So He's No Mario Andretti...but he's still cute!

Last week, Jackson's pre-school held the 2010 "Mini 500" - complete with a pace lap! :)

It was an adorable event and Jackson loved the extra time outside. I'm not sure he understood he was actually in a RACE - he was a little slow out of the gate! :)

In keeping with Jackson's style and personality - he enjoyed the cookout after the race the most! Can't beat a hot dog with his friends, Mommy and Daddy, and even Mamaw Penny!

This was such a great event - as for winning - there is always next year!

Jackson's class. (He's on the right in the red)

Pit Crew - Jackson needed some help with his helmet.

READY!

Showing off his medal!

Jackson and Mamaw Penny

Jackson was so excited his Daddy made it!

Enjoy the video!

Look Who's Counting!!

Yesterday, while enjoying a cookout and some pool time with family, Jackson showed off his latest trick. When we were counting to three to try to get Jackson to jump in the pool - Jackson kept on counting...all the way to 10! Justin and I were both a little shocked. (Truth be told, we both teared up - proud first-time parents).

I immediately grabbed the camera and filmed him counting. I could have listened to it all day! Enjoy some video of Jackson showing off his new trick!

I'll be calling Harvard tomorrow! :)

I know he's not the only 2-year old who knows how to count to 10 - but he's OUR two year old who can count to 10. And we are so proud!!!

Way to go, Jackson!

He's BIG Jackson!

Jackson has started referring to himself as Big Jackson...and he will correct you if you just say Jackson. And don't even think about calling him Little Jackson! :) Check out the video to see Big Jackson! Enjoy! :)

Check it out!

While we were going through our vacation photos Justin stopped me and had be enlarge one...to find that we had a visitor in our photo. See below. We saw dolphins one morning while walking along the beach with Jackson - but had no idea one snuck into our photo!

Such a busy week - ready for the holiday!

Vacation Photos - Makes me want to go back!

I finally sat down and downloaded all of our vacation photos. Justin, Jackson, and I had so much fun looking through them. Jackson keeps asking for the "tel" (AKA - the HOTEL). I love that he had a great time and wants to go back! So do I!

Spending that week with Jackson was so great. Spending time with the three of us allowed us to make memories that we know we with talk about for years! We loved every minute of it!

I am so excited to share our photos with you. Just click the link below to see the photos.

VACATION PHOTOS

P.S. Vacation videos to come soon, too!

Enjoy!

He's a Pro...well at least as good as Mom!

I'm still sorting through our vacation photos - and I have decided we took too many! Lots to share and coming soon! But I thought I'd do a quick post to share some photos from one particular night of vacation. We took Jackson to play putt-putt for the first time. He instantly caught on and loved it! In fact, every night since, he asks to watch the video we took of him playing. Needless to say, he is his own biggest fan!

He wasn't bad - in fact he even scored a hole in one! I snapped the photo below when he realized he had scored the hole in one! I was a little jealous. :)

Enjoy some other photos and video from that fun night!

An ICEE to top off the night!

We're Back!

Jackson cashed out on the flight!

We are back home and have been busy unpacking, catching up on laundry, mail, etc...

Jackson returned to Pre-school today. On the way there, he said to me: "Mommy, I want the "Tel(Jackson's code word for hotel)"... I loved that he loved our trip - and I expected drop-off to be a rough one. It was. In fact, Jackson was very sad today and kept asking for his Mom and Dad. Can you blame him? We are pretty cool! :)

Tomorrow will be better. He will return to his routine. And I will finally get time to download the many pictures and video we took so we can share them with all of you... can't wait!

May 15 - My Dad's Birthday

Today is May 15. It is my Dad's birthday.

I wish I was spending the day running to get him a present and wrapping it before our family gets together for a celebration.

Instead, I took a long walk on the beach this morning to spend some time thinking of my Dad. I told myself not to concentrate on how much I missed him - but instead be grateful for having him as long as I did.

I am more than grateful. I know I had a Dad that most didn't. One that taught me the importance of family and the importance of having parents who are "present" in every moment. I try to be that type of parent - for Jackson and for my Dad.

I can only hope to teach those lessons to Jackson some day.

So today - in honor of my Dad. I will savor one last day with my family in Florida. Making memories with Jackson just as my Dad did with me when I was young. My Dad isn't here to see me be a parent - but he taught me how to be one all those years ago. What a special gift!

Even though today is his birthday - I am celebrating that special gift today.

Happy Birthday, Dad. I love you.

...And the fun just keeps getting better...

Today we spent most of the day at Busch Gardens - where Jackson got to have breakfast with Elmo. While meeting Elmo was exciting (Jackson just told us his favorite part was getting to hug Elmo - so sweet)...Cookie Monster has also become a instant favorite. Perhaps because Jackson shares his love for cookies! It was a great time and I can't wait to tell you more later!

Jackson also LOVED the water park...and we loved watching him play.

