Spring Break!

With this being Jaxson's first spring break we decided to hold off on sending him down to Daytona Beach or Cancun for the week and instead tried to do some fun things around home.

We painted. And in Asher's case he painted himself mostly.

We had play dates....

And went to dinner and bowling and brought along one of Jaxson's best friends....

Made time for some relaxation and movies...

And ended with a splash. Not in the ocean but still a splash.

Tonight after baths and dinner we played Sorry for a last hoorah before school bright and early. He is actually super excited to go back to school tomorrow and literally cheered! We had some business to take care of as well and had some immunizations to get out of the way so he can head his way into Kindergarten! That is the part that Jaxson would have left out if he could...

He Did What?!

 When I picked up Jaxson on the last day of school before spring break he was on the brink of tears when he saw me. He always wants Dave to pick him up. The reason... Dave has a tendency to give in pretty easily when he asks to get a slushie. I tend to not want to stop to unload two kids into a convenience store, just to get a slushie. His teacher knows this so giggled a little when she just how sad he got.

But Mrs. Reagh told me that Jaxson just might deserve that slushie this day because he did something pretty special in class. Just as a recap, he talks to his teachers and sometimes to the other kids, and if he does it is usually so quiet you can't hear him anyway. He plays with the kids, but just doesn't involve himself in the conversation before, during, or after playing. They had worked on making books in class and on this day they were one by one presenting their book to the class. Each had a choice to do it themselves or to have her read it for them. Jaxson chose to read it himself in front of the class!!  Unbelievable. She said he got up there even after being given a choice to not, and read it in a loud, confident voice. It really is hard for me to believe and I wish I had been there to see it but so glad that he just might be gaining confidence with his class.

Just in time for him to have a new class almost... :/

So he got a slushie to celebrate him being brave and presenting in front of his whole class. And to celebrate being on spring break. And I wasn't trying to give them a sugar high. I asked the lady for two small slushies and turned away to grab straws. When I turned around those are what she handed me. I would have made them share but the damage was already done before I even knew how big they were. If anything she could have filled them half full!! Gees...

And the both drank the entire thing. And it only took them half of our shopping trip to get it done. Whoa... talk about a brain freeze!!

Party Animals

 So two weeks ago my baby turned two. Sad and exciting all together. We were able to celebrate on his big day since it fell on Saturday. It was a perfect basketball party complete with an awesome basketball cake, lots of balls and a hoop to play, and our very fashion forward basketball jerseys we bought from the Y just two days before. (They were having a fundraiser and selling them for just $1!)

We ate and there were tons of kids running around. Just like a birthday party is supposed to have. There were candles and presents. Cake and cupcakes too.

We really love having birthday parties for our boys. Even if they are a bit of work it is so much fun to be able to invite everyone and celebrate our family that we are so proud of. So thank you all so much for coming. It wouldn't be the same without all of our friends and family.

What's up with the tongue? 

My dad, the ultimate party avoider, made an extended appearance for him. He stayed and ate lunch with Asher, who adores my dad, and played a bit of basketball. He might hate photos more than he hates parties, so with me around it was pretty much torture. But this photo makes it all worth it!! I love little Asher peaking out from behind my dad. I will love this picture for many years to come!! 

Dear Asher

Better late than never right? We celebrated your second birthday and it really is hard to believe. I know parents say that over and over and kids don't understand why but it really is true. Since your last birthday I have had the joy of having you walk into my arms instead of crawl. Had music in my ears as I heard you begin to mutter your first words. This last year you nursed for the last time and moved from your high chair to a booster at the table, just like a big boy. You hold my hand as we walk instead of carrying you in my arms. I strap you into a big boy carseat now instead of your infant carrier. That thing was heavy...but I kind of miss it because it meant you were still my baby.

Now you are two. This year you will tell me stories and what you are thinking instead of just words. You will now run and leap into my arms instead of carefully walk. You will run on the playground keeping up with your brother. You will fall so hard you put holes in your jeans. I will get to put you in your crib for the last time in exchange for tucking you into a toddler bed. You will learn to sit on a big boy potty and maybe even learn to do without diapers. You will be mischievous and make new friends, and so much more. 

