Jackson begged to wear an apron like mommy for our cooking day! He helped stir the pumpkin pie and got to use the mixer for mashed potatoes. He felt very accomplished! And of course super cool in an apron!
our bird
Ready for dinner
Turkey cookies
the whole gang set up to skype my parents
saying good bye out the front window after a fun day!
On Thursday we celebrated Jackson’s actual birthday and then yesterday we had a party with friends.
On Thursday, Seth got to take the day off using some comp time he had built up from the 4th of July that he has to use before we leave so that was a HUGE treat. Jackson started his day by falling/jumping out of his crib. I guess it was his first 2 yr milestone! For breakfast he got to open the birthday box and found a chocolate sprinkles doughnut from Dunkin Donuts!!
(the birthday box is a family tradition in our house where we put something special inside and the birthday person gets to open it at breakfast on their birthday) 
The rest of the day we spent going to the doctor for Jackson’s well-check, we went to a neighbors pool to swim and Jackson got to open a few gifts from his cousins and from us! Another highlight was talking to grandparents and cousins! It was so nice to see family. We especially miss our families when we are celebrating special family events from a distance! Skype helps! 
Jackson’s gift from us was a Fisher-Price boom box with a microphone. He jumped right in!
One tired birthday boy!!!
Yesterday we celebrated with friends! We had lots of yummy “American food” and Jackson enjoyed playing with his friends. All day when people would ask Jackson how old he was he kept saying 4! He knows he’s 2 so
I think he thought it was funny! 
we filled Jackson’s water table with raw pasta, rice and beans and the kids dug for little farm animals.
for lunch we had sloppy joe’s , bakes beans, veggies and chips with dips and fruit salad. We had mini bagel pizzas for the kiddos! Since we can’t get baked beans here everyone congregated and tooked multiple helpings of baked beans!
Barnyard cake!
getting some help with blowing candle out!
Jackson did a great job saying thank you to his friends but after he opened his last gift I said, “Jackson, say thank you” and he looked at the gift giver and kind of growled and funny exasperated “thank you”
Happy Birthday, Jack! We love you tons!
(PS- we have decided on a name for our new little boy…..stay posted for pictures and for his name!!!)
Let’s see. Not much news here. Just preparing to leave tomorrow for Texas. It is going to be a whirlwind trip as we once again try to fit in every family member possible in a very short period of time. We will spend time in Ft. Worth, Houston and Jacksonville all within our short week. We are really looking forward to it. Here are the small updates just so you have a blog to read this week…
On Monday evening Seth brought home a special box in the mail…. from GAP. Inside Jackson found his first undies! Yep, that’s right we have stooped low enough in the blog world to write about underwear. Jackson was so thrilled that he wanted to wear all of the pairs at once!! Here is a picture that we will for sure show to girl friends someday!
3 pairs later
On Tuesday Jackson and I hosted the American Women’s Club baby group. My oh my. It has been rainy lately so everyone came….yep..over 20 kids and 20 parents. We colored eggs and played and snacked. I was exhausted when everyone left!!!! I think I am still getting the house back in order. Here are some pictures.
just spotted the peeps before everyone came
Jackson surprised me with his egg decorating…he sat still as can be and knew to be careful
Jackson and Natasha (a buddy from school). He held her hand and ran around with her the whole time!
That’s about it from here. We will update you after our Texas adventures! Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!
