A "Very Hungry Caterpillar" Birthday

Jackson's second birthday party was so much fun planning and attending that I am sad it's over!

As a former first grade teacher (and forever child at heart) I LOVE children's literature. Jackson has had so much fun feeding his caterpillar as we read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle that the inspiration for our party theme was found. I was very excited about a literary theme and incorporating healthy foods.

Here are our invitations. Jackson helped me glue on the eyes and we hand delivered them.
Here are some of the decorations from the party. This is our friendship caterpillar. It is a picture of Jackson and each child who attended the party.

Birthday Banner (This was SO easy to make, I'll never buy another banner.)

Guest Tables

For those of you familiar with the story, I'm sure you guessed the little signs say "On ___day he ate ____, but he was still hungry."

(For the record, we hadn't finished slicing the apples when this picture was taken. We did end up with a full tray.)
Here are our party favors. I ordered these cookies from a local bakery, they did a fantastic job! (After making favor cookies for J's first birthday I swore I'd never make them again. Let's just say they took all day and weren't nearly this cute!)

The sign says: "The party is over. Can you believe I am TWO!? Thank you for coming, it was great to see you! Today was so special because you were here with me. Can't wait to see you next year, when I'll be turning three!"

Carrying a three foot long caterpillar cake in the middle of a tropical storm isn't easy, but he survived.

Here's a family shot. Please note my caterpillar, I get a little excited. ;)

I think Jackson had enough sugar to last him until next year.

On to Halloween planning!

He's TWO!

Daniel and I were looking forward to filling Jackson's room with balloons as he slept last night so he would wake to a birthday surprise. Unfortunately he woke as we were filling his room in the middle of the night. He said, "Mommy! Bawoons are edeywhere!" Thankfully, he went back to sleep easily and helped us fill his room with the rest in the morning.
Daddy went in to work a little late this morning so we could eat a special birthday breakfast and Jackson could open his gifts from us.

See that birthday plate? I love it. My sister bought it right after I found out I was having a boy (which feels like a few weeks ago) and this was the first time he's used it. I'm looking forward to many more "I'm super special today!" occasions in the future!
I asked Jackson what he'd like to do this afternoon. I told him to pick anything he'd like to do with Mommy. I really expected the park since we've been the last two days due to the beautiful weather. He enthusiastically squealed, "Let's go bowling!" What? This kid cracks me up. I guess I'll learn to be more specific next time. Thankfully, he was happy to play outside instead.

I'll be posting party pictures soon. We had a fabulous time!

Almost two!

I just rocked my one-year-old for the last time. Tomorrow my baby turns TWO. Happy birthday to the provider of more giggles, kisses, and adventures than I ever imagined.

Sweet Singing

I have been singing Jackson the same goodnight song for as long as I can remember. It melted my heart when he started singing back to me last week.

My Calling

For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a teacher. I remember bribing the neighborhood kids to play school with me when I was in elementary school. I walked downtown the the teacher supply store with my allowances and turned the spare room off the garage into a pretty impressive little classroom. I was made to teach. I love it. It was my calling.

No part of me planned to stay home with Jackson. I loved my job. Why would I quit? I couldn't answer that question until after I held him. Then I knew. I couldn't sleep imagining going back to work. My heart was breaking. I didn't want to miss a second- not.one.second. After many tears, prayers, and number crunching sessions- I resigned. Part of me feared I would regret it. What in the world would I do all day? What if I was miserable?

I followed my heart anyway. I am SO glad I did. I wouldn't trade one second of this time with this boy for anything. I thank God that His plan was so much greater than mine. As many sweet friends saw their babies off to kindergarten today, wiping their tears as they pulled out of the car line I realized in the blink of an eye that will be my baby and those will be my tears. Thank goodness we have four more years!

So today we had a "Not Back to School" celebration-Jackson and Mommy style. First on the agenda: J shaped pancakes.

After reading books, singing songs and staying in our pajamas for entirely too long I couldn't help myself and we did some crafts.
How can I miss teaching when I get to do it everyday with the most adorable student I've ever had?
I was wrong about my calling. This is it...

