more happenings...

Jackson wanted me to take a "cheese" of him... what a cute little boy!

Goofy dog.
More of swimming lessons... doing so well!

Baby Kate & I just hanging out by the side of the pool... she is SUCH a good girl!
Looking for fish and blowing bubbles in the water

The teacher found some goggles that belong to the pool... just these kids' size and they have loved them!
I was so excited to get our pool back out... only to find that something poked a little hole in the side... maybe we'll be able to patch it. Oh, well. I was able to bandaid it long enough for Jackson to play for an hour or so.
This is what Kate did while he was playing. Cruisin' in her walker (which she decided a few weeks ago that she doesn't like anymore... anything that holds her down). However, I guess being outside is cooler, so the walker is okay. You can't tell but she's wearing a little white skirt... what a little cutie pie! Plus... she learned to wave a while ago... so cute! I just love it! She waves to random people at the store all the time and steals their heart. I just hope teenage years come slowly and then pass quickly!

Climbing already!!!

I was watching this earlier today and ran as fast as I could to grab my camera. I took pictures of each step until my motherly instincts took over and I just couldn't stand it anymore... I thought she might fall!
She is showing me a piece of tape from the moving box... this is a hobby of hers. Kate likes to peel the tape off of the boxes and eat it. Gross. Luckily, I do a pretty good job of keeping an eye on her, so the tape doesn't get far, but this girl is B-U-S-Y!! Way moreso than I remember her brother being. Good luck to me!
I know she is just trying to get to the books that I have blocked from her reach... little stinker!
Whoa! So close... what's the next move?
This was it. After this picture, she was completely standing with both feet on the picture frame that her right hand is resting on in this picture. Scary! If it was open carpet below her, I wouldn't have been quite as worried, but she probably would have landed half on the wagon and half in the red tub... this girl is NOT graceful. What a crazy girl!

Looking less like a baby everyday!

Our adorable, chunky little Baby Kate is looking more grown up everyday! She is so sturdy now. She could totally walk on her own, but the little stinker is just too stubborn (I actually just think she lacks the confidence). Anyway, she is a little doll and we just love her. She and Jackson have such a fun relationship... I hope it lasts through their teen years and she doesn't pester him too badly. Right now it is a blast to just sit and play with them and see how they interact with each other.
I remember feeling great about having them so close together in age (19 months) until about 6 weeks before Kate was born. I worried about not giving Jackson the attention he was used to, etc, etc, etc. Anyone reading this who may worry... don't. They are the best of friends now and I couldn't imagine it any other way. Little kids adjust SO quickly. Parker and I try to give both kids plenty of one-on-one time and acknowledge the good things that they do, so I'm sure that has helped. However, Jackson doesn't even remember life before Kate. He's not traumatized or bitter about her taking attention from him. They have so much fun being together and making each other laugh. We couldn't imagine life without our little munchkins. (Doesn't the 24-mos. outfit look cute, Grandma? A little crazy that it fits her already! What a chunk!)

dinner @ the park on the Snake River

Jackson in front of the Snake River... he gets SO excited EVERY time we cross the river (which is just about every day.




Silly face
Eating the grass...
Eating more grass...
Love this view!
I just thought this was funny... weird!!
Daddy with Baby Kate & Jackson
For those who don't know, I have an absolutely AWFUL fear of water. I'm not sure why, just do. So, it was a pretty big deal for me to walk out (pushing Kate in the stroller) along this very wobbly bridge out to the semi-wobbly dock (hello, it's floating) on the Snake River (it's the state line between Oregon and Idaho). We had fun eating dinner and playing at this park that we found just a few minutes from our house. We wanted to scout it out a little because Parker wants to take Jackson fishing here. It looks like a good spot (not necessarily to catch fish, but to be able to sit in the shade and throw a line in, plus it really only takes less than 5 minutes to drive here from our house).

(more) Jackson swimming

A great day!

Empty laundry baskets (meaning clean clothes, put away) and Jackson eating strawberries. Great day!

Vegetable or Fruit? Who cares!! He's eating!!

Miracles DO NOT cease to exist!! Yes, Jackson ate this completely voluntarily and consumed solely by HIM! If you are reading this and wondering what the big deal is, you don't know Jackson very well. The kid just doesn't eat (well, it's rare and very choosy about WHAT). His food are basically limited (by him) to mac and cheese, cereal (frosted mini wheats, kix, cheerios, life), and anything you would normally put syrup on (pancakes, french toast, crepes, waffles). He LOVES fruit smoothies and will usually eat yogurt (finishes it straight out of the cup/container) and often grapes. Otherwise, he's perfectly content with milk, though he'll gladly accept apple juice when I offer it. We have struggled with his appetite for almost a year and a half now (since he was teething very badly and didn't want to eat many solids).
Lately, he's been voluntarily (asking) to get up to the dinner table with us (I always set a place for him, but sometimes a struggle to get him to stay) and then actually ASKING to try the food that is on the table. He has at least tried SO MANY foods over the past week, though decided he didn't like many of them. Baby steps, though, right? Tonight, he asked for his own corn. He loves the little pokers (what are those called?), but that doesn't seem motivation enough for him to actually eat something that's good for him. I just can't figure it out. Poor Parker gave up his "ear", assuming that Jackson would maybe take a few nibbles and decide he didn't want it... as you can see, Parker didn't get any corn tonight. I'm going to buy more tomorrow! If I can get him to eat an actual vegetable (Parker says it's a fruit because it's the reproductive part of the plant... whatever), on a daily basis, I'm a happy Mom!
He also has enchilada sauce on his face and arms. At least he tried it! Hopefully, this is a sign that we're moving in the right direction. I'm hoping we can turn him around to liking more foods before Kate catches on to this... she is a crazy eater (eats literally ANYTHING--whether it's meant to be consumed or not) and we like it that way! Good job, Jackson!! And thank you corn farmers!! Now we just have to get the greenies to lay off our corn supply for other uses... it's better eaten! ;-)

1st Swim Lesson!!

Getting started...
Getting down to swim like a crocodile.
Water Bugs (2-3 year olds) use the kiddie pool... Jackson's in the "deep end" to give you an idea. (The lessons are $20 for 2 weeks, Monday through Friday... that ends up being $2/lesson! I just couldn't pass this up!)
It was a little cool out today, so the other 2 kids never showed up for the lesson. As a result, Jackson had the teacher all to himself. Her name is Samantha; Sam for short.
He blew a few little bubbles... not bad for the first day.
They made bubbles with their feet by seeing who could kick the most/biggest.
He got to throw the pool toys and then retrieve them again (from the bottom of the pool).
Kate & I just hung out together at the pool side and enjoyed the morning weather.
She has been feeling her bottom teeth (there are 2 now) with her tongue... it's pretty funny.
Very serious!
Telling Mommy a story.
Sun in our eyes... overall, GREAT first lesson! Jackson loved it and Kate was her normal happy-go-lucky self, patient as can be while Jackson "swam" for 30 minutes. We just love our kids! They are so good!