3 1/2 Years

Jackson, you're are 3 1/2!  So close to four, and don't we all know it.  You talk constantly about your birthday, even though it is still a half of a year away.  We'll see if you still want a dinosaur birthday party before then.  Right now you want a volcano cake with dinosaurs and trees.

I googled how to do this especially for this picture, which you loved taking,



You love preschool.  The teachers often ask if you're always so quiet and polite at home.  Ha.  You a chatter-box most of the time, although yes, for the most part you are extremely polite, thoughtful, and kind.



You're by yourself at swimming class at the moment and love it.  You have more time to yourself to talk to Mrs. Diaz and show off all by yourself.  Now you constantly ask if it's a swimming day.



We're going to Sea World next week, just so you can see some elephants.  There were none at the Sacramento Zoo and you've been dying to see some.  You see the Sea World commercials and have been dying to go.  It will be so exciting for us to see how excited you are.  I can't wait for the whale & dolphin show & for us to all share some funnel cakes.  (And of course see your uncle, aunt, and cousins, which is the main reason we're going!)



You put your hand in your pocket all my yourself for this one.  Maybe you were just saving some rocks.



We have "I love you" battles.  Who loves more, and who loves the biggest.  You say you love us bigger than the universe plus the solar system.  You have us stumped a lot of the time.



You remember things from so long ago that it's crazy.  You went to monster trucks this year with daddy and you said last year everybody went, even Colby in my belly.  If we promise you something, you don't dare forget that.



You're just a joy!



And we hope you get every wish,

Insta-bulous

"Shh, there's a wizard on the window!"



Who then fell on the ground as Jackson was trying to get him off of the window.  Poor guy was probably stunned enough from the fall to be able to be put into the bug cage so easily.



"French Kids Eat Everything" pretty good, although strict.  If only I had the ability to read in the car without feeling woozy, then maybe I would finally be able to get into Hunger Games on our car ride this week.





Wooden lunch, complete with garnish for me :)



Colby catching a snooze at Farmer's Market.  We switched him to the front so I could hold his wobbly  sleepy head.



Colby's first popsicle of the summer.  The boys promptly started to play swords with their popsicles after I took the picture.  Boys and their swords.



Jackson during Colby's birthday pictures.  Who then got a blister in his sockless Vans and cried like he was the one turning one.



Don't leave the pantry door open anymore.  And note to self, never leave quinoa on the bottom shelves.  And if you have any decent recipes for the stuff, please send them my way.  We have yet to find a quinoa recipe we're thrilled to eat.



Colby needed a bang cut before swimming lessons (he's already had a back baby mullet cut) so his hair wouldn't be in his eyes.  Is this flashbacks to Jackson's Dumb & Dumber again or what?!?!  Kidding, Colby's isn't nearly as short or bad, and at least I didn't pay $5 for it!

11 Months (tomorrow)

Oh dear Colby.  You are the sweetest little guy.  Everyone comments on how calm, easy-going, and sweet you are.

You are almost to the point of walking.  You can briefly stand unassisted.  We think you have the ability to walk before your big birthday, but you're so mellow that you'll probably wait a while.  You're so quick to get up and down to crawling, so why would you worry about staying up to walk.

This month you really started to enjoy swimming class.  You kick and don't ever mind a bit being brought under the water.  You're a dream at swimming class.  When all the other kids are crying afterwards while getting changed, you just lay there and give them quizzical looks.

Last month you started (with a little force) sleeping through the night.  You sleep 7pm to 6:30am without waking.  It's heavenly.

This year has flown by, and we're gearing up for your big birthday next month.  I'm finally catching up and taking all of the pictures that your sweetness deserves on the real camera and not just iphone pics.  I was a big slacker and didn't finish your year of monthly chair pictures.  It was totally my fault because I started them by moving a big rocker out of the way each month for a perfectly lighted area.  Which turned into such a hassle because the rocker weighs a ton, but I didn't want to move your monthly spot.  I should have just taken them anyways somewhere else.  Oh well, you're a boy and I'm sure you won't be as disappointed as I am.  I have tried to make up for it by taking plenty of nice pictures to document your first year.

I'm waiting to do a proper one year post on your birthday, but couldn't resist just this one,

This & That.

Having to wake Colby up for swimming lessons = the worst!  He's usually a 30 min napper, so this is few and far between.



Colby is loving swim lessons.  I think he started when he was 6 months? So he actually started before Jackson did at 8 months.  He's pretty mellow most of the time but especially during swimming.  Almost to the point where you're like, come on Colby, do something!  But, you can bring him under the water and he doesn't care.  He's definitely the quietest kid in class.  He's one of the few who wears his goggles throughout class without even trying to take them off.  He loves standing on the lilypad most and playing with the other boys. (Happens to be an all boy class.)  It will be fun this summer for him to have a bit more time on the lilypad in our pool.









It snowed at Donnie's new work his first week!  This is what it looked like on his drive home.  He brought Jackson a cooler full of snow, which he loved.

Easter & Such

We had a great Easter weekend.  Saturday we headed down for a quick trip to Napa for the boys to see their Nana and GG, and for Donnie to pick up his gear.  We even had a little time to stop off at Gotts and see Dean's hard work at their new house.



We got to see my friend Cheryl on the way home while Donnie took the boys to the park.



Sunday we were up bright and early for Easter.  So nice, casual, and relaxing.  We were visited by Susan, Tyler, Kailey, and the Colgans & girls.  Usual stratta, mimosas, and way too much candy.  Jackson was thrilled to have the kids to play with all day.

The dreaded annual Easter photo.  I guess they still cry even when you don't dress them in fuddy-duddy clothes.









Colby and I were a little under the weather, but he was a trooper.







Sunday night was nice enough to eat dinner on the patio.  Monday we were able to get a bunch of compost for our new vegetable boxes and also walk to the Plant Barn.  Donnie was able to do a bunch of errands before going to his first day at his new job in Susanville!

Is it already April?

We have a big weekend coming up, so I'll dump out these pictures here before I get behind.  Donnie comes home from being gone for a month in Ione, woo hoo!  Next week he starts at his new Captains job in Susanville.  Tomorrow we're going down to Napa to pick up some of Donnie's things, let the boys see both of their Nanas, and I get to see my friend Cheryl.

Sunday is Easter!  We have some visitors and hopefully will be home in time Saturday to fill some Easter eggs for the boys.  Have a wonderful weekend!

We're all a bit obsessed with edamame at the moment.


Breakfast in bed.  I married a good one.


3 hour basement wine tasting with the DeBarrs.  In Chico!