Jackson's 8th Birthday Celebration

Jackson has been pining over a large bear that he saw at Costco a few months ago. I informed him that it was way too big and we could not possibly fit a toy as big as another person in our home. But of course Eric and I couldn't resist getting it for him for his birthday. We put it at the end of his bed so he would see it first thing when he woke up on his birthday morning:

It made him quite happy:

Before Eric left for work, Jackson opened one of his presents so he could play with it during the day. It was the Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 Wii game. He LOVED it:

While Eric was at work Jackson played his new game and helped me make the cupcakes he requested for his birthday. He couldn't decide what kind of cupcakes he wanted so he told me to surprise him. But then about 10 seconds later he said, "But make sure they are chocolate with blue frosting." Okay then.

After Eric got home around 3, he opened his presents:

Sadie gave him 3 new HotWheels cars:

He was very appreciative:

Megan gave him $5, two packs of Mentos, and a joke book:

He loved them too:

Opening his new bodyboard:

I think he might have been more excited about it than Megan was when she received hers for her birthday:

Of course no Jackson birthday would be complete without a new track:

He also received a new fishing pole (which he loved), swim cap, games, books, Lego's, and money (which he also loved).

After present opening and a quick dinner at In-n-Out, we headed over to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus. I was just happy he didn't choose to go back to the Mini-Grand Prix for the 4th or 5th (I have lost track) year in a row! Now for a series of really bad pictures taken with an old camera:

It was a blast!

After a long night, we arrived home late, but still had cupcakes and candle blowing to get to. Originally Jackson requested that I spell out: Seven + One = Eight, in cupcakes, but I simplified and just made a number 8 instead:

He also requested trick candles, so it took quite a while (and a little extra help) to blow them out:

Since Megan didn't get to blow out candles on her birthday (we were at Serendipity), we let her blow out some too:

Finally it was time for bed! When Eric and I headed off to bed we were met with this sight:

Although the bear takes up a lot of room in our small house it is well worth it.

At 8

My favorite son is 8 today!

He likes to live clothes-free. He would love to walk around in his underwear all day.

His favorite color is green.

Cars continue to hold a special place in his heart.

He makes awesome paper airplanes.

He has become a great swimmer this summer. Mastering all strokes.

He doesn't have a complaining nature. I don't think he loves going to swim team every day but never complains about it (except when they do dry land work in 110 degree weather!).

He enjoys all sports, however dislikes watching football. He thinks its boring. (Shhhh......Don't tell Eric)

He says he has no favorite food.

He continues to be my pickiest eater. Dinner is torturous for him every night.

He is a habitual snacker. He would prefer to eat 10 small meals a day.

He can be found running full speed and jumping onto the couch at least 15 times a day. I am unable to break him of this.

He has developed a love of reading this year, and is currently enjoying the Harry Potter books. He is almost finished with book 3.

His cautious demeanor and rule following tendencies continue.

He imagines elaborate plans to somehow get things for free (stealing, tricking others), but we know he could never ever follow through. See aforementioned extreme rule following tendencies.

He still can't tell a lie.

He is full of hyper energy. Always running through the house.

He doesn't love T.V. but does love the computer and video games.

He is almost never in a bad mood. Except when he gets really, really, really tired. And then only for moment.

He doesn't always get sarcasm. Which is unfortunate for him since the other 4 of us revel in it.

He likes to wear his hair long.

I think he has the worlds smallest bladder.

He can be absent minded. He often comes to tell me something and forgets what he is saying half way through the story.

He HATES cleaning his room. And hanging up his laundry.

But he does excellent work with a vacuum.

He also really dislikes brushing his teeth. He will walk around the house for 10 minutes holding his tooth brush before putting it in his mouth.

He is extremely kind hearted. Always worried about others.

However, he definitely knows how to annoy his sisters.

He continues to love physical contact. Whoever he is sitting by at dinner will find Jackson pressed up against them or sometimes on their lap.

He is a soda-a-holic. I worry about his intake when he grows up and I can no longer monitor him.

He is pure joy in our lives. I love him more than is possible to express in words.

Happy 8th Birthday Jackson!!!!!!!!

Birding

Recently Eric and I watched the movie "The Big Year" which is all about birding (which is the cool name birders call bird watching).

So when Amy suggested a trip to the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, I agreed. I felt the movie had sufficiently prepared me for the joys of birding, and I could happily tackle a new hobby. 

Not really. The truth is I have never enjoyed looking at birds, but any trip outside of the house always sounds good to me!

We had planned to leave early (the preserve opens at 6 am), but found ourselves leaving around 9:30 a.m. instead. Those of you from Las Vegas know what a significant error in judgment that ended up being. Nevertheless we continued on and mentally prepared ourselves for the heat.

We were the only guests there (big surprise!), which was kind of okay because we received quite a bit more attention from the workers than we would have otherwise had. Which would have been great if you had any interest in birding, which I previously mentioned I did not.

But one major bonus was that they gave us each a pair of binoculars to use while we were there:

The Preserve is pretty huge. They have 9 lakes, a 3/4 of a mile paved pathway, and over 2 miles of dirt pathways. We decided to tackle the 3/4 of a mile paved pathway that took us past 3 lakes.

I find these next pictures to be the cutest things ever! And they were not even staged!

About a quarter of a mile into the hike the kids started to lose the will to move. Amy and I were also struggling, but had to overcome our own urge to lie down and die and pretend for the kids sake that this was a fun adventure. We convinced them that they were tough and could finish out the 1/2 mile.

The Preserve was actually quite fantastic, and I plan to go back, albeit in the fall.

We found this sign at the end of the trail:

There is no danger I would ever approach a coyote, but I found it odd that the sign was at the end of the trail and not the beginning. This is something I would have found helpful just starting off. For the record we did not see a coyote, but we did see rabbits, roadrunners, and lizards. And of course lots of birds!

For the effort we treated ourselves with some Nielsen's Frozen Custard on the way home.

And then.........We got stuck on the freeway for one and half hours. COMPLETELY STOPPED. NOT MOVING AT ALL!

Oy vey!

Also, if you want to come on these adventures just let me know. I know they sound thrilling. Amy and I tend to go together because we have older kids that don't nap. But if you are up for it, please join us!