Turning Nine

To start, I will back up a few weeks.  It was a Friday afternoon and Rachel was starting work on a project for school at home on the computer.  She asked if I could make the text on the screen a little bigger so she could see it better.  That was the first clue I've had that she needed to have her eyes checked again.  Well, actually the second - but it all made sense now.  She's been having a lot of headaches over the last several months but this was the first she's mentioned about having trouble seeing or things being blurry.  So I took her to an eye doctor the next day and they checked everything out.  It's very minor, but since she's been complaining about it, he went ahead and gave her glasses to help with reading.  She doesn't have to wear them all the time - only when she's reading, doing work, on the computer, etc.  She loves them.  I didn't realize she wanted glasses but turns out it was a wish come true! 

 

 

And here's a genuine smile from my little man...he was being silly. 

 

 

Rachel's birthday was Monday.  She's been asking for two things this year - to get her ears pierced...

 

 

And for a FitBit... She loves them both! 

 

 

We had a family dinner for her Sunday night and she chose a soccer theme, so here are the soccer cupcakes. 

 

 

 

Here is the birthday girl before school on her special day. 

 

 

And we went to Taco Mac for dinner that night.  She's a girl after her daddy's heart...she's discovered the wings at Taco Mac and loves them!  I didn't get any pictures of her there, but here is Jackson relaxing on one of the motorcycle video games... ha! 

 

 

I wasn't very good at getting any family pictures this year.  So this is all I have. 

 

They have one week of school left and then out for the summer.  Swim team has started and they are enjoying it so far. 

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day 2016.

 

 

 

Today I enjoyed the Mother's Day Tea in Jackson's class at school.  She does it up so nice and fancy. 

 

 

 

He read this nice and loud to the class.  He loves it when I make pasta - not.  I never make pasta...! 

 

 

 

And they got the best picture of Rachel and Jackson.  I have a hard time getting them to smile like this.  So cute! 

 

 

March and April Updates

Rachel has enjoyed playing soccer through school over the past couple of months.  She has done her best but she hasn't been on the best team.  They just don't work well together it seems.  They finally won their first game this past Saturday - it was the last regular season game of the year.  We have playoffs the next two weekends and then it will be over.  Swim team starts the next day!

 

 

 

This was after the win!  They were so excited. 

 

 

Jackson lost his second tooth a week or so ago. 

 

 

The kids went to Barbara and Dawson's for a few days during spring break.  They took them fishing for the first time.  Rachel and Jackson loved it and Jackson even caught a fish!

 

Digging for worms...

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson's fish!

 

 

 

They got to visit Stone Mountain for the first time as well. 

 

 

Jackson climbing the rock wall.

 

 

Doing the ropes course.

 

 

 Jackson is way up there!

 

 

 

Riding the train.

 

 

And playing putt-putt.  They were all exhausted after this day!

 

 

This past weekend our church hosted a Secret Keeper Girl conference.  It was for moms and daughters between the ages of 8-12.  They had a crazy hair theme going on and Rachel loved that part. 

 

 

 

May starts soon.  That means the end of school activities, Rachel's birthday, swim team starting and more.  Jackson is going to swim on the swim team this year - so they are both excited for that to start. 

 

Easter

I know Easter was about a month ago but I'm just getting around to posting pictures on here. 

 

Here are a few from the neighborhood Easter party and from Easter day after church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lately...

One night recently, we had STEAM night at the kids school in addition to the Art Show that's usually towards the end of the year.  They had a lot going on that night.

 

 

 

 

Their artwork.  Hers is a spotted leopard and his is some kind of animal.

 

 

 

Yesterday, Jackson's class celebrated the marriage of the letters Q and U (so that they will always remember that you never have a q without the u)... Rachel did this when she was in this kindergarten class as well but this year they invited the parents to attend.  We couldn't come so another mom sent me a few pictures.  So. Stinkin. Cute. 

 

Jackson and Jake - his best bud. 

 

 

His partner in the wedding, London. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They danced during the reception and he spun her around a few times.  He did so good!

 

Meanwhile at home (and anywhere, really),  he still LOVES to climb.  He started climbing the doorway a few weeks ago and of course I grabbed the camera... He loves to do this.  Says he learned it from American Ninja Warrior...which he loves.