Paradise

Dearest Colton & Jackson,

By the time you're old enough to read this, this will probably be old news - but I am such a planner!  I've been thinking about summer break since winter break and it's finally here!!!  I've thought of the different things we can do at home, the places we can visit, the playdates we can host, etc.  Of course, photographing our summer was part of my plan as well.  Too bad putting the memory card into the camera wasn't part of my plan today : (

We headed out to Paradise Pond early this morning to ensure that we could get in - since we were turned away a few times last summer when they had reached maximum capacity.  So I was just giddy to realize that only a handful of people were playing there today!  And you, Jackson, were over the moon to see Brody & Kate as soon as we walked in!  As if the morning could get any better, Michelle had both a camera AND a memory card so she let us capture some memories!  Yippie skippy!

Last year, your feet barely reached the pedals.  This year, you propelled this ride right along!

Last year, you wouldn't even step into this climbing gym.  This year, you made it to the top (with a little help)!

This was your first time at "the pond" and you're still a little confused by the concept of pretend play.  You found this bottle and worked hard to make milk come out, silly boy!

Where did my baby go?  You look so big!!

Summer Vacation, Day 1:  Success!

In over your head ; )

Dearest Fish,

Our neighborhood pool finally opened (quite late this year) so we walked the few feet down the street for our inaugural swim.  Only a few people were there today, the temperature was bearable, and you two were super "swimmers" so I call it a huge success!!

We started in the kid's pool where you, Jackson, did belly flop after flop off the side while you, Colton, watched with laughter.

Then, it was on to the big pool where you, Colton, excelled at floating and got the nickname "Big Buoyant Baby!"

Jax, you came up with your own game of "Watch me dunk myself." and played it at least 2 dozen times!

I'm still not comfortable enough to take the both of you to our pool by myself...but I think this could be a frequent activity when Daddy isn't working.  Bring on the Vitamin D!

Lessons in Parenthood

Dearest Jackson,

You teach us so much!  And we love being your pupils...99% of the time.  But we recently learned one of our hardest lessons thus far and we hope there's not a quiz later. 

After over a year of super hygiene, you suddenly changed your mind regarding rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth.  One night, you refused to spit the water out after we brushed and I just blamed it on a long day and off to bed we went.  The next night, you wouldn't even pick up the cup of water and we were so confused.  We tried talking you through it calmly but you ended up going to bed again without rinsing.  This behavior continued for about a week and your dad and I were just beside ourselves.  We tried everything from letting you go to bed with toothpaste in your mouth - to spanking you - to sitting you in time out - to turning it into a game by having a spitting contest in the backyard.  A few of those nights involved sending you to bed just so your daddy and I could go out to the living room and discuss our gameplan for the following day.  In the end, we have to accept that you are your own person who gets to make your own decisions in life and we can't actually make you do anything.  And if you're getting any ideas while reading this, then just know that I am twice as stubborn and will always be there to challenge you!  So, while we understand that you are going to sometimes do things differently than we've planned - we still have to put our foot down sometimes.  Therefore, we had one more trick up our sleeves.  We took you to the store and let you pick out special "spit juice".  Considering that this is your first time using mouthwash spit juice, we had a talk about how it is for your mouth only and not your belly.  After you brushed, you proudly sipped the juice, and promptly spit it out.  We celebrated that night and we've continued to tell you how happy we are with your renewed hygiene.  For now, it seems like we've all learned.  While it was not fun, if this is the hardest lesson we have to endure, then we'll consider ourselves incredibly lucky.

10 months young

Dearest Colton,

You've officially been on the outside longer than you were in!  I feel as if you used this 10th month to try to ditch babyhood as you're doing all sorts of big-boy things!

This picture took about a dozen tries as you don't sit still.  You are a speed crawler and will go over, under, around, or through anything that's in your path.  More likely than not, your path leads to a ledge of some sort and you will pull up to stand at said ledge.  

 The first few minutes of your day (which starts earlier than I'd like, by the way (6:00!)) are your only still moments.  You like to lay in bed with your brother while drinking your morning bottle and watching cartoons. 

Much of our family time was spent outside this month as we tried to enjoy ourselves before the summer sun bakes us.  During a fish fry at a friend's house, you donned your first swimsuit...although you never touched the water.

We repeated the water fun in our own backyard a few days later - this time, wearing only your birthday suit ; )

In non-photographed updates - your appetite remains surprising.  You're taking less and less of an interest in bottles and more of an interest in anything and everything we're eating.  I've yet to see you refuse a food - although blueberries seem to be the one thing that will make you wrinkle your nose. 

Napping is still a point of contention as you wake up after only 30 minutes and claim to be done.  We believe differently; therefore, a battle ensues. 

You give big open-mouthed kisses when prompted...but they're usually for daddy!  Inside of that sweet mouth of yours, some top teeth are poking through!  We can see 3 or 4 so it won't be long before your adorable, gummy, grin is gone.

Let's not have too many of these rapid months, ok?  No matter what, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be!

Putt-Putt

Dearest J & C,

We learned from yesterday's sweatventure and decided on indoor activities today.  After church, lunch, and naps we went to a putt-putt place for your first game.  You have a plastic set at home, so you already had your form down to a science...but a real ball and club put a fun spin on things!

But this money pit play land had much more than just putt-putt...

There were rides on robotic animals,

slides,

a trampoline,

and another train!!

There was even a soft play place for you, Senor Colton!

Have I mentioned how much fun the two of you are???

102 at the Zoo

Dearest Colton & Jackson,

As much as I don't like change, I love trying new things.  And that's why we drove an hour up north today just to take y'all to a zoo.  Colton, this was your first zoo experience.  Jackson, this was your first time at *this* zoo, so that made it special.  Now, considering that you never know what you're going to get when you try new stuff and combine that with the fact that I'm not a big fan of caged animals outside of their natural habitats - this had the potential of being a dud.  But it wasn't!!  I was pleasantly surprised and I have more than enough pictures to prove it : )

I love how close we could get to the giraffes!

You wanted an even closer look at the camel!

Daddy was there to make sure you didn't get *too* close ; )

You dug the views from your own personal shade, Colt.

The zoo had food for feeding their goats...and, my favorite part, a handwashing station right outside!

I loved hearing you "read" to me about the animals!

Not quite as tall as a black bear...

In what is quickly becoming a tradition, we had to ride on the train...

and you liked the ride, too, Colton!

Then, it was off to play at a super fun playground across the street from the zoo!

And wouldn't you know it - a train was one of the first things you found!

Colt, you were content to watch from a bench.

 
We were all a sweaty mess when we finally loaded up the van - which is what happens when you tour the zoo and it's 102!!  And that brings us to another first for you Colton, your first Texas summer.  Oh, boy!

The one where very little clothing is worn

Dearest Jackson & Colton,

Our night time routine is pretty consistent around here.  It's almost a guarantee that Toy Story will be requested immediately after baths.  Jackson, you will watch enthusiastically from your special spot and giggle at the same jokes regardless if you just heard it the previous night.

Colton, you will wind up in hysterics as well -

simply because your brother laughed.

Then, you will streak across the couch to avoid even looking at the diaper. 
One of us then takes you to your room and rocks you during your final bottle. 

Jax, you then watch a few more minutes of your movie before we call it a night.  Daddy does one last tickle fest before we take you back to bed where stories are read and kisses are exchanged. 

It's our "thing", ya know?  We've done it this way for so long and I simply love it.