New Year, New School

Poor kid, this is his 3rd year of school and his 3rd new school.  He is such a trooper.  We are also going on a year round schedule instead of the traditional we are used to.

Changes, changes everywhere.

It's a good thing kids are so flexible.

I know that he'll do great!

I had to post this picture.  The was the finale of his birthday celebrations and the bast part is, he totally picked out this present with my Mom and knew what it was.  In fact, he asked if we could go up his fishing pole that Nana bought him, but even with all of that this was his face upon opening it.

Instead of our normal 3 tier birthday extravaganza cake, Jaxon was given the option of something Mom makes that tastes Yummy or a store bought decorated cake.

He went with taste - he is definately my boy!!

7 Already!

How is it that this boy is 7 years old?  I am in denial.  This is a really hard birthday for me - I just keep looking at him and thinking that he'll be 8 next year.  That thought pretty much pushes me over the edge.  I remember vivdly turning 8, I have so many memories of that age and even younger... the reality that my child is now old enough to remember this age as an adult.... HELLO!!! 

He will now remember all the things I screw up - he is making memories that will potentially last a lifetime - no pressure or anything, but if I thought I was molding my child before, what about now?

But, really he is such a good boy. He is sweet and kind and is building his testimony.

One of my current favorite things about Jaxon is his prayers. They are as heartfelt and genuine as they come. He without question believes that they are heard and answered and

 I absolutely LOVE that.

Since his birthday was on a Tuesday and we were in between moves it was a pretty simple birthday. We had pizza (his favorite), opened presents (check out that huge floating remote control shark!!), had dirt cups (not one of my finer moments, but he loved them all the same) and then went to Boondocks. All is all a fabulous night by any 7 year olds standards.

Check out those golf swings... yup that is how Kyah does it, regardless of our help - don't worry we know she'll totally go pro someday.

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Lazy Sunday

These are my cute kids as of today. They grow up so quick I can hardly believe it. Enjoying a lazy Sunday at home is a very a rare treat in these parts, so when I had one today I snapped a quick picture of my wee ones.

Jaxon's 1st Grade Field Trip

I was got to take the day off to escort Jax and a couple kids from his class on an adventure throught the Natural History Museum.

I had never been to the museum so it was fun for me too.

There were many exhibits besides the dinosaur exhibit, but it was our first stop and Jaxon's favorite.  After this point I was chasing first graders through the other exhibits and there was no time for pictures.

Not the best picture (love the wind), but proof I was there.

Building with Dad

Have you ever tried to get into one of those "Build and Grow" workshops at Lowes?

Next to impossible!

Lucky for us, Jaxon is more than happy to settle for the next best thing -

Dad and Jaxon making the project at home.

Here he is proud as punch with his project complete.

Valentine's Day Loot

The amazing room mother for Jaxon's class made each one of the kids a Valentine's Monster.

Jaxon thought it was super cool.

Here is all of his Valentine's Loot.  Can you see that picture of the girl near the heart?

Well this is what was written on the back of that picture...

Yup, a little love note.

When I asked Jax about it, he said - "Yeah, she likes me."

What???  So I inquired further as to what that meant and if she was his girlfriend...

"Nope, girls still have cooties and stuff Mom."

That's my boy.

Kyah even did Valentines at daycare.

She was so excited - it's rough to be the little sister not in school, but daycare is really good about doing "school" type things and she loves it.

I just happened to get a treat for Valentines too, my most favorite flowers.

Thanks babe!

Family Fair

Jaxon had a Family Fair at school.

His assignment was to learn about his family history and the traditions of his ancestors.

At the beginning I really felt like this was more Mom homework then Jaxon homework, but in the end I think that it was fun for Jaxon to learn a little about the countries that his ancestors came from.

They were able to take in treats from and set up displays in their classroom and then they were able to talk about their familes. 

Dad's Helper

Colby went out to shovel snow and Jaxon was so excited to tag along and help.

Whether he was much help or not, he sure is a cute willing helper.

Santa Come Back

Because all I want for Christmas are my two front teeth and I can't wait 12 more months!

I wish I had taken a before picture...

One of Jax's front teeth has been wiggly forever and had started to migrate into his other front tooth and create a large gap, so we told him Monday night that if he didn't have it out on his own by Friday we were going to help him with it. (I know we're mean, but it was getting ridiculous!)

So of course once we get him in bed he starts wiggling it and decides it's coming out tonight.

So, he came down to our bathroom and wiggled and wiggled, but the dang tooth would come out - but much to all of our shock and amazement the one next to it did.

Here he is, one tooth down, one to go.

Notice his watery eyes?  Makes me sad and proud all at the same time.

After he got out the first one you'd think the second would be easier, but he was a little scared from the blood and such and so Dad and I offered to help with the second, which really looked like Colby trying to grab it and then jaxon ripping his head back because he didn't want him to and that's all it took.

POP!  Out came the second tooth!

Now we have a Toothless Joe Jaxon.

