I'm sad...

I don't remember being this sad about Jackson starting school. I'm sure I was, but this seems worse. Today we had Harrison's open house and it broke my heart. I could not love his teachers or school more (they were Jackson's when he was Harrison's age) but man, is this going to be hard. My sweet little baby boy is so good and fun. He hardly ever cries and the sleeping is going better. I think my heart is breaking a little and it hurts.

The Impossible & Four Generations

This is how the day ended...

This is how the day started...

Let's just say it is impossible with this many people to get a great family shot. Lord, how we tried, and this is the best we got. I picked this one because at least I look the worst and everyone else looks okay. Don't we get big Kudos for trying? Age range in photo is 89 years to 10 weeks.

I think maybe I'll start a tradition and send out the worst family picture this year. They are much more fun (and funny) to look at than the perfect one. And as we all know, it is the imperfections that make us family.

Summer is Over

How old is this guy? Looking at this picture I can see him in the future...a real surfer dude. It is like instead of looking a boy who is not even 3 1/2, I'm seeing a 8 year old.

*oops this is not the one I meant to upload, but I can't delete, the next one is the cuter one.

This is my cutie at the beach. Jackson and I were all by ourselves at the beach and we had the best time. Why does summer have to end?

This has been a tough week - I am back to work. Even though Harrison has been with either me, our close friend Penny, or Shaun, I still hate the thought of him not being with me full-time. All you stay at home moms, kiss your kids lots during the day. Even though I know I am a better mom for working, it doesn't make it any easier. I guess we all look around and think that the "grass is greener somewhere else." It is so important to stay in the moment and really relish what we have. Time goes by so fast, you hate to think that you spent it wishing you were someone else. That is why tonight was great. We all got in the pool together and had a blast. At one point a bird was really chirping and Jackson said, "mom, why is that bird barking so much?" Don't you just love that?

Another Milestone

I was convinced that we would be on Dr. Phil with our 14 year old son (Jackson) who would not poop on the potty. Everyone told me that one day he would just "do it," not to stress, that he wasn't even 3 1/2 yet, but let me tell you - I have been stressed. But the good news is that my little guy is now a pooper in the potty. I am thrilled and "yes" it just kind of happened! Yippee!!!

I am trying to imagine a world where my three month old (yes, today is his b-day) only gets up twice a night and my three year old poops in the potty. I am glad that we are half way there.

I guess maybe I should not tell Dr. Phil "no thanks" just yet as I still run the risk of having a 14 year old son (Harrison) who gets up 4 times a night or won't poop in the potty. But that is a mommy nightmare and this mom doesn't get enough sleep to have those.

*** and yes this is a picture of Jackson in the bassinet with Harrison. Looks like Harrison is going to have really push his brother over if he wants some of the spotlight***

Thanks Jenny! (Jen, Jennifer, etc.)

We went to Jenny's house today for fun and swimming. She says that only two people still call her Jenny, and that is me and Vanna. I like being part of an elite few.

We had loads of fun. The kids we great. Shaun rode a water slide a number of times and might have had more fun than the rest of us.

These pictures make me sad that summer is ending..

Just playing around

Okay, so now I am just wasting time (avoiding folding clothes). Let's see if I can upload video to this. This is a little song that Jackson made up called "Rainbow Joy." Enjoy!

No thanks

Have you ever had one of those days where you just don't want to be touched? I think this picture really says that.

We've had a busy week with family in from out of town. This is my second cousin Gabrielle and Jackson. She is a year old and a joy. Her mom, Gretchen was here (from Ohio) with my Aunt Susan. We had lots of pool time together as well as shopping and play dates. We even had professional photos done of the all the family. Hope they turn out. It is so hard when you have family in because it makes you realize how much you miss them and wish that they were around more. I miss you girls - Susan, Gretchen and Gabrielle!