End of school year for Jack

Jack's last day of school was last Thursday May 22nd. He has had a wonderful year at his preschool and just finished completing the regular 3 year old class. He will be going to VPK next year for five days a week half days (sniff sniff).

Here are some pictures from his end of school year play...

Jack has been so blessed with wonderful teachers these past two years. I remember at the end of last year looking at Steve and saying 'You know we are only headed for dissapointment with Jack's futures teachers, because I can't imagine a better teacher than Mrs. Hughes this year'. And somehow I was very wrong! Mrs. Poole who was Jack's teacher this year has been absolutely wonderful. She is sweet, caring, gets his sarcastic sense of humor (no easy task), and challenges him on the areas she can see him doing more. I am so thankful for her and for how much she has loved Jack and the rest of his class this year.

We love you and will miss you Mrs. Poole!

Palmer's 2nd Birthday

We celebrated Palmer's 2nd Birthday at Grandpa's house the weekend of his birthday. We are so thankful for him opening up his house and hosting everyone. We had a wonderful time and are very thankful for family and friends who celebrated with us.

 

 Thank you to my dear friend Jami for taking these black and white pictures :)

Palmer has been really into trucks these last few months so I ended up having a 'construction' theme and thankfully had a friend hand me down decorations which made the planning SO much easier. I tend to get overwhelmed by party planning and am not the most creative person, so this truly was a huge help (and thankfully pinterest came in handy too).

And pictures from the party...

We had a truck pinata which all the kids loved

 

Below is my best attempt to take a picture with daddy and uncle Brett, but Palmer didn't want to be a part of it

Thankful for friends

My dear mentor Dawn was able to make it with her two boys

Very dear friends Noelle and Laura

Our sweet neighbors celebrated with us

One of Palmer's best friends Jackson

They either are hugging each other or fighting at this age

This year I was not crazy about the idea of having a 'bigger' party for Palmer, but Steve felt strongly that we should celebrate him as we have done for Jack in past years. Not every year will be a big party and I am hoping to alternate between a family only party and a bigger party every other year. Jack's 5th birthday will be in September and I know that will be a very special one. 

On a last note- I have a lot of construction decorations leftover from the party, I am giving them away f anyone is interested in them!- email me at carolinabriggs@gmail.com

Jack- 4 years and 8 months

Jack is at a really fun age- he is very talkative, asks a lot of questions, and soaks up everything around him! 

Dentist App- He did great and did not want to leave!

 

He is really into music right now. He loves Toby Mac, Veggietales, GT and Halo, and old 90's Christian music in his ipod. He will sing songs all day long over and over again (and I am surprised at how quickly he learns them) and he is very particular about getting the words right. He gets mad at me as I can never remember the right lyrics:)

He loves to play t-ball, pretend sword fights, and anything that involves chasing him around the house. He is all boy and loves anything that involves adventure and excitement.

Being silly

He is also very much into coloring right now. He is good at it and it is the one activity that will entertain him for hours at a time.

Bath time!

His favorite TV shows change every few months, but right now are ‘The Magic School Bus’, 'Imagination Movers' and 'WildKrats Brothers'

Why does he look 18 in this picture?

His happy place is the pool and beach. He is also a huge fan of Magic Kingdom. I am excited about summer and having the flexibility to go more places during the week!

He is a kind big brother. He is patient with Palmer (for the most part) and always tries to help me with him. If I’m trying to change Palmer’s diaper and he’s not having it, Jack will usually come over and play ‘peek a boo’ with him to help me out. If I’m struggling to get Palmer to eat, Jack will sign to Palmer what I’m asking him to do. 

Right now is an age that I wish I could freeze Jack in forever. Any older and he won't be a 'baby' anymore. I can't believe he'll be five in just four months! And that he'll be going to VPK next year. He is such a joy and I can't wait to see how he will change in the next few years. So thankful for the little men they are becoming!

Palmer- 2 Year Post

Palmer turned two years on May 4th- can’t believe how fast this year has flown! Steve has asked me to document an update of what the boys are doing and liking these days and I can’t think of better timing than now. 

Palmer’s speech has been delayed, but he has progressed a lot in the last few months. He speaks only one word at a time and his favorite words are: mommy, daddy, jack, outside, shoes, truck, among a dozen other words. He is slowly getting there!

He loves Starbucks! Whipped cream and chocolate syrup

His first dentist app- He did wonderful and had a perfect checkup

He loves trucks and boats right now. His favorite things to play with are balls, playdough, the sandbox in our backyard, and carrying any type of container.

First time painting and he loved it!

 

He is a lot more adventurous than Jack was at this age. I think its because he just wants to do anything Jack does...

Jumping at our church's Easter Eggstravaganza

No fear for a two year old!

First time tubing and he loved it! Too bad I didn't get a closer up picture

His happy place is Disney World. He can be in the worst mood but as soon as we get in the monorail for the Magic Kingdom he gets very excited and is happy the rest of the day. Whenever we mention the word ‘Disney’ he claps and jumps up and down!

He simply adores his big brother. He looks up to him and wants to do everything he does.

They are not quite at the level where they can play at the same level (Palmer is still not talking much nor can he understand what Jack wants to tell him sometimes) but I’m surprised at how well they get play together.

Palmer loves to wrestle with Jack and they often play ‘tag’ with each other around the house. And of course they fight sometimes, but not as often as I thought they would be. Wondering if it’ll get better or worse as they get older?

Waiting for daddy to come home from work

His favorite TV shows are ‘Jake and the Neverland Pirates’ and ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’.  His favorite music is Toby Mac, GT and Halo, and daddy's country music in the car.

He absolutely loves visiting Jack at preschool! He could stay there all day long if it was up to him. I'm not quite ready to send him yet and he is going to stay home with me this upcoming year.

I can't believe it has been two years since he was born and our world completely changed. Adjusting to two was really difficult for me and there have been plenty of sleepless nights, frustrations, and tears along the way. Palmer was very sick his first year of life including a hospitalization when he was seven months old. I am thankful he made a turn about 8-9 months after that and has been overall very healthy since then. And now that he is speaking and his personality is coming out it is even more joyful to see him for the little boy he is becoming.

Thanking God everyday for the blessing of being a mom to him, Jack, and always remembering our sweet Andrew. Love my three boys.