Before Jackson went snowboarding with Garrett and his family a few weeks ago, I made sure to cover him in prayer. He'd never spent a day at the mountains snowboarding and I was well aware that Jackson and Garrett seem to enjoy gross motor challenges. They had a great time and Jackson made it back with only a sore bottom. Well, fast forward a few weeks to a trip to Troy. Garrett joined us. Little did I know that a trip there would also mean a trip for Jackson to the ER. I thought I was being a good mother by letting the kids play around a construction site, that seemed like a challenge but still relatively harmless. Additionally, I did my motherly duty and warned them about the dangers of the balancing game they were playing. I remembering telling all the kids to be "extra careful because I don't want to visit the hospital in Troy." I know not 30 minutes passed before I heard one of the kids say, "Jackson is bleeding!" I got close enough to see that Jackson was pretty calm...maybe a little too calm for so much blood. YIKES! One look and I could hardly look at him again. Thank the Lord, Webb (who was a little lightheaded) was able to take over while Granny went to get her vehicle and some towels. A trip to the ER and 10 stitches later and he was fine and right back out playing, but not the same game that contributed to the big slice in his forehead:-). We made it 13 years without stitches; one of Jackson's old friends thought that was surprising. Jackson is not what I call a daredevil but he's always been a little fearless, something we noticed when he began walking at 9 months.
Sawyer has given up his naps on most days and usually crashes before 8, sometimes in his costumes. He loves dressing up. He has a variety of costumes and shirts and PJ's all of superheroes. That's what he wears most days. He and Bennett get together at least once a week for a mini superhero convention of sorts. They change outfits several times and they usually ask me to take them on a walk through the woods while they are in their costumes. It must be catching on because just last week, Cole and Addi came over and they were wearing their costumes. We took a cold walk around Granddaddy's property and explored the woods and a new branch, just like they had requested. If anyone wonders why my house doesn't stay straight, above are just two reasons. It's really all good for me though. The sunshine and fresh air keeps us ALL from feeling like we've gone into hibernation this time of year. Besides, being with them is a lot more exciting than cleaning the house.
Sawyer told me yesterday that we need to get the Christmas tree back out because it finally snowed. He's mentioned several times that it didn't snow at Christmas like he expected. It did finally snow and like always, we have enjoyed our snow/ice mixture. Webb went in late to work both days and we took one day off from our typical school routine. Jackson has a running joke about homeschoolers not getting many snow days but I did give him, and his teacher, one day off:-)
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Bumblebee transformed for the night
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Sawyer came to me recently and said, "Mom, I decided something...I decided that I'm never giving up my pappi." Yep, he's four and still loves his pappi/paci. Everyone has a vice and that happens to be his. Is it gonna mess up his teeth? Most likely, but his brother, who didn't take a paci, wears braces now. Is having a paci at 4 socially acceptable? Nope, it sure isn't but I certainly don't use our society these days as my measuring stick.
I know I live with a paci addict; I've seen him run inside from playing just to take a suck, almost like a smoker takes a drag on a cigarette. I do know exactly how he feels because I was a thumbsucker well into grade school. I'm fairly certain that Sawyer will eventually give us his pacifier just like I gave up my thumb sucking habit. :-) |
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| Go Play Outside Now- January 2015 |
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| Garrett, Reece & Jackson |
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| Sawyer, Camden & Reece |
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A little Batman & Bluegrass @ Lorraine's Coffee House & Music
(Camden's Daddy's band, Damascus Road was playing) |
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Jackson's NC ski day with the McCraws
(These are the pics that Jackson took that day) |
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Garrett, Reece & Jackson
Garrett and Jackson ended up snowboarding the entire trip. G's mom texted me and told me how well they were doing. I think they hit the black diamond slopes that day. I'm glad I wasn't there to worry about that one;-) |
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| Kinetic sand keeps this one busy playing and my vacuum busy cleaning:-) |
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| Making homemade graham crackers |
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| Sawyer's adventure with Max, the poodle, who cousin Dianne was dog sitting. |
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| Jackson's first ER visit and hopefully the last. He got 10 stitches. It's healing well. |
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| Riding bikes with Andrew |
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Superheroes, S & B
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| Valentine's Day treats- not sure what look they are giving me:-) |
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| Our Valentine tree and our Christmas decoration that I leave up as a good reminder to choose JOY each day. |