Letter to my Jackson

Dear Jackson,

You are eight years old buddy! How can that be? Last year, the thing you wanted to remember about yourself was this, "That I'm good. That I'm the best kid ever." And you know what? You are! I can always count on you for a smile, a hug or a snuggle. You are still as sensitive as ever, which is something I hold dear. I pray that this never changes. The world can be so cruel, and can take that sensitivity away so quickly. You always see the beauty in everyone and everything. Yet you have a very realistic

Jackson, you are still as smart and inquisitive as ever. You moved to a new school this year, and it has been the best decision for you we have made. Your teacher understands the way you work and what you need, and she works so well with you. Because of her, you now love to draw and create. You love to do art. In your class, you have to complete a line in the morning as a part of your morning seat work. There is always a story to your picture that comes from just a line. We love to hear all about it. You also are loving science and music. You get to do so much more of both at school now, half the time you don't even know you are learning! But boy, oh boy. You are, and you know what bug-a-boo? So are we. Schedules have always been your thing, and it's been a learning curve for us to help you go with the flow when the schedules get off at school. You speak in so many ways than just your words and we are learning to listen bug. Sometimes I feel like I need an interpreter because I know you want us to understand, and we don't until later. (Like this weekend...we knew something was up, and then this morning you woke up with a high fever.).

Jackson, you see the world in your own unique way and I love that about you. You love to try and help others understand exactly what you are thinking and why it is correct. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. But you are getting much better at walking away if the other person likes their point of view. You are learning to work much better with others, to listen to others ideas and not always have to do it your way. These are huge for you. You are reading, and still love to read non-fiction. Right now, you especially love historical books. In fact, we are reading about the Battle of Gettysburg as our bedtime story (not my pick, but you love it). You are very interested in who is good and who is bad.

You love soccer and tumbling, and your coordination has gotten so much better! Even better than that, you love it and have said you've going to play soccer forever. You are also riding your bike!!! Woohoo! It cracks me up though because you have to ride it with your go-cart helmet and your goggles. "It's safest" is what you always tell me, and who am I to argue with that? My only problem with it is that when we go on our bike/run (you and Addie bike, I run) you can't hear me holler down the road to stop. But thankfully, minus one time when I had to sprint to stop you, but honestly you stopped all on your own.

So Jackson, what I need to do is have faith. I need to have faith in you and how we are raising you. I need to have faith that you have faith. Even though you consider yourself a scientist (which I have no doubt you will become), you still hold fast that Jesus is in your heart. Everyday, I pray I am making the best decisions both for you and for Addison. Not just decisions for now, but ones that will impact you lifetime. I believe in my heart of hearts Daddy and I are making the dest decisions for you. So I need to have faith in you love. Because Jackson, you have what it takes and I know you are going to only continue to grow, make mistakes, learn from them and continue your awesomeness!!!

This is me, holding on and having faith! 

I love you my bug-a-boo and I can't wait to see what year 8 is like!!

Love,
Mom

PS...I love that you love your lunch box notes, but you don't want anyone to see that you have them so you are very careful to read it inside your lunch box while you are getting your stuff out, but then you leave it there. It's like my secret for you!

Water Leak = MUD!

We had a water leak the other weekend, and as these things happen around here...Dave was golfing. I think the universe believes I know how to fix it all! Ha. I was lucky to turn it off, and find someone who could track down Dave to make sure I had it turned off correctly. 

A water leak though, means that we had mud! A whole lot of mud. At first, Jackson and Addison wanted to investigate and see if they could figure out where the leak was coming from and how to stop it. After that, Addison decided it was time to play. Jackson was too funny and said that now that he is eight, he is too old to play in the mud. As if! I've got to work on that!

After her jumping, she started doing her tap routine in the mud. Definitely something to see.

This was as much as I could get my eight year old in the mud because he was too old.

Addison changed into her swimming suit (yes, it was warm enough to do that as the rest of the US was in the 40's with snow!) and started flinging the mud and making art. She is quite the artist!!!

Quiet moments at the field

I love that I get to watch the quiet moments! Dave is such a great dad, and Jackson and Addison just adore him (but not more than me!).

Last day of soccer, day 2

Addison played one week longer than Jackson this year for soccer, but they still played the same number of games...something very important around here. And she is a rockstar! Addison is our athletic one, and she does it with grace and poise. She was a firecracker on the field, scoring multiple goals each game. I know, it's not about the goals, but a mom is the only one who can brag about her girl! As the season started, she would get into the mix, but she is smart. She preferred to stay on the outskirts of the ball, then take it down the field with the other team chasing her and score a goal. We still need to work on the passing to her teammates, but that will come. For now, it was awesome to watch her play and see how far she has come in just a year!

Look at her go!!!

Her concentration face...she always sticks her tongue out a little. :)

Beating the boys!

They can't keep up!

She's got her daddy's skills!

Keeping control of the ball!

Fancy footwork!

Even though I complain during the season, I can't wait! Addison will be moving up to the "big" field and will play with the 1st and 2nd graders. Jackson will be on the "bigger" field and will play with the 3rd-5th. It's going to be an interesting season! Luckily, they get to continue to play at school as a part of their PE (or as Addison used to say for the longest time...E.P.)

Music to my ears

Dear Jackson,

Two days ago, you got the opportunity to watch a music group at your school that was traveling through town. They stopped at the Chamber, and were sent over to see if your school could work in a performance. They did, and you loved it! As the director watched you watching the group, she could see you conducting the music. You were in another world. She also explained before they started what a standing ovation was, everyone gave them one!

After performing for the entire group, they performed for your class, as well as Addison's class. When they were done in your room, you stood and gave them a standing ovation. They were excited and said, "You remembered." After that, you then said to them, "you played and sang for us, can we sing for you?" They said yes, and because of you, your whole class sang "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel."

