Great lil' funky snack to try for your lil' one!

Trying to win this giveaway to try some new snacks out for Jackson, click here if you wanna enter~ http://jandshoughton.blogspot.com/2011/03/some-serious-yumminess-giveaway-funky.html

Check out this giveaway for Swaddle Designs

Very cute blankets WITH instructions on how to master the ever so difficult swaddle that I showed my husband how to do...over and over and over again :-)

http://jandshoughton.blogspot.com/2011/03/do-you-swaddle-giveaway.html

Potty Time

I have introduced the potty some time back to Jackson.  He just looked at it for a while, then he became curious and started putting items in the pot and carrying it around.  My parents had a potty the played a little tune when the child used the toilet.  Our frineds little one used the potty and Jackson was amazed with the sounds.  So he started dropping things into the bottom and even putting his hand in it to make the sounds.  Although cute, I searcehd for a more simple potty.  I think Jackson has realized that there are no cute songs going to come from this new one. We have had 3 successes; 2 poopies and a peepee :-D  The joys of being able to speak about potty training.  Jackson is excited to sit on the potty, it is just keeping him there to do his business that is the tricky part.  I am not being pushy by any means, just encouraging.  I figure this late spring and summer I will go full force.  Most everyone tells me that is the best time to potty train. 


Just like his daddy, Jackson has to have the essentials when it's potty time...a BOOK!  Jesse dances around looking for something to read before he goes to the bathroom, so we try to keep something handy for Jackson

to read. 

The toy truck at his feet is a bonus :-)

Til next time...

SUYL~ Jackson's 1st birthday!

So excited to share and read about other's great party themes and ideas!  For Jackson's first birthday OF COURSE we did a pirate theme.  Unfortunately I can't find the SD card with all the pics  (bad mommy, I know!)  So I just had to settle for pictures of pictures (I also could figured out the scanner...I don't know how I even manage to turn on the computer sometimes :-D), this is explanation for the poor quality.

The invite.  Made by Yours truly and my mother.

My very unhappy, just got up from a nap, why am I wearing this silly hat birthday boy :-)

Somewhat of a smile looking at his Nana.

Don't know if you can see or not, but Jackson's outfit had a little pirate bear and ship on it.  When I saw it I had to have it, even better that it only cost $5 at Roses!!!  Topped off with an "I'm 1 today," button and Captain's hat he was stylin'.

Just a plain ol' pound cake with butter cream icing, again made by yours truly.  Sure was yummy! And for the little hands that attended, pirate cupcakes:

And for Jackson's smash cake, what better for the pirate of the day  but a treasure chest?!?!

Sad to say, I don't have any more pics to share.  I can however fill you in on the rest of the day.  The party started at 1pm with a good ol' fashioned cookout of hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade slaw, chili, and baked beans.  With a pirate inspired banner, treasure map plates, and parrots and balloons flying the pirate party commenced. The party started outside quite frankly b/c my house can't accommodate 30 people at the dinig table and the fear of chili or baked beans on my furniture or carpet scared me.  So after lunch, it was time for presents!  My family and friends were so gracious, from cloths to toys to diapers and even a handmade hobby horse by Pop-Pop we couldn't be more thankful.  Everyone headed inside because we were all melting and the cakes would do the same in June heat of 100 degrees. The cakes were a hit and YUMMY.  The little ones received there treasure chest treat bags, and after many memories had been made everyone went home.  

Not sure what we will do this year for birthday number 2, but I certainly have some great ideas to go from now after reading about all the wonderful parties.

God Bless~

Entry for a giveaway~

Stephanie at Houghton's Happenings is hosting another awesome giveaway...click the link below to enter:

Joannes Embroidery Review & Giveaway

"EESSEEE!"

This morning I picked up the camera and said "Jackson..."  before I could get anything else out he reutrned and said "EEESSE!"  (cheese)  I didn't even know he could say cheese (will call "eessee" close enough to the real thing).  I was so tickle!  Here is the result...a very goofy but precious toothy smile:

20 months and 2 weeks old here

Into Everything

So I took some pictures yesterday, and was going to post as my Wordless Wednesday but decided that I indeed need words to explain the picture.

That's right...that is my PRECIOUS ONE in THE dryer!!!  This week Jackson has really been getting into everything!  He has learned to pull out the kitchen chair and sit at our mini table, which was cute at first, but THEN he decided to climb on the table and from there onto the stove (in only a matter of seconds/Yes, I was right there with him...just as a reassurance for my husband)

Here is a picture of my mini-kitchen table to give a better idea of how this happened.

I am not the mother who has barricaded off part of my house.  I simply have told Jackson  "No,you can't go in there" or "No, you can't play with that."  But now with as quick and fast as he is I am seriously thinking about investing in gates for the kitchen and appliance locks...even though hideous, Jackson's safety is #1.  As I promised earlier, more to come soon on our potty training adventures.

Wordless Wednesday

Cutest little books!

I am simply ecstatic to say that I have won another giveaway for my little man Jackson hosted by Hougthon's Happenings!!!   The books are full of bright colors and have a sing-a-long CD with them.  Jackson loves reading and loves dancing to music...so this is perfect. Here are the two books he got:

And here is an info sheet in case anyone is interested in checking out Barefoot Books Winter sale:

I am including the link for easy access...enjoy!

http://www.barefootbooks.com/shop

What does MY toddler eat?

