Week 20/52

Dearest Colt and Jackson,

Week 20 started with a "free" (nothing planned) weekend and we knew it'd be the last one we'd have in a long time so we made the trek to Houston.  The Lakes took us to the boardwalk (Kemah) and we spent the day having fun there.

Then Monday rolled around and it was the start of summer swim team!!  Jax, you wanted to do it again this year.  And, Colt, I signed you up as well since you're old enough this season.  We were at the pool every afternoon from 4:00 - 5:15.

Tennis was still going on too...

Not pictured:  baseball practice, soccer practice, us trying to finish the school year strong although summer-break-brain had already set in...

Week 19/52

Dearest Jax & Colton,

Week 19 was gorgeous and fun all at the same time!  It started when I got to chaperone the 2nd graders on your field trip to the IMAX movie and the park.

See the sweetheart on the end there?  Ah, Miss Brooklyn.  She made the day about as sweet as it could be and if you want to have her over for dinner in about 10 years, that's a-ok with me!  ; )

Three cheers for your teacher for putting you and your BBB together!

This is also the week that your school had themed days (for what, I can't even remember now!) and one day was College Day so you know we had to represent!  Boiler Up, boys!!

And, after asking for the past few weeks, we finally took our first dip of 2016.  The water was actually still chilly (about 80 degrees) but y'all really wanted in!

Y'all are so much fun!

Week 18/52

Dearest Boys,

This week brought firsts for both of you!

Jax, for you it was your first time playing organized tennis.  Lessons are offered on our neighborhood courts each month but we'd never taken advantage of them simply because of scheduling concerns.  Well, May looked about as calm as it was going to get, so we signed you up for weekly lessons.  We went to Grandma's courts a few days ahead of time just so you could get a run down of the basics.

Your first lesson consisted of you and about 7 other kids and it was 90 minutes long.  

Surprise, surprise - you liked it!  

Colt, for you it was your first music program at school.  Your school's music teacher is retiring this year though and I'm really hoping that the new teacher likes putting on performances in each grade level because it's so cute to watch you up there on stage!

The only bummer was that it was at 9:00 in the morning, which made it hard for your fans to attend.  I raced over from my school and had to snag a quick picture with you before I raced back.

 Another great week taking us closer to summer break!  : )

Week 17/52

Dearest Colton and Jackson,

This was the week that your very first season of soccer came to a close.  I was honestly shocked by how much you enjoyed it, Colt!  Your stint in baseball led to boredom when you had to wait around for the ball -- but, in soccer, you loved putting yourself right in the middle of the action!  The team originally had 6 players (the league plays 3 v. 3) but one little boy refused to step on the field.  That meant that you got extra playing time and you loved that!!
  

Here is your adorable team, The Jayhawks, after your final game.  (A game where you scored FIVE goals, hence the major redness from physical exertion!)

Jax, you had a big week too!  We had an appointment to begin your journey of orthodontia.  You have what I call "Shark's Teeth" and you have teeth growing behind teeth on both the top and bottom.  Your dentist warned us about what was to come at your very first dental appointment but your orthodontist confirmed things when she announced that she's only seen a handful of patients with mouths as small as yours (Hard to tell - but you get it from your momma!)!  This means your adult teeth don't have room to grow in so they will fit you with spacers and then an expander next month.

The week ended with a weeknight date night as we headed downtown with The Vaughns.  First, we had a hipster dinner at a too-trendy-for-us restaurant.  The four of us then watched WICKED!  Remind me to tell you about the most efficient restroom break of my life!

 

Week 17 was already pretty great - but knowing that it took us one week closer to summer break made it even better!

Week 16/52

Dearest Jackson,

This week was all you, you, you!  It started with your birthday party.  Since you and your BBB have birthdays only a few days apart, us parents decided to let y'all have a joint celebration.  You were quick to pick Top Golf as your party spot and we were quick to limit the guest list ($$$).  Most of us met up at the Fletcher's house and Lisa & I drove a carload of you and your friends to the party.  I wish I would've sneaked a picture of y'all because your car karaoke was priceless!

 You & your BBB, so happy to be 8!

I love that you picked golfing for your 8th birthday...that's just so YOU!

 Your brother loved being included : )

That place doesn't lend itself to good photography - but we tried to take a group shot, nonetheless.

Your cookie cake was a hit!

The Jacksons!  : )

Our family picture turned into me trying to keep you away from the ledge!  

A few days later, on your actual birthday, we hosted Grandpa and Grandma for dinner.  They brought presents and birthday cake so you were on Cloud 9.

And here is where I tell you that you've made the last 8 years fly by!  It blows my mind to think that you were in God's plan for us and we think He designed such a neat kid when he created you.  You are still thin (59 lbs.) although many classmates have now surpassed you in height.  Although you're certainly growing up (Yay for potty humor!...), you have so many of the same traits that we've loved about you since you were little.  You'll still play any sport you can!  Literally - anything - bowling, bocce ball, tennis, ping pong, basketball.... but your biggest passions remain to be soccer and baseball.  You're friendly but don't have an abundance of friends.  You're social but reserved.  You're intelligent but easily distracted.  You rarely show emotions (neither positive or negative) but you're game for a cuddle session every now and then.  You're handsome although you're usually scabbed and bruised from some sort of sports injury.  You show an aptitude for math and spelling but could probably be equally as strong in reading if we just worked on it more.  What I've noticed the most in you this year is your protectiveness.  I think having Colton join you at school was transformative for you.  You are truly an amazing big brother and our hearts swell when we see the way you include him, teach him, and protect him.  

We are all fortunate to have you in our lives.  Keep being you, dude - because you're one of the best!