get forks. Over the weekend, Tom let Jackson help make breakfast. Here he is learning to crack an egg. Notice his chef's hat. Tom is very patient!

On Saturday, Jackson and I went to Stillwater for my high school friend Toni's wedding. She was beautiful! Our church in Stillwater always looks so nice for weddings, and the new buildings and updates they've done make it look even better. Toni, you looked beautiful! The wedding was like a mini high school reunion! Jackson didn't sit with me the entire time. During the wedding, Jackson was great and sat with Papa. Papa did his hypnotic back rub, which worked like a charm at the end when Jackson was starting to get restless. During the reception, Aunt Johnnie let Jackson eat off of her plate. Jackson ended up feeding some of it to her. Thanks for being a good sport, Johnnie!

Toni had such cute activities at the reception. When you walked in, we were asked to take a picture in their wedding photo booth. At the tables, each person was asked to fill out a scrapbook page describing memories and wishes for the couple. Jackson took the opportunity to color quite a pretty picture for the bride and groom!

After the wedding, Jackson and I drove back to Tulsa to have dinner with Tom on his break and then go watch some of his rehearsal. I'm not sure who liked Jackson being there more - Jackson, Tom, or the kids! Jackson was getting down to all of the drum beats. Thankfully, he got Tom's sense of rhythm. I originally planned for us to be there for dinner and then maybe 30 minutes of the rehearsal. 3 hours later, we were driving back home! I think we'll back for future weekend rehearsals. :)

On Sunday, Tom finally had a day off, and we took advantage of it by taking Jackson to his first movie - Toy Story 2 in 3D. The Toy Story movie was hit; the 3D glasses - not so much. Jackson screamed in excitement when he saw all of the Toy Story characters on the movie theater windows. He called out each name as we walked up. He looked like such a big boy while we were waiting to go in.

Here Jackson is waiting for the movie to start. He sure loved the popcorn!

The 3D glasses were difficult. I thought they would have made kids glasses since it was a kids movie. Unfortunately, it was one size fits all, and Jackson spent half the movie holding his glasses on his face. Less than 1/2 way through, I gave up trying to keep them on him, and Jackson watched the rest of the movie without them. I'm sure it was really blurry for him - hopefully he doesn't think all movies look that way now! We had a lot of fun, though we'll probably wait a little while before taking him to another. Maybe his next one will be Toy Story 3!

The dragon bit my toes!

Jackson is having a difficult time sleeping at night (still). We've been doing better about putting him in his bed at night, but he has difficult staying there throughout the night. Usually between midnight and 2am, he cries out until we come in his room. He then informs us that a dragon is biting his feet. We've come up with several ways to stop the dragon...but that dragon is so smart! So far we've tried dragon spray (a water bottle), magic socks (that prevent the dragon from getting his feet), making friends with the dragon (Jackson named him Dragon), walking the dragon out into the hallway and waving "bye", and a toy dragon that breathes magic air - blowing the dragon away when you squeeze it. So far, only the magic socks and the toy dragon have worked - 1 night each. I'm tempted to go to Walmart and buy a toy light saber to let Jackson ward off the dragons. Who knew dragon slaying would be so difficult?

We bought a new Dyson vacuum a couple of weeks ago, and we love it. Jackson seemed to like it, too, especially when we put the furniture up to vacuum the floor. It's his new fort!

Jackson also helped out cleaning the hardwoods for

us. Hey Jenna - did I capture an orb in this picture...or is it just dust?

Jackson still loves Blues Clues. He's getting quite good at it in the morning and can even sing the song with Joe or Steve. He yells out when he sees a clue, and about 1/2 the time, he can tell you what it is. Here he is sitting in the chair Grandad made him with his "handy dandy notebook". If you're ever with him when he has his notebook, just remember - don't say notebook until he does! He gets mad and has to start all over. It usually goes like this: Handy Dandy ..................Notebook!

We've decided that Jackson is going to be Woody for Halloween. We ordered it a while ago, and when it came in, we just had to try it on. He's going to be so cute! We've taught him to say "Howdy Partner" when he has it on. He's also getting quite good at "Trick or Treat".

When we were grocery shopping the other day, he became quite enamored with the orange pumpkin basket, which of course we had to get. He's been carrying it around everywhere in the house. He even takes it on a ride on his bike - it's quite handy for carrying Uniqua around the house. Halloween is going to be fun this year!

Jackson loves his four stuffed Backyardigans. He carries them everywhere. Last week, he took them all out for a ride in his car. Notice he's very safety-conscious already - he buckled them all in for the ride!

Dress Up and Kisses

The fall is in full swing. Tom has been extremely busy with band rehearsals. Jackson and I end up playing quite a bit in the evenings. He loves shopping with his plastic shopping cart. Usually, he races around the house, stopping just inches away from the walls or white cabinets. He's been running so fast with it that he's spun the wheels off of the cart several times.Jackson's vocabulary has started exploding lately, and it's much more clear. I love talking with him on our way to and from daycare. Usually he tells me that he's going to play with Nash that day, and then after some prodding, he includes the other kids in his class. Before we go to bed, Jackson repeats what I saw during bedtime prayers. It's so cute to hear him say "Dear God.....Amen".