Two teeth equals dollars in your pocket little man.

I was so proud of him.  He was scared, but he did it anyway.

Way to go Buddy!

RLMM

Today while driving over to my parent's house for dinner, Kyah said to Jaxon:

K:  Do you know how much I love you?
J:   10,000,550 never ending?
K:  Yup!
J:   Me too.

Wanting to cry because of their sweetness I glanced back and they were holding hands.

I told them how much I love those moments and how sweet I thought they were and then they proceeded to play the stack and slap game with their hands.... Yup, moment gone.

The Faces of my Family

One of the things I am the most thankful for today and everyday is my family.

All of them!

It seems such a general statement that it lacks the emphasis that I feel for it.

I simply can't think about how much I love these people and how blessed I feel without tearing up and being compelled to thank my Heavenly Father for them.

I love this boy!  He made me a Mother, he is quiet and thoughtful and to the core diplomatic.

He's a boy, but he has a heart of gold.  His sincere love makes me happy everyday.

These pictures show exactly why I love this girl.  She is definitely the bright spot of our home.  She is wildly emotional - good and bad.  She wears her heart on her sleeve and it doesn't take longer than 2 seconds to know just how she's feeling.  She is so passionate.  I love my Banana girl.

I'm sorry, but I just think he's so handsome!

He truly is a blessing to me and to our kids.  We are so happy to have him as a Dad and a husband.

He brings a solidness and consistency that our family has lacked.

I am one Lucky Lady!

This Boy

May be going through one of the best phases of his whole life.

He is such an amazing kid and I am so lucky to be his Momma.

He is trying so hard - which is so cute to watch.

He's doing great in school and at home.

I love to listen to him read - and not just "See Dick Run" books, but close to a 3rd grade level.

He is making goals and really trying to achieve them.

And he is so lovely lately - he seriously makes my heart melt and gives new meaning to the phrase

"My Cup Runneth Over."

What a joy my little man is, he is growing up right before me, I look at him and I can remember holding him as a baby and see glimpses of him as an adult.

I am so incredibly proud of you Jax and I am so grateful I get to witness you thrive and flourish.

I love you buddy, a million gazillion cheesecakes!

Real Life Mom Moments (RLMM)

Have you ever while standing in line, waiting in traffic or washing dishes (anywhere really) just let you mind wander?  I'm not talking about going over your to-do list, but a mini "pause" if you will. 

More often than not, when I have these moments, I find myself thinking about some funny or completely random thing my kids have done or said, and even occasionally what I've done as a Mom that can at a more rational moment make me shake my head and laugh at myself.

Because I am admittedly not fantastic at writing these moments down in a journal and because I figure you might enjoy laughing at me to, I'm going to start jotting them down here as

Real Life Mom Moments.

So, feel free is you ever see RLMM in the post title to skip on by in case you

don't dig my parent/kid rambling.

For instance just last night I had a moment with Jax that clearly illustrates why
 I am the best Mom in the World!

It's bedtime and Colby and I are tucking the kids in bed, I can't for the life of me tell you how/what conversation brought up Jaxon saying that he was going to die before I did, but regardless, that's what he said.  I quickly informed him that it just wasn't going to work like that and he would most definitely be burying me and not the other way around.  (Please keep in mind that this was a done with giggles and very playful tones and not nearly as morbid as typing it out sounds.)  I told him that I loved him too much for that too happen and I would probably die of a heart break if it did.  Then as we joked more I told him that he'd either have to have me live with him so he could take care of me or that he'd put me in a home and he'd have to come read me stories and visit me.  Again he had been laughing and joking about this the whole time.  Then after my last comeback of something along the lines of "Just don't forget about me and leave me there..." or something like that, Jaxon says that his eyes hurt and he starts crying.

Yup that's right I make my kids cry before bed - awesome!
In rush the hugs, kisses and reassurance and prayers that I don't completely screw up my kid.
Luckily for all of us kids are amazing and don't hold it against you when you try to totally give them nightmares when you thought you were kidding.
How sick is it, that after the guilt passed I just thought of how cute and sweet it is that he would actually be sad when I'm old and that way?

Around and Through

This was the scene in my front room the other night as I worked on dinner.

Jaxon and Colby each with one of Jaxon's shoes and Kyah with the lace up page of her quiet book.

The lesson for the evening?  Shoe Tieing 101.

I have purposely put off giving my kids tie shoes for one main reason - it's more work for the parent...but your kids can't stay in velcro forever.  We bought these shoes for Jax at the beginning of school and we've been tieing them every morning, but never again.

After a little time and a little practice - Jaxon can now tie his own shoes.

Colby does a great job at being willing to teach the kids.

As a Mom/wife these are moments when I love to peek my head in, maybe snap a picture or two and quietly walk back into the kitchen with a big smile on my face.

Jax is so proud of himself!  He is still having a little bit of trouble with the double knot part, but he's getting there.  Way to go buddy!  (Thanks honey!)