Goodbye 3 year old class....hello summer vacation!

Today was Jackson's last day of preschool for this year. He will be in the four year old class and his last year of preschool next year :(  Today Toby and I attended the family picnic at his school. Its a nice way to wrap up the school year by chatting with the other parents and teachers. Jackson just adores Ms. Ann and Ms. Lori. I know he will miss them over the summer and next year. They told me that Jackson was a joy to have in class and was their little "chatterbox". No surprise there!

 



First day and last day comparison

 

Playing around before school

 

Jackson with Ms. Ann



Jackson with Ms. Lori

 

So, what have the kids been up to?

Well, Jackson just completed his soccer season at the Y. He played last spring through Charlotte Soccer Academy but all they had was one practice session each and no games. With this league he had practices on Friday night for an hour with an hour long game each Saturday morning. He never complained about going but also never got really into it. He was more excited about wearing the uniform and stretching/warming up than playing actual soccer. We would often catch him daydreaming on the field while the game went on around him. Maybe he is too young or maybe soccer just isn't his thing. We'll see....

First game of the season

Jackson has been the sweetest boy lately. In just the past couple weeks, it has really hit us that he is such a big boy now. He is so self sufficient and rarely needs our help for things like he used to. I'm so happy that he is growing up to be a smart and independent young man but at the same time it makes me sad. Seems like only yesterday I was nursing him and changing his diapers. He is so mature when it comes to his sister. He often recognizes that its not worth the fight or screaming from her end and will give up a toy or give up on building with his blocks because she keeps knocking them over. Sometimes when I scold her, he will say to me, "That's ok mama, its what babies do!" (Did, I mention, I just LOVE when he calls me "mama". It melts my heart!) He is such a sweet big brother often holding Emily's hand when we walk down the sidewalk or cross the street. He is really turning into such a gentleman. When we ride somewhere with great grandma he always wants to get out of the car quickly so he can give her a hand and help her out. I hope he carries on with these traits. Now don't get me wrong, he still has his moments of tormenting his sister, not listening to me, and whining. Oh the whining....I cant take it! The number one sign that he is tired. He no longer naps but sometimes he obviously needs it. He is still our little guy but has been eating better lately. He often comes home from school with an empty lunch box. He also has been eating what we eat at night which is great and makes things MUCH easier on me. He has been more willing to try new things. He is still a great sleeper. Now that he isn't napping anymore he falls asleep at night as soon as his head hits the pillow, usually around 8 p.m. He's getting up around 6:45 each morning. He often plays in his room until I tell him it is "wake up time". One thing we have been struggling with is pull ups at night. We are trying our best to get rid of them but when we don't put one on him, he wets the bed. Often when he has one on, he stays dry. I got really irritated washing sheets all of the time so we will revisit this when he is a bit older.

Jacksons likes: talking, watching PBS kids or Disney shows before school, his teacher Ms. Ann, playing outside especially with the 10 yr old neighbor Lucas, spending the night at Bobby and Pa's, playing with and at times tormenting Emily, eating snacks ALL.DAY.LONG!, playing shooter guns with daddy, reading a story before bed, and having me rub his back afterwards.

Jackson dislikes: resting, picking up his toys, me brushing his teeth, being told "no"

A sweet big brother reading to his little sister

So excited that Pa picked him up from school



Off to the ball game with daddy

 

 

 

 

And on to Emily.....I cant believe my "baby" is almost 18 months old! Where has the time gone? She sure does keep me on my toes. She is very fiesty and energetic. I do not remember Jackson acting like this when he was this age. It must be a second child or a girl thing. Toby and I are a bit worried that these personality traits are here to stay. I always say, "Good thing she is so cute!" Emily is still home with me all day. I do cherish all of this time that we get to spend together, especially while she is little. I have Toby to thank for that. He works so hard for our family, allowing me to stay home with the kids. Emily just in the last couple weeks went from taking two naps to just one long nap in the afternoon. She now naps from about 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. Although the two naps were nice for me it does make it a bit easier to run errands and get in a workout in the morning while Jackson is at school. She still sleeps great at night-from about 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. I joined the YMCA back in February and until now by the time Emily woke from her morning nap I barely had time to get in a workout before I had to turn right around to pick up Jackson. Now I can fit in some errands too! She does occasionally fall asleep in the car though. I joined the Y because they offer free child watch. The first few weeks with Emily were tough. They had to come get me every time because she was crying. Now she walks right in. Such a big girl! This will prep her for summer camp! Unfortunately, the clogged tear duct in Emily's right eye has not improved even after her procedure this past January. Looks like we will be repeating it this June. We are in the process of weaning her off the pacifier. We are trying to limit it to naps, bedtime, and car rides. One sweet thing she does is when we say, "time for a bath", or "wanna go night night with your sucker?" she drops whatever she is doing and runs to the stairs.

 

Emily likes: waving and saying bye, playing outside, eating, throwing food onto the floor from her high chair, taking a bath, throwing wet toys out of the tub, laying on Sugar, playing with and laughing at big brother, brushing her teeth, and her suckers.

 

Emily dislikes: having her diaper changed, getting dressed, me putting her into her car seat, sitting still.

 

Watching the Gator basketball game with daddy....

Chillin' on the back deck

Playing at the beach on Oak Island with brother during Spring break
 

This last photo reminds me....the kids and I took a trip to Oak Island with Katie and her girls the first half of Spring break (April 13-16). She had rented a condo right by the beach and generously invited us along. The kids had a blast even though the weather was not ideal. The first day was nice so we spent it on the beach. The days after were downright cold! We had a rainy day so we took a road trip to Wilmington. We went out to lunch followed by a trip to the Children's Museum. Thanks to Katie for bringing us along!!