Tales from Easter 2013

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, and I was excited for Jackson to experience it this year.  This is technically his second Easter, so we practiced picking up eggs and putting them in the basket.  This was preparation for our Lifegroup's first annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The weather didn't cooperate with us, so we moved it to the church and it turned out GREAT!  There was well over 50 people there, and most of all, the kids had a great time.  

Jackson is so shy and reserved when he gets into a new situation.  He was attached to my leg most of the first hour, but then he got his motor running.  

Almost two summers ago, there were five girls who were all very busy.  These are the babies of summer 2011 (with the exception of one who wasn't in the room).  Josh McDonald, Jackson Haywood, Nathan Wooten, Audrey Hefner, and Clara Northcutt were born within six weeks of each other.  It's so fun to watch them play together (or take toys away) ha! 

These three were born within the same week!  June 27, July 1, and July 4. 

This is Jackson's buddy Brandt.  They are in the same "class" at church and are about a month a part, although you couldn't tell it by the size of Brandt.  He's a smart kid and already potty training.  

We got to hang out in G-lab and the chapel, so there was lots of room to spread out. 

I was glad that Mimi and Pops got to come and play with our church friends.  Jackson was especially excited to see them!  

After a quick bite of lunch and a juice box, he was ready to get back into the game.  

This little "roller coaster" was a big hit with the kids. 

You think Jackson liked it? 

We got home around 12 and had to open Jackson's present from Mimi and Pops.  He got a Noah book and a John Deere tractor.  "Oh cool" was said a lot. 

This Noah book has little flaps to look under and he is really into that right now.  We're working on colors, but of course every answer is "pu-ple".  

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Now that's tired!  

Even Mimi and Pops needed a nap.   

Not sure if we're going to perpetuate the "Easter Bunny" lie, but we will definitely do Easter baskets.  We didn't open this until after nap, but I'm glad it all fit into the basket. 

He got a puzzle, Elmo plate and bowl, several books, bubbles, and a few stickers. 

Sunday mornings are always crazy, but Easter Sunday just adds another layer of stress.  For some reason, I want everyone to look nice and be on time.  I was stressing out about what I was going to wear, and I could sense the Lord telling me to relax and focus on the meaning.  I was glad my little man looked so cute though. We took a few pictures on the front door before it started raining.  Of course he wouldn't smile, but they turned out really good. 

After church we went to the Morris' house for the traditional Easter lunch.  Believe it or not, this was my first Easter in Cabot since we've been married.  Every year, we've gone to McGehee, but I'm glad we got to see the Gardners/Oxners this year.  Jackson doesn't really have any playmates because the other cousins are a few years older (and mostly girls), but he loved seeing cousin Whitney and Heather.  

This was the best family portrait I could get this year.  Thank goodness for cameras with screens that pivot. 

Jackson and Mommy.  He was too concerned with the old dog on the patio than he was with taking pictures. 

Can't believe this little man is almost two!  When did he get so big? 

My friend Erika suggested that I stage this in 10 years, and I think that's a great idea.  Not sure if I will have willing participants, but I can sure try.  Jackson sure does love his daddy. 

We didn't hunt eggs with the rest of the cousins because it was well past nap time and we all needed to rest.  He didn't sleep long, so we got up and opened presents.  This one was from Gamma and it's a Magna Doodle. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing on the patio and talking to family on Skype/Facetime.  It was a really busy weekend, and it's taken most of the morning to get my brain to work.  In addition to my family, I am also thankful for a risen Savior who knows my name and cares for me.  

Luke 24:6 "He isn't here!  He is risen from the dead!"

Thanks Pinterest!

So I finally I have gotten on the Pinterest bandwagon, and most of it leaves me feeling very inadequate as a mother, wife, and human being, but I have found a few ideas to be successful.  Most things I pin are ideas to remember for Jackson, and painting with shaving cream was one of them.  You take food coloring, shaving cream, water, a bath tub, and a brush, and let them go to town.  It doesn't stain (maybe it does if it stays on there long enough), but it's a lot of fun on these cold days when we can't go outside.  I only did a few colors to test it out, so next time we will do more.  I also didn't want to waste a bunch of shaving cream because that stuff's expensive!  ha! 

It also turns the water yucky, so you will have to get fresh water to get said child clean. 

After a year and a half, this child finally likes to brush his teeth and does a pretty good job at it.  He wants "tuppies" which means toothpaste and he brushes and chews and rinses it off the water.  

He's also figured out how to maneuver my iPhone.  He loves to Facetime with Mimi and Pops and watch Elmo and "monkey" (aka Curious George). 

Life these days is pretty fast, and he's figured out that a book after bath equals bedtime.  He hasn't wanted me to read to him, so we have to squeeze in our book time during playtime.  I love seeing my two guys snuggled up together. 

