Aunt Karen Turned 40!

We went over to Granddaddy and Granddee's house on Friday for Aunt Karen's 40th birthday party. We played basketball, rode the 4-wheeler, ate dinner and had cake. We also got a couple of pictures of me and my cousins altogether.

That's Elijah, Bryson, Jackson and Ethan.

Bryson was getting a little squished!

The nursery

Here's some pics of Hannah's nursery that is set to go... just waiting (not so patiently) for her arrival. I'm pleased with how it has come together so inexpensively. The crib and changing table were Jackson's. The bookshelf was mine when I was a little girl. The bedding and glider were fantastic craigslist finds. The curtains made by my mom. She's also making new basket liners too. I do want to do something else on the walls, but will wait for the time being.

The bedding - PBK, without the PBK price

A beautiful magnetic wall board made by my friends Anna, Jen, Maggie & Stacy. You should check out their A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E stuff at laffadillane.com in a few weeks (site coming soon!).

"Brother's Day"?

Jackson has been playing a made up game all week of making me Mother's Day cards and wrapping up presents for me. The presents are his toys that he's wrapping in paper or the table place mats. He tells me over and over I'm the best mommy ever. Very sweet!

A few minutes ago he asked when Father's day would be here... and then paused with a very serious face and asked, "But, when will it be Brother's Day? When will I get presents?!".

Seriously?! Oh, how he cracks me up. He wasn't too happy to hear that there is no such thing as a Brother's Day.

...Little does he know that Hannah already has a little gift set aside for him for when he comes to the hospital to meet her for the first time. :)

playin' at Pullen

I took Jackson and his buddies Madeline & Ryan to Pullen Park last week. We love this park and heard on the news that it will be closing sometime this fall for a year's worth of remodeling. Sad! It is such a unique park with it's train, boats, carousel, and beautifully landscaped grounds. Hopefully the renovations will be worth it.

We opted for just the carousel, train, a picnic lunch, playgrounds, and feeding the ducks and fish. They requested the pedal boats - which I declined. :) Can you imagine my very pregnant self pedaling them around the lake?? And trying to keep Jackson from diving in at the same time. ha!

Mother's Day Weekend 2009

Here are some quick snaps from last night at The Walter's and this morning out fishing with Granddad. These were posted quickly especially for the benefit of Jackson's Mimi who recently sounded desperate for pictures!

Jackson put his hat on backwards b/c he wanted to be like "Mover Dave" from the "Imagination Movers" on Disney Channel.

He has really taken to "cane" pole fishing with worms!

Unfortunately for Jackson and Granddad, they are posing with the bass that DAD caught!

This is a shot of the pond we fished at out in Apex.

Looks like I might need to get Jackson a wheelbarrow. He said he was "working."

Working.

More working.

Jackson, Ty, Ethan, and Ben.

mustard... um, really?

Mike and I really loathe anything mustard. Which works out well that we both feel that way. The only reason we have any in the house is for guests and I always have to check the expiration date before putting it out. My brother, on the other hand, puts it on anything and everything and in large quantities. Gross.

For lunch today Jackson asked for a hot dog with mustard. My first reaction is to wonder how he even knows what the stuff is! Then, I seriously doubt he'll actually eat a hot dog with mustard on it. I mean, he is SO SUSPICIOUS of EVERY FOOD it is ridiculous. Especially anything new. It has been an issue for a long time and a constant battle. So, I think there is no way he'll eat this new substance, and one so disgusting at that. I put a dab on his plate and make him taste it on his finger.

"Mmmm. Yummy. I like it, mommy"

I threaten that if I put it on a hot dog he had to actually eat the whole thing and I'm not about to make him anything else. Not a problem, he assures me. I am doubtful...

He loved it. And, I'm completely baffled. Then, a little hopeful that maybe we are turning a new leaf. I just told him that I was proud of him for trying something new. He paused and with a serious face said, "But, I don't like other new foods, ok?".

Darn. He's on to me.

A few pics that "Mes Abe" took of our little guy at a recent church picnic.

We've been enjoying some unusually HOT weather for April. Which means a few things in our household... icecream and water! He inhales his icecream about as fast as he can throw down a cheeseburger.

Jackson jumps at any chance to wash the cars with Daddy. He's actually really good at helping, although we usually put him in a bathing suit for good reason!

I bought this giraffe pool for Jack 3 summers ago. I had NO IDEA how much he would love it. Here's my little guy in 2007 (2 1/2 yrs old)...

And 2008...

And yesterday...

"Mes Abe"

Jackson has a crush. And, I must say it is someone that has our wholehearted approval! The only problem is that she is already taken... and a little bit older.

Jackson has not stopped talking about Miss Abbie from church for the last week and a half. He sat with her at one of daddy's softball games, shared his Leapster with her, and snuggled a little too. Watch out Ben! :)

Last Sunday she was one of his teachers in his class at church and he was SO EXCITED to go and tell her about the fish he caught the day before. He followed her around at the church picnic wanting her to take his picture. And, he has taken the fridge magnets and his leapster and spelled out her name all by himself... "Mes Abe". So cute!

Quick April Update of Pictures

Here's what we've been up to in April - or at least what we've photographed!

Pullen Park with Aaron Hodges and Family. Brrr....

Bowling and Video Games at the Bowling Alley.

Dyeing Easter eggs with mommy and daddy.

And the Easter Egg Hunt in Morrisville with Ryan and Madeline.