Weekend Shenanigans

Another weekend in the books, with lots of fun to look back on, as we begin the new week.

Started out a work party in our neighborhood to spread some new topsoil.  The boys were big helpers.

And Jackson pushed Cole all the way back home, only nearly steering off the curb just a few times.

Then Cole was being a total goofball, and decided that his extra big smile face was hilarious.  He will do it now and then and it cracks him up every time.  I do, too.

We hit up one of J's favorite parks:

And after our park outing, we him up J's favorite breakfast place but for dinner. Boys were both happy.  And so was I ... not often I don't have to ask J to eat his dinner but when you get pancakes with fruit and whipped cream and scrambled eggs for dinner, who needs to be reminded to keep eating?

This morning, we went on our third family hike, where we experienced a few firsts - Cole falling asleep mid-hike, and J needing a piggy-back ride on the way back to the car.

Jackson even practiced some of his upcoming Spring Pageant songs. I love this one.

Cole practiced his "hellos" and "goodbyes".

Wrapped up the weekend with the Shawvers coming over for dinner.  Jackson and Addy played so well together, and he was quite the gentleman, parking his scooter to run over and help her when she needed a push up the hill (he knows first hand those hills are hard work - he's always needing our help getting started).  Cole had a blast playing with the big kids and clearly, he loved his version of a s'more (a plain graham cracker).  Cole still wiggles and his whole body shakes when he's excited, and I just love it.

And just like that, the weekend is over. Have a great week!

Big Boys

With both boys hitting age milestones recently, I figured it was time for an update on what they're up to.

Jackson @ 4-years

• Weight = 41.4 lbs (90%)
• Height = 43.5" ("off the charts")
• Loves writing and is getting pretty good at it.  
• Starting to spell and can spell mom, dad, Cole, bump (thanks to 'bump' signs near speed bumps)
• Can do simple math (addition, subtraction)
• Know his address and our first and last names, and to call 9-1-1 if there's an emergency
• Keeps tabs on our speed in the car, and compares it to what he sees on the speed limit signs, correcting us if we're going too fast.
• Loves to help out, and will sometimes "clean" with his cleaning set, and then tells me he did it so that I don't have to (my heart melts every time)
• Continues to be somewhat picky when it comes to eating veggies and some meats but typically doesn't have issues with chicken or fish.  Today at Subway, he had his first non-PB&J sandwich, and chose salami, cheese and olives and ate quite a bit of it.  Soups and pouches continue to be our friends to get those greens in.
• Loves dance class and always asks if we are going each weekend (unfortunately the times it's offered don't work out well with our weekends much, so we aren't able to go as often as we'd like)
• Loves hiking and continues to love parks
• Curious George is his favorite show 
• Is a GREAT big bro, looking out for Cole often.  While getting froyo today, Cole was sharing with Corey and they finished, but Cole noticed that Jackson still had some.  He started signing "please" and without us asking him to, Jackson offered Cole a few bites.

Cole @ 15-months

• Weight = 25 lbs, 12 oz (75-90%)
• Height = 32.5" (90%)
• Head = 18.5" (50%)
• Likes playing peek-a-boo - we'll say "where's Cole?" and he'll cover his eyes with his hands for a few secs, and then pull them away and say "boo!"
• Can point to his head, eyes, nose, and toes and will hug his stuffed animals when asked
• Says "please" in sign-language - noticed for the first time at Jackson's birthday, when he wanted more cake.  Comes out all the time now when he wants something, typically related to food.  He even pulled an empty Doritos bag out of the garbage today, bringing it to me while signing "please" since he wanted more but there were no more in the bag (he'd helped finish them earlier today).
• Can stand himself up - no longer needs to scoot to pull himself up on something.
• Loves helping empty the dish washer
• Starting to get a little shy/clingy around strangers, though still not nearly as much as J was at this age
• Two more teeth - top and bottom right side molars
• Loves books, and wants to take breaks while drinking his milk in the morning/at night to read 
• I've been working hard on animal sounds but he still only knows what a dog says "ruff ruff" (but hard to tell that's what he's saying).  He makes a machine gun sound when I ask him what a sheep says, and I think that's his way of saying "ba-aa-aa"
• Gets excited about almost anything and continues to wiggle his whole body to express his excitement

Hugging one of his many stuffed animals

Reading with Auntie Sara

He loves this cupboard. If not stting like this, he's taking the tuperware out and putting it in the dining room.

Playing together so nicely!

Just kicking back and eating with his feet on the table.