Summer is ... here!?!?!!

Summer is ... HERE.
I could try to come up with a bazillion excuses reasons why I have neglected posting to our blog for so long...
But, rather than attempting to play catch up...
Catch up of the past 8 (8?!?!?!???!!!) months, I'll try and start from here... today... now... and hopefully fill in the gaps here & there.
I'm not making any blog posting promises... but, am really really going to try to update more often... (more often, than say 2x p/year).
Last week was the LAST week of preschool for both Jackson and Maggie. It's so hard to believe we've already come to the end of their school year. And... the end-of-preschool::hello-ELEMENTARY(???)-school-this-FALL for Jackson!!! Yep, our sweet guy officially GRADUATED (!!!) from preschool last Sunday. He had an AWESOME school year, and has grown so much! He, truly, is no longer, our little guy, rather our amazing sweet BIG GUY!!

Jackson William, approx. 3 months old young

(ok... we all know he was NEVER truly our little guy... he was an amazing sweet BIG guy from the start...  Exhibit A: photo above, just in case a reminder was needed...)

 Preschool Graduation

June 2, 2013

Jackson William, 5.5 years old young!

Jackson's preschool graduation was really great. It was so fun to see how excited the kiddos were, to hear them sing songs they've been practicing, and of course... receive their "graduation diplomas"!
Their head teacher, Ms. Tonia had asked parents a few weeks prior to graduation to send her a photo of our "soon to be graduate", when they were just a babe... Exhibit A (above) is the one Jackson and I picked. Ms. Tonia put together a very sweet slide show, which included each graduate's photo as a babe, as well as a photo she had taken of each kiddo, during their last week of school. Amazing how much they've all grown, yet still look so much like their baby pictures. It was so fun to see not only all the baby photos, the last week of school photos, but so many GREAT photos of our kiddos having so much fun throughout the entire school year. We have really LOVED St. Matthew's Preschool, and feel so blessed to have had both kiddos attend preschool there, this past year. We couldn't have asked for a better fit for our amazing (and very different personalities!) munchkins! Next stop for Jackson: Kindergarten this fall!!!!  *sigh...*
Maggie will continue at St. Matthew's this coming fall, in their Jr. Academy Program (more deets on that to come!)

Maggie's 3's Preschool class, the last week of school.

Her teacher, Ms. Cathy is truly wonderful.

Can you pick Maggs out?

She's the sweetie standing to the left (blue shirt) of Ms. Cathy.

What a bunch of cuties!!!

Maggie had a fabulous year (her FIRST year!) of preschool. She absolutely LOVED school, made great friends, adored and is adored by her teachers. She learned so much that sometimes I can't believe she'll ONLY be 4 years old in July!
She has also grown SO MUCH ... especially just in the last 4-6 months. Her legs seem to be growing a mile longer every other month, and at times I find myself just in amazement over the conversations she has (both with me, with Jackson and of course, with herself, her "babies", her "animals", etc... ha!). Next stop for Maggs: Jr. Academy at St. Matthew's in the fall!!!!
We have LOTS more pictures (and so much to catch up on!!!) to share! My goal in keeping things updated around here is to try to keep things short & sweet... in hopes I won't feel completely overwhelmed and in turn... let what feels like my middle name, guide me... PROCRASTINATION!
Hope you're enjoying this amazing gorgeous sunshine... we're LOVE LOVE LOVING it! We were able to get out and plant some flowers (and carrots... we'll see how that goes... ) yesterday. Looking forward to getting out in the "garden" (we don't really have a garden, as much as a shaggy lawn... ha!) again this afternoon.
Much Love.
The Weeks

The best day EVER according to Jackson!

... those exact words were heard coming out of our sweet boy's mouth more times than I could count yesterday. He, certainly did have the BEST day ever!

Here's a little peek at some of the FUN Jackson had over the Holiday Season !!! 

(We definitely have LOTS & LOTS more to share... there are TONS and TONS of pics to go through... not to mention, the mounds of laundry, decorations needing to be put away, homes to find for new toys, older toys to say goodbye to find new homes for, general de-cluttering, and a big clean sweep to make our home look a bit less like the Christmas explosion that it does, at this very moment...)

Our Christmas Tree!

Both Jackson and Maggie did such a great job helping decorate our tree this year... it was fun to tell them stories about each ornament and to add new, special ones!

Jackson's Preschool Christmas Program

December 2011

 One of Santa's new Reindeer's... Jackson! (seriously... so so so cute!!!)

 Our little Reindeer being such a good friend, watching the "4's and 5's" classes sing their special Christmas songs!

 Jackson with Santa! 

