He's Back!

Daddy is finally home from a short mission trip to Amsterdam.  We are so glad that he had such a great experience, but we are thrilled to have him back home!  Our church is partnering with my old college buddy, Rob, who is missionary there.  The hope is to help start a new church in the city.  Mike, Brad and Tim spent 8 days learning the culture, spiritual dynamics, and the city itself.

Mimi, Granddaddy Pete, and Aunt Kaye all came for the first part of his being gone. It was a great help, great distraction, and fun visit! We ate out, went to the pool, shopped a little, watched movies, and just had a nice time being together.

My kids are both totally head-over-heels for their daddy.  I kept them pretty preoccupied while he was away.  He was certainly missed!  I praise God for the Internet and Skype!  Saturday afternoon he was greeted at the airport with 3 of the largest and cheesiest grins!

[special thanks to mimi for the pics... and she evidently has my syndrome of always being the one behind the camera!]

Some things

Lots happening around these parts.  And lots of catching up to do on this here blog.  Unfortunately, no pics at this point.  Our camera has been on a bit of an excursion with daddy.  Soooo, bullet points are in order! 

• Hannah is finally signing "please".  So cute.  She signed "more" and "finish" for about a month and has refused to do that anymore for several months now.  Now she says more and just takes off her bib when she's done.  Guess that works too.
• We met Jackson's teacher last night.  She was so sweet and gentle.  This will be her 19th year teaching and she loves it!  We toured the classes, library, gym, cafeteria, etc.  One classmate, Madeline, was a girl that he "played" with as an infant.  Her mom and I were in a new mom's group together when they were newborns.  I have pictures of the two of them crawling around together.  Another classmate is a little girl that lives in our neighborhood that he has met before.  And, we met two little boys that Jackson instantly wanted to start running around the school with.  I feel so good about this coming year.  He was upset to leave last night and said he wanted to "stay and learn some things".  :)
• Jackson and Hannah play "mommy and daddy" together... they push the stroller around with her baby dolls, feed the babies, etc.  So cute to watch!
• Hannah has acquired one of my old purses and carries in around on her arm and shoulder.  She finds all sorts of random toys to carry around.
• Hannah is now book-obsessed.  All day long she picks them up and backs herself up to someones lap to have it read to her.  Jackson reads some to her too.  He gets frustrated, though, when she flips the pages too early or slams it shut on just the second page.  He doesn't believe that he did the same thing 4-5 years ago!
• Jackson has attended a VBS this week and loved every minute.  He sings the songs ALL DAY LONG.  It has been a great outlet for his energy on these very hot days.  Mommy has enjoyed the quiet mornings while Hannah naps.
• Our dear friends, the Isaacs, are moving across town.  :(  They have already closed on the new house and are moving things gradually as the girls finish school next week.  We are so grateful for all the card games, kid swapping for date nights, playing in the cul-de-sac, sledding in the snow, and many more fun times together.  Jackson will especially be sad as Luke is one of his best buddies!  Thankfully, he'll get to see Luke at church and we'll have to be intentional about getting together with them.

Coming soon - pics from a visit from Mimi, Granddaddy Pete, and Aunt Kaye....

little fish

Jackson just wrapped up a session of swim lessons.  I tried the last couple of summers to show him some things, but still felt like he'd learn and listen better from someone else.  Jack loves Mr. Jay, his instructor.  He asked me if Mr. Jay could become his kindergarten teacher too! 

Jackson has alway been really comfortable in the water... I just wanted his skill level to be equivalent to his level of confidence!  Especially since my eyes have to cover two kiddos now.  He's doing a freestyle stroke and beginning to pick up a little backstroke - not perfect but a great start.

12 Month Digits

Forgot to post this earlier... Hannah had her 12 mo check up on Wednesday.

Weight - 19lbs, 10 1/4 oz (25%)
Length - 30 1/2 inches (90%)

Long and lean!  She lost 1/2 a pound since a week and a half ago.  Probably due to walking up a storm and to switching the whole milk.  She's a sipper, not a guzzler!  Hannah took the shots and bloodwork like a trooper with little crying.

Celebrations

Thursday morning, Hannah's birthday, the three of us went into her room when she awoke to sing her happy Birthday.  She smiled so big but was totally clueless as to what in the world her crazy family was up to! Then came a cupcake for breakfast and opening presents from Mommy, Daddy, Jackson as well as several packages sent from family in TN.  We gave her a little kitchen set, play food, and shopping cart.  Big Brother gave her the cooking pots and pans to go with it.  I thought this might be a toy she would grow into, but judging by the play food ALL OVER MY HOUSE and the time spent playing -- it has been a hit for both her AND Jackson.  (Who likes to play restaurant, not kitchen, he insists!)  The rest of the day was spent at a pool play date, nap, back to the pool for Jackson's swim lesson, a very quick dinner, then off to daddy's softball game.  She was a happy little clam amongst the busyness.

On Friday we went to the zoo and grandmother came with us.  Hannah was very excited about the animals!  She waved to them, blew them kisses, and kept reaching out to hold them. We picked up an annual membership again, so I can't wait to make it a regular venture.

I'm One! 

Saturday we had a small family party for her.  She loved the attention and all the presents.  The bubble machine was a big hit for all!  By Saturday afternoon she came down with a fever and we spent some restful time at home that night and Sunday. 

On Monday we went to a fun Memorial Day party with some great friends.  Jackson and buddies spent the day running from kiddie pool to kiddie pool, sliding on the Slip and Slide, and water gun fights.  He is still talking about it!