Memorial Day Weekend

What a beautiful weekend. It was full of swimming, BBQ's, parades and fun in the sun!
We went swimming at our friends house on Friday evening. Jackson and Aubrin were both eager to get in the water. Last year Jackson would play around the pool for about 45 minutes before attempting to get in. This year he put his life jacket on and got right in the water. What a big difference a year makes. Aubrin loved the water as well. She liked sitting on the side and splashing her feet.
Today we went to the Memorial Day parade in Walled Lake. This was the first parade that the kids have been to. On the way to the parade we were telling Jackson that people in the parade would be throwing candy for him to run and get. He asked Todd and I if he could be first. Todd and I were a bit puzzled with what he was asking, but then we realized what Jackson was thinking. The only other time Jackson has had to run for candy is when he has hit a pinata. He didn't quite understand how it was going to work. We got to the parade a bit early, but the kids had a great time running around with their cousins, getting balloons and sitting on the grass having a morning snack.
Once the parade started Aubrin was terrified of all the noises. Again, she was stuck to the front of me most of the time. As the parade went on, she sat with Todd and Aunt Krista, but didn't get too close to the street. Jackson quickly realized how the parade worked and filled his bag with yummy treats.
At the parade we watched our niece's Annie and Emma dance. They went by pretty quick, but Jackson and Aubrin were excited to see them. It was a great day that we spent with friends and family and the kids had a ball.

Field Trip to the Farm

On Thursday Jackson had his last field trip with his preschool class. We went to the petting farm at Kennsington and then had a picnic at a play area with his class.
Jackson was so excited to go on this field trip. The farm at Kennsington is like a second home for our kids. During the summer we spend a lot of time there. Aubrin was a bit disappointed that she was not coming, but once she realized she got our babysitter Kalynn to herself for a few hours she was over not going to the farm.
Normally when we go to the farm we walk around and see the animals at our own pace. Sometimes we don't see all the animals, just our favorites. Before we left I reminded Jackson that today we had to follow the farmers directions and go where he told us to. Jackson seemed okay with that, but we would see when we got there.
Once we got to the farm and started our farm tour with Farmer Chris, I saw a side of Jackson that I hadn't seen at school before. He was very confident, raised his hand to answer questions and helped lead the group instead of standing behind holding my hand.
Farmer Chris took many of the baby animals out of their pens for the kids to pet. The pig had just had babies three days before. Jackson was so excited to touch the piglet. Then Farmer Chris got to the goats. Strangely, Jackson has a very strong passion for goats. So much that he has told me we should get one for a pet. He is convinced his closet is large enough to house it. Before Farmer Chris could even ask, Jackson jumped up and said, " A baby goat is called a Kid." He could hardly contain himself and couldn't get his hands on that baby goat fast enough.
After the farm we went to a play area, had lunch and played a bit with his classmates. It was nice to sit and talk with the other moms and watch Jackson play with his friends.

My Little Helpers

I remember last spring trying to get my flowers planted and it took forever. Aubrin was crawling and walking a bit unsteady and Jackson was a mile a minute always needing help with something. Trying to get anything accomplished was laughable. Not that I minded at all, but I just knew that any task I started was going to take me a while to finish. This year has been so different. Jackson and Aubrin play so nicely outside together, running around the yard playing soccer or pitching the ball to one another. Although the thing they both want to do the most is, help mom. They were both very excited when I came home and unloaded all of my flowers last weekend. Jackson got his little tractor out and was ready to load up the back and drive them where needed. Aubrin had her watering can out and as ready to assist.
The kids were playing on the deck and I ran in the kitchen and when I came out Aubrin said, "Mama, so pretty." She had pulled the tops off of all the flowers and made a beautiful pile on the deck. All I could do was giggle a bit. She was so proud of her pile and thought she did such a good job.
Every morning the kids get up and want to run out and water the flowers. Jackson fills up all the watering cans, puts them in the back of his tractor and off they go. What good helpers I have.

Ups and Downs

On Friday I took the kids to the school fair at my school. They had a blast playing the games, bouncing in the bounce houses and getting tattoos. I was scheduled to go in the dunk tank that evening but had to cancel because Todd ended up not being able to go with us. I didn't have anyone to play with the kids while I was in. Good thing! As soon as Aubrin saw someone fall in the water she was mortified. She cried and wanted to get as far away from the tank as possible. I can just imagine how it would have went if she saw people throwing balls at me and then falling in the water. Many of my students were at the fair and excited to meet Jackson and Aubrin since I always talk about them in class.
That night Todd and I woke up to Jackson crying upstairs. Todd went upstairs to find our little guy as sick as could be in his bed or I should say on the wall, on the curtains and in his bed. This went on all night with a fever of 103. The whole next day he stayed on the couch sleeping on and off, watching TV and being taken care of by "Dr. Aubrin". Although, once Aubrin realized when you are sick you get a little extra attention, she became "sick" herself and needed to lay on the couch as well. On Sunday Jackson still wasn't feeling great, but better. We had tickets to the Tigers game and Jackson was pretty confident that he felt okay to go.