Saw the posting from Kelly's Korner and thought I'd join in :-)
http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2011/02/show-us-your-life-what-do-you-feed-your.html#disqus_thread

An addition to Show Us Your Life from Kelly's Korner:

Chili beans and cornbread on a cold winter's day.  Yummy!

Jackson is now 19 1/2 months old, and is becomes more picky each day!  I'll say he was at a bit of a disadvantage on eating solid foods because he didn't have ANY teeth until he turned 11 months old, and now he still only has 12.  (The doctors said "It's okay to feed food items that aren't soft to chew, his gums are strong enough.")  But being the first time mom and Miss paranoid and cautious about EVERYTHING, I delayed a bit.  That said.  We do try just about anything.  And we try things over and over again.  I once read something that instructed to try the same food item at least 15 times before allowing the child to "like" or dislike" a food.  here are some examples of what Mr. Jackson has often:

Breakfast:  Bananas, oatmeal, a fruit grain bar, grapes, pancakes, french toast, and yes I know...the bad breakfast meats such as sausage and bacon he absolutely loves. 

Snack:  Goldfish, grapes, iced oatmeal cookies, graham crackers, lil' crunchies, slow melt ice pops (for when the weather is right), or even fruit snacks (only one thing at a time)

Lunch:  Chicken nuggets, grilled chicken, cut up hot dog, ham, applesauce, french fries, apple slices, mashed potatoes, attempts at peas/carrots/green beans are still made (simple, easy to fix items for lunch)

Supper:  A taste of whatever Mommy and Daddy has whether it be some type of soup we have, meatloaf, cube steak, roast, ham, chicken, (which I don't think Jackson has ever had enough of)rice, potatoes...

Items that we still try but Jackson hasn't gave into yet:  Eggs, bread (bagels, toast, biscuits...none), most veggies (green beans, peas, carrots, cabbage, most any type of bean; except chili beans, corn, any type of sauces IE: ketchup, BBQ, ranch, mustard, and lots more I just can't seem to think of there are SO many!

Items he can never have enough of: CHOCOLATE, chicken, and anything to drink as long as it's not plain water( I have to flavor his water with some form of juice so it's not "plain")

Loves to drink:  soy milk, juices (apple, grape, pear, peach, blueberry, strawberry, mixed berries, the veggie juices by Apple and Eve)  and sweet tea (I KNOW!) (Ha ha!) 

I don't feel so bad after reading some of the other posts.  Just part of raising a toddler I guess. "Just keep swimming, swimming...." Gotta love my messy face little boy!

High School Lunch Time in Present Day (ie: 9 years later)

In keeping in touch with old friends via the internet a few of us from high school FINALLY got together to have lunch yesterday.  It felt like I was sitting at the lunch table in high school again. With obvious much more mature discussion subject matters...at first, and much better food seeing as O' Charley's soup and salad was not served on our high school menu,  we all could not smile enough!  Here are a few pictures from our meal~

From left to right (adults: Becky, Marky, and Neva)

The mommy's of the group...and the entertainment.

From "How's work?' to "Can you believe who I saw?"  the conversation seemed to flow as easily as it did "back in the day."  Truly a blessing the have the opportunity to still have such great friends in my life.

Coming soon...the perils of potty training.  Check back!

Another giveaway

Check out this giveaway from Stephanie at Houghton's Happenings!
http://jandshoughton.blogspot.com/2011/01/padalily-giveaway.html

Give A Way (personal blog to follow, I promise!)

Check ou tthis awesome giveaway from Stephanie @ Houghton's Happenings!
http://jandshoughton.blogspot.com/2011/01/bonnie-bluebelle-little-shoes-giveaway.html

Won my first give-a-way!!!

Very super excited to say that I have been following Houghton's Happenings (www.jandshoughton.blogspot.com)  for quite some time.  Miss Stephanie is quite an awesome blogger and now hostess for multiple give-a-ways.  Not mention the insiration for me starting my blog :-)  Thanks!  I entered my first give-a-way through her site and actully won!!!  The give-a-way was for an umbrella of choice from www.kidorable.com (seriously, if you haven't checked out this site, it's a MUST!) Below is a picture of the very cool umbrella I won for Jackson and OH YES, it's a pirate umbrella!

Made out of 100% nylon, this umbrella fits perfectly into Jackson's little hands and truly is kidorable!

Now for another exciting give-a-way (that I have entered) from Barefoot Books via Houghton's Happenings, just click on the link below:

http://jandshoughton.blogspot.com/2011/01/barefoot-books-giveaway.html

Christmas Presents!!! (I know I am a little late)

There was nothing like watching my little boy wake and run towards the Christmas tree and his presents that Santa had left.  He doesn't quite understand the concept of Santa.  All he knows is that's "Ho, Ho."  And he doesn't like him very much as you can see from my previous post.  I lined Jackson up with all of "the luit" and snapped a few shots.

Look closely...that's him in the middle.

Close-up. (Very excited about the Your Baby Can Read!!!)

This is a close-up of his pajama's, and YES it's true.