For the past week, the weather has been horrible.  Cold and rainy is now how we like to spend the first of Spring.  Last Saturday was absolutely perfect and we enjoyed all day outside. But I want to know when my little man got big enough to sit here like a grown person?  

One funny thing I've noticed is that he has discovered the hidden areas in the house.  He can squeeze behind the end table and the recliner, and enjoys those little hidey-holes. 

I'm trying to be a better blogger and will be posting soon about other things going on with us.  Oh and I can't forget it's almost the 27th, which means J will be 21 months old.  Or 3 months away from 2.  Which makes my heart stop beating for a brief moment when I realize the snowball is going down the hill and I can't make it stop. 

Pre-Easter Celebration in McGehee

Last Friday afternoon after work, we headed south for a fun weekend in McGehee.  We typically go to  Mimi and Pops' house for Easter, but we're staying at our own house that weekend because of church activities that are planned.  I guess after 5 years, it's time to stay at our own house.  ha!  We got there around 7 that night and the little man was thrilled with all of the attention.  He loves to wrestle with his Pops, and he was wound up until he passed out around 9:30. 

Saturday turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day.  First thing after breakfast, I dressed Jackson up in his Easter outfit that Gamma bought and we went outside for pictures.  Mom's daffodils were in full bloom, and he was fascinated with smelling them.  The chair he was sitting in was mine when I was little, and he sat it in last Easter for cute pictures.  This year, he was not too interested in sitting down and smiling for me, but I did get some really good shots.  He'll also be able to wear this outfit this summer too, so I'm happy about that.  

Flash back:  see how little and cute he was last year! 

Luckily I have a really good and fast camera, because in about 15 minutes, I can tell he was done cooperating.  So we changed clothes and started playtime.  He loves playing with our old popper sticks, and he waves them around like swords.  We all have to watch out!  

After a while, it was evident that the ball and leaves just weren't cutting it, so we loaded up and went to the playground.  The elementary school has a really great playground that's open for everyone to use, so he had a great time sliding and climbing.  Oh and don't forget playing with the rocks.  There were lots of rocks! 

The weather was so perfect that we even had to have lunch outside.  

More flowering smelling...

My mom has a bird feeder in the front winder and Jackson loves to watch the little birds. 

After dinner that night, we kept right on playing.  Dad played the guitar some, but Jackson didn't really know what to think about that.  

Sunday was Daylight Savings Time, so he was up a little early and was ready to spend more time with Pops. They did lots of snuggling that morning before we had to go to church.  

One of the reasons I love going to McGehee is because I love seeing my church family there.  I know that's technically not my church, but still they are all family.  I grew up with these people, and you just don't ever forget that.  Anyway, it had been two weeks since the Honduras team got back, and my dad made a few comments about it, and then he got a big surprise.  Since he couldn't go this year due to the chemo, the group brought along "Flat Ronnie."  Similar to Flat Stanley who travels the world as an educational tool, Flat Ronnie was there in just about every picture the group made this year.  I saw bawling my eyes out when they were showing some of the pictures. They even got Flat Ronnie framed and the back was signed by the team.  I love that they honored him in that way, and I'm so proud of him! 

We left Jackson in the nursery during the service, and he was not happy when we picked him up.  He wanted Pops again, but wouldn't smile for me at all.  Just like my Pa. 

Here's Jim and Lesli, the 2013 Capitans, and they did a great job as leaders! 

We had lunch at the hospital and stopped by to see my Nannie, who isn't well, and it was good to hug her neck and let her see Jackson again.  We had to go home after that, and somebody was super tired.  DST is hard on everybody!  

But when we got home, the sun was shining and it was time to play again!  It was a little cooler, which explains his outfit.  

Cool mama! 

We tried a wagon ride, but it was too windy and cold.  

So we choose bath-time instead.  He was raring to go by 8, and a warm bath didn't slow him down any.  

It's been a rough week trying to get caught up with the time change, but hopefully we can spend this weekend getting back on track. 

Two-Year Molars

Just wanted to document that the first two-year molar has made an appearance, and between that and daylight savings time, I'm going to need more Advil for the entire family.  He's been a little cranky, but I chalked it up to being tired from a fun weekend.  (More about that later).

But nope.  Last night, I felt in his mouth and sure enough, the bottom right one has broken through the gum.  I'm not surprised that they're coming in - he's been chewing on stuff like crazy for a while, but I'm glad we're on the downhill slide.  We'll be going to see Dr. Aunt Sarah soon for his first check-up.

Life According to my iPhone

I really need to update the blog on my big 20 1\2 month old, but for now, I'll just leave you with these awesome pictures.  I love the forward-facing camera on my phone now that my child has learned to smile on cue.