When we got to the game Jackson was excited to ride the carousel and finally have something to eat. Although he didn't eat much. We think he was a bit nervous to eat because the thought of vomiting again scared him so much. At the bottom of the 4th Jack was ready to go home. He said his tummy was not feeling good and he wanted to see his sister. We dropped Aubrin off at grandma and Papa's house. I think it was a combination of not feeling well, but also missing Aubrin. The last couple of posts it seems as though we are just with Jackson and not with Aubrin. I promise we do spend time with her and as a family too!!!!

Dinner With Alex

Last week Todd had a fundraiser for his baseball team. He invited Alex Avila from the Tigers to come and talk to his team and people from the community. Jackson was so excited to see Alex and have dinner with him. When Alex is on TV and he is up to bat Jackson makes sure the whole room is quiet. If someone is talking he'll say, "Shhh, Alex is on TV." After dinner Jackson whispered in my ear, " Mom, I have dessert to share with Alex." The next thing I know Jackson is pulling a pack of Toy Story fruit snacks from
his pocket. He runs up to Alex and said, " I brought you dessert." I wish I would have had my video camera.

Mother's Day

I've always enjoyed Mother's Day, even before I became a mom. It was always a great day to celebrate the women in my life that have made a difference and made me who I am. I have an incredible mom that never stops amazing me, as a mom and a grandma. I was very lucky to marry into a family and gain a wonderful mother-in law. Both of these tremendous women have shaped who I am as a mom and has helped guide me in my daily choices I make as a mom.
This year I got my first "school made" Mother's Day gift. When I came home from work and saw this beautifully decorated pot on the counter I asked Jackson what it was for. I think he forgot what the day was called so his response was, "It's because I like you." Melted my heart.
Jackson and Aubrin both spent time making special gifts for their grandma's this year. They painted a picture on a piece of canvas. Aubrin was more interested to see how much of her hand she could cover in paint. Both grandma's loved it and made both Jackson and Aubrin feel like it was a work or art.
I had a wonderful Mother's Day at home with my kids. We played outside, took a walk and just spent the day together. It was a perfect day. I feel very lucky to be their mom.

Family Fun Night

Last weekend we went to the high school for a Family Fun Night that was hosted by the school district. All of the elementary schools were invited to participate in different activities set up throughout the athletic facilities. Jackson and Aubrin were on the younger side of the kids participating, but they both seemed to hold their own. Jackson and Aubrin both loved running around the track. Each time they went around they got their card punched. Todd and I were shocked that Jackson ran around four times and Aubrin three times. Needless to say, they both slept very well that night.

Keeping Busy

We were sad when we woke up this morning and it was raining. Well, sort of.... I thought for sure Todd's baseball tournament was going to be canceled and he could stay home with us, but for all of you baseball fans out there, you know BASEBALL NEVER GETS CANCELED! So, Todd left this morning at 7:00 and the kids and I slowly started our morning. Around 9:45 it was still sprinkling, but I thought lets get and head to the farm. By the time we got to the farm it had stopped raining and the sun was starting to shine. As we walked into the barn, we noticed that every animal in the barn had a new baby. Jackson thought this was the greatest thing ever. Aubrin on the other hand had her body wrapped around me like a little monkey. Lately Aubrin is scared of her own shadow. I didn't bring a stroller with me because the only time the kids ride in a stroller anymore is when I am running. Aubrin liked looking at the animals, as long as I stayed a bit back from the fence. Silly girl!

As we were walking around the farm Jackson was so funny. He kept posing for me to take his picture. "Hey mom, this would be a good picture. Maybe you should take one of me." I'm thinking this was a huge indicator that I take way to many pictures of my kids. I tried to sneak Aubrin into a few pictures, but she wasn't letting go of me for anything when we were outside.



Once we were upstairs in the barn where there are no animals, Aubrin seemed very comfortable to stand on a bench and look outside at the animals from the window.



Later in the day we spent some time swinging and playing in the yard. We love that the warm weather is here! Happy Spring!

Boys Night Out

Todd and Jackson had a boys night out on Friday night. Todd, our good friend Eric, his little guy Camden and Jackson went to dinner and to the Tigers game. On Thursday we went out and got Jackson a new Tigers t-shirt for the big game. He was so excited to have a shirt that looked just like daddy's. On Friday afternoon, Jackson took a very short nap, anticipating going to the game. I was a bit concerned about this. The Tigers game started at 7:00pm and it was going to be a long evening. Sometimes Jackson without a nap can be a bit unpredictable. He is a kid that really needs his sleep. Jackson had been talking about how excited he was to see Paws, and to ride the carousel. On the way downtown they stopped for dinner and then headed to the game. During the game, Todd sent me a few video clips of Jackson cheering on the team and yelling, " He just hit a bomb dad!" As I was watching the clock it was getting pretty late. Todd called at 9:45 and said they were on their way home. I could hear Jackson and Camden in the background talking up a storm. I guess no nap worked out after all. Jackson came in the house very excited to tell me that Paws waved to him from the stands and that the players all hit the ball so far! I asked Todd how the carousel was and he said that Jackson only wanted to sit and watch the game and never mentioned going on the carousel. I'm so glad it was such a fun night for the boys!