Life Is but a Dream

When Jackson wants to sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat, he requests the "Life is but a dream" song.  And how fitting!  With Jackson, life is a dream and we go through most days merrily.  It's been quite a while since I posted, but I'll give you the highlights of the summer and some updates of Jackson's developments and funny quotations of late.

For six weeks, I kept Jackson at home over the summer break from school.  We worked on potty training and while he is doing pretty well with it, he still hasn't mastered the technique of telling us when "it's time."  I'm not too worried about it since everyone seems to figure it out at some point.  He is gradually getting better week-by-week; so as long as we keep improving, then that's all right with me.

Since we didn't travel too far from home, we saved our pennies and had frugal adventures to the park, around the village, and to the beach.  Unfortunately, we had to replace a part for our car that not only took six weeks to arrive, but it also cost as much as our York trip (that we took in the spring).  So, the Summer of Potty Training turned out to be a blessing in disguise!  We saved money and had to avoid driving the car, so it all turned out for the best.

A new experience for us has been toddler birthday parties.  The first day back to nursery, Jackson came home with four invitations and he also got one from a soccer teammate.  Basically, every weekend for about a month straight, we have parties to go to.  It's nice to get to know the children he plays with every day a little better and have a chance to meet their parents.  Jackson is pretty cool and handles playing with everyone quite easily.  His social skills are impressive and he likes to meet and greet everyone, sometimes trying to engage them in a freestyle dance session.  Jackson isn't too keen on eating cake or the party food; he enjoys the games and music, though.

At the end of August, we ended the soccer lessons and switched to swimming.  Jackson seems to like the new sport and seeing as, for a year, he never came around to the idea of liking the soccer drills, I think we were all ready for a change.  He is carrying on his dance lessons at nursery, too.  Because of the swimming lessons, we did have to change from Zumbini to Groovy Tiddlers.  His teachers said that the classes are fairly similar, and Jackson hasn't mentioned a difference, so everyone is happy with the arrangement.

This weekend, we got new shoes and a new winter coat for Jackson.  While we were waiting for the store employee to bring out the shoes, Lee thought he would play an I Spy game with Jackson.  He said, "I spy a colour beginning with 'b.'"  Jackson thought about it and responded, "Black."  Well, my mouth hit the floor; I was shocked!  Then, Lee said, "I spy a colour beginning with 'p.'"  Jackson said, "Pink."  Speechless, again.  Lee tried one more time, "I spy a colour beginning with 'w.'"  Jackson said, "White."  Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle!  We showered Jackson with praise and compliments, but I'm not sure he knew how amazing this was.

At nursery last week, Jackson had a bit of a 'teacher moment' with all of the other children at lunchtime.  Apparently, they all need to wait until everyone is done eating to get up and wash their hands; however, Jackson (like me) talks a lot when he eats, thus making him a very slow eater.  On this day, as a couple of children started to get up and wanted to move on with their day, Jackson said, "Hey Guys!  Sit down.  I'm not done, yet."  The children all obeyed, which I was surprised to hear and the teacher reiterated the rules of waiting for everyone to finish.

Last weekend, we went to town to get a few things for Jackson's upcoming birthday party.  There was a really good singer perched outside of the old BHS and Jackson took notice of the boy's skills.  Never missing a chance to dance to good music, Jackson decided the area around a little poplar tree would be his stage and for three songs, he put on a little show.  Most people smiled as they went by, but one little baby about the age of one, stopped to watch Jackson's dancing and then joined in.  I love his confidence and fun-loving spirit.

Today, Jackson bumped his head on the kitchen counter's overhang and as we were checking on him, he wasn't crying, but said, "Maybe a little brioche will help?"  When we said no to that, he said, "Okay, some cookies."

Over the past couple of months, Jackson has gone from pronouncing his name as 'Gadget' to 'Jatson.'

Sidenote:  I originally started writing this on September 16th, but it's time to move on to writing about Jackson's 3rd birthday party.  So, although this may sound a bit dated, it's a brief update of the summer and start of the school year and it will have to do for now.  Life is busy, but a wonderfully rewarding dream, with a three-year-old.

Celebrating Wimbledon at nursery

In July, soaking up the sun at Grandpa Don's house

"Driving" Grandpa Don's lawnmower

Happy to pose for a picture, but disappointed when he moved the levers and it didn't turn on

Talking to the fish with cousin Connor

Riding solo

Great weather at the Annual Ainsdale Flower Show

Jackson requested an ice cream cone and after a few licks, he got tired of eating it, so Mommy had to help

Jackson chose the car that played Queen songs

Fun, fun, fun for everyone

Jackson only likes to go down slides on his stomach.  He was being so delightful that the slide man let him go down two extra times for free!

I think Jackson chose this same jeep last year and luckily, he didn't mind riding in the back--it was much busier this year

He's got the hang of it now . . .

All of my teacher gifts from my wonderful class last year

Jackson getting into the dinosaur party spirit at Penny's 3rd birthday party

This is Jackson's new pose when I tell him to "stand up straight"

Touring the Botanical Gardens

We had a beautiful summer in Southport and this was an end-of-summer trip to the beach 

(located about a mile from our house)

Earning his first gold medal for finishing the football season

Riding the see-saw with Ralph at the children's centre event in Ainsdale Park

A play date with Thomas at the park

Exploring Formby Park with Mommy and Daddy

Pretending to be a little pig hiding from the Big Bad Wolf

Jackson's first swimming lesson

Shocked to see someone "flying" through the air at the circus

Jackson loved the circus so we will probably make this an annual event--and maybe take cushions next time to sit on for Lee and I

A few photos of my classroom

Jackson and Benedict dancing at Jack's 3rd birthday party

Helping to rake up the grass clippings like Daddy

Doing some football drills

I couldn't be prouder!  I am so happy to have an interesting, hilarious, entertaining little boy!

First day of being in the Hedgehog class at nursery

The Great Race

Crafting and playing at Edison's 3rd birthday party

Enjoying party sweets at Weston's 3rd birthday party

All of the children got to meet Marshall and Chase from Paw Patrol at the party

Trying on his Halloween costume sent from the US by Aunt P.  He loved it and immediately took on the role by 'blowing fire' and 'flying' around the room.

If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.