Dina Won't You Blow

Jackson has been learning Nursery Rhymes at school. Considering that my Dad opted to teach my sisters and I dirty jokes and poems instead of nursery rhymes - I was glad to hear some one would be teaching these treasured songs to Jackson. He is sure glad too. He loves them. And...even asks that I record him singing them each night. :)

Enjoy "Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah"

P.S. I may or may not have been driving while this was filmed. But it would explain why you can't see Jackson's face! :)

A Picnic Date - "Just Mommy and Jackson!"

Justin had to work late tonight.

And while Jackson and I both would love to have Justin home with us - I cherish the times when it is just Jackson and I.

Tonight - I was hoping for great weather for a picnic and some outdoor play. We got the picnic in just in time before the rain hit us. You just can't beat Hot Dogs, Chips and Dip, Oreos, and your favorite date....

Check out some pictures from a our "date" - I am one lucky girl!

LOVE HIM!

Loving the Warm Weather!

Enjoying the warm weather while it lasts!...40 degrees by Thursday...BOO!

A Weekend with Mama and Pop!

A Big Thanks to "Mama and Pop" for spending time with Jackson this weekend. Only Mama and Pop can turn a trip to Menards into fun that is worth talking about for a couple of days. We keep hearing about how Pop took Jackson to "Nards" and how they have a park (Aka Playground)!

Check out some photos Jackson's trip to Nards! They've got tractors, playhouses, .... :)

The warm weather might not be here yet...but Jackson couldn't wait to have a Hot Dog with Pop outside on the "Park." - A favorite summertime activity. Pop was a trooper and bundled up for his snack with Jackson!

Such a Sweet Photo!

Warm Up and Cool Down ... Who needs all that stuff in the middle!?!

As I have posted before - Justin and I have been trying P90X - a late New Year's resolution. I have to hand it to Justin, he has been way more dedicated than me. But neither of us is as dedicated as Jackson. Each night, he asks if it is time to "do our exercises"...he is just a little too eager.

He is also the best cheerleader! You see, Jackson doesn't participate much past the "Warm-up"...but he loves to sit and cheer you on...then he joins back up for the "cool-down." Smart Kid!

Check out Jackson during the "Warm up" last night...notice how he doesn't take his eyes off his Dad! He also asked, "Can I take my shirt off like my Dad???"....So sweet!

Just Like Daddy...and Mommy!

Justin spent some time at the YMCA playing basketball with friends today. Jackson and I took in some "pool time" down the hall at the same time. When we were done we popped into the gym to watch Justin play. We caught the last few minutes of the game. However, Jackson's favorite part was after the game when Justin let Jackson shoot. Anything to be just like Daddy!...

But he also likes to be like Mommy.... (See below) :)

He asked me, "Are these for your work, Mom?..."

So observant!

Let the Countdown Begin...

We are Walt Disney World Bound

....in 81 Days!

I feel like I have been planning this post since I found out I was pregnant with Jackson. Okay, perhaps I've not been planning this post - but I have certainly been planning the trip. Walt Disney World is one of my favorite places on earth. It has been since I was little.

I'm certain I was in awe of Mickey Mouse and thought Cinderella was beautiful during my childhood trips to the most magical place on earth...but truth be told it was the memories I was making with my family that made that place so wonderful. I even went once in college with my folks on fall break (Such a great trip!).


As the years went by, Justin and I tagged along with my sisters as they each took their children to experience "the magic." In fact, I can remember wiping the tears away as Olivia wrapped her arms around Mickey Mouse for the first time...only to look over to watch my Dad do the same. There is something special about that mouse! Justin and I started talking then about taking our soon-to-be children to Disney.

Olivia (my niece who is almost 12 now)

meets Mickey Mouse for the first time!

Griffin (my nephew who is almost 10 now)

meets Mickey Mouse for the first time!

From the second we knew Jackson was coming - we knew we wanted to take Jackson to Disney World for his third birthday (it helps that they are Free before they are three). We've been talking about the trip since before Jackson was born. This is a trip that was meant for my Dad! It was a chance that he could immerse himself in his grand children's world. I couldn't wait to share this trip with my Dad. Dad and I were planning this trip as we were holding Jackson in our arms as I newborn. Even though my Dad won't be here to see Jackson hug Mickey Mouse or give Buzz Lightyear a high-five...he'll be there in spirit. I have so many memories of my Dad at Walt Disney World - it will be impossible to not to have him be part of our trip....and that makes me smile.

Mom and Dad- LOVING the Buzz Lightyear ride.

Papaw Mike Cuddled up with Olivia on the Tram back to the hotel

after her first day at Magic Kingdom.

Papa Mike was excited to show Griffin the Magic Kingdom - if I remember right, he immediately bought Griffin ice cream! :)

My Dad may not be there - but Jackson is so lucky to have so many people who want to share in this special trip. My Mom, Justin's parents' and sister, my sisters and their families will all be joining us for our week at Walt Disney World (Olivia recently wrote an essay on taking Jackson to Disney World- so sweet!). Jackson thinks a trip to the Olive Garden with family is fantastic - so a week at Walt Disney will be pure joy!


Jackson knows we are going to see Mickey Mouse, Woody, Buzz, Donald, Goofy, and Handy Manny. But - always the sceptic- Jackson always asks "They got Kelly's Hardware Store, Mom?"...(from Handy Manny)...little does he know - Walt Disney World has everything!


The planning was intense. A trip for 13, a hotel that would make everyone happy, flights fitting around many work schedules, breakfast with Mickey Mouse reserved, lunch with Handy Manny reserved, the Hoop Di Do Review reserved, and a special birthday cake delivered to Jackson on our last night arranged....two "Parent's Guides to Disney" read front to back, one expert Disney web site memorized word for word....two anxious parents, and one excited little boy!!! Whew!


Let the countdown begin!

My iPhone App helps countdown the days to our trip!

Thunder Thighs...and I'm not talking about me!

Check out what I dug up today. Check out those legs!

This was almost 2 years ago exactly!

We are still celebrating...

Justin's birthday was a week ago...and we are still celebrating. Justin always teases me for making turning my birthDAY into a birthWEEK. However, this yeas he is guilty of it too!

This coming weekend we will continue the birthday celebration by having lunch with my family. Looking forward to it!

Last week we had a small celebration with the three of us on Justin's actual birthday. Tonight, I finally got some time to download the video. Jackson LOVES singing Happy Birthday and often wants to sing it more than once. I thought the video was very sweet and couldn't wait to share.

Enjoy this sweet boy singing a special song to his Daddy!