We found our camera!

I finally found our camera (hidden in a DVD sleeve box at work), so we finally have a few pictures again! It's been a good week. I got my big presentation (at least the first round) out of the way. Jackson is loving having Tom home and gets so excited to go see Daddy at the end of the day. All in all - it's been a great week! I can't get over how much Jackson loves his new class. The other day when I came to pick him up, he and Max were lying on the ground. His friend Julia was covering both of them with blankets and they were pretending to sleep. Jackson called out "Mommy, I'm a bedbug!" and "Look at me, I'm sleeping!". It was cute when Julia kept covering them up and then gave Jackson a pillow to sleep on. It took me over 5 minutes to get him up and ready to go home. He didn't want to leave!

Valentine's day is coming right around the corner, so we went and picked out Valentine's for his class. It was so cute watching him try to decide between McQueen or Buzz and Woody. Ultimately, I bought both. They both had little washable tattoos with them. I thought it'd be cute to put in his mailbox throughout the year.

On Saturday night, we decided to have a movie night. We rented Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and had a chocolate pudding treat. Jackson loves all of the animals in this movie. When we first gave him chocolate pudding, he kept saying "don't want it. Want cereal". What kid wants raisin bran over chocolate pudding with cool whip and bananas?? After he had a couple of bites, he turns to Tom and says "delicious!" Where did he learn that? As you can see, Jackson ended up really enjoying the pudding!

After the movie, he decided to try and hide in the cabinets.

Jackson is really starting to get into dressing up. We haven't got to the point yet where he's putting on the clothes, but he's taking them all out of the bin, telling us what each one is. In the last few days, he's really started liking his cowboy boots. He's so proud that he can put them on by himself!

Here are a few pictures of Jackson painting some more pictures at his easel. And yes, I forgot to mail the previous ones! Don't be offended if you didn't get one. All my fault!

I love how intent Jackson is while trying to paint in this lower area. Have a great week!

Congratulations, Dad!

Congratulations on your retirement, Dad! We had a party for Dad at the Alumni Center, which turned out great. Over 90 people showed up and I think we laughed all night. Mom created a Reader's Theater for us to go through - she is so creative! Jackson did really well that night - he was there from 4:30 - almost 11 and didn't break down! We all had such a great time. Congratulations, Dad! Enjoy your (partial) retirement! We haven't seen our camera since the party, though, so for the time being, we don't have any pictures to share. Bear with us until we either find it or get something else.

I knew it had to happen someday, and it finally happened. Jackson said his first bad word at 2 1/2. He had just gotten up from his nap, and I was watching Julie and Julia, which up until then had been curse word free. He laid there watching it for a while when there was a verbal fight on TV...and out came the b word. Jackson looked over at Tom and said "Tom, I'm a B!&'*H" and just kept saying it over and over. It's very hard not to smile because he does say it so cute...but still. Finally we started turning it around and said "Jackson, you're not a bridge. You're Jack. You're not a bridge." So now, he thinks it's a bridge instead of the real word...crisis averted for now. I just hope he doesn't go back to school and start saying it.

He's really paying attention to everything we're saying. This weekend we were driving out in the snow and ice, and like usual, people were going way too fast and tailgating. Tom was getting irritated and said (fairly quietly) "Get off my ass, buddy" and the next thing we know, we hear from the backset "Get off my ass, buddy". Oh my goodness. We quickly changed the subject. We're hoping he doesn't remember that.

On a good note, Jackson is becoming even sweeter - if that's even possible! He likes to play games where he purposefully changes the names. Sometimes he'll say he's Daddy, and I'm Jackson. After that goes on for a while, he'll shake his head and say "Silly Mommy" or "Silly Jack". And he still burst out in the shortened version song of "I love ___, he's small!" Sometimes when he's getting ready to go to sleep, we'll have to sing that for everything surrounding him - pillows, blankets, Woody, Buzz, Quackers, and Petey. The other night, he laid down and put Quackers, Buzz and Woody on his head...just like we used to do with our soft pillows. I wonder where he got that?

Jackson is so smart. He's really getting into reading books and is starting to calm down enough to actually finish some of them! He's also learned how to use the computer. We have two Jackson games on our computer - Elmo and Big Bird. He has figured out how to open both from the main page of the computer, so every once in a while, we'll lose track of him, and then we'll here the Elmo's World song. He has totally figured out how to go from screen to screen and find the game that he wants to play. Amazing! It's so cute watching him get excited when he gets an answer right. Before long, he'll be teaching us how to use our computer. Starts early!

