Mother's Day video

My friend Nicole from Small Fry asked if Jackson wanted to be part of a film they were shooting for Mother's Day.  He thought it would be so cool to be in a movie, even though he was pretty nervous answering the questions. I thought it turned out really cute:

I can't help but crack up when he says my job is to "make dinner." I saved the picture he drew of me (blue, spiky hair and all!). One thing he said that didn't make it into the film was "I love you mom-- all the way to the planet Pluto!" It is something he and I say before bed most nights. We decided the moon wasn't far enough and he asked me for the name of the farthest away planet. Back in my schooling days, Pluto was still a planet (seems like I heard it is now considered a moon or something…) so "I love you all the way to the planet Pluto" it is! Man, I love that kid. I love both of my boys to the planet Pluto. I'm grateful I get to be a mom.

Time to move on

This is a difficult post for me to write.

This has been our home for the past six years. I cannot even describe how much I have loved living here. It was the first home we bought and it will always always have a very special place in my heart. We moved in what seems so long ago, just the two of us, and later brought both of our babies home here.

Countless memories have filled these walls. First steps, first words, and thousands of little, every day things. We have experienced sheer joy and laughter, as well as difficulty and heartache. Throughout it all, this has been our home base-- where we find safety and solace and where we call "home."

We've been surrounded by the best friends and neighbors anyone could ask for. Lifelong friendships have been made and good people have blessed our lives time and time again. People probably wonder why we weren't in more of a hurry to move on-- the truth is, it's hard to leave.

All of this being said, it is time.

This morning we are going in to close on our new house. We're not moving far--just a few miles north. We know we are moving where we are supposed to be, and I know new memories will fill the walls of our new house and it will be "home." We will find happiness and solace there, just as we have so many years in Rockwell.

We're ready and are excited for this new chapter in our lives.

Come visit us!

little fish

A few weeks ago the boys started swimming lessons with the infamous Pam. She came highly recommended by a few friends and now we know why!

Both of our boys were afraid of putting their heads under water and in the matter of a few short weeks, they are now able to swim on their own!

Playing "motor boat"

I love Bode rocking the pink goggles.

Here's Jackson!

And a few videos of Jackson:

I am so proud of our boys. Jackson, especially, conquered his fear of the water and LOVES swimming now. He can swim the length of the pool completely unassisted and it gives me peace of mind. Bode can be so fearless that I am glad he has the basic survival skills down in case of an emergency (such as when he jumped into a pond last year...)

We're going to miss seeing Pam every day!

On two wheels

Last Saturday, Jackson decided he no longer needed training wheels. It sort of came out of nowhere. Off they came, and off he went!

Within just a few minutes, he was starting and stopping and going around corners and off of curbs. We think maybe he got the confidence and balance from his Razor scooter he got for his birthday. 

These firsts as a parent are so much fun. I love seeing his sense of accomplishment and watching his confidence grow!

Sean has been promising him a motorcycle (a real one, just miniature sized) when he learns how to ride a bike on his own. Time to pay up!

Bode's birthday

I think Bode had a pretty great birthday. 

Then again, any day that starts out with cake for breakfast has to be good. 

I don't normally give my kids cake for breakfast (even if it is their birthday). I tried making his cake the night before and failed miserably. The cake tasted great, but looked awful. I put raspberry filling in the center, causing the whole cake to slide all over and making it impossible to frost. It was really ugly. I scrapped that one and decided to make a new cake the next day. Anyway, Bode found the cake on the counter the next morning and just dug in, so I figured, why not? 

We took him to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory because spaghetti is one of his very favorite foods. My parents and my sister and her family joined us and it was a lot of fun celebrating together. The kids even got balloon animals. 

Have I mentioned this kid loves spaghetti?

By the end his plate was clean-- though he definitely was not!

After dinner, we headed over to our clubhouse to open presents. The kids watched "Winnie the Pooh" (his favorite) in the theatre and we had cake and ice cream. 

Gifts included a new big wheel, Nerf gun, a motorcycle he can scoot around on from grandma and grandpa, a fire truck and Jeep from nana and papa, a bubble machine from his cousins, and a boat toy from a friend. He's been pretty excited about all of his cool new stuff.

Here's my second attempt at his birthday cake. Thankfully, this one turned out a little better :)

Make a wish!

Happy birthday to our sweet Bode!

Notes on Bo at 2-years old:
-Wears size 6 shoe
-Wearing clothing true to size or one size larger
-Still jumping all the time and loves trampolines
-Talking up a storm and will repeat anything we say
-Favorite foods: bananas, spaghetti, hot dogs, green beans, most fruits, noodles, green smoothies, chips
-Loves wearing sunglasses
-Rarely talks at a normal volume-- likes to shout just about everything (and yes his hearing is fine!) ;)
-Favorite show/movie: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Winnie the Pooh (any of them)
-Busy, busy, busy. Never slows down. Ever.
-Easy to smile and says "hi" to just about everyone
-Could swing all day
-Tries to be just like his big brother
-Other favorites: motorcycles, daddy's "zoom zoom car", balls, dancing, throwing anything and everything

Happy birthday Bode!

Our Bode boy turns TWO today!!!

I can't believe it. He's such a blessing in our family. Always entertaining us and making us laugh, with energy for days. Attitude, spunk, sweet and loving-- I wouldn't change a thing about him.

I sort of started a tradition where I find my favorite pictures of my boys from the past year and put them together for their birthday. There are about a million photos, but I cherish them all. 

Happy birthday to you, Bode bear. Your mom, dad and brother love you to the moon.

A year in photos from age 1-2 (in the best order I can remember!)

I can't even tell you how much I miss this little mullet.

One of my favorite pictures of all time.