When we walk out of the door from daycare, he points out who the parents belong to...such as Cort Dada or Reese Mama. It's amazing how much they really know at this age! Jackson has even learned directions. In the mornings, we like to play the directions game. I ask Jackson which way to go, and he tells me. He really does know the way to his daycare from our house. Sometimes, he'll tell me the wrong way, but he does it with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile. When I ask him if that's really where we should turn, he'll shake his head and say "Nooooo" with a big smile and laugh.

Today as I was picking Jackson up, Owen's mom told me the cutest story about Jackson. This morning while she was dropping off Owen, she had asked Owen for a hug and a kiss. Owen wasn't going to give her one. Jackson heard her ask, and he rushed over and gave her both a hug and a kiss. Ms. Pam also said that Jackson loves to give hugs, and he'll run over to each of the teachers and give them a random hug throughout the day. We love your hugs, Jackson! They're the best.

We're still trying to decide what Jackson will be for Halloween. I think he should be Woody. He LOVES Toy Story right now, especially Woody. He likes to ride his rocking horse and whips his yellow hard hat around his head while saying something (we're still trying to figure it out). Tom got him the cutest pajamas for the fall. I couldn't help but try them out one night because they were so cute.

Jackson has also become very attached to the Backyardigans stuffed animals. He carries them everywhere, and lists them off by name. We can't take just one or two with us somewhere - it has to be all of them. Here he is carrying 3 of them around the house.

At night, he has to now have all of them in his arms for his bedtime story, and then we have to situate all 4 of them in bed with him. Sometimes I wonder if there is going to be room for Jackson in the bed between Petey, the 4 backyardigan animals, Quackers, and his blanket.

I think Jackson is starting to become afraid of the dark. He makes me turn his closet light on at night (with the doors slightly open), and he has to have his friends surrounding him. It's so pitiful at night hearing him cry "Mama, Mama...please?" We're also wondering if he has hurt his right knee. For the last several days, he's been telling us his knee hurts. One night, he even sat in our laps and let us put ice on it. We can't figure it out. Lately, he usually only tells us that when it's time to put him in bed...anytime he's hurt, we cuddle him extra long....and he eventually winds up in our bed. Keep your fingers crossed that it's not really hurt and he's instead just figured out how to get extra cuddle time!

Another favorite of Jackson's right now is wearing our shoes. I'll frequently see him clomping around the house in my heels or shuffling along the floor in Tom's tennis shoes. So cute! I remember doing that when I was a little girl. Hard to believe that someday, Jackson's feet will be as big as ours!

Kaleidoscope

Tom and I had been talking about taking Jackson on his first family vacation. We were trying to figure out what cities had children's museums....and then we realized that Tulsa had their own children's museum. So, we decided to check it out with Josh and Shannon White and their two kids, Sam and Ben. Jackson had a blast. We easily could have spent 1/2 a day there. He spent the first 1/2 hr in the restaurant room and seemed to have a lot of fun using the cash register and scanner to ring up our food purchases. He also liked sitting at the small tables. We pulled him away from that room into the "grocery store". Jackson loves shopping, especially pushing shopping carts. There was another young girl there (maybe 7 yrs old?) who was playing in the store, too. She kept reminding Jackson of various items on his "list". After he was done shopping, he took everything out of the cart (with a little help), and she rang him up. It was cute watching them play together.

From there, we went into the black light room. Jackson loved the containers with bubbles and the multi-colored lights. Each container had a small plastic fish in it, and Jackson loved trying to figure out where "Nemo" was. They also had a game where you were supposed to hit the button as it lit up....Jackson was way better than Josh or Tom! The next weekend, we came back to Kaleidoscope. We had been giving him some eye drops to prevent an eye infection. When we got in the black light room, it looked like Jackson had a batman mask on....he had rubbed his eyes when we put the eye drops in, and the eye drops were fluorescent in the black light. It was pretty freaky. A couple parents had to ask if he was ok...we all had a pretty good laugh over that one.

Kaleidoscope also has a great indoor playground. Tom went in with them because Sam and Jackson weren't quite ready to get to the 2nd level on their own. Once they got up to the 2nd level, they had a lot of fun. It's kind of like a maze with 2 levels and slides. They had a great time playing there.

They also had large portable pieces for building. Tom built a mini-castle for Jackson with entrances to crawl through.

The playhouse was totally kid-sized. It had an upstairs, and the downstairs was constructed like a regular living room, complete with kid-sized chairs, recliners, and a fake fireplace. It was also the

dinosaur room with lots of dinosaur figures and a kid-sized triceratops that kids could climb on.

I think Jackson's favorite part (other than the playground) was the stage. Jackson is such a little performer. Between the hats, the costumes, the microphone, and the tambourine, he was all set for a great performance. I love how he's just throwing his hands up in the air here, almost like he's saying "Look at me!"