To Remember

My first Pinterest project is a year book for Jaxson. I saw this posted and thought it was such a cute idea. I don't know how cute he will think it is when he is 17 but he might appreciate it someday. Each year we will have his teachers sign the Dr. Suess book Oh The Places You'll Go. I figured if we decide to not do it later that is fine, but we can't decide later that we DO because we can't go back and get all the signatures. I think it will be fun even if we just do it through elementary. So I brought it along to the last day of preschool and both Ms. Amy and Ms. Emily signed his book!!

Ice Cream Social

Wednesday we had to say goodbye to all Jaxson's classmates and teachers at the Science Center preschool. We had such a whirlwind getting a spot and he has enjoyed it so much. The last day everyone came together for an ice cream social and the weather was perfect. The kids played on the playground and then sat around for a big bowl of ice cream with all the fixings. After the ice cream they had chalk and bubbles to enjoy. Asher tried the chalk, both on the sidewalk and in his mouth. Yes.. he still eats everything. Will that ever get old??!??

Jaxson had two teachers. This was Ms. Emily and he said that she always made him laugh. She was pretty good at getting him out of his shell even from the beginning. She is young, and silly and the kids love her. He really loved both of his teachers and all of his friends. Even though he was shy when he was there he would come home and talk about it for the rest of the day.And he also made some new friends too. Brandt was his best buddy and he is the nicest, and most polite kid you will ever meet. He also isn't shy. Before leaving he came to me and said, "Jaxson's mom, I am going to give you a hug since it is the last day of school." It was pretty cute. We exchanged info with a few families to invite them to Jax's bday party this summer. :)

Jaxson and his new friend Brant.

Bedtime Solution

After dealing wtih Jaxson's bad behavior (biting, kicking, hitting, yelling) for what seemed like forever we decided to try some new things. I tried making a chart, like a chore chart, but for different behaviors. I let him decide what behaviors we should put to work on and I let him choose what rewards he would get. We made sure several of the things are things he is very good at so we knew he would always get the satisfaction of seeing some stars for the day. And we made lots of different behaviors, and rewards, so we can work on different things each week. And it isn't really pretty.... I tried to think of ways to make it look all cute and creative like you see on pinterest. I failed.... oh well. And I hate to say that we haven't really used it much but really think we will start because I think he will do well with it.

The other thing we did was change bedtime from a very loosely enforced 9pm to a very strictly enforced 8pm. Wow... what a difference that made. It is amazing! We really did it because it would give us more time to destress from all the 3yr old tantrums before bed not thinking an extra hour of sleep could really help that much. I don't know if it is just the expected routine that he has taken to or really is just the extra hour of sleep but it is like living with a different kid. Or rather, my old kid back! He is so cuddly and can handle disappointment so much better. He will still storm off and get upset but it lasts about 2 minutes rather than an hour, and he can come back and compromise. Before the conversation of not having a marshmallow but you can have some raisins or crackers before dinner would be a total meltdown. Now he will fold up his arms, think about it, and agree to some crackers, or suggest some other snack that isn't a dessert.  He isn't perfect everyday, but has improved 90%. But I will take it for sure!! His behavior before was making Dave and I question all the parenting decisions we had made up to this point trying to figure out where we went wrong... ha!

Needless to say, his bedtime won't be changing for quite some time (or ever)!

Mother's Day 2012

I think my gift for this Mother's Day was gorgeous weather. We spent much of the weekend outside planting flowers or putting mulch back where all the rain had washed it away from. We went to some garage sales and the farmers market. It was pretty much a perfect weekend. I wish it didn't have to end.

Here is a photo from last year on Mother's Day and one on this years, both taken at Elaine's. It is amazing how much older the boys look. This picture is a good reminder for me to enjoy all the time I can because they are small for such a little bit of time in the scheme of things. Pretty soon they will be off at school or with friends and spending time with their mom will be the most uncool thing ever!

Sale'n Machine

Jaxson, Asher, and I visited his first garage sale this last Friday. A friend was having a sale along with several others in her neighborhood and another friend and myself went to check it out.  I thought I would have to bribe Jaxson with something to get him to go to more than one! 

Oh how wrong was I?!? 

After the first three we drove to a couple others. When we stopped and started to get out of the car. I told him just two more, ok? And he threw his hands in the air.... in excitement. It caught me off guard and then he excitedly yelled, "YES, two more garage sales!" 

I was telling Dave how much he loved it so we decided to go to a couple garage sales before going to meet the boys new cousin on Saturday morning. Jaxson was just as excited about it on Saturday. Weird, weird child..... 

Here he is with his big garage sale find... a book for a quarter!! :)

 

Ava Marie

Dave's brother Dan has officially joined the exclusive group of fatherhood. Baby Girl Barry was born 12:32am on 5.5 and became Ava Marie on 5.7 when her parents settled on a name. She was 7.2lbs and healthy. We visited the hospital and both of the boys were curious about their little cousin. Congrats to Anne and Dan on their first addition to the family.

All Day Playdate

 Jaxson had a friend over all day on Thursday. Adam's daycare (Jax's old daycare) had a week of vacation and Adam needed a place to play on Thursday. They played and danced. Played playdough and bubbles. Watched one of Jaxson's favorite movies and played some more. They really had a great time. Jaxson hasn't really had alot of friends over to play outside of Aubrey since we are so close with her parents. It was fun and Jaxson was sooo good. He was proud to show off some of his favorite toys. We will definitely be doing it again.. hopefully soon!

And when the playdough made its way out Asher was so excited and wanted to play sooo badly. I knew it wasn't a good idea with how much he likes to eat stuff but he was so disappointed I thought I would give it a shot. I gave him a few pieces and put his fingers in it. He smiled and poked it a few times.

But it didn't take long for Asher to do this....

And then he was done... Maybe in a few years we will try again. I am sooo looking forward to when he stops eating EVERYTHING!!