Santa was at Jackson's School Program... it was very very cool. Jack was super excited to have his picture taken with Santa! Maggie... well, Maggie wasn't so into Santa this year. She preferred waving to him from afar... anything closer than about 20 feet was considered DANGER Santa Zone to Miss Maggs... and I won't even begin to tell you how terrified our lil' Miss was, when thinking that Santa would be sneaking into HER house in the middle of the night. She could care less how many presents he may be leaving... she wanted nothing to do with the mere mention and/or fact that he would actually be in HER house, and therefore in that close of a proximity to her! Oy Vey.... we're hoping she'll outgrow her EXTREME distaste for Santa soon... (at least by next year!).

 Jackson and two of his great buddies from school, all enjoying some Santa time after their great Christmas Program. They all did such a great job, remembering all of their songs, the motions that went along with each, and just really enjoying being the "STARS of the night"!

Gingerbread House Making!!!

The munchkins and I had a fun afternoon last week, making a BIG Gingerbread House.

I'm fairly sure that Jackson consumed more of the "house" than actually made it on to the house... but that is the BEST part about building a Gingerbread House...

that and mixing all of the candy into the frosting (maggie....)!

 Jackson: aka: sugared up, silly monkey, Gingerbread house making machine!

Making cookies with Daddy for Santa!!! 

We saved all baking for the week before Christmas! It was so much fun! Both Jackson and Maggie LOVED each and every little craft and baking session. They were the best of helpers!

Christmas Eve!

After Church and Dinner, both kiddos got to open one gift. 

They were both beyond thrilled and excited.

Jackson received "THE MOST SUPER AWESOME BUZZ LIGHTYEAR EVER!"!!!!!

 Playing with Buzz on Christmas morning!

Again... this is just Post #1 (of many, I think...) of Christmas! We have so much more to share!

(and yes... Maggie had a WONDERFUL Christmas too... Jackson definitely was at the age this year of REALLY understanding Christmas, and to say he had the most Holiday Cheer, well... that would be an understatement! )!!!! 

xoxo

Christmas card out takes ... part I

Merry Merry Merry Christmas to all of our Wonderful Friends and Family!

We are ready for Christmas to be here!

Tree is up,

Stockings are hung,

Goodies are made (for the most part...),

Lights are up,

Wreath is on the door,

Gifts are wrapped,

and Memories have been made! :)

This year, I did want to try and get the "perfect" Christmas card... HA! Anyone with munchkins, knows this is completely impossible! But... we did manage to get a very sweet Christmas card out to all of our loved ones (literally, by the skin of my teeth, I tell ya!).

If you haven't already received your card, you shall soon... 

For those who have, I hope you enjoyed it...

Now here are some fun... "out takes"... 

ie. Attempts at photos for our Family Christmas Card!

They may not be "perfect", but they are definitely perfect to us!!!

Merry Christmas from our Reindeers to yours...

Jackson + Preschool + Fall + Halloween!!!

Jackson + Preschool = Super Smart, Super Fun, Super Cool Boy (yes, smarter, more fun, and much cooler than pre- preschool... which is incredibly hard to imagine!!!!)

As most of you know, Jackson started preschool in September, at the Methodist Church Preschool, near our house. It's been amazing to see how much he has learned so quickly, and it seems like everyday he is telling me about something new, or doing something new. We are thrilled with what a GREAT fit his preschool is for him. Not only is it such a sweet little school, but, his teachers have both been teachers there for a LOOOOOONG time, and are so invested in each child in their class.With Jackson's birthday being in early November (we can't believe he's going to be FOUR... there will be a whole post, in it's own, on that!), he will be one of the oldest kiddos in his class when he starts kindergarten. So... he will go to preschool this year, and then AGAIN next year. His preschool does have a pre-K program, for next year. It'll be great for him to learn all the skills needed to start Kindergarten. Not to mention, how great it will be for Maggie to have her big brother at the same school as she, for her FIRST year of preschool. Yep... she has (what is considered) an early birthday (early July), and therefore will be one of the youngest in her class. Our munchkins birthdays, also make it so they'll be back to back in school. When Maggie starts Kindergarten, Jackson will be in 1st Grade... whew! sloooooow down!!! It is hard to even imagine them in elementary school... but, I know all too well, how fast time flies, and it'll be here before we know it! (*sigh!)

Speaking of time flying by....

remember this cutie? Jackson's FIRST Halloween, October 2008

 Halloween #2, 2009

(he was NOT into dressing up... at.all.!!! until, as you will see... he discovered if you were sweet and wore your costume that your mommy put on you, your pumpkin bucket would get filled full of yummy treats... yep, totally worth the dragon costume!)

 mmmm... taking a little break to taste some of the yummy treats!

Back out to get some more loot!

 Maggie's FIRST Halloween, 2009

She was such a good sport (ok, in the beginning) and was the cutest Pumpkin ever!

