Jack's 7th Birthday!

A lot of our birthdays are on Sunday this year!  Kinda crazy.  Makes it hard to really spoil them.  We had done a lot the day before and he did have a bunch of presents waiting for him when we get home.  We didn't even have any popcorn left in the Bishop's office so he got a candy bar instead :), which is better if you ask me :).  Kelly had made him a really cool sign.  I am so proud of Jack.  He's becoming such a cool kid.  He has a strong desire to do what is right and always tries to make the right decision.  When he makes a bad decision, he is usually quick to fix it.  It's pretty awesome to see him change his mood or stop a bad attitude.  He LOVES to ride his bike!  He got some legos for his birthday that we found he is really good at putting together following the instructions!  I was really proud of him!  He likes trying new things- like the rip stick and is excited to get really good on his new rip stick.  Jack is a good friend and sets a good example for his friends, keeping them out of trouble a lot of the time ;).  He's learned that he loves to fish and has had a lot of fun fishing with the pole that Brad discovered and restored for him.  He told me the other day that he caught a fish that had another fish attached to it!  Pretty cool!  He is enjoying 2nd grade.  He really is a smart kid.  It's fun to hear how his brain works.  Very impressive.  I love the hugs and kisses I get from my sweet little Jack.  He is such a sweetheart.  I absolutely love watching him love his new baby sister too.  He has a very tender spot in his heart for his little "Sparkle".  It's so neat.  He's just such a good kid.  We love having him in our family.  He really plays a special role.  Love you Jack!  Happy birthday!  8-25-19

Jack's Friend Party!

Jack usually wants to have his party "at home" every year, and I usually comply, but having just had a baby and with our house kind of in an upheaval, I wasn't feeling up for a mom-run party, so I talked him into a party somewhere else.  He chose and we settled on The Rush Funplex.  This has been a family favorite for the last couple years.  We had spent a very memorable time there for Sparkle's birthday not too long ago, so I think that was standing out in his mind.  So cute.  So we squeezed his friend party in between soccer games in the early afternoon.  He invited his five closest friends, Liam, Will, Ross, John and Grady.  They all met here, minus Grady, and we drove up to Syracuse, got signed in (totally spaced having moms sign waivers so I hurried and texted them as we were driving there... I have some good friends who did not even chew me out for the last minute-ness), and made our way to the Foam Pit! 

This is where Jack had wanted to spend their time.  One hour in the foam pit with the swings and trampoline and rock wall.  I didn't think we could spend the whole time there, but we actually did!  Without any injuries, crying, or whining!  I was so impressed!  Grady met up with us there, didn't mention that, and then rode home with his mom as well.  I think she was nervous to have us drive him or something... kinda weird, but whatever.  They seemed to be having a good time!  They all sort of played on their own a little which was funny, but they did gather together a few times.  It was fun to watch Jack interacting in that environment with his friends.  He's such a good friend.  So loyal, so kind.  He really does know how to put their needs first.  Makes me happy.  He was smiling most of the time :).  I loved watching him brave some new things too.  After the Funplex, we came home for dragon cake- I couldn't have been more grateful for the cake that JACK CHOSE!  I emphasize that because it wasn't the fanciest cake he had to choose from.  Nor was it the hardest- I mean, it was THE EASIEST CAKE POSSIBLE, so that was a HUGE blessing.  I was not ready to make a big fancy cake.  I didn't have the time or the energy, but didn't want to tell him to pick an easy one.  I showed him a few easy-ish ones that I thought were doable, but still looked more time consuming than I had time for, but he ended up picking THE EASIEST ONE.  He's a simple kid, so it makes sense.  He and his friends were pretty mellow through the cake and drumsticks and then we did presents!  This was a lot of fun with all of them.  It was fun to see Jack getting the attention and loving it :).  I took his friends home WAY later than we said, but all was well.  So happy nobody got hurt!  Happy Birthday, Jack Jack!  8-24-19

Daddy-daughter Campout/ Mom and the boys (plus Sadie)!

Nate rearranged his work schedule so that he could have Friday evening off.  He and the girls loaded up and headed out after school.  The boys and I sat around making plans for the evening.  Luke and Noah had been invited to a little back to school swim party with Lexi and Maya Sanchez, so it was just going to be Brad, Jack, Sadie and I.  Our plan: dinner and Spider-Man movie.  We ended up going to Costa Vida and then over to the Spider-man movie.  This was such a fun night!  I really loved it.  Some of my favorite parts: Brad's gentlemanly way of carrying Sadie around.  All the talking we got to do.  Jack putting the bag of popcorn (they gave us a bag instead of the tub, kind of weird... but they assured me it was the same amount... I wish I had assured them that it was going to be annoying to have it in a bag that isn't sturdy like a tub, but I digress), on the little table in front of his face so that he didn't have to watch the part where Peter Parker changes into his new suit.  HAHAHA!  He's so cute!  We got some treats and headed home for another movie :).  It was a nice time just me and my boys.  In the morning we all cheered Jack Jack on at his first ever soccer game!  Jack did so well!  I was so proud of him! 

Back to School Columbia

I was a little weirded out by how they were running back to school night this year, but it ended up being better than I thought.  I was excited to be in Mrs. Lindsey's class again and it was great to meet Erika's Mrs. Hewett.  Unfortunately, Sadie woke up unhappy near the end of that class so we left a few minutes before it ended.  Jack and Sadie were with me, did I mention that?  Jack didn't want to go to the Market with everyone else, so he was my plus one :).  I think he was also a little excited for school to start!  We went down the hallway to go to Mrs. Downs's classroom, but Sadie had completely lost it.  So we just left!  When we got out to the car, Erika, Kelly and Molly were there, to bring Molly to me.  So we took Kelly and Erika back to the Market and Molly, Jack, and Sadie home with me.  Kind of a crazy evening, reminded me of the old days... the ones full of doing what the tiny infant wants to do rather than making decisions based on other things.  It was alright.  Just crazy.

Back to School KJH

Nate, Brad, Luke and I all went to KJH Monday for Back to School night.  This was good, and fairly uneventful until the last 10-15 minutes.  Nate went with Bradley and took Sadie too.  I went with Luke.  I was pretty pleased with most of his classes.  He has a few repeat teachers, and some that we're not thrilled about, but overall, good experience.  Brad and Nate had the same.  It felt weird to be back at the school already.  So I guess Sadie got fussy shortly after we got there, and really had it out about halfway through.  So they went outside.  He had texted me, and I was in a class with Luke, so I asked if he could wait, he told me he was on the west side of the building.  I walked out to meet him and as I got to the west side of the building, I saw a text from Nate that said he was actually on the east side and that some stranger was holding Sadie.  So I walked up there :).  When I got up there, I saw the stranger holding my Sadie.  This woman had Sadie's fist pressed up in her mouth to keep her from fussing.  I don't love having strangers hold my babies.  And the whole holding her hand in her mouth thing was irritating, but I had no idea just how irritating this would be to me until Sadie starting doing it ALL THE TIME now.  SO IRRITATING!  I won't even mention all the awkwardness that woman made for Nate, telling him how she teases her daughter about him and asking him if he thinks she's cute.  Maybe Brad didn't mind, but I did.  She was weird.  SO anyway.  Back to school night happened and we were there :).  I guess we're ready for school to start!  8-19-19