It was Hot

Yesterday we made a late morning trip to the zoo's splash park and new petting zoo.  We met up with Jackson's good friend Nicholas and they

had a fun time running all around!

First stop was the petting zoo . . . Jackson appears to be an ol' pro at feeding goats!

 Next up was the splash pad!

 Nicholas had been before and loves it, but this was Jackson's first trip to it and was a little hesitant in the beginning. By the time we were heading to the car, he was asking to go back and a little annoyed that Katherine was cranky and ready for a nap.

Both boys loved sitting on the hole where the water shot up from and running off!

 Proof that Katherine was there! 

We arrived at the zoo too close to her nap time and while she was a trooper during the whole trip, she was more than ready to leave when we actually did go home. She also wasn't too interested in feeding the goats or running around in the water with the boys!  She'll have her chance to make up for lost opportunities . . . Jackson is already begging to go back to the splash pad and also take that train ride he missed out on during this trip!

Oh, and did I mention how HOT yesterday was?

Getting Out

We've been cooped up in the house a while getting over colds and trying to stay cool while it's been miserably hot outside.  Last week after we were all feeling better, I decided we would get out of the house and head to the coast to go the children's museum.  There were no complaints from the babies.

 Katherine loves this little setup in the train car!

 Doing a double-take!  Hmm, that little girl looks familiar!

 Usually Jackson loves the trains at the entrance to the museum, but on this day I couldn't get him out of this airplane.  He and Katherine were pilots for a while, but he was just as content to sit in the passenger seats and hand tickets out to all the other kids that came through.

Jackson completely surprised me on this climbing gym.  He has a little of myself and Grammy in him when it comes to heights and he's maybe been through part of it once before.  On this day, he climbed from top to bottom without thinking twice!  Katherine joined him for part of it. Actually, I was a little surprised she didn't follow him throughout since she has no fear of heights!

 I must say I was really proud of him for climbing all through this!

We spent almost 3 hours at the museum and it was getting well-past Katherine's nap time by the time we left.  We all enjoyed getting out of the house and a change of scenery!

First and Last

Jackson and Katherine had their last day of preschool today.  Last fall I decided I wanted to have pictures to compare from their first and last days of school so I could see how much they grew and changed during the school year.

The pictures from this morning--

And to compare to the first day from last fall--

(if you click on the picture, it should enlarge slightly)

I didn't realize until looking at these pictures how much taller Jackson has gotten.  And our baby girl is not quite so 'baby' as she was.

They had a fun school year and will start back to the summer program in several weeks for a few days each week.  Jackson loves getting to go, get out of the house, and playing with friends . . . and Katherine loves being wherever Jackson is!

Pomp and Circumstance

Our baby graduated from 4 year old preschool today! 

 His music teacher came over to chat a few minutes before the ceremony started and told us when they were getting the caps and gowns on the graduates that Jackson informed them he didn't want to wear a dress!  I'm glad they got the 'dress' on him because he looked so cute!

Receiving his Bible

Time for a little music from the 3 and 4 year old classes!

 Receiving a little pat on the back from his good friend Will

when leaving to walk back down the aisle!

 Jackson wanted his hat and dress off as soon as the ceremony ended, but I bribed him with buying some blocks and new trains to get back into it!  Now I just need to make good on my end of the deal. 

 With our big boy.

 Zach proposed 8 years ago today . . . and now look at us!

 Jackson had some special guests come to watch today!

He constantly asks about going to see each set of grandparents.

Such a handsome little fella!

A Little Keepsake

In celebration of Mother's Day,

Jackson brought home this little gem this past week.

Even though he was complimentary regarding my age and weight on the day he was asked questions, just out of the blue today he told me I was old as Grandma!

{Sorry, Grandma!} 

Therapy

Shortly before Katherine's birthday I mentioned to Zach that I would like to {translation:  I would like him to} clear the areas on either side of the house and finish sodding those areas.  I think he mumbled, "Are you sure?" and that's all it took.  One mention to him about grass and there is no looking back.  Last weekend he brought the tractor home and his blood started flowing!

  Katherine was a little excited also!

And Jackson got excited about the bucket!

After seeing how our two busybodies calmed down to sit in the tractor, I'm thinking that the tractor may be incorporated into this year's Christmas card picture.  I think I'll just set the timer on the camera and jump in the bucket next to Jackson.  Hold on . . . maybe we're getting a little too redneckish here?

Faithful onlookers

Apparently Zach's heart started beating pretty quick at this point . . . he had just cranked up the tractor and the next thing I witness is Zach driving straight through all the brush and trees in front of him.  I was a little shocked as I watched and told him later that I didn't think 'we' were going to clear that entire area.  He replied, "I didn't either."

Bringing it in for the evening. 

Had I known he was about to clear the entire forest next to us, I would have taken some before pictures. {I realize it's hard to tell from this picture, but you should see what he started/cleared in about 45 minutes.}  Grass is good therapy in this house.

All Aboard!!

Jackson's class went on its annual train ride last week!

There's no doubt he was excited!

 Finally!  Here it comes!!

Don't let his expression fool you!  He was pretty excited about the ride and when we were walking over to get on the train, he was all excited since 'we would be like Thomas'!  In fact, days prior to the ride, he kept saying we were going to ride Spencer {a silver diesel in the series}!

Passing by a stopped train

You get hugs from friends on train rides {in case you didn't know}!

At our destination and he was looking at the track and throwing rocks.

He wasn't too pleased that the train left so quickly!

Following the ride, his class had a snack of train cookies and water . . .

 you see what happened with the water . . . he spilled it and his clothes immediately came off!

Grandma was in town and met us at the train station to pick us up!  He loved the ride and he and Katherine both loved having Grandma around for a few days as well!