 Again, she was so so good.... and then it was time to go home, and she was just done. Done with trick or treating, and REALLY done with having her picture taken!

Our FIRST Family of 4 Halloween

Gig Harbor, Washington

The gorgeous fall trees in our neighborhood, when we lived in Gig Harbor...

Halloween #3 for Jackson!

What a sweet scary Tiger!

Maggie's 2nd Halloween

Such a sweet sweet sweet Ballerina!!!

 ... yep, the Tiger costume will be coming out for year #2, tomorrow

(we think Jackson is under the impression, that you wear the same Halloween costume, until it no longer fits .... we're ok with his thoughts on Halloween costumes, and are thankful that his costume was a bit too big last year!)

We can't wait to share the pictures from Halloween this year!

(couldn't NOT share the CUTEST Halloween munchkins ever... 

but, back to preschool...)

Jackson is loving preschool, and is making some great friends. His teachers proudly report to Brian and I, each week, how he is learning the routine and rules of school. How he is very caring and kind towards his teachers, and his classmates. All things, as his Daddy and Mommy, we of course, LOVE to hear.

I was invited to help out in his classroom last Thursday, for their "Harvest Party". (note: they didn't have a traditional "Halloween" party, so the Harvest Party, somewhat took the place of what most preschools consider a "Halloween" party)

I had so much fun seeing Jack, in action at school. As most, 3 1/2 year old boys, he definitely tests limits, is full of energy, and sometimes "forgets" the difference between "walking/inside" feet and "running/outside" feet... but, he is quick to "FREEZE" (a notion the teachers have taught the kiddos to do when they call their name, following with the word "freeze", they are to literally freeze their bodies, not moving any further than those running feet were originally taking them), make eye contact, listen to instructions, and carry on with what his teachers ask of him. 

I enjoyed getting to know each of his (whopping 10!) classmates, too. We made a fun craft... using a small glass jar (leftover baby food jars... yes, I've been holding on to them for a LOOOOONG time... and they've finally found a good use!). We covered them with orange tissue paper (using a sticky mixture of glue + water), after the layer of tissue paper was dry, we then added eyes, nose and a mouth... making it a jack-o-lantern. Each kiddo took home a little battery tea light to put in to their jack-o-lantern, and it makes quite a cute little candle.

 One of the cute "Jack-o-Lantern" Candle Holders we made at home, during our "test run".

Jackson was super helpful in making sure the tissue paper stayed on, and although he wasn't a huge fan of the crazy stickiness involved, he was great about helping me add more and more and more glue.

(Maggie on the other hand, ditched out on us quite early on in the craft. Once the sticky glue hit her fingers, she was out... and FAST!)

Jackson, now has 2 (we had made them at home first... doing a trial run, to make sure that they would turn out ok, etc.), and LOVES them. Since he made them, they have stayed on his dresser, and he makes sure each night to push the button on the bottom of the tea light candle, and has it on all night long while he is sleeping.

 He's a super cute and NON-Scary Jack-o-Lantern at night time. 

It's actually been a really good way, to get away from all of the "scary and spooky" parts of Halloween. And, for him to remember that Halloween doesn't have to be spooky or scary, but it is just silly and fun. He's definitely not one for too much spooky and/or scary... and neither is Maggie. :)

 Jackson's teachers are so thoughtful, in that they send us weekly "news", regarding what our munchkins were up to at school during the week, also always adding in fun photos they've taken of different activities they've done that week too!

I love getting the "news" and photos, because Jack usually has explained to me some things they've done, so actually seeing the photos, and hearing from his teachers the activities they did, is so fun to put the whole thing together!

I gotta say, the baby owls they made, are SO CUTE!!!! I will never, ever, ever, ever call a baby owl, a baby chick again. It is very very hurtful towards a baby owl, I was soon to be told! :)

Tomorrow for Halloween, we are going to go and visit Nana Bette in the afternoon, to show off our two sweet little Goblins. We'll head home for an early dinner, and then head out for a little trick or treating just around our neighborhood. We're excited that our awesome friends & neighbors, The Kleine's, will be joining us. They have 3 girls, two a bit older than Jackson, and their youngest is just a few months older than Maggie. It should be fun for the kiddos to have some friends, to show them the "ropes" of trick or treating. :) I'll be sure to get some pictures of our Goblins (little hint: a FAST Tiger, and a SWEET Ladybug).

(wouldn't Maggie be the Cutest little pumpkin girl? She was certainly the cutest pumpkin baby! Maybe next year...) 

We hope you are all enjoying this fun time of Fall... 
Make sure you have LOTS of candy on hand...
I'm just going to try my best to not eat any all of Jack and Maggie's loot! :)
Happy Halloween!!!!