Sledding

Jackson's Birthday Party

Jackson was very excited about getting the pinata.

First swing

Many swings later . . .


Grant felt a little overwhelmed after a while so he sought comfort.

In Which Jackson Turns 4

Today the temperature crossed the 30 degree mark—we wanted to have a picnic! Not really, but I asked Jackson if he wanted to, and he said no because the wind would blow it all away.

Jackson’s birthday celebrations really started on Tuesday. That’s when Grandma and Grandpa Merritt’s birthday package arrived. There were some treats and paper plates with Thomas on them. I never knew paper products were so wonderful.

Wednesday was Jackson’s birthday. Brian was able to take most of the day off. We spent the morning playing the Wii, watched a movie in the afternoon and played with Thomas trains in between. We met some friends at McDonald’s (Jackson’s choice) for dinner and ice cream. He had a great day and was spoiled rotten.

Saturday was the big birthday party. I can’t think of how it could have gone better, except maybe fewer squealing little kidsJ. I made tickets for each kid, and I hole-punched the tickets at six different stations. I think having it organized like that helped to keep the kids focused. Grant loved the parachute (an old sheet). The kids waved it around and bounced a ball around. He was a little short, but it didn’t stop him. If you ask Jackson what his favorite part was, he would say the “smashing station” or the piñata. We let all the kids take a turn starting with the youngest and by the time we got to the oldest kid, there might have been one hole in it, but it was very small. So we let Jackson have another chance and he managed to break it open.

After the party and naps, we took the boys sledding for the first time. Jackson loved it until he went down the big hill with dad and got sprayed pretty bad with snow. Grant, on the other hand, pretty much hated every minute of it. I eventually just took him to the car because I was tired of holding him. He finally found happiness in opening and closing the sliding door on the van with the power button.

In Which we are Almost Defeated by the Hump

The boys watched The Tigger Movie a few weeks ago and Grant actually sat through a good chunk of it. The next day he bumped his head and started crying. He walked up to the TV and said, “Pooh.” He’s started carrying around all the Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals we have and takes them with us in the car and has started to take them to bed. But we have to make sure Pooh has a blanket on too. The other day we were at Wal-Mart and Grant was helping push the cart. All of a sudden he stopped, sat down on the floor, pointed up and said “Pooh.” He had spotted the Tigger and Pooh cereal; we caved and bought a box.

Friday night was the start of the UP 200 Dog Sled race. We took the boys downtown where they start the race. Jackson loved it; he was so excited to every time a sled passed by. Grant seemed to like them too, but he was bothered by the cold, since it’s freezing here.

Saturday, we went to a kids fair called Kaleidoscope. The boys both enjoyed playing basketball on hoops they could reach and looking at the fire truck. Jackson also was very interested in a rock display. Grant and I walked around while Brian and Jackson looked at the rocks.

It’s been snowing all day. This evening we attended a Marriage Relations class at the church (Our marriage is great; they want every couple in the Stake to take it). When we got home, our driveway was formidable. Over the last couple of months, ice and snow have accumulated, and despite our shoveling and plowing we can’t seem to clear away the solid hump that now lives at the beginning of the driveway. Tonight, we made it only halfway over the hump. After a couple phone calls, some carpet squares, burnt rubber from the spinning tires, and with my manly husband pushing, we got it safely in the garage in thirty minutes flat. We’re hoping it will all melt by June.

They sang to Jackson today in Primary because his birthday is this week. Apparently, he was very excited about everyone singing to him. He got a few gifts from the Primary and his teacher, and after church he told everyone that it was his birthday soon. He turns four on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

UP 200 Dog Sled Race

Shoveling the Driveway

In Which the Wind-chill Reaches 30 Below

Friday morning I braved the needle and donated blood. There was a drive set up at the Children’s Museum, so there were people to watch the kids. It was nice to get a little break even if I had to have my arm poked.

Saturday morning we went and played basketball at the church. I hadn’t gone in a while and it felt good to play. Grant was so excited about it that he would scream every time he had to leave the court. We tried giving him basketballs in the hallway, but it didn’t count, even the sidelines didn’t work, he had to be on the court with a ball. I just hope his love of the court is accompanied by his dad’s talent, because I am lacking in that area.

Brian and I were able to go on a date on Saturday night. Having nothing to do in Marquette in the dead of winter, we went to dinner and ran random errands—at least we were together.

This morning I braved the freezing wind and attended an early morning church meeting. Instead of having a meeting I spent the time helping to call the entire ward to share the news that church was cancelled due to the severe wind chill (30 below) and blowing wind. We enjoyed a nice day of reading, knitting and napping.

Makin' Cookies

In Which Wal-Mart is Not Cancelled

Monday morning I told Jackson that President Hinckley died the night before. He got a really sad look on his face. But I told him how happy he was with Sister Hinckley and that he was with Heavenly Father. He perked right up and went back to eating his breakfast.

Wednesday, I was on my way to a playgroup when I learned it had been cancelled because of weather. We turned around and headed home. Jackson was pretty sad about the whole thing. Later in the week, we were heading to Wal-Mart and Jackson asked, “Is Wal-Mart cancelled?” I only wish.

Thursday night I hosted a mom’s-night-out game night. I had about a dozen friends come and we had a great time. I have a fantastic husband who helped with the boys and didn’t complain once.

Jackson, Grant and I made chocolate chip cookies this week. Having learned from experience the mess that cookie-making can create, I pulled out a couple of aprons. I tried to get Jackson to wear one but he adamantly refused. So I put it on Grant. He thought he was very cool and after realizing how cool it was, Jackson kept asking if it was his turn to wear it. I think I need to get a couple of aprons that are a little shorter, as you can tell from the picture.