Happy Holidays to you and yours!

'Tis the season to be jolly! Not stressed and worried that you've gotten everything that you need, cookies baked, presents wrapped and everyone's gift accounted for...and for us parents of those who still "believe" it also needs to includes presents from Santa, cookies for Santa, and most importantly a carrot for Ruldolph.

My goal for this year was to relax, to enjoy the season and to not be caught up in the commercialized ideals of what Christmas truly means. Have I accomplished this? In spirit, yes. In reality, well I will say it's an improvment from last year. Although I have to admit, last year...not my most stellar. I'll say it again as I'm sure you all have heard, adding Andrew to our family in the midst of some other life events (you know minor things like Jay's sister's wedding, showers, bachlorette party and my dearest friend from college's wedding, shower etc.) within weeks of his birth...was hard on me. And in the middle of all of that I returned to work, you know the story. Let's just say by Christmas I was a little nutty. My poor second child...when he grows up with the middle child syndrome we will all know why. Not that we are expecting, we're not :). Okay, random ADD moment, back to the topic!!

So, here we sit days away from Christmas. My gifts are wrapped, my cards are sent, my cookies were baked and now eaten...and I feel good. Relaxed even, I am looking forward to visiting with friends and family, lucky for me this will extend into January.

The other goal was to talk about the true meaning of Christmas with the kids and try to explain where Santa fits into that story. So, the other night at dinner Jackson was explaining to Drew how Santa brings us presents to celebrate Jesus's birthday and that they are always watching us together...yeah, sort of like that. How effective my message has been is up for grabs!

I hope that you are all enjoying your holiday season and have found solace in the midst of the craziness around us all. A special thank you to all of you for the blessing that you are in our lives, certainly our lives would not be nearly as rich without our wonderful friends and family.

The Actual Birthday...

Jackson's actual birthday fell on the first snow day for most school aged kids...but not for us!! I had taken the day off work to be with my birthday boy and we had a celebration at the College of Wooster Nursery School on his "real" birthday". We suited up and trudged out into the snow. Even as we are inching down the road I am wondering, will we be the only ones crazy enough to go to school on such a snowy day?

But sure enough, there were about 8 other crazy moms there to drop their kids for the 3 hour bliss that they call preschool. The day met us with a parade with instruments, Andrew included. Singing games, snack time, climbing and of course the special birthday party complete with the birthday song and lots of laughing. We all had so much fun sharing in his day and really seeing what his day at school is like. His little place in the world that he can truly call only his own. And what a fun place it is!

Happy real birthday, Jackson!

Happy 5th Birthday, Jackson!

And so it came, and it went...that monumental #5. Jackson had anticipated being 5 for so long, he just couldn't wait. He would be so big, and tall, and so much smarter, he would know "everything about this world" from the mouth of the smart one! He was sure of that...until he actually turned 5. And then the little voice from the back of the car said, "mom, I was just kidding about being 5, I really liked being 4." And so it goes, whether he is 4 or 5 he still doesn't know "everything about this world" quiet yet!

I've included a few pictures of his first "kid" party at Triway Lanes. The kids had a blast...as did the adults!!