Back to the pool and beach tomorrow!

Miss You!

Still having fun....

He LOVES Vacation!

In case you were wondering if Jackson was enjoying vacation...this picture says it all! In fact, we are all having a great time!

Lots of pictures to come!

BEST Mother's Day to Date...

Yesterday, I had one of my BEST Mother's Day (I know I've only had a few).

Yesterday, I watched Jackson experience his first airplane ride, put his toes in the sand for the first time, and jump waves with his Dad - all while grinning from ear to ear.

While Jackson and I were building a Mickey Mouse in the sand yesterday my thoughts turned to my own mom. I remembered all the times we would build an Easter Bunny out of sand on our many trips to Florida.

When I text her last night to tell her I was thinking of those special times, she text me back to tell me that I was building great memories with my own child and that I was doing a good job as a mother...

Not sure there is a better Mother's Day present than that message from my own Mom!

Thanks, Mom! Happy Mother's Day to you! Thanks for all the Easter Bunnies in the sand all those years ago!

Muffin's for Mom!

This past Friday I attended the "Muffin's for Mom" breakfast at Jackson's Pre-School.

Jackson was so excited that I was at school to have breakfast with him. He starting shouting towards the kitchen and I couldn't understand him at first. Then it was clear as day. He was shouting, "Marcia!" Yet, I have never met a Ms. Marcia there. All of the sudden out comes the head cook and she says, "There is my best buddy, Jackson." She went on to tell me how he has captured every heart at the school. This melted my heart in return!

After breakfast Jackson gave me a Mother's day gift he had been working hard on for a week or so. I snapped some photos so I could share it with all of you. I will always cherish it. Of course, the poem made me tear up. However, I wasn't the only one....all the mom's were!

Jackson's Birthday Weekend!

Apparently turning 2 calls for multiple celebrations. We didn't mind! :)

Here are some video and photos from our exciting weekend celebrating Jackson's BIG TWO.

Enjoy.

We started the weekend at Justin's Grandma's house with a mini-party since she could not attend his party on Sunday. Pizza King (our favorite - and Jackson's too) was on the menu - along with some chocolate cupcakes! Grandma Marge gave Jackson "Charlie" the Charcoal Grill - who has already become a family favorite!

Note: Jackson took his shirt off to eat Pizza - and it never returned! :)

Then it was time for the BIG party!

Justin was a good sport and wore the Mickey apron!

A huge thanks to Aunt Rena (Amanda's Aunt) for saving the day with an amazing cake!

Make a Wish!

Melting Mom's Heart!

This photo was taken on Jackson's actual birthday - we sang Happy Birthday and indulged with the remaining of the cake...this is also post surgery for Jackson. Notice the swollen cheeks. I didn't think they could get larger!

My sweet baby boy is two - it goes so fast. Everyone tells you - but until its your baby blowing out TWO candles on the cake - you don't realize it!

A huge thank you to all of came out to celebrate Jackson's birthday! We are so lucky to get to share him with all of you!

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

We partied...and then partied some more

Jackson is officially TWO!

We can't believe it. It seems like we just brought him home from the hospital - and technically we did.

Jackson had to have a small out patient surgery this morning. Due to allergies - Jackson needed to have his Adenoids removed. He is recovering well and is already being as rotten as ever!

And don't worry! We celebrated Jackson's birthday more than you know. A celebration that started on Friday and didn't end until tonight!

I am one exhausted Mommy...but I can't wait to share pictures, video, and such great memories with all of you.

Wish me luck - I am officially a Mom of a two year old! :)

And...We are still celebrating!

Kristin, Kooper, Jackson, Amanda, Kristen, and Brennan

Justin, Jackson, and I met some good friends (and their families) out at victory field to cheer on Franklin College as the played Hanover. Jackson loved running around the park with Addison (not pictured). He also loved seeing the "babies" - Kooper and Brennan. Justin snapped this photo since we were all decked out in our Franklin College gear. Baby Brennan didn't want to be bothered with the photo shoot and slept right through it. :)

Jackson loved yelling "Hey Bat-ter, Bat-ter, Bat-ter" and LOVED his Hot Dog! It was a great even for his "birthday week".

Still Celebrating...

It is still Birthday Week at our house...and we are still celebrating each night.

Last night - we had a picnic at the park and played on the playground despite the cold temperatures. Jackson had tons of fun while Mommy and Daddy froze on the bench.

Tonight, Jackson sat very still while he got his hair cut (much needed - even hair product couldn't control that mess). We also spent time with the Boyd family as Justin helped Tom lay mulch (the least we could do since the are letting us use their home for Jackson's birthday party).

Jackson decided he wanted to take a bath at Aunt Shel's. Maddie was nice enough to let Jackson borrow some PJ's to wear home. To Maddie - PJ's are cheer shorts and a cheer shirt - see the photo below! LOVED IT...if he only had pig-tails! :)