Christmas on the mind

Christmas on the mind.

I can't decide if its the Halloween merchandise that is already being swapped out with Christmas items or the advertisements on TV for Christmas layaway and sales. 

Perhaps it may also be that life as I know it (life as a mom, wife, teacher, baker, chef, laundromat operator, cleaning lady, personal shopper, dog mom, hand cleaner, boogie wipe holder, and snuggle provider) is about to change by adding one more title. Coach.

High school girls basketball starts next week. Normally, I have Christmas plans in the works by now. Nope, not this year. 

And how can I top last year?

Christmas card 2012.

First visit to see Santa.

After some stressing out, momentarily (really only 24 hours or so), I came to the realization of the reason I love last years Christmas snapshots.

They fit Jackson's personality and level of discovery. "A picture is worth a thousands words" is one of my favorite sayings. Thinking about what makes J inquisitive, alert, and smile brought many more ideas to my mind. 

Although to some, this years picture (yes in at least 5 weeks), may not be great, it will capture my fun loving, hate dirt on his hands, inquisitive, goofy, wild with a patient demeanor child.

Now, back to Halloween! :) 

Fall Fun

Thanks to Mr. Columbus, I was able to spend a fun afternoon at a farm with Jackson! 

 

Although Jackson wanted my mom to carry him instead of walking he still had a great time.  It amazes me how much he loves animals and notices small details. 

Yesterday was pumpkin carving night! Jackson typically does not like his hands dirty. He is always "uh-oh"-ing us when he has food on them from eating with his fingers at meal time. So of course, at first Jackson wanted NOTHING to do with the slimy inside of the pumpkin; he wrinkled his nose, put his hands behind his back and shook his head. 

We busted out a spoon though and he immediately imitated what Matt did, tapping the spoon twice on the bowl too. :)

Most precious moment of the night; Matt is carving the face out and Jackson is mixing the pumpkin guts around in the bowl when he suddenly turns to the pumpkin and excitedly says "Oh, eyes!" while pointing DIRECTLY AT THEM! New word and proper unprompted use. Nice work J!

30 Vs. 1.5

Little Man turned 18 months! Me, I turn 30 YEARS this week. Half birthdays should always be celebrated but this may be the last for J.

He is evolving into a silly, focused, giggly, opinionated little dude that I can't believe we ever had a life without. 

 

My mom and dad came out this weekend before my birthday to celebrate. Jackson played with all his toys and completely hammed it up!

30yrs. VS. 1.5yrs....he challenges me, surprises me, laughs at me and "no's" at me, but everyday he makes me a better person. 

Happy 18 months J. Best of my 30 years!

Fall is here!

Fall is here!

This weekend was family fun filled with fall activities!

Friday began with my distracted little man obsessed with the birds that flocked around the school as we entered. Trying to take our usual photo he was in absolute aw of the chirping birds. This was our best photo and I can not get enough of that excited look of discovery on his face!

 We took little man apple picking on Saturday. To say he had fun was a definite understatement! Lesson learned though, let him eat an apple (and us!) after we have picked most of what we want. Probably two picked apples into the day we thought we would listen to their "try what your buying" policy. J saw the apple being eaten and was hooked. HE LOVED IT! The juice was dripping all over him and he had no interest in picking another apple, but man did he love that one. And what a good use of that front left tooth that finally came in!

Throughout the farm/orchard there were tons of tractors. We rode a tractor out to the orchard and I thought J was going to run right into its path every time he saw it. I relate his reactions to if I were to see Tim McGraw...stunned amazement turned impulsive action towards obsessed object. Well at the tractors that you could sit your child on there was always a line (or I had to go to the bathroom). My guilt denying him a tractor sit caught up with me. On our way out we passed one more tractor...

Fall means BEER! Local beer fest was a lot of fun. Both Jackson and mom and dad enjoyed the pretzel necklaces for purchase!

 The amazing weekend cumulated with pumpkins! A little on the tired/cranky side by this point in his busy weekend, J still tolerated it like a trouper! Really he more than tolerated, he loved seeing all the pumpkins,

 

was fascinated by the windmill (pointed up at it for quite a bit),

and loved all the wooden fall figures. From scarecrows to pumpkin men and farmers, he thought they were all there to say hi to him. 

No pumpkin farm is complete without some kid friendly rides. Jackson saw the ponies walking and loved that he recognized that animal! He wanted to go closer....until he actually got closer. He was apprehensive till he saw another boy ride on the ponies. When asked then if he wanted to ride he said "yeah" with some confidence. I asked the lady if we could get our tickets back if he cried. 

Not necessary though. J hummed and talked and smiled throughout the ride. He was smiley and wanted to keep riding when it was over. Me, I was dizzy and needed to stop.

Happy Fall! 

Time out! What happened to my baby?!?

My husband got his hair cut Saturday. He came home looking obviously well groomed and ever so handsome. On this hair care run he had a side kick. J had his third hair cut since February. 

She cleaned up his blonde locks and in a matter of minutes transformed my 16 month old into a 6 year old. I keep telling myself its just hair....but then I look at him again. 

Signs he is growing up didnt stop with his hair. Sunday my little man earned himself his first time out. I partly blame myself as he was way over tired and too irritable to be doing anything other than snuggling. So when it came to sharing he wasn't going to have it. The time out worked...sort of. Lots of crying from him and all of my patience later we rejoined the group. This time he responded when i said no and came by me. We will keep at it.