A busy week!

This week my mom came in for a visit while Colin was out of town. He was taking his oral exam for his certification in KY. I had a play date here last Thursday and the kiddos all played in the backyard. We did a recipe exchange so we all left with lots of yummy new recipes for desserts! I haven't made any yet, but will probably try one this weekend to celebrate Colin being done with his test! He got his results today and he passed 4/5 sections (WOOHOO!) and so he only has to retake the one section and he will be certified! Then no more tests for a long, long time. (YAY!) I'm so proud of him; I can't believe how much he has accomplished already in his career. We've been married for 5 years, and he was in grad school for two years, and now has been working for 3 1/2. He is doing so great, and I just can't stop smiling when I think of how happy I am for him. His hours are often long, and he has close to 1 1/2 hours of a commute every day, but he is learning so much and is quite frankly the smartest (and cutest) medical physicist I know. : )
Here are some pictures from the play date:



And some pictures of the boys this week when Grandma Cathy was in town. By the way, Jackson went from calling her "Door - bell" to "Cath." Not exactly "Grandma Cathy" but, we'll take what we get!

(prunes)

On Monday, my cousin Mariette came over to visit with her son Ben. They live in Austin, but were on a Dallas trip visiting family. So, we hooked up the sprinklers and let the boys play. Jackson was a bit unsure of the whole thing (imagine that) but Ben jumped right into the water squealing with delight. I accidentally turn the water on full blast at first, and even I was scared of this crazy caterpillar sprinkler thing. Eventually Jackson warmed up to the idea and started filling up his bucket so he could add water to the bird bath.


After playing outside (and skipping a nap) we let the boys warm up with a big blanket on the couch, and watch a little "Thomas the Train" (what else?). Next it was dinner time, and I have NEVER seen two kids eat like they did. I realized admist the no-napping, cousin-visiting, sprinkler-playing afternoon, that I never gave Jackson a snack. He consumed his dinner, and then they both had cake. Well, the icing, at least.


This outfit that Cooper has on reminded me of a picture I have of Jackson wearing it, too. I went back and found the shot of Jackson - he was around nine months old. It was a gift for Jackson from Ms. Cindy - who is Kelly's mom (one of my oldest and dearest friend's). She got it for Jackson when he was just a few weeks old. Anyway, Cooper is wearing his hand-me-downs with pride! Thanks Ms. Cindy!!

(and Yes, Jackson's nose is orange ... I guess I fed him too many carrots)

(Cooper passed out after a long day of playing)

Later on in the week, we had a birthday party for Jackson's friend, Savannah. We are friends with her through the mom's group. The party was great! There was a balloon artist, and snow cones, bubbles wands, pizza, and best of all - cake!
He wanted a cat, but the balloon artist (I think her name was Sprinkles or Sparkles, can't remember), said a Tiger would hold up better. So, he got a tiger.

(this makes me laugh : )

Jackson spent alot of time hanging out of the side of this playhouse

Here's the birthday girl

Watch out Ladies!

Yesterday we went to a trial class of Taekwondo with our mom's group. So, I know Jackson is too young to be enrolled in something like this - but I wanted to take him to the trial class so we could try it out. Well, let's just say he was a bit lost. Oh my goodness, it was funny. He takes around 2o minutes to warm up to something new, so since we were late (got lost) and the class only lasted 45 minutes, he didn't quite have the chance. He was pretty much frozen in fear everytime the instructor gave him a direction. He is just a little shy! : )
What is so interesting is that after he finished, he talked about it in the car, and was so proud of his sticker he got. He really makes me laugh.

Notice how there is no one else in the picture. That is because they had all moved on to the next thing. Yet, here is Jackson, hands in pockets, being adorable as always.