Fixed the video everyone! Happy viewing!

Jackson is 4 today. I can hardly believe how fast four years has passed. It seemed like in the blink of an eye my firstborn has become a child. He makes up songs. He has a favorite color. He can sound out a few words and is dressing himself (well he still puts his underwear on backwards but I'll choose to believe thats a trait only 5 year old's can master).

I can't carry him bundled up out of the bath anymore. Now he prefers to hop out soaking wet and jet stark naked into his bedroom.

He's too big for my lap. Plus his bum is too bony for much lap sitting anyway.

He can negotiate his way to anything. Candy, snacks, playtime, no nap, computer games, another book. I almost always let him win the extra book negotiation. It's the only time he can sit still long enough to cuddle.

He has 6 pairs of jeans hanging up in his closet. 4 of them have holes in the knees. Thats just the type of kid he is.

This year for his birthday I told him he might even get presents, if he's good. He looked at me confused and said "mom, you already got me presents, balloons remember?"

'Yes' I thought, balloons and nothing more...

My poor child thought the only gift he was going to get was balloons. I think he needs to go to some more birthday parties.

So here's to 4 wonderful years with a sweet/insane child. May your life be full of happiness-

and endless balloons.

Today was a gorgeous day. Mid sixties. We spent all morning at the park. We came home for lunch at naps. Then we spent all afternoon at the park. Greg came home from school and spent all evening with the boys outside. Dinner was an afterthought to the kids. They must know that days like this are fleeting. We Wisconsinites have to soak it in every chance we get.

Consequently Bennett learned a new word. Rock.

As I carried him from the yard he clutched a smooth rock. "rock" he said with gleeful eyes. "yes it's a rock. Lets keep it outside" He threw his beloved rock to the ground.

As we walked in the house he said "rock, it's a rock, it's a rock, it's a rock."

As he got changed in his pajamas he looked at me and said "rock"

As I rocked him with his blanket and sang to him, he didn't listen. Instead he was whispering to himself "rock. rock. rock."

I sang the whole song and paused just before the end "to live with him some-" to see if he would fill in the final word-day. He filled in a word. "rock."

I gave him a hug and kiss and lay him in his bed for the night. He looked right up at me and said "rock."

...

If I was a more worrisome mom I might be worried about his obsessive compulsive tendencies. Instead I'll take it that he just had a wonderful day outside.

How do boys know?

How do they know to crash cars together?
How do they know to be fascinated with basketball?
How do they know that flatulating is hilarious?
How do they know to perk up at any sound of a passing bus/fire truck/big rig/train?
How do they know to stomp in puddles, and roll down hills?
How do they know to hit sticks together like swords?
How do they know how to spit?
How do they know to like dinosaurs/monsters/sharks/other ferocious creatures?
How do they know just how to drive me crazy?

I know I never taught them.

So either I will blame Greg for my premature gray hair, or attribute it to innate boy behavior.

While making dinner, I sent the boys downstairs to play. They came upstairs soaking wet.

"Were you playing in the sink?" I asked.

"Nope. The toilet." Jackson responded. Sly smile.

I did NOT teach them that.

During our car ride home from church, I was doing my best to keep Jackson from pestering Bennett (a much too regular pastime). So we played "guess what I'm thinking"

This was Jackson's turn. You never know what you are going to get.

Jackson: Okay, I'm thinking of something we poop in. We also pee in it.
Greg: The toilet?
Jackson: Yes! ...and I was also thinking of the bath.

Cross your fingers that we can have an "incident free" bath this week. I'd like to let Jackson think that the toilet and the bath have separate uses.

We have waited a long time for this one. It's a.........


grill!

With all the moving we do, we have never invested in a grill. Today we found someone looking to get rid of one of their grills and we happily obliged to assist them. So Greg brought home a perfectly wonderful and free charcoal grill.

So now we have a grill in the garage and a porch filled with a foot of snow. I guess you could call it wishful thinking

I saw this idea on a blog months ago and have been working up the nerve to walk all the way donwstairs to dig through my fabric stash.

Finally I whipped out the glue gun and went to work. 5 minutes later I had some super cute flowers with tiny little bees on them. Is anything cuter than tiny bees?

I apologize for the less than stellar pictures. And for the fact that I am wearing my parka inside. I actually just leave it on when I come home. Such is the life of a chronically cold person.