The Bookworm and The Cookie Monster

Sounds like a children's book, doesn't it? Actually, it's Jackson! I have to say that Jackson's absolute favorite thing, next to playing with Daddy, is reading books. He even reads them by himself when I won't do it for him. Hence the picture above. I was taking care of things around the house when Jackson brought me his "Touch and Feel Animals" book. I was smack in the middle of washing dishes so didn't oblige his wishes. When I did finish, I came into the living room where he had laid down on his favorite giraffe blanket and was flipping through his book. He didn't even look up at me when I took these pictures. He will very meticulously browse through his books downstairs and pick out a favorite to bring to us. And, if he can't find the one he wants downstairs, he'll go up to his room and bring one down to us. It's an amazing thing. I'm so proud that he has a love for books - I have always loved them and the "imaginary" world they open up for us.

The second picture is Jackson digging around for his little red firetruck in his big toy bin. He is so tiny that climbing into his toy boxes and bins is no problem.

Finally, my little cookie monster loves his oreos (just like daddy and PawPaw Roy). He won't eat any dinner but could eat cookies all night. He even likes dark chocolate! Guess he has the sweet tooth that runs in the family! I had to get a picture of his messy face. Suffice it to say he was in an Oreo and NickJr induced high...

House Update: The venting has been put in on the house and the duct work is run for the HVAC. It's moving along!

Happy Weekend to everyone. I'll try to post one more before leaving for Mexico on Monday...

Fall Fest

* This is a shot of the house from the back yard!

We have had a busy few days due to this beautiful cool weather. Once the sun came out on Thursday of last week, we've spent every moment possible outdoors. We've played at the park with our buddies and spent a lot of time in the yard. Jackson loves riding his little PowerWheels 4 Wheeler and he still loves to swing those golf clubs. He also loves to throw balls - usually at Maggie! He doesn't quite understand why she won't throw it back but he laughs anyway. On Saturday, we had a great afternoon at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens with some friends and their children (Traci and Chad Jenkins). We packed a little picnic - Chad said we had our own little convenience store. What can I say, I like to ensure we have great snacks! Jackson loved feeding the fish and he gets so excited that we have to make sure he doesn't climb into the water. On Sunday, we went to the Green Meadows Petting Farm with a group of friends from our playgroup (Rhonda, Tom and the twins, Tom's mother, MawMaw Mary Ellen, Donna and Owen). The kids had a great time - it was a blast to watch them with these animals up close and personal. Jackson especially like the little ducklings but he would get so excited that he would squeeze their little necks and choke them. The poor little ducklings were not too excited about this. We had to quickly distract him to get him away so we didn't end up with a murder investigation of a strangled duckling. He also really enjoyed the lambs and baby goats. I think it makes him comfortable to be around the smaller animals as they are more his "size." We milked a cow (Jackson liked the woodchips under her udders the best), watched a pig race, held a lamb, and picked out pumpkins to take home. The group picture of the kids is my absolute favorite. Keep in mind, this was the end of the day and they were pooped! What a treasure to show them when they are older and all in high school together - they will all be in the same grade.

Jackson loves animals so much but he still gets most excited with his own two little rotten animals at home!

What a blessing we have in this little boy and that we are able to experience so many fun things with him!

House Update: the windows are in, the roof is being installed today and we should see rock and stone later this week...

Broadway, Here We Come!!

Actually, 2518 Broadway Lane to be exact. They (finally) finished the slab on our new house and began framing it yesterday. They have a big group of guys working on it and are already completing the second story today. "Excited" doesn't begin to describe how we feel now that we see things moving on our new home. I have so little patience and this is killing me!! It has been fun though to pour over magazines and pick out new things and decorating ideas to prepare for the new home.

We're being told that the completion date should fall between January 7th and 15th. Our chances of getting in before Christmas were completely "washed away" by all the rain we got at the begining of September. So, the countdown has begun to our arrival on "Broadway"! Every time I say it, I always want to break into song. Atleast it should be easier for Jackson to memorize his address when he's older, but does this mean he'll get made fun of?? Nah, he's way too cute to get made fun of (I know, yeah right!)

I'll continue to make posts of the house as we go along so stay tuned...

I'm also posting pictures of Jackson playing in the front driveway yesterday afternoon. He stands on the curb, bends his arms and tries to jump onto the drive. He wants to learn to jump so badly that he practices all the time - he's getting so close but we're not there yet. As we were playing, an airplane passed overhead which he absolutely loves so I had to get a picture of him watching it pass. My camera wasn't quick enough to get him pointing at it, but I think most of you have seen him do that already. I'll probably need to video that one before he stops doing it.

Happy Wednesday! We send our love...

Jackson's Driving Now!

Okay, that isn't entirely correct but it is close. He will climb up into my car by himself using the running boards, then climb onto the seat and try to drive the car. He is, of course, under constant supervision by yours truly. It is so funny to see this though - a 17 month old hanging out in the driver's seat turning the steering wheel. I asked him where he planned on going but couldn't get a straight answer - I thought that only happened when they were high school age?!I've also posted a picture of him veged out in front of the TV watching a music show. He loves anything with music, instruments, songs, etc. I promise we don't watch TV all the time, but you can tell that when we do, he is totally engrossed...

The final picture was taken this weekend when he and his daddy hung out in their PJs for most of the morning. He had been eating blue M&Ms which is why his lips are purple. If you know me, then you are fully aware that it is not cold in my house so I promise he isn't freezing so much his lips turned blue. And, yes, I give him M&Ms - thanks to his MiMi who got him on that kick. To our credit, the M&Ms are part of a trail mix but he only eats the candy with a few raisins thrown in there. But at least he's eating something!

We hope you have a Happy Monday!

Jackson Enjoys the Fall Weather

On Friday, October 2nd, Jackson turned 17 months old. He also got his second haircut this week and looks so much like a little boy. He began saying "giraffe" when David points at the pictures in his room or reads his favorite book - "Giraffes Can't Dance." Although it sounds more like "riraffe" but we are still so proud of him. Of course, he chatters all day long and communicates better and better as each day passes. He definitely has plenty to say, especially when I do something that does NOT make him happy. He also likes riding around on David's back like he's a big horse - that reminds me I'll need to take a few pictures of him riding Daddy "the horse" with his cowboy boots on.

He has a little cold that he developed late last week but he is not showing any flu-like symptoms other than a little mild fever. We're keeping a close eye on it but feel likeit isn't serious. Poor baby just has a runny nose but is still playing extra hard.

We spent a lot of time at MawMaw Little's house yesterday getting ready for the big garage sale next weekend. That is where these pictures were taken - Jackson loves playing with the pretty yellow flowers in her front yard. He also rode around on the driveway in his new PowerWheels 4Wheeler that we bought him. He has a blast on that thing!

He is eating good but I'm not sure if he has gained any weight though he does look a little fuller in the face and legs. Let's keep hoping for the best as we continue trying to fatten that little man up...

We hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather as much as we are. It has been so wonderful here as the autumn breezes are blowing in cool weather. Most importantly, they have poured the concrete slab on our house - we should begin seeing a lot more action now as they frame it up. This is so exciting for us!! We are so blessed in our life....