Jackson absolutely loves his new class. I think it helps that Nash is in his room again. He likes to climb the stairs to his new class in the morning...and then take the elevator down at night. He has even taken me through the back way to his class, and he didn't seem lost at all. Thank goodness he doesn't have my sense of direction! As we're walking up the stairs, he starts peeling off his jacket. Once it's off, he tosses it to me and races into the room to be with Nash. The teachers actually have to ask Jackson to tell me goodbye! The teachers do a FABULOUS job of writing notes throughout the day about what he did that day. It's so nice to be able to ask him more about the books he read, the theme of the week, playing in the home living area with Nash, Cort and his other friends, or playing on the train outside on the playground. It's wonderful!

Jackson's been painting up a storm lately. He's made pictures for everyone, so I'll be sending you soon in the mail. He has a story for each one of them. He'll have to tell you about it in person, though.

Keep your fingers crossed that we find our camera soon! There have been so many times in the past few weeks that we wished we had it to capture a cute picture.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas holiday! We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed being with family. On Tuesday, we headed over to Stillwater for our Christmas with the Caldwells before going to the McGillen's on Christmas day. The snow storm messed up our scheduled a little bit, but it all worked out! Here's a brief recap of our holiday. I've also added a Christmas photo album for more pics.

On our Christmas Eve (actually, two days before Christmas), we all went bowling. Jackson really liked the shoes...and seemed very impressed that Gramma had her own ball, shoes AND locker. Can't compete against that!

On Jackson's first turn, he ran out in his lane....past the foul line. Ernie warned us that if he did that many more times, he couldn't bowl. Between that and keeping Jackson away from the ball return, I was nervous the whole time! Jackson learned quickly and seemed to have a lot of fun. I love watching Dad and Jackson bowl together - they're so focused!

Thank goodness for bumpers! Jackson did pretty well for his first time out, though we were a little nervous that the ball would stop and get stuck on the way down to the pins.

Jenna took Reese bowling, too. Is this even legal? Check the rule book, mom!

Christmas (Eve) morning at the Caldwell's. Merry Christmas! It started out with the traditional Christmas morning dance to "I Want a Hippopotamus". I don't know if you can see it in the video, but I love Jackson's dinosaur feet with his pajamas. Great for marching to the music!

Santa outdid himself once again. I have a new appreciation for Santa and the elves with the train table. I believe I heard the word "payback" once or twice... We had such a good day opening presents.

The kids took a nap during Christmas dinner. It was very relaxing but a little strange to be eating without having to worry about cutting up food, keeping them from throwing it on the floor, etc. Thanks mom and dad for the wonderful meal(s)!

This is a good look for you, Tom.

You're never too young to get lottery tickets in your stocking!

Tom and I were the big winners this year - $4 and a free ticket. Whoo hoo! You'd be surprised at the level of competition with the tickets between everyone. Johnnie was a little upset this year that Santa gave her the "Lucky 7's" instead of the "Electric 8's"....and wouldn't you know, the 8's had a winner! Christmas stockings just wouldn't be the same without lottery tickets.

You know you're going to share those, right Dad?

Here we are after the Christmas excitement. Tom seems tuckered out and enjoying Reese's new bean bag. Dad is furiously working on his Sudoku puzzle in our Sudoku competition between Dad, Jenna and myself. Jenna is so good. She skunked me bad - 13-5. I'm ready for a rematch, though. The McGillen's gave me a mammoth book of sudoku's....and I've been practicing all break. Anytime you're ready, Johnnie....

Does Jackson have the Cook big toe with a mind of its own? Here they are checking it out. Jackson seems a little perplexed by the whole conversation.

It was a white Christmas this year! It started snowing on Christmas Eve (sleet first, then heavy flakes). Stillwater got at least 7"!

Jackson liked the idea of snow...until he actually touched it. Tom showed Jackson how to sled on the little hill in the backyard.

Reese spent pretty much the entire time riding in the sled on her back not moving at all. We think she liked it, but we're not entirely sure.

Here are some videos of Jackson and Reese (and Tom and Dad) playing in the snow. Jackson only liked it if he didn't have to touch the snow. I think Reese does a pretty good impersonation of a snow angel statue.