Jackson's First Haircut

For nearly a year and a half I wondered if Jackson would need a haircut before he started kindergarten. Alas, my once completely bald baby needed his first haircut. I held onto the curls for as long as I could. I finally realized that I had three options: a haircut, a ponytail or some cut-off shorts and boots. The haircut won.

Before

Jackson did a fabulous job!

I love this curl! I have twirled it around my finger each day for months.

It has a new home in his baby book now.

After

My handsome, big boy.

Summer Time

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Instead of trying to catch you up on everything, I'll share some of the highlights.

Most importantly, we finished our journey through the bible in May and it was an amazing experience. It will change your life, I promise. I'm thirsty for more and plan to begin another journey shortly. If you're still reading, don't give up. You CAN do this and you will be so glad you did!

I just glanced through my pictures from the last month and a half (if you know me, you know that took a while) and chose some of my favorites.

Father's Day

Jackson transitioned to his "big boy bed" last week. I wanted to cry. It's funny because I talked to a friend a few weeks ago and told her we'd probably keep him in his crib until he was three. I was shocked when after a nap he looked at me and said " climb out" and did. *Gasp* That was his last nap in his crib.

I was dreading night time. Not only was this transition yet another reminder that my baby is fading away but he also was running a fever and fighting a cold this day. I imagined lots of tears and putting him back to bed at least 47 times.

It was amazing, I still can't believe it. I bought him an Ernie doll as a surprise for being a big boy and told him his job was to stay in the bed with Ernie because he could not get out of bed. It worked. I heard him talking the next morning and went in to find him sitting straight up jabbering away. When he saw me he said, "Get out, please?" when I said yes he hopped out. I was in awe. Surely nap time would be a disaster. Nope. Just as easy. Hallelujah!
Jackson is very excited about becoming a big boy. This picture cracks me up. We're not training yet but he does ask to tee-tee in the potty occasionally (and does!). I plan on doing the "Three Day Potty Training Method" next month. Wish me luck! (I'm sure you'll read more about this experience later.)

After two years of growing I had enough hair to donate this month!

We had a great time at the beach house last week.

Dear Jackson,

I want to protect you from all harm, but since I can’t I’ll teach you to get back up and try again.

I want to keep you from heartache, but since I can’t I’ll teach you that while you cannot control the actions of others you can control how you react and no one’s words or actions determine who you are.

I want to be brave and strong so you will have the example that you deserve, but when I’m not I’ll show you that when I'm weak HE is strong, and when I’m afraid He is my comforter.

I want to do my part to mold you into a loving, hardworking, strong, Godly man, but when you fall short (and we all do, my precious son) I want you to know I am so proud of you and wouldn’t trade you for the world.

When you are older and despite our pleadings you make decisions that we prayed you wouldn’t, know that we’ll love you forever and there is NOTHING, EVER that could change that.

I wish that we’d always agree and get along, but since we won’t I’ll remind you (and myself) that my job is to protect and guide you, not to be liked.

I wish I could tell you that times would always be easy, that people would always be kind and that life would be fair, but since I can’t I’ll assure you that God is good. Cling to Him and all else will fall into place.

While I feel my love for you could move mountains, it’s all-consuming and intoxicating- it’s nothing compared to the LOVE of Jesus.

I (selfishly) wish I could tell you that I’d always be able to carry you, that we’d always play in the rain and feed the ducks, that while still in our pajamas we’d laugh until we had tears over your storybooks, or sing songs at the top of our lungs at the park.

I wish I could tell you that my kisses would always have healing powers and bubbles would always be magical, but since I can’t I want you to know this: you are one of God’s greatest gifts in my life, sweet Jackson. Never, ever forget how much you are loved.

Seeing this when I walk in a room lights up my life.

I love you to the moon, and BACK!

Playing in the Rain

The rain woke Jackson from his nap today. He wanted to go outside so badly but I told him we had to wait until there was no thunder or lightning and it wasn't raining so hard.

So, he waited.

Finally he screamed, "Mommy, little bit!" (As in, it's only raining a little bit.)

So, out we went.

Which made one very happy, wet little boy.

Look at my rock!

I think moments like these I'll remember forever. :)