Wii are in trouble now

Ever since our church did a series that played off of a wii theme, our son has talked constantly about getting one.  For months I have heard about the wii, why he needs the wii, what games he likes to play at Luke's house, what games he would play if he had a wii... etc.  So, I mention last week to his grandparents that I had a birthday/Christmas idea for him.

I should have known better.

Granddaddy Pete and Mimi decided he needed a birthday present early this year and got him a wii and several games this past weekend.  His birthday is 4 months away!  Mimi has always wanted to give him presents in the summer or fall since he basically shares a birthday with Jesus.  Plus, we happened upon a good deal.

He was shocked and beyond excited!  (I think Daddy was pretty excited, too!)  In no time they were racing around playing MarioCart.  Now, I have to play the bad guy and set time limits because he seriously would play it all day.  And, Jackson would too.  :)  Mommy may get a turn someday.

Hannah enjoyed all the excitement, loves pushing the buttons, and pretending the wheel and nunchuks are telephones.  But then again, she pretty much pretends to talk on the phone with every toy.  She tilts her head and says "hi-ya.  Eh?  Dada.  Dada.  Eh?" 

No idea where she got that from. 

Thanks Mimi and Granddaddy Pete! 

HannahTime

Oh, how the personality comes out more and more everyday!  Lately she is a silly mess!

Eating with a fork!  Ok, so really she eats one bite with her hand and the next with a fork, but still.  :)  She's happy as long as SHE'S the one feeding herself and the food keeps coming.  Here she is eating one of her favorites - mini farfalle pasta with peas & carrots in a cream cheese and herb sauce.

Loves to plop herself down in Jackson's lap.

this and that

Jackson continues to enjoy school.  It's all fun and games to him, as it should be!  The longer he thinks that way the better.  He gets a battery of questions every day when he gets home... I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall and see all the interactions.  I can hardly wait to volunteer in his class or join him for lunch so I can see him in his element. He has made several new friends and really likes his teachers.  Jack seems to have matured so much in the last week.  Is that possible??

We are really pleased with his teachers and the school in general.  His main teacher is a strong believer... such an answer to prayer for so many reasons!

I'm doing well with the changes.  It helps that he's adjusted so easily and loves it so much.  I miss him and every afternoon I look at the clock a million times thinking that I should be picking him up sooner.  I am enjoying rare "me-time" during Hannah's naps.  Hopefully I can really tackle some projects that have gotten really behind.

Hannah has enjoyed the one-on-one time with mommy so far.  I honestly thought she'd whine for Jackson all day.  She's looked for him a few times, but gets distracted and she's on to something else.  I can see changes in her already and Grandmother agrees!  She is more "chatty" - I'm not sure if this is a new thing or that I just couldn't hear her more over big brother's constant chatter!  :)  And, Hannah actually plays more with her toys instead of following big brother around for entertainment. 

Other things she's into now...

• She loves to tussle around on the den floor. 
• Any time she gets her hands on contraband (small objects, trash, cell phones, etc) she runs to behind the dining room table to play with it in secret.  She is so sneaky!  Hannah gets in this little sneaky pose and lifts up one eyebrow when she gets caught.  It is very much a Mike expression and it is hilarious!
• She is a horrible moocher!  She wants any and every food she can get her hands on.  We have to sneak around if we get a snack so that she won't whine for our food!
• loves to climb on anything she can.
• latest obsessions are the small rocking chair, her car, and the ride-on horse.
• tries to dress herself.  I'm in awe with this one.  We had to force Jackson to learn this at age 3!  The other day when we were getting ready for the pool, she put her bathing suit over her head like a necklace and waited for me at the door.
• I'm so in awe of the innate ability of the toddler to throw temper tantrums.  No one taught her how to throw her body on the ground and kick her legs in a fit.  The difference with the 2nd child is that I can ignore it a lot easier.  It's honestly comical to me this time around.
• She loves all books.  She grabs them and backs up to the nearest person so that they will read them to her.
• Loves to dance and twirl around.
• Unlike her brother, she does not enjoy car rides.  Keeps me on my toes with snacks and activities to keep her preoccupied. 

UPDATED -- First Day of Kindergarten

Updated:  He loved it!  He cannot wait to go back next week.  When asked about his day I got a lot of "I don't know."  Typical.  Little bits of his day are tumbling out, though.  He made new friends, loves his teachers, and enjoyed the "reading and pattern games" he played  (aka assessment tests).

Jackson was beyond excited.  His school has staggered entry, so today there will be only a fraction of the kids in his class.  It's a great way to introduce the school and all the little things he'll expect each day.  He couldn't wait to show Mrs. H, his teacher, his book bag and everything in it.  He gave us a quick hug and kiss and simply said he'd see us after school.  He was still grinning from ear to ear when we left.

I cannot wait to hear about his day.

Now it is GIRL TIME in our household.  :)

Twas the Night Before School Started...

The question he and I have both been getting is "Are you ready for kindergarten?".

The supplies are bought.  The back pack is labeled.  The lunch is packed.  The clothes are lain out.  The alarm is set.  The not-so-little guy is bathed and sleeping away.

And yet...