Christmas in Moore got a little bit of a later start than we anticipated due to the snow and ice. Thankfully, the streets had been cleared pretty well (thank you to those who spent their Christmas day(s) sanding and clearing them for everyone!) and the trip to OKC was relatively uneventful. As soon as we got to the McGillen's house, Jackson zoomed in on the singing fish...which they had hidden in hopes that Jackson would have forgotten about it!

Jackson decided he wasn't going to let the fish show him up, so he sang a few of his own for the crowd - you just can't beat an abbreviated Jingle Bells and ABC's for some holiday spirit! (sorry, the videos are a little dark)

After a few songs and catching up, it was time to see what Santa had brought everyone.

After some practice, Jackson really got the hang of opening presents. The day after Christmas, he kept asking "Presents? Open?"

I think Jackson secretly wants glasses of his own. Before leaving for school in the mornings, we usually need to get his sunglasses for him to wear in the car. I found my first pair of glasses from junior high - I think they're 1/2 as big as my entire face (no, there won't be a photo of those). I think Jackson wanted those, too. For now, Mr. Potato Head's will have to suffice:

More Cars! He also got a Mack truck carrying case. He carries Mack all around the house...we even have to bring him when Jackson gets a diaper change. Have we mentioned Jackson loves Cars?

Linda made a great Lightening McQueen cap (and hat) for Jackson. He loves running around the house with a cape flying behind him.

Jackson got a baby doll that eats, drinks and wets her diaper...we thought it would come in handy for potty training. Jackson loves it way more than I thought he would. He likes feeding it and changing the doll's diaper. He thinks it's hilarious when the baby sits on the potty chair!

Dancing to the Christmas tunes:

Like I mentioned earlier, we're trying to get Jackson ready for potty training. We thought getting big boy underwear in the Toy Story and Thomas themes might help entice him. Unfortunately, I don't think Jackson quite understands the point of underwear yet...

Like I said earlier, Santa outdid himself. Jackson ended up with so many toys - a train table, easel and art supplies, a small kitchen, playdoh, lots of Cars, baby doll, walkie talkies, flashlights, books, Leapfrog, a cool billebo, basketball hoop, dress-up clothes and hats and more. Thank you, Santa!!

I can't believe that Christmas is already almost here! December has flown by. In mid-December, Williams had their annual kids Christmas party. This year it was held in our building; most of the stuff was really for older kids, so we mainly walked around. Jackson did like the inflatable Santa and train as well as walking along the black stripe on the floor! Jackson really likes the ideas of parties right now. When we say we're going to a party, he'll follow up with "a birthday?" He now thinks all non-birthday parties are at mama's building.

Lately Jackson loves playing with Mr. Potato Head. He'll carry it to the nearest table and put everything on and then take it off again. Tom and I can't get over how much time he spends playing with it...so much so that Santa was notified of the late addition to Jackson's list - a Mr. Potato Head suitcase and accessories.

Anytime I think of a list for Santa now, I can't help but think of my friend Katie's experience. She's a supermom! She had a great list of ideas to do with her kids to help them get in the Christmas spirit all year, one of which was writing a list for Santa. Needless to say, it didn't quite go as hoped, and we were all deeply concerned that Santa was going to be able to make the toy as described by her son. Fortunately, she figured it out in time. I'm going to try to follow her lead next year....hopefully starting in October!

Jackson had his school Christmas party on Thursday. I wasn't able to go, but Tom did. He showed up while Jackson's class was outside on the playground. I think Jackson was pretty excited to see Tom show up - Jackson was showing him everything on the playground.
I am amazed at how well behaved all of them are, especially when traveling from place to place. Those ropes are amazing! Jackson knows exactly what to do, and he will not let go of that handle until they say it's ok. Here he is standing next to Justice (polka dot coat) and Reese (pink hat). Reese is Jackson's special friend right now. When we come in to class in the mornings, she's always bringing him something (usually a cracker or snack) or just comes up to hold his hand. The other day, I found them dancing and holding hands together. Justice joined in on the fun, and Jackson started leading them all around them room. Before we left, they all had to give each other lots of hugs.
Here is a class picture on the mat after their snacks:
We've been trying to get some good pictures of Jackson in front of the tree, but it's been difficult. Lately he's really been cheesing it up when you take a picture...so much so he usually looks mad!

