Potty Talk!

Those of you who know my family, know that we don't hold back. Our conversations can range from the daily news to the most personal conversations - we just are not shy people. We learned a long time ago to laugh at ourselves and not take life too seriously.

I can remember sitting at my parents dinner table as a young girl laughing at some random dinner topic that I am certain my friends weren't discussing with their families. It may be my favorite quality about my family.

So - you can imagine the conversation when I mentioned to my family that Jackson has decided to start using the potty. Immediately, every one had advice for Jackson. Especially, Uncle Greg - and Jackson listens to everything his Uncle Greg says!

Check out the video below to hear Jackson telling us some things he's learned from Uncle Greg, and all about using the potty at the "big house"! He had us in stitches!

Forgive the topic - but again, we just don't hold back!

Stay tuned for our holiday post! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Little Pilgrims!

Today was Jackson's Thanksgiving Feast at Pre-school. Parents were invited to attend and we wouldn't have missed it for the world.

The kids helped prepare the meal. Yesterday, Jackson spent the day "snapping" green beans - and hasn't stopped talking about it since.

The children were the pilgrims and the parents were the Indians. And the little pilgrims sure were welcoming...they made us hats, place mats, place cards, and pumpkins. Not to mention a great meal (leave it to Justin to ask for seconds). :)

We are certainly thankful for his school and for his teachers (especially Ms. Harold). Jackson loves school (still not a fan of drop off) but never wants to leave when pick-up rolls around. We love getting to know his friends at school (I love watching Jackson "kiss" Morgan good-bye each night) and watching them all grow each year.

We will be sure include this special place in our blessings this year (perhaps not the cost though...)

Here are some pictures from our big day. Jackson was very proud!

Our little Pilgrim

... and his Daddy

Jackson's buddy - Evan

Some of the gang - Morgan (the kisser) is in the middle! :)

So thankful for Ms. Harold!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are all thankful for my Dad...

Its the holidays. I'm so excited to celebrate with my family. As I've said in years past, Thanksgiving has always been just as big as Christmas in my family. This year is no different.

However, I know we are all wishing my Dad was here to celebrate with us. Since he's been gone, I've missed sitting across from him at the dinner table on Thanksgiving and telling both of my folks how thankful I am for them.

I know I'm not the only one missing him. In fact, Justin and I were baby sitting our nieces recently and Olivia (11) was working on her homework. She mentioned to me that she had to write an essay about who she would ask to Thanksgiving dinner if she could ask anyone. She thought for a second and said, "I would invite Papaw Mike."

Broke my heart. She typed the essay on my lap top and I saved it so I could go back and read it later. I just had to share it. It just goes to show what an impact my Dad had on all of us.

You are invited! As your granddaughter, I would like to invite you to a Thanksgiving feast. I have chosen you because when you passed away, I wished I could have seen you one more time. So I have chosen this time because this is a time when you celebrate with family and friends. I would like to invite you also to tell you how thankful I am to have had you as a grandpa. We will share our memories, I will tell you how much I have missed you and I hope you will do the same. We will talk about how silly i have been and how silly you have been. But what I mostly want to see you do is stick out your tongue again, just like you did when I was little. T hope you can come because I miss you and wish to see you again. I love you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Olivia is a special girl - who had a very special Papaw...and knew it. :)

Oh, how life is different...

Our life before...

Tonight, in an instant, I realized how much our life has changed since just a few short years ago.

While Justin and I were standing outside the bathroom giving Jackson some "privacy" I realized how different we spend our evenings these days. Justin and I used to spend our evenings after work shopping, eating out, and/or grabbing a couple beers to discuss our day. But when it was time to run back into the bathroom to celebrate Jackson using the potty I realized that life is still just as great.

Sure, we spend our evenings at home now...with the Disney channel on more often than ESPN or BRAVO...But I've grown quite fond of Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso. Sure, Jackson is every bit of two and is testing his limits - which causes us to test our patience...but I wouldn't have traded any of this life for dinners out or drinks after work if it meant I had to miss our celebration in our bathroom tonight. The pure delight on Jackson's face made it all worth it.

Now - dinner and drinks after work is still fun...in fact, we probably enjoy it more now than ever!

Our life now...

Sneaking in a "date night!"

Don't forget about Kelly!

True Story.

Recent Conversation with Jackson.

Mommy: Hey Buddy- Want to go to Disney World? They got Mickey Mouse....

Jackson: (never an EASY sell) What else they got?

Mommy: They got Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy, Woody, Buzz,....

Jackson: (interested - but not sold) What else they got?

Mommy: (running out of ideas - its been a while since I last toured the "magical" place) They've got parades with drums, fireworks, balloons, and a choo choo train.... (suddenly remembering a recent article about Disney World)...oh, and they have Handy Manny....

Jackson: (Almost sold - but one question left): They got Kelly's Hardware Store, Mom?

Mommy: Ummm....I'll call and ask...

Heck - forget Disney World - I'll just take him to Home Depot!

For those of you who have seen Handy Manny - I'm certain you can appreciate this one! I just had to share!

2010 School Pictures

Yes, Jackson is only two and has school pictures. :) Of course, Justin picked out the outfit - and I promise it didn't come from his own closet. Just call Jackson Justin's "mini-me." :)

Is that a rotten grin, or what!?

Click here to see last year's school photo and check out how much Jackson has grown!

A pacifier for Santa?

My conversation with Jackson this morning:

Mommy: "Hey Buddy, you know if you give Santa your Paci when we go sit on his lap - he will bring you some toys."

Jackson: *Suspicious look* "No, I not give Santa my Paci."

Mommy: "OK, no toys then."

Jackson ( 30 minutes later): "Hey Mom, YOU give Santa my Paci."

Mommy: "You want Mommy to give Santa your Paci?"

Jackson: "Yeah. Mommy sit on his lap. And Santa bring me new toys."

Mommy: "OK, I will give Santa your Paci. And he will bring you new toys."

Jackson: "I want Woody-Buzz toys..."

Hmmm....I think I may have to write Santa a letter myself.

Here is to hoping this works!

Just a few fun photos!

We've been busy unpacking - so there hasn't been much time for blogging...or much time for snapping photos.

However, I have managed to snap a few pictures of Jackson enjoying the new home and I couldn't wait to share!

More on our move soon...

First night in his big-boy bed! :) BTW - he peed the bed! :)

No more pictures, Mom!

First bath in the big tub!

Can't decide who is more relaxed...Oscar or Jackson?

Happy Monday!