I haven't felt like blogging lately. I decided I'd better come back for some catch up because Troy's brother Regan comes tomorrow (yay!) and we'll probably take a million more pictures. (You know me and my camera ;) Here is what we have been doing in June, thus far:
{Spray Park}
Our ward play group was at the Peoria spray park a couple weeks ago. I wasn't sure what it would be like. I was picturing the Gateway fountain in Salt Lake which was inaccurate. This was way cooler, but just as free ;)
Jackson steered clear of the water spouts, but he loved watching the other kids.
Every once in a while he'd run through the middle.
Mostly, he liked the duck pond that was adjacent to the spray park. He loved this fence. He learned that if he threw his shoes in the pond mom would have to hike the fence really fast to get them out before they floated away ;) Oh Jackson-- can't turn my back for one second!
This is our friend Addison. I visit teach her mom, and Addison is SO cute with Jackson. She says, "We're friends Jackson, huh? Yep. We're friends." When she sees him. Adorable.
We love play group! It's the best.
{Living Room Illuminated}
There's this funny thing in Arizona about not having overhead lights in the house. Up until this point, we've been using lamps to light up our living room. Previously, we've had two failed attempts at installing a light kit in our fan. A couple weeks ago, the solution to the problem hit Troy. (I love having a husband that can do this kind of stuff. :) So we went for try #3.
It worked! I am delighted. I was a little nervous when I came out of the bedroom and saw Troy balancing on this...
Luckily it turned out okay-- no broken bones or pieces of furniture. I love the way boys' minds work. :)
Jackson was Troy's faithful helper throughout the project.
I had to stay right by him so he didn't climb the piano bench to really get in on the action.
I feel like I'm seeing my living room for the first time now that I have good lighting! It's the best. Trust me, it can get depressing in our house when it's hot and dark. (We have to keep our blinds closed to keep the heat out.) So this light will be a lifesaver this summer.
Plus, now we have this feature. :)
The minute Jackson gets up in the morning, he motions towards the light chain hanging from the fan. He gives it a few tugs and then he's ready to start his day. Hilarious.
{the park... again}
Jackson has had cabin fever being cooped indoors all the time. So of course we go to the park when we can stand the heat.
Jackson attempting to don my sunglasses.
When we're at the park, Jackson is constantly moving. it's a miracle I got any pictures at all. He tries to run into the road when we're not looking. Typical.
I love his hair in this one.
Jackson is just starting to like the playground toys. Usually, his form of entertainment at the park is running away from me as fast as he can.
He learned he could kick his shoes off using the playground bars. He thought that was great.
Back to running.
I
love his little baby crocs. Thanks Sam and Heather! (They were a birthday present.)
Jackson quite likes them as well.
Contemplating joining the game...
After being restrained by parents from joining the game ;) We love the park.
p.s. Troy commented that taking Jackson to the park is exhausting. I whole heartedly agree, but it made me laugh to hear him say it.
{nap time}
Having Troy around has made it possible for me to get a nap in now and again. It's been heavenly. Sometimes Jackson wants to take a nap with me, or rather on me. This wouldn't be so bad if he weren't such a wild sleeper. Observe:
Sideways.
Stuck to my arm. (FYI- leather couches aren't the best for taking naps.)
Standing up.
Wrapped around my face.
Upside down, head first.
Jackson is hilarious when he's just waking up.
{another haircut}
As you can see-- it was time for another haircut. Jackson's locks were getting long and the back was starting to resemble a rat tail. Sick. We decided to buy some clippers. An investment in Jackson's future since I'm sure he'll be a model of some sort. Ha!
He did not like the cutting process. He screamed until we gave him his own trimmer (turned off, mind you) to play with.
The finished result. SO cute! He is losing his baby look pretty quickly. I can't believe how big he's getting.
{balancing acts}
Jackson has taken to balancing on various objects around the house. Example 1: the baby piano.
I think this is the longest I've ever seen him play with this toy. (I was so sure he'd love it when I picked it out for his Christmas present. I was wrong-- what I should have bought was a stepping stool.)
He also loves pulling the pots out of the drawer under the stove and standing on them.
He thinks he's pretty cool-- and tall. Those extra four inches make him a giant!
Watching him play never gets old. He keeps surprising me.
{coloring}
Jackson seemed to take an interest in coloring this week when he found a ball point pen. I broke out the crayons to see what he would do. For about 5 seconds he colored on this scrap of paper. I was delighted. All these visions of a quiet boy with a coloring boy in church were running through my head. I was really starting to get excited when the crayon went straight to his mouth. Dreams shattered.
Fishing the orange crayon wax out of his mouth.
Going to show his dad his picture... sort of. He was probably just trying to get away from Mom so he could eat more of the crayon.
Jackson's very first picture. I'd be lying if I said all those scribbles were his. I had to keep showing him what the crayon did to keep him interested. He's definitely not ready for art work. Maybe in a few months :) Until then, I'll be on the look out for church appropriate entertainment.
{Swim Party}
The pool is a beautiful thing when the temperature is upwards of 110
degrees outside. We had the Wahlstroms and our new friends the
Petersons over for a swim BBQ on Monday. The water was perfect and we had a great time.
Jackson, me, Jack & Kindi Wahlstrom.
This is the entire group in the pool-- most of us are hidden in the shade.
Jackson prefers to run around the pool than to be in it. He screams every time we put him in. After a while he'll warm up usually, but that only lasts a few minutes.
Amanda, Colby and Curt Peterson. They moved into our ward last week. They're from Bountiful! It turns out that all of our parents know each other, but we'd never met. Funny how that works. We're so glad they could come swim with us.
Jackson trying to steal the sunscreen bottle.
Left: Colt Wahlstrom running away from me as I take his picture. Right: Jack showing me his big muscles. :)
Towards the end of our pool time Jackson thought he should sit at the edge of the pool.
He scooted closer to touch the water with his feet.
Here he is about to roll on his stomach and slide in. (Pausing to take a look at the "No Diving" sign on his way down.)
He slid right off the edge into the water as if he was sliding off the couch. Good thing Dad was there to catch him. Maybe he isn't as scared of the water as we thought...
{Laundry Basket Express}
Recently Jackson has taken to rides in the laundry basket. He sits in it and Troy pulls him around via a shoe lace tied to the handle. They have spent SO much time doing this. It's funny what Jackson finds entertaining.
Getting ready for the ride.
The ride. See how happy he is?
Frustrated that the ride stopped. (He rides and rides until Troy is worn out from all the pulling. :)
Furious that Troy stopped, Jackson brought his dad the shoe lace indicating another ride would be nice.
Climbing back in for round two.
Jackson giving his blue ball a ride.
These two are the funnest to watch. I love it. I'm also grateful the Laundry Basket Express has come into being. It's helped a bit with Jackson's cabin fever. ;) Thanks for all your hard work Troy!
So that was a picture overload, but that's our June, thus far.