Jackson loves looking at all of the ornaments. Unfortunately, he also likes taking them off and hanging them back on....usually all on the same branch! Here he is getting caught playing with the ornaments:

On Friday, Jackson's school had their Christmas program. Tom and I finished up our shopping just before the program - it's so nice to be finished, stockings and all! Jackson's class sang Jingle Bells. Jackson had been practicing all week in the car. It usually sounds like "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....Hey!...Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....Hey!" I think the whole class got stage fright, because I don't think anyone of them really ended up singing....though they did get the "hey" part! It cracks me up at the end of the video when they're lining up to walk out. Jackson zooms in on one handle and just doesn't let go except to move his bells to the other hand.

At the end of the program, all of the kids got up front to sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Jackson's class is in the far left in this picture. At the end of the song, we could see Jackson stand up and start clapping. Then he grabbed his friend Cort's hand excitedly and waited for the class to go back to their room. So cute!

Sheepie is Jackson's new friend. He drags this chair everywhere around the house, usually by one leg. Jackson was adamant that Tom hold both of them in his lap. BTW - Jackson has also started calling himself "Jack" not "Jackson". We're not quite sure how that one started.

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Christmas! It's going to be so much fun this year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! It's been a hectic month. Tom finished his marching band season, and they got 6th at Grand Nationals - congratulations! We're so glad to have Tom back at home at night. We've been taking advantage of the nice weather (up until this week, that is) by playing outside. Jackson absolutely loves playing with bubbles.

For Thanksgiving, we went to Stillwater first. Unfortunately, my dad got sick, and we ended up eating at Johnnie and Casey's house. I think we might have started a new tradition, though - Bad Brad's catering was wonderful! Jenna's house looked beautiful. It was all decorated for Christmas so that their family could celebrate before Casey left for Iraq. We had such a good time together. Casey let Jackson wear his cowboy hat, but as you can see, Johnnie liked it too!

Mom made the cutest ornaments. She re-created Jackson's look with the diapers, dinosaur feet, and cowboy hat perfectly while holding his makeshift "sword" tree. It makes me smile whenever I look at it. You are so talented, Mom! We all got a laugh at the grandkids ornaments - here's a pic of them:

After our celebration at Jenna's house, we drove to Moore to celebrate with the McGillen's on Thanksgiving Day. Soon after we got there, Jackson was already asking where the cats were at. The entire visit he'd look for the cats. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner, and their family friend Al joined us for dinner. Jackson couldn't wait to eat - here he is practicing his balancing act:

Al and Jackson got along great. Jackson kept chasing Al and everyone in his dinosaur feet. So cute! Al gave Jackson a gift right before he left - a dollar bill! Jackson had us stick it in his jeans pocket, and he'd get it out to look at it. In fact, after we got home, Jackson would come to us asking where his dollar was. Thank you, Al!

We also helped decorate their Christmas tree while we were there. Jackson was really good at it. Here's a couple of pictures and videos while decorating:

Lately, Jackson LOVES his sunglasses. He has to have them on when we go to school or get in the car...whether it's 7am or 5:30 pm. Usually it's almost dark outside when he wears them, but it doesn't seem to matter. The glasses are a little big for him, though, and they often slip down, which upsets him quite a bit. He tends to stretch them out and then let go, so the glasses smack him on the side of the face. Usually, we just have to say "kiss it" when he cries, and he'll kiss his finger and then touch his finger to his hurt area. Works like a charm! He does need some smaller glasses, though. Maybe Santa will bring them to you!

For our daycare's Christmas basket, we bought a small bookbag to include in the gifts. When we were in the store, Jackson LOVED the bag, and I ended up getting him one, too. We fill it full of books, and he likes to wear it around the house. Here he is getting ready for school. I can already see how he's going to look on his official first day of school picture!

Like I mentioned in my previous post, Jackson still loves wearing things on his head. Here he is with his latest hat - I'm sure he'll start a fashion trend with this one.

Jackson has learned so much in this past month. He can sing the ABC's (ok, so it's missing a few letters) and can count on his own to 12. With a little prodding, he can count to twenty! We really like to play ball with the whole family. Jackson will tell us who to throw it to - "To me, Jackson!" or "To me, Mommy!" (that means throw it to mommy, not Jackson). Everything right now is "To me!"

Jackson is still singing songs to us. His version of the Jackson song is greatly shortened. Now it basically consists of "I love Mommy (or whomever it's about). .....Small! It's the thought that counts, right?

By the way - Congratulations on your retirement, Dad! We are proud of you and all of that you have accomplished in your career. Enjoy your month off before you go back to the working world. And don't worry mom - we have plenty of space here if you need a break! We love you both!