Superhero/Princess Party

We are smack-dab in the middle of birthday party season for all of Rachel's classmates. This past Saturday we had two parties to attend. The first one was come as your favorite superhero or princess... We gratefully borrowed a Cinderella costume and Rachel went as a beautiful Cinderella. She was having a great time running around and playing until "the real Batman" showed up. The family had hired Batman to come and lead the party... Well, Rachel is terribly afraid of any and all costumed people (Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, any person dressed in any kind of costume she wants nothing to do with). So I let her know about him as soon as I found out he was coming...as soon as he showed up, she shut down. We went through several games (she did try tug of war for a second) with her either hiding on the porch or behind my legs. She did allow him to make her a balloon animal and then towards the end, when he was doing tatoos for all of the kids - she decided he wasn't so bad afterall and then liked him. (She loves tatoos right now!) Here is Rachel before the party.

Running around with her friends.

Attempting to play tug of war. She fell right as they started pulling and that was the end of that for her.

I thought this was hilarious. Notice was Spider Man is doing during the game...He's cool like that...

Rachel and Erin hanging out on the porch during the game of dodgeball (which by the way, isn't a great game for 3-4 year olds...).

How Rachel sat while Batman blew up the balloons.

The only shot of Batman that I got...

She did finally sit on the floor with the others...

And he gave her a balloon bunny - which she loved - until it popped.

Needless to say, there will be no costume characters at our parties anytime soon.

Official Dedication Pictures

Before Jackson's dedication that Sunday morning, they had a photographer there to take family pictures. Here's ours. I really like them! (Sorry they are a little dark.)

Spring Break Visit with Grandmama & Granddaddy

Michael and the kids were on spring break this week - I wish I was too but unfortunately, I had to work... Monday he took the kids over to his parents for the day for a fun visit. They went to the park that morning and had a picnic and played on the playground.

At least Michael didn't let him go - unlike a few years ago when he let Rachel go down the huge inflatable slide at the Halloween carnival...(remember that picture?!?). *laugh*

(I'm noticing that yellow must have been the color of the day!)

Back at their house - hanging out and playing.

Staring at Katie while both lay on the floor...

Look how long Rachel's hair is getting...

Bathtime!

All fresh and clean now.

Zonked out on daddy...Good night!

Jackson's Dedication

We had Jackson dedicated at church the Sunday before last. Actually, it's a Parent Commissioning - where we agree to raise him in a Christian home and to teach him about Christ when the time comes. We are grateful to our family that was able to come and share the morning with us. Our pictures up on the big screen. Standing up front waiting for our turn.

The pastor and his wife talking to us.

Pastor talking to Jackson - Jackson didn't care - he was a good boy!

Afterwards we went to lunch at Longhorns... Jackson was passed around the table before crashing in his seat...he was so sleepy!

Eight Month Mini-Photoshoot

Michael sat down last night with Jackson and the camera and just started shooting. He got several pretty good shots! A little update on Jackson... He's now eight months old, over 20 pounds...he now says "ba ba ba" instead of squealing all the time. As of two days ago, he can clap his hands. He's outgrown his baby carseat/carrier and is now in a bigger carseat - which means that we can no longer carry him around in the carrier... He's finally gotten used to eating solid (baby) food and gets three meals a day now. He's getting so big but continues to be such a sweetie. He is really a happy baby.