Happy 5th Birthday, Jackson!

I can't believe my baby is 5! This seems like such a milestone. I am so proud of him and the happy little boy he is.

Weight: 36 lbs 4 oz
Height: 40 1/4 inches

Jackson's thoughts:

• His best friends are: "Tucker and Sam"
• His favorite food is: "Pop Tarts, Waffles and fruit - wait, not all of the fruit. Just strawberries, grapes, and oranges. Also, I like Peaches too"
• His favorite movie is: "Star Wars (Clone Wars, #3 and #4)"
• His favorite thing to do is: "play with Tucker and watch movies"

Mommy's thoughts:

• He no longer naps but will rest and watch a movie while Philip (& Mommy!) nap.
• Jackson still sleeps with Blankie & Patches and has added Patches #2 to the mix as well.
• His imaginary friends, Boy and Johnny, are no more which makes me sad. They were such a constant to him but for the past several months, they only come up in coversation when I ask where they are (usually, they are in Disney World)
• Jackson still loves imigination play such as playing Disney World, family, and Target. He and Philip play well together - most of the time - and he is SOOOOO excited about Elizabeth joining our family.

Jackson, you are such a joy and I am so honored that the Lord chose me to be your Mommy!  I love you, Angel!

Playing VBS

One morning, Jackson said he wanted to play VBS complete with recreating the look in his room. I let him take charge and just did what he asked. It was amazing how much he remembered from the VBS stage and how much he wanted to recreate. When we were done, he asked if we could invite Ms. Kate over to take a look. He knew she would be proud!

Philip holding a Bible Buddy poster 

Airplanes, Kites and Banners hanging from the Sky.

A "SKY" sign right up front!

VBS

We have stayed busy this summer! One reason is VBS. Ashley, Kate, Katey and I volunteered to organize VBS this year and even with four leaders, it has been very time consuming.

All our hard work paid off as we celebrated this week a successful SKY VBS! The kids loved it and that's the reason we put so much time and energy into the planning!

Here are some pictures from the planning and the week:


During one of our first planning meetings, I announced we would have one more VBS participant this year!

Many hours went into planning the SKY stage.
 Kate and Ashley had the vision and patience to make it happen - with a little help from Todd who made the hot air balloon and Kristy and Sean who made the blue backdrops

 


Again, so many hours of planning and work went into all the decorations. I had VERY little to do with the decorations. I stuck with my speciality - logistics - and left the creative things up to Kate and Ashley!

 

The kids were such troopers and spent a lot of time together at the church or at Kate's playing while we all worked!



Monday morning before VBS started, we had a kick-off breakfast and prayer time for all our volunteers. We drafted Wesley in to help set-up and he was in charge of ordering all the food!

Day One and we are all smiles!

Preschool Class
(Jackson - front row left
Rebekah - middle)

Philip was in the nursery all week but the wonderful volunteers back there planned activities for them too. He had so much fun!

Jackson rocked it out each morning and afternoon in the group sessions!

Kate in one of her creations - a hot air balloon made with a packing box and parachute.

One morning we had a little accident - thankfully, it was the water cooler and not the lemonade one that feel over!

Aviator Rocky was with us all week!
Here he is taking his youngest, Haven, on a spin in the airplane Todd made for the week.

I let Philip join the big kids each morning. He loved singing the songs and playing with Jackson.

 



So cute!
Tucker, Rebekah, Joshua, Addie, Jackson and Alayna taking a turn in the Hot Air Balloon.

After VBS ended on Friday, we hosted a "Thank you" luncheon for the volunteers!
Pizza and...

 SKY cupcakes made by Kate and Katey

 

Philip, Jack, Ashley, Addie, Jackson and Tucker

 Jack

 Philip

 Tucker

Jackson

 Addie

 It was an exhausting week for us all! Jackson even feel asleep one afternoon on the couch. We turned around and he was out with Patches and Patches beside him.

 

 Part of the costumes for the Stage Crew was a beanie hat. Jackson LOVED these hats so after the VBS celebration at church, we brought them home so they could play VBS! Probably should return them soon!



Tru's Party

Priscilla and her crew made plans to come back to Cumming for VBS this year. Since Tru's 3rd birthday was the Monday of VBS, she planned his party while they were here. Tru is obsessed with horses so the party was all about horses - REAL horses!

The kids had a blast taking turns riding around on the ponies. Check out all the smiles:

   

Philip, Jackson, Addison and Tru



Jackson and Philip scoping everything out before they made their move to the ponies.

Addie

Tucker

Jackson

He loved riding around...

especially when he was able to ride around with Tucker.

Philip didn't want anything to do with the pony rides but we knew he would love it once he was on one....so....

Wesley put him on the smaller horse and walked him around the circle.

Until he was all smiles!

My two boys on "Peanut" and "Cooper"

 

All the kids lined up for the fun
Philip, Tucker, Tru, Addison, Addie and Jackson

Our new ride!

We knew it was inevitable once the 3rd Bender Baby came around so we took the plunge and bought a  van! 

Wesley got a ridiculously good deal on a 2012 Volkswagen and I LOVE IT!!! It is so pretty and is a great ride. 

Our new ride!

I was sad to lose the Volvo. It was a great car!!
Wesley said the feelings for it wouldn't last too long once I got used to the roominess of the van - He was right!

Elizabeth's first present

Rocky and Ashley had a little something tucked away in their car in case the Gender Reveal revealed a little girl. Here's Elizabeth's first adorable present: