I’m back:)

I’m starting to use this as a way to document the things with the kids and social media is not exactly enjoyable currently. 

Jax had his XC banquet last night. We made a deal that he had to run his freshman year and after that it was up to him if he wanted to continue. Well he clearly enjoys it because he signed up his sophomore year. I love him being a part of such a great team. Great group of guys and the coaching staff is awesome (the head coach reminds me of my dad in appearance!) and really brings out the best in them. Jax had a great season in spite of all that was going on. In July, he was in a group for practice that was the slowest and they are supposed to stay together during practice. Jax texted the coach and asked to move up to the next group that was faster and I think that was awesome for him. He got the minute man award last night because he beat his personal PR from last year by a minute or longer. He beat his last year PR by 2 minutes and 7 seconds. So proud. Now starts track conditioning!

Jackson and Mia

We were early for school this morning and I thought the kids looked cute so I snapped a few photos. Enjoy!

Jackson and Daddy's Snow Fort

Jackson and Matt built a snow fort when we had all the snow these past few weeks. Jackson had a great time with Matt-they stayed outside for forever digging and playing. Jackson has a mini shovel he got for Christmas from Matt's parents and he had a good time using it with daddy to clear off the driveway and sidewalk as well as build his fort. The ultimate sadness happened when he discovered Sunday morning that the fort had fallen in since the temperature had gone up. He seriously hung his head down for a minute and was so bummed out. We got some good pictures and a video to remember it by anyway.

Jackson the Stylist

Jackson gave himself a mohawk with some mango smelling hair gel Mamaw gave him in his Christmas stocking. I think he did a pretty good job. What do you think?

The boys...

...are clearly smitten with their new baby sister.

School Pictures

The kids pre-school pictures were not the best this year, but although they weren't cheap I am excited to have them as memories. Jackson's wasn't horrible but definitely is not one of his better pictures.

As for Miss Amelia, I don't even know what to say. Before I opened them I asked her if she smiled for the camera to which she replied, "Yes, mommy!" Apparently this is her smile...

She looks terrified and bored to me. Anyone that truly knows Mia knows that she is full of energy and she never stops talking, singing, etc. Although she loves school, her teachers tell me that she never speaks. She is shy around people she doesn't know, but she has been at school long enough that she should be saying something! This is her face when I pick her up. Looks like she doesn't like school, huh? She asks me every morning if she has it and is disappointed if that day isn't a school day. She is perplexing for sure. I love that I have this picture for future blackmail or just a funny memory for sure!

Throwback Thursday

Probably one of my favorite pictures of Jackson. Time flies!

Festive Shirts

I tried to get some pictures of all the kids in their festive halloween shirts when it was black and orange day at preschool. Here are the results...

Grant (paci) was not in the mood for a photo op

I love this one! You can really see how the twins (here it is Liam) and Jackson look alike.

Best Buddies!

Throwback Thursday

Jackson age 13 months
Jackson age one month

Jackson age 2, Amelia age 8 months

The kids were checking out the halloween costume tote yesterday so I thought I would do a throwback to some old halloween pictures. Enjoy!

Chuck E Cheez-its

Yesterday we celebrated Jackson's 5th birthday at Chuck E Cheese (or Chuck E Cheez-its as Jackson and Mia call it) and really had a good time. I was skeptical since it was our first destination party, but I really enjoyed the whole not cleaning the house, not cooking part of the party. All of the kids had a total blast playing the games, getting tickets, and feeding the tickets to the chomping ticket monster to redeem them for prizes. I think the adults had a good time too. Mia really liked meeting Chuck E and I have a feeling she will be requesting a Chuck E Cheese party for her birthday in February. He got some excellent gifts including a toy guitar, air drumsticks, children encyclopedias, a new game for his Vsmile system, and a lite brite. I was surprised by how much he enjoyed the lite brite since he has difficulty focusing at times, but he wanted to do each one of the picture sheets that it came with after the party. Think we will be making a trip to get some more picture sheets since all of them are now done! It definitely brought back some memories for Matt and I playing lite brite when we were kids. Jackson had a great birthday. Thanks to all who celebrated with us!

Happy 5th big boy!

Cannot believe we have a 5 year old! He is growing up into such a little man. He starts piano lessons next week, loves to ride on his scooter (courtesy of Mamaw and Papaw), catches on so quickly to computer games and his Vsmile game system, enjoys playing with trains, and spends at least a short amount of time daily writing and coloring with crayons or markers. He is such a smart boy and we love him so much! Happy Birthday Jackson!

Guitar Jammies

Matt's mom made Jackson and Mia some jammies from fabric they picked out themselves at JoAnn's. Here is Jackson modeling his guitar PJ's. I think he likes them, what do you think? What fabric do you think Mia picked out? Little Mermaid, of course! I'm sure I'll have a modeling picture of her up here soon.

First Day of School

They had some hilarious faces for me this morning before we left for the first day of school. Both Jackson and Mia were really excited to start and had their backpacks on all morning. Can't wait to hear how they liked it! Already Liam and Grant have been asking, "Where Mia go?" and "Where Jackson go?" I'm sure they will be missed!

Prop Play

Cool Treats

Yum!

Kids in hats

More art from Jackson

Thought I would share some more drawings from Jackson.

The top one is a big twisty slide, with a giant ladder and lots of kids sliding down (and of course his autograph). The bottom is one of his favorite things to draw: a train. I think almost everyday in his backpack from preschool was a drawing of a train very similar to this one below.

Enjoy!