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!

Week 15/52

Dearest Boys,

Week 15 was a proud parenting moment for us!  We had friends visit us from Indiana who happen to be "Dinks" (dual income no kids) and they had such positive things to say about you two!  I know you're awesome kids but it always feels good to hear that affirmation from other people.  While they were here, we did some Dallas sight-seeing.

This was also the week that Daddy & I got to go out to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary.  

And last, but certainly not least, this was the week that I got to chaperone your very first trip on the big, yellow, school bus!  You took field trips last year with your preschool but never on THE bus!  Your whole class was pretty excited!

My fab. five for the day:  you, Connor, Sophie, Nona, and Sahira

We saw a play, Seussical the Musical, at Casa Manana.

And finished our fun with a picnic in the park!

I loved seeing you in a different element.  You were goofy but kind as well as helpful and responsible.  

See?  Proud parenting moments for sure!

Week 14/52

Dear Jackson and Colton,

It felt like Spring really made its grand entrance this week.  The weather was perfect and color returned to those things that had been in a season of brown.  So we gladly celebrated its arrival with lots of outdoor activities!

Jax you had soccer practice - so, Colt, it was just you and me at my school's festival.  Between this large, inflated, ball and the cake-walk, you were content for HOURS!

Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood had their spring festival too so we headed that way in between soccer and baseball games.

For the first time ever, y'all were interested in trying the zipline!

We tried another bluebonnet session but neither of you were interested in being unpaid models that afternoon so most of the pics were left on the editing room floor.

Literally the first picture I took - little did I know that it'd be the best.

Your fear of bees kept you from sitting down

Most of your smiles went something like this

Welcome, Spring!  I am so happy to see you!!

Week 13/52

Dearest Boys,

Easter was really early this year so Good Friday started off our week on March 25th.  Since the 3 of us didn't have school that day, we went to the dine-in theater to watch Zootopia.  

Grandma and Grandpa had us over that night where you had Easter goodies awaiting you already!

They also hosted an egg hunt in their backyard.

Another set of Easter baskets greeted you on Sunday morning. 

Your grandparents' church had their Sunday morning Easter service in UNT's "Super Pit" so we joined them there. 

(If you look back on this suspiciously one day, just know that you wanted to grow your hair long despite me asking you often about going for a haircut.)

You were a little sleepy so you rested even while 5,000 voices were singing out praise songs around you!

And just because flashbacks are fun...Easter of 2011: 

Weeks 11 and 12

Dearest Colt & Jackson,

I want a new camera.  I've thought my pictures were blurry for a while but I've made up excuse after excuse (Maybe it's my eyes?  Maybe I'm on the wrong setting?  Maybe I have a tendency to quiver and I just haven't noticed?...) for the poor picture quality.  I'm over it and these past 2 weeks have been the blur that broke the camera's lens (figuratively speaking...I don't think the lens is "technically" broken.).  Between your very first tournament with your new baseball team, soccer games, and the world's fastest bluebonnet session, I was really hoping for some great shots.  Instead, I have these unfocused memories:


First up - baseball tournament

The unusually frigid temps must've kept people away because your team was 1 of only 4 in your division.  You played a total of 4 games and you loved every minute!

Colt, you stayed warm during your soccer game!

Jax, you had a neat opportunity with your soccer organization to participate in the Dallas Cup (an annual invitation only tournament that hosts soccer teams from around the world).  It was at the Cotton Bowl and your team got to walk onto the field with the US Nationals at the start of their big game.  Y'all also played on the field during half-time!  So much fun but not many shots to show you (Thanks a lot, blur!!)

The tournament teams after the opening ceremonies

Legends waiting to walk in

Playing on the field during half time

We bundled up to watch you!

Once the cold spell headed north, the weather returned to Spring-gorgeous!  On one particularly lovely day, we parked on the side of the road for a super quick bluebonnet break.  Our usual fields have either been mowed down, flooded, or trampled so this patch might be it for 2016. 

 The weeks are flying by and I don't mind...because that means we're that much closer to SUMMER!!!