Movie Night

So we planned to have our cousins Lindsey and Seth over Friday night for Movie Night. The boys were so excited! It was Aunt Lisa's birthday on Thursday...so we wanted to give Lisa and Uncle Steve a night out.

We started the evening with make your own pizza. The boys (and Lindsey) did a great job. We had fresh dough, sauce, two cheeses and pepperoni. Yum.

Afterward, we had ice cream sundaes. Again,yum. We tried to watch a movie..but didnt' have much success. There was too much playing and fun going on.

Lindsey was a huge help. She loved holding Mitchell and playing with him. She's such a sweet heart.

Sing to the Lord, I love you

Connor and Jackson made their second appearance this season on the church choir circuit. They did great...and looked so cute. Mommy was running both the video camera and the still camera....so that explains these poor pics.

Here the guys are getting in place...they don't look so happy, but believe me, they did a great job. The song was super cute. I was sooooo proud of my guys.

Here's Mrs. Betty getting them all ready. Great Job!

Cookie

Oh, what a week. It was quite busy...but great. On Monday Connor asked if we could make "bear cookies"...he found a cookie cutter in a drawer and was eager to make use of it.

So...on Tuesday we made the dough...chilled the dough...then baked the dough....

It smelled awesome. Then to top it all of, we iced the cookies and decorated them.

We all had a great time.

Jackson had a lot of sprinkles left over on this plate...Connor asked if he could have them...Craig and I said no, let Jackson eat them....but Jackson said I want Connor to have them. Too cute. He has such a giving heart.

Sawyer inhaled his cookie. I'm surprised he even tasted it!

Take a look at this dude...covered in flour. You should have seen the mess we made. UGH!

This guy did not get to eat a cookie, but he didn't seem to mind! This week he started eating some new stuff...he had graham crackers, pears, and noodles. The pears were a big hit.

Its a great day

This is often the first thing that Jackson says to me when he wakes up in the morning. It often comes out a little like a questions...until I assure him that yes...it is a great day. Today was about as good as it gets. It's Jackson's birthday!

When I woke him up this morning I told him it was his birthday. He immediately said...I'm four now...then his first question...are there party hats and balloons? But of course my dear boy....of course. But first, we had to head to church where Connor and Jackson sang in the choir. (More on that in another post)

Then we headed home to have a small family birthday party for the big 4 year old.
We kept it pretty simple...meatball sandwiches, special potatoes, and a green salad...

Of course, we had birthday cake. jackson was so excited to blow out the candles...he's been waiting for this birthday for a very long time.

There was no shortage of help when it came to blowing out the candles...

and licking the frosting off them.

These boys were excited about their cake!

Dig in!

So...my little Jackson is 4. I really cannot believe it. I remember the night he was born...it snowed and I held him as I stood at the window in the hospital. I remember it like it was yesterday.

My dear Jackson,

Where have the days gone? It seems like a moment ago that you were born. I can still remember waking up in the middle of the night...and knowing your arrival was coming. You wouldn't wait that night...and made your first appearance in the triage unit at the hospital. I loved you from the first moment. I can still remember holding your tiny little body. You were so long and lanky...not much has changed. You were such a good baby. Even when they pricked your foot for tests...you barely cried.

You've always been such an easy going guy. You're a lot like your Daddy. So pleasant, so kind, so thoughtful. You've been blessed with such an amazing heart. You never get too worked up about anything...unless its something you care deeply about.

It hard to believe that a year and a half ago we were concerned that you weren't talking. Boy, you've made up for that! You got some great help...and really took off. I think you were just on your own time line. But today...you are a chit chatter. It is such a joy to hear what you have to say. You are eager to give lots of love to us. By far, your favorite thing to talk about is trains. Thomas, Percy, James, Spencer. You name it...you could go on and on for hours. And the stories...wow. your imagination is amazing. I'm impressed by all that you put into your playtime these days. You've also gotten quite good at creating incredible tracks at the train table. You make bridges and overpasses, bumpy tracks and big curves. You get a little frustrated when it doesn't work out the way you want it to...but then you're right back at it.

You are just a little love. I can't get enough of you. I especially enjoy when you wipe off my kisses...only so you can get some more. And at bed time, when i check on you and your not asleep...you'll let me kiss you one more time...then one more time...and maybe one more time...before telling me its time for bed. Too cute.

jackson...I couldn't love you more. You are such a wonderful part of our family. You bring us such joy! Your smile is infectious...your giving spirit is a gift. These last four years have gone so quickly, but I've tried to savor each moment. It's been a thrill....yet I'm so looking forward to seeing the days to come. I know you will surpass all I've ever dreamed for you. Rock on my little Jack man. May God bless you every moment of every day. I love you abundantly.

Mommy