Thankful Thursday

After school treat!

Why, hello there, female version of Blake.

Yesterday, I met Blake's cousin, Mindy, at the mall to walk. This is her little baby Leo. He is so sweet! This was the first time I have met him, and I sent this picture to Blake. He responded, "Try to contain yourself." Ha! He knows how much I LOVE babies! I am very excited that I am going to have TWO babies (that are not mine) to love on this fall. My brother's wife, Jill, is also pregnant, and due in September.

Every day when I pick up Jackson at school, the school smells like freshly baked bread. Every morning, the director bakes a loaf of bread, and one student gets to take home the loaf of bread from the day. It is really sweet to do this, but I think the reason behind it is really interesting. According to research, young children remember experiences with their senses, their sense of smell being the strongest. So, the school smells amazing every day while the bread is baking, and their hope is the students will associate this wonderful smell with all of their great experiences at school. We enjoyed eating our bread last night with our leftover roast, couscous, and pinto beans last night!

Studiopendous 2012

Last night, we went to Studiopendous at Jackson's school. Each child sold tickets, and the tickets included dinner catered by Carrabas, a tour of the student art gallery, and a number to participate in a silent and live auction. It was a chance for Jackson to show off his art work, and for his school to have a fundraiser. He was so excited!

Dinner


A mosaic Jackson's class made for the live auction. It sold for only $275 dollars in the Live Auction. I have never been to an auction before, and it was quite an experience. We have a $5 book with a picture of the lovely mosaic as a keepsake.




Jackson's watercolor. All of the artwork was mounted and titled just like a real art museum.

So proud! I love this boy!

As you can see, Jackson titled this CD mosaic he made "For Sister." My heart grew about three sizes when I realized what he had made for Claire.

All of the other students had picked out rocks and gemstones for their mosaics. Jackson picked out all of the girliest, shiniest, most sparkly items, and made this for Claire. The art teacher told me Jackson was so excited that he had made this specifically for Claire. He had really put thought into it, because he has noticed she loves "bling" and sparkly stuff!

This is a collage Jackson made. He explained that it was light black, not gray. He also said they hung it upside down, and pointed out he had made a monster truck and a thing for it to jump over.

I am so proud of Jackson! He is such a thoughtful and kind little boy. He has my heart!

There are disadvantages to a 7:00 bedtime! Ha!

And Some Random Pics off my Phone

Diva Claire. Best Buddies.
My big boy.




My kids love to go to the grocery store. We walked in the door the other day...Claire said, "I want cookie. I want bawwoon." (balloon)

Pigtail Princess

Yesterday, I took Jackson out for a little mommy and me time. He went to my dental appointment with me. He chose Panera for breakfast, and a trip to Books A Million. We read Batman books for a really long time, and I let him pick one to bring home. That sweet boy went and picked up a purple book for him to buy for me. He is so precious! I loved having some time just the two of us. I could tell it was really good for both of us.

Blake and I also had a parent teacher conference yesterday. It went well. His school is so individualized, and I could tell they really knew alot about Jackson. They had a powerpoint presentation of him doing all of the things he can do at school. I loved seeing pictures of him learning new things. I really wish he could stay there until it was time for college! Next year, he is going on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Just for me to remember: Last night, I made Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups...They were really good, but obviously had spinach in them. Jackson did not want to eat his dinner, and when we asked him why, he explained to us that he did not like to eat bushes for dinner.

11: Wordless Wednesday

Jackson's Preschool Program

I should have know the morning was going to be interesting when I gouged myself in the head with my thumbnail and started profusely bleeding while I was drying my hair. Would NOT stop bleeding. I think I will have a scar. Have I mentioned that I don't even have long fingernails? Seriously.

Waiting on brother. After he had pitched a fit all the way to school about his sweater. No more reindeer sweater for Jackson. He said Callie would not like it (??) and people would call him reindeer boy. He did not mention his reasons until the parking lot, or I guess I would have let him change his shirt.

Looking okay.

Hmmm....

Yep, this one sums it up. Jackson sat on the stage for the entire theatrical portion of his "Moonbeams" performance without the utterance of one syllable. He refused the lummy sticks during the instrument demonstration.

He did, however, enjoy the science demonstration. His class had been doing a study on natural and artificial light, and he is very intrigued by it.

Jackson is his own little person. Gotta love him. I know I do.

Milk and Cookies with Santa

Tuesday night, we went to Milk and Cookies with Santa at Jackson's preschool. It was a fun night...and neither of my children screamed during our Santa photo! Last year, Jackson refused a photo, and this year was a little bit excited to see him.

The preschool teachers set up the multipurpose room with lots of things for the children to do: make ornaments, reindeer food, door hangers, an advent wreath, and puzzles. They also had a nativity scene set up on the stage with costumes, and the children could dress up in whichever they chose to be. Jackson was Joseph, a king, and a wise man. He loves to dress up.

In the kitchen, they got to decorate a Christmas cookie and sip on hot chocolate with their friends. It was a really fun night to kick off the Christmas season!

Pumpkin Festival

Yesterday, Jackson's preschool had a Pumpkin Festival for each of the classes. They went to different stations and got to do different fall activities. They listened to a storyteller, picked out a pumpkin, cleaned out a pumpkin, played in a sensory table with corn, played with Play Dough, petted animals at the petting zoo, and had a Harvest Snack (pumpkin and banana nut muffins), and drank apple cider. I got to hang out with him all morning. It was super fun, and I loved watching him in his own little element at school. I love my little boy!