On your birthday I brought my baby and left with a toddler.

I can't imagine my days without you. Hours and days are long and months and years are short, but they are all filled with joy with you being a part of them. I love you my sweet boy.

Mommy

Special Daddy Day

Jaxson has had several special daddy days over the last four and half years. Baseball and basketball games, go to work with daddy days, movies, lunch dates. The list is long and Jaxson loves his time with Dave.

This last weekend Jaxson had one of those weekends that you change out of your pajamas, only to put a fresh pair back on. By Sunday we decided to try to get the boys out to do something fun. We gave them a choice of Buccaneers game or Energy game. Jaxson chose hockey since he has never been. It was set.

Once it was time to get dressed and ready he did not want to go. DID NOT WANT TO GO. I wasn't really excited about forcing him to go and pay $50 bucks to do it. (what do those kids think, they are professional or something!??!??) So we canceled our have fun day.

Asher woke from his nap and Dave decided to take him to the Energy game for a spontaneous special daddy day, just Asher and him. Asher loves basketball soooooo much lately, has never really had a special day, and it is his birthday week, I thought it was a great idea. Then Jaxson changed his mind and of course wanted to go when he heard this idea. Even though Dave felt terrible, and I felt kind of terrible (I have a little thicker skin), I thought this was a good moment to teach Jaxson a very important lesson. It isn't always all about you.Sometimes we have to be happy for other people. And sometimes life doesn't seem fair. And think about your decisions, because they have consequences. He said he did not want to go anywhere. It wasn't a family choice, it was a Jaxson choice.

Have you ever seen a smile more fake?!? 

After a meltdown while Asher was getting on his coat about how he never wants Asher to have special days with daddy, and only he should get to go, and and and..... I KNEW we needed to stick to our guns on this one. Even if it was breaking Dave's heart to leave him behind.

I like to give our kids things and experiences to make them happy and excited. I love to see them light up. But I also don't want to spoil them rotten. Literally. There has to be a balance and I realized in that moment Jaxson might be losing that balance. And I also realize it isn't his fault. It is ours. My Aunt Carol would spoil me with a shopping spree or two here and there when I was young. I was probably a little spoiled. But I knew it. She would always tell me if you know your being spoiled, your not really spoiled. That is my goal with the boys. To help them understand just how lucky they are to get so much of what they need AND want.



To make Dave feel better I sent him these photos of Jaxson laughing and goofing around just a few minutes after they left.  Once he realized that he really wasn't going the tears dried quickly. But to further drive my point home, I made him get dressed and go to the store so he could pick out a small gift for Asher to give him on his birthday. He can't wait for Asher to see what he picked out for him.

The other lesson learned I learned. Wipe your child's face better after lunch. Check... 

Patience

I love love love how patient my little guy is. Both of them really. But for being just one year old and being able to sit quietly for his big brothers swim lessons makes me so proud. It is the little things when you're a parent that make you feel like you are succeeding in your job. Especially since in so many moments it is chaotic and crazy, and you wonder if by "parenting" they mean "just keep them alive"

Change of Plans

 Asher naps early now so he can sneak in a nap before we get Jaxson from school. When I go to stir him before leaving he is always reluctant to wake up. Until I say the magic words...."let's go get Jax." Those words get him jumped up and mutters a groggy "yes" while still hugging his blankie. This day after getting shoes and coats on, I frantically looked for the car keys. I tend to leave them wherever they land after getting home. On the counter, the ledge by the door, in my coat pocket, are the three most obvious places but I searched the couches and the bedrooms after I exhausted my "go to's" several times.

They weren't anywhere.

Time was running out so I called Dave and asked him if he had any idea where they were. He knew right where they were. Yay! In his coat pocket. :/ Luckily he was just at the office so could get Jax easily. But the news that we wouldn't be getting Jaxson that day threw Asher into a fit of yelling and tears. Oh he was more mad than I had seen him.. maybe ever. He really wanted to go get Jaxson. Long story short.... he doesn't take a change of plans well. Maybe something we can work on in his second year...