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This is a nickname that Brad and I have called each other every now and then when one of us is swimming.  You know, because we are awesome…like Michael Phelps…the pot smoking, Olympic swimming, party animal??  Ummhumm.

Well, we were hoping to have another “Phelpsie” in the house.  You see, Jackson has been taking swim lessons everyday for the past 2 weeks.  It is a group session…10 kids and 4 instructors.  Unfortunately, our experience has been less than stellar and I think the only thing that Jackson has gotten out of the class is swimmer’s ear!  (No.  Seriously.)  I may be a little bitter towards the whole thing because  the class is 40 minutes away…and 55 minutes back in 5 o’clock rush hour traffic.  My fault, I know.  But I was told the classes were awesome…sucker.  (Sorry, Anne…you’ve already heard my complaints.) 

On the bright side, I’ve found a private instructor who will teach both the boys…starting this Sunday.  Let’s all say a little chant and hope that “Miss Mallory” can work her magic with them.  I’d love to have a third or fourth “Phelpsie” in the house!  Ok…minus the bong.

I’ll keep you updated!

It’s obviously been ages since I last posted, so I’m not about to catch you up on all the nitty gritty that you’ve missed.  (Really, there hasn’t been anything too exciting…so don’t sweat it.)  At the end of May, the 4 of us went to Tennessee.  We rented a cabin a few miles from Pigeon Forge and had an absolute blast!!  We mostly explored Smokey Mountain National Park, visited the Gatlinburg Aquarium (which was amazing), and enjoyed a little putt-putt and kid stuff.  We all had a blast…did I mention that we had a blast??  Jackson cried the day we left and is counting down the days until we go back!

Brad and I really enjoyed the National Park.  We both saw bears in the wild for the first time.  It was amazing!  (Even more amazing was how close people get just to get a picture of them…unbelievable.  Really, it makes me even more confident in my belief that people should have to pass an IQ test before being able to vote.)  We saw some amazing streams and waterfalls…and of course mountains.   The boys, however, were not as impressed with all of these things as we were.   But that’s ok…that’s what portable DVD players are for!

I think Jackson’s favorite expedition (besides our big nature trail hike) was his trip to the “cowboy store.”  They were both determined to get “all cowboyed up” (as the sales clerk called it).  Before we went in, Jackson said he wanted cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, etc, etc.  I said “Well, you can’t get everything!”

He said, “Ok.  Maybe I’ll just get a lasso.” 

Needless to say, they are both the proud owners of cowboy boots and hats.  Here is a picture of Jackson yelling “yeeeeehaw!”

I think I have to admit…he looks more “hillbillied up” to me.  But hey…when in Tennessee…

I’ll leave you with some pics from our vacation.  Yeehaw!

OH…and I forgot to mention…in case you didn’t know yet, I’m now a brunette.  Check it out:

Vacation pics…and if you are on Facebook…you’ve already seen ‘em:

Tennessee

– We were driving to school the other morning and Jackson was in the back seat telling jokes.  Sawyer started repeating Jackson….and Jackson said, “No.  Stop, Sawyer.  I’m a one man show.”

– The boys have had colds lately and Jackson had said a couple of times that his ear felt funny.  So, I took him to the doctor to have it checked out.  We were waiting in the exam room and when the doctor came in she asked how we were doing.  Jackson said, “My ear is sick!”

– I put a bandanna on Chopper today and Jackson asked, “Mommy, why is Chopper wearing a cape??”

– Sawyer was playing with Griszy the other day and I heard Griz hiss from the other room.  I ran in the room to see what had happened (and what Sawyer was doing to the poor cat).  Griszy was apparently freaked by whatever Sawyer had done.  Sawyer, of course, was giggling.  He said, “Mommy!  Geezy say HHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH!”

– A couple of nights ago I was putting Sawyer down for bed.  I was telling him some of the people that I love.  I said, “I love Sawyer, Jackson, Daddy, Mimi, Poppy, Grandma, Grandpa….Who do you love, Sawyer?”  Sawyer said, “I love Mommy, Daddy, Jackson…juice, tacos, and mamakes!”  (pancakes)

– Last weekend we were having Subway sandwiches for lunch.  Jackson was eating and being very quiet (which is unusual).  Brad asked him how he was doing.  He said, “I sure am enjoying my five dollar foot long!”

That’s all for now!

Happy birthday, Chopper!  You’re a good dog.

Pretty doggie cupcakes:

Little boys eating the sprinkles from the pretty little doggie cupcakes:

Jackson had to get this Valentine’s cookie for Chopper:

“Can I eat it??  Can I?? Can I!?!?!”:

“Oh, thanks!  That was the best cupcake ever!!”:

Albert, too:

“Seriously?  A party for the drooling doofus??  Puh-lease.  Cats rule and dogs drool.”:

Picture this:  Jackson is putting Sawyer down for bed.  Sawyer has his head on a pillow and Jackson covers him up.  Jackson says, “Hush, Buddy” and then begins to sing…

“Well it’s 9 o’clock on a Saturday…the regular crowd shuffles in…there’s a guy in the bar sitting next to me…giving love to his tonic and gin!  Ta titty ta titty taaaaaaaaaa……ta ta titty taaaaaaaaaaaaaa.  Sing us a song you’re the piano man…..”

What!?!  I was shocked.  It was plain as day — Jackson singing his heart out to Billy Joel.

I called Brad and asked him if, by any chance, he has been singing the “Piano Man” to Jackson when he puts him down at night.  “Well of course!” Brad exclaimed.

Ok.  Well, maybe you could pick another verse?  I really don’t think the preschool teachers are going to appreciate Jackson singing about “giving love to his tonic and gin.”

What ever happened to the classic lullaby??   I mean, really.  Twinkle, twinkle anyone??  ANYONE!?!

All I’m going to say is that with the things that have been coming out of this child’s mouth lately….it’s a darn good thing he’s cute.

Enough said.

Before his afternoon naps, we have been reading from a daily devotional for toddlers.  The other day the story was about mommies and daddies and how they teach their children about God.  I said to Jackson, “Mommy and Daddy teach you about God, don’t they?”

“Yes!” Jackson exclaimed.

“Well…what has Mommy taught you about God?”

“Nothing.”  Jackson said.

“What!?!”

“I mean, there are so many things that I couldn’t name just one.”  (He’s smooth, isn’t he!?!)

“Well TRY,” I said to him….not too happily.

“You’ve taught me not to stay angry.  Because God doesn’t like that, right Mommy?”

“Good, Jackson!”  I was so happy.  He does listen!  “And I’ve also taught you that God loves you!  Right?”

“Yes!” Jackson exclaimed.  Then he paused and said, “You’ve taught me that God loves me….and….that scissors are sharp!  Right, mommy??”

Goofball.

I’m not going to get into it.  Instead, I’m going to post something that really makes me giggle…my little Sawyer acting like an airplane.  Ahh, to be young, naive, and innocent.  Ain’t it grand?

(For more silly stories about my boys, visit my biz blog…you can also sign up to receive those blog posts via email so you never miss out!)