Jackson, this warms my heart to the deepest part. From everything I've heard about this performance you got to see, it touched you the way music touches me. The way playing the piano and my clarinet were an expression for me. When I was upset, I would play. I would play other times too, but music was always an outlet for me. I have many moments that I remember, but there was one moment in high school when we were playing Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger. I had a rest and was looking up at my band director. Jackson, in her face I could see that we nailed it. Every person playing got it just right at that moment and it was magical. It is a moment that I will never forget. I hope that you never forget the way music makes you feel. I know you probably don't totally "get" that magic yet, but it is magical love and when you can really become a part of the music, it's something special. It's something that no one can ever take from you.

Who knows, maybe one day you will be a conductor of your own wind ensemble, or maybe you will play an instrument. The world is yours love, and I hope you always feel it.

Love,
Mom

Directions and Attiitude

Dear Addison,

Sometimes being a mom is hard. Yesterday, we were finishing homework and getting ready for dance. You picked up a piece of chocolate and I told you no, not right now. You then started to put it in your mouth. I told you no again, and that if you put it in your mouth you would not be able to go to dance. You asked what to do with it, so I told you to put it in the trash. Daddy watched as you walked to the trash, and took a bite thinking no one could see you. He then sent you to your room and the half eaten chocolate went into the trash. I was furious. In a way, I was more furious with myself because we now had to follow through with the no dance, and you guys are getting ready for recital. I honestly did not think that when I said that, you would do it. But you did. So we had to. In the end, we ended up making you talk with your dance teacher and explain to her that you were not following directions at home, and that because you didn't listen, you lost your dance class. You then had to tell her that because you were getting ready for recital, mom and dad let you dance and there will be another punishment at home. You were sad. Talking with your dance teacher was very hard, but she understood and was supportive. You are learning, and love, you will listen.

I found this picture and it totally captures your attitude right now. Not all the time, but man. You are definitely coming into your own, and you are a strong individual. I see myself in so many ways. Scary...one day you'll understand. You'll be looking at your kiddos and see yourself and just be blown away. Keep the attitude because you will need it one day, but sweetheart, you can listen with attitude. That's what we will work on!!!

And last night, you were doing your homework and you had to draw the Statue of Liberty for your journal. You were almost done and then said that "Oh, can't forget the iPad." Your daddy and I cracked up and commented on the changing times. It's not an iPad, it's a tablet...but when we tried to explain that, you didn't believe us and said one more time that you have to include the iPad. We have our work cut out for us!!! History is magnificent, and there is much to learn. It's not all digital!!!

Love,

Mom

Last day of soccer, day 1

Jackson's last day of soccer was one week ago. Addison's is today. Jackson had one Saturday where they had a double header, and let's just say that those poor kiddos. By the middle of the second game they were completely tuckered out. But Jackson played on. He ran. This was an awesome season for him. We noticed, grandma and grandpa noticed, and even some other parents noticed! Jackson did an awesome job on the field. He played both defense and offense, but definitely preferred to play defense. He was great at running up and defending the goal. He also did an awesome job of running the field and keeping up with the goal. Best of all, his coordination started to come together!!!! All his hard work is paying off! Next year he moves up to the 3rd-5th grade teams. Holy cow! 

Our soccer star!!! 

Jackson's "favorite things" birthday party

I don't know why choosing a theme this year was so difficult, but let me tell you. Challenge of the decade so far! But we finally came to an agreement that worked for everyone, most especially, Jackson! After all, he was the birthday boy! We ended up incorporating all of his favorite things. The one nice thing about this year was that since there were no pictures to look at for cake ideas, it was a pretty simple cake (although I really need to practice baking a GF cake.). Jackson wanted red velvet...and let me tell you, it's tough when the baker doesn't really like the flavor. We used rainbow sprinkles (a favorite) and his "Imaginext" toys (another favorite). I also made dirt cake cupcakes, which I thought turned out pretty cute. Initially, I tried to convince Jackson just to have cupcakes, which he said ok to...but later he told me that he "wanted a cake because I have to have my name on it. It shows people appreciate me." What was I supposed to say to that? 

Cake with NAME!

Dirt cake cupcakes.

Sticking with Jackson's favorite things, we created stations. We pulled out his Imaginext toys to one room, put the Legos in another and created a Nerf station. Dave went a little crazy with the Nerf and ended up with this... We also had a bounce station and an "animal, bug and car station." Jackson had to have all the bases covered.

Once everyone got here, it was game on. We waited awhile to let them get into the Nerf, which worked out perfectly. Other areas were played with, and much to my surprise, Jackson preferred the Legos...usually  he goes straight for his Imaginext (that will be the stuff we keep forever). But it was quieter in the Lego room than any other, so it just worked out.

Jackson enjoying his legos.

Magdalene and Addison

Once the Nerf got started, it completely got started. Round one took place in the hallway. Round two happened after cake, and thankfully moved outside. Dave and Steve even jumped in on the fun and took on all the kiddos. It was hard to tell who was having more fun...the kids or the dad's.

Getting ready for round one.

Nicolas all ready to go!

Jackson just beaming!

Ready, Aim...FIRE!

The boys, reloading.

Jackson and Nerf coming out of him, everywhere...yes, even down his pants. Gotta get them all in!

Magdalene enjoying the bounce station.

Dave, armed and ready with extra.

Steve's got his game down!

We ended the party with a few staying for hot dogs and S'More's over the campfire. It was a perfect ending to what Jackson declared his "most favorite day ever." Birthday's are a big thing here. I tried to get Jackson and Addison to have a joint party, and it just wasn't happening. They wanted their day, which I totally get!!! It's why we do it twice a year!

The birthday boy!!! Enjoying every minute of it!!