How is it possible to be so very excited but so completely anxious?  In my gut I know that he will do well and absolutely love it.  He's a social bug and makes friends easily.  He's a pretty quick learner and is a little ahead of the game academically.  But the mom in me has these nagging worries... will the older kids pick on him?  Will he get lost?  Will he mind his manners?  Will he listen and obey?  Will he wash his hands after he goes to the bathroom?

I have had the privilege of being his mom, his teacher, his friend, and silly playmate by his side every day these last 5 1/2 years.  I count each of those days as such a blessing!  I just love that little guy to pieces!

I can't believe this day is finally (almost) here.

My Kiddos

I wanted some photos taken to capture my kiddos at an important stage of life... She's one (ok almost 14 months) and he's starting kindergarten in 2 weeks. *sigh* Where does the time go??

Our dear friend Amanda of Mishmash Photography took the pictures ...and let me just say that although she claims to be an amateur, I think these are amazing!  Hannah was a little cranky, but you would never know!  There are even more, but I narrowed down for the blog.  We LOVE them!!  Thank you so much, Amanda! 

Camp Willow Run 2010

We had another great week at Camp Willow Run this summer.  The Lord was at work in the lives of the middle schoolers!!  Great music, great fellowship, beautiful place, great memories, and great speaker (I'm partial!.. actually I didn't make it to a single talk since they occured during Hannah's naptimes.  I did hear the campers rave and share about what they were learning though!).  Here's some of the promised pictures...

Lake Fun

Hanging out as a family

New Adventures

The dormitories for the new Camp Willow Springs are going up!!  This will be the elementary school summer camp, as well as great retreat facilities.  If funds come in, it will open next summer!  We hope to have Jackson there in 3 years.  (of course he THINKS he is a camper now...)

Two tired, sun-kissed, and happy kiddos on their way home.  What a great week!

CWR, How We Love Thee

This week we are back at Camp Willow Run, also known as heaven on earth.  (I might be a little partial.)  Anyways, the kids are having THE BEST time.  I said it before, but to Jackson this is as good as Disney World.  Because he is older and more mature we have allowed him to do more things.  This year he attends all of Daddy's talks and sits and listens with the Middle Schoolers.  He has surprised me at how well he has done!  Although, true to being a preacher's kid, he asked to do a few things on stage.  Such a ham!!  First he told the kids that Jesus loves them, that they need to obey their parents, and that Jesus loves all the little children.  I kid you not - I couldn't make this stuff up!  :)  The next night he asked if he could sing two songs - "I'm keeping my eyes on Jesus" (old VBS song) and "Jesus loves the Little Children".  It has now become a routine that Jackson starts out on stage and "teaches" the kids a Bible story and then Daddy gets his turn.  He wants to be just like Dad!  The Middle schoolers LOVE him.  He had a harem of girls following him around the swim area today.  Oh my!

Hannah is mesmerized by just about everything.  She is so happy to just wander around and play with leaves, rocks, sticks, shells  and pine cones.  There are lots of wide open spaces to explore!  Thankfully the weather has been pretty comfortable.  She was so bewildered at the kids up in the trees in High Ropes.  She also gets quite a bit of attention from the children and she plays shy and flirts at the same time.  The funniest thing is watching her dance and try to do the hand motions during the songs! 

Our week so far has consisted of swimming, Mike and Jackson canoed, went fishing in a boat twice, shot arrows in Archery, shot BB guns in Riflery, rode in Lola (small motor boat) while helping kids with the sailing class, several games of Pin Dodge ball (which Jackson LOVES), and many fudgesicles(sp?) at Canteen. 

And, for as many pics that we took last week at the beach, I have rarely pulled out the camera this week.  I'm making it a goal for the rest of our time, though.  More to come soon...

Attempting a family picture (aka the out-takes)

Everyone wants a good family picture at the beach. Right? So did I. Jack seems to think the sun is in his eyes only when the camera is on him. Hannah can't be still - there's too much to investigate. My kids conspired against me.   And the people taking the pictures have no idea if they are good or bad since the sun made it impossible to see on the camera.  Thought I'd share these funny attempts with ya...

I have at least 10 more like these!  *sigh*

Here's our best attempt.  Three out of four ain't so bad.  Still not frame worthy!

I call this one "preacher hair".

Its a bit hard to see -- with no nap hannah was quite exhausted at the aquarium.  She fell asleep 2 minutes later.

OIB - part 2

Uncharacteristically of us, we actually took lots of pictures this trip!  Here's part two of our Ocean Isle Family Trip...

On Wednesday we took the ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher and went to the Aquarium.  Apparently everyone else had the same idea for that day.  It was crowded, but we had fun anyway!  Jackson thought riding the ferry was so cool.

Loved the alligator exhibits and even got to watch a feeding.  Ew!  Jack really had a great time and loved learning about the sea creatures. (This is the only pic from the aquarium that turned out well.)

The boys loved playing with cousin Kim and her friend Samantha.  They took a bazillion silly pics together on their webcam.

After a huge rainstorm the boys had a blast puddle jumping!

Energetic boys + pillows = Sumo wrestling!  I'm not sure who was more entertained - Jack and Ethan or the adults watching!  SO funny!

Can't wait to go back next year!