Adventures in Jacksonhood

Kasia's Photo Shoot

2010-09-20T09:05:00.017-04:00

Kasia went to Clark Reservoir (down the street from our place in Syracuse) with her professional photographer uncle Joe and these are (a handful of) the result.

What We're Been Up To...

2009-09-23T22:50:00.003-04:00

So it's been a while since I've posted. For those of you who are curious about what we've been up to, here's a quick video to catch you up.

Click here to see us in our element!

Sarah

A Tribute to the Doobie Brothers

2009-01-30T19:04:00.001-05:00

Lovin' My Man

2008-11-19T15:57:00.002-05:00

I've just gotta brag about what an awesome hubby I have! We've truly been having "Adventures in Jacksonhood" lately and Billy has been so awesome in stepping it up to support me in the things I'm trying to accomplish. Every day he gets the kids ready, takes Will to and from school, brings Tom to me at work so I can feed him, cleans the house, does laundry, takes over breakfast, lunch, and often dinner (including these 3 meals for me), and watches the kids all day while I'm gone. On top of all that he still manages to get work done at home and he never complains. How he does it, I have no clue. But I really appreciate it and can't get over how lucky I am. Those of you who know and love Billy probably aren't surprised at this but I'm constantly reminded every day in a million little ways how lucky I am. I love ya, babe!

Fighting Moves

2008-11-15T10:55:00.001-05:00

Three Little Monkeys

2008-11-15T10:54:00.000-05:00

Bedtime (Plus, Kasia Digs for Gold)

2008-11-07T23:10:00.000-05:00

The Tiger & The Dragon

2008-11-06T22:44:00.001-05:00

Our Favorite Songs

2008-11-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

A New Video

2008-11-04T20:05:00.001-05:00

Trying to Collect Rent (dedicated to Andrea J. Noorlander)

2008-10-17T21:15:00.002-04:00

So we've driven to Baltimore in an attempt to collect the rent on our house that is two months overdue. Why did this necessitate our driving down here? Only because our tenant has canceled her home phone. And her cell phone. So now she is unreachable. And she's moving out in less than two weeks.

I hate renting.

On a lighter note, we are able to visit with the DeWaals, with whom we are staying overnight. Tyler and Dave Schorr are considering organizing a Helios sales team in the Baltimore-Washington area; they'd do a great job, and we'll discuss the possibility tomorrow.

Speaking of Helios, we are organizing what looks to become a 10-person sales team in PA-NJ, as well as a 5-person team in UT and a small team in WA. Sales reps' boots hit the ground on Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed. Better yet, pray for us!

And now for all the tens of you who read this blog--a political aside. A third party vote is not a wasted vote. If you aren't satisfied with either of the two "major" candidates, vote third party. I personally will be voting for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party. Let your voice be heard--and voting for "the lesser of two evils" is not being heard; it's just playing into a system that is offering you nothing "good" to vote for! Reject that system--that's what voting is all about!

Will update: Mark today in your journals as the day Will first asked me, "Dad, how do Moms and Dads make kids?" Call me if you want to know what I told him. Suffice it to say, I didn't give him "the talk" (don't worry, dad, I didn't pull out the old medical charts like you did--"this is the penis," said the dad with a straight face while ten-year-old Billy mustered all of his strength to suppress the overpowering laughter). But I did give him a decent prologue. Even Sarah approved.

Kasia update: This girl likes donuts. And she loves the DeWaals. I made the mistake of calling Megan and Mia "Megan and Mia." She immediately corrected me: "No daddy, it's Meggie Moo and Mia Pia." My bad.

Thomas update: Did I mention this guy can drool? And his gas is seriously potent. Even as I type, Amy DeWaal is in the next room saying, "Oh, Tom, that is bad." That's my boy.

Perfect Fall Weather in Hershey (dedicated to Andrea J. Noorlander)

2008-10-16T17:48:00.002-04:00

So the weather in Hershey has been fantastic. Perfect. You walk outside and just feel like pure, unadulterated energy is rolling through you, your cheeks and arms and legs massaged by the perfect balance of hot and cold. We've been on many walks, and spent all of yesterday afternoon at one of Hershey's many parks (the only ones there!) working on the laptop and reading and playing, all outside.

Will update: He told Sarah that the "builders" should have built the living room right by the tub so that he could watch TV while taking a tub. And the day before he told Sarah that he wanted to buy a scooter. "We should go to the scooter store to buy a scooter," he said. Sarah informed him that we didn't have the money. "Well," he said, "we should go to the money store and get some money, then go to the scooter store and buy a scooter." Why didn't I think of that? He's also becoming a great drawer, though he insists on coloring in completely all of the "ears" on his "people" so that they end up looking like sideburns. He won't change this.

Kasia update: She woke me up this morning by appearing like a fairy by my bedside. I opened my eyes and there she was, smiling at me from ear to ear, her chin resting on the mattress, her nose about an inch from my face. "Hi Daddy," she said softly...I love that girl. She loves oranges and insists on peeling them herself, and she only like old man cereals (like her dad) like Raisin Bran and Mini-Wheats. She loves to throw things away--I'll ask, "Who wants to throw this diaper away for me?" and she'll yell out, "ME!" Then she runs out and reappears a few moments later having "thrown it away." The trouble is, she doesn't know how to life the garbage can's lid. So hours later I'll be throwing something away myself and go to the garbage can only to find the items she's been throwing away during the day stacking neatly on top of the garbage. Did I mention I love that girl??

Thomas update: He's moved DOWN on the weight chart since his last doctor visit five weeks ago. He can say "Ma ma ma ma ma" and "Da da da da da" and "Na na na na na" which is the equivalent of several weeks of Tibetan language study. He hates sleeping. He has a horrible rash from excessive drooling. We have him in a bib all day, but it still soaks even the thickest of bibs and everything underneath. He smiles SO easily--even if he's crying and angry, if you smile at him, he'll smile back in mid-wail!

Andrea, I love you!

A Day with the Kids (dedicated to Andrea J. Noorlander)

2008-10-09T19:11:00.002-04:00

I've been away from the family for three-and-a-half weeks, and I can say with confidence that I won't be doing that again for a long, long time.

When I arrived at the airport (30 minutes early), I quickly got my bag and headed out to the curbside waiting area. A few minutes passed before a brown kid came running up to me. I did a double-take before recognizing my own birthright child, dressed in new, skin-tight dark brown pajamas. Behind him, in similarly fitted pee-jays (pink), ran Kasia, with longer hair than I remember, her arms out wide ready to give me a much-awaited hug. Man, I love those kids! The Sarah appeared, holding Tommy--who has grown a good deal in a month; he has more hair and is quite a bit more active and squirmy. People were staring as I hugged them all, but I was more proud than embarrassed.

On the way home, Kasia asked to listen to "Come on, come on, come on, come on," which, translated, means Track 3 on the new Def Leppard cd. Proud of my daughter's incredibly developed taste, I obliged, and we cruised home in the night to the melodic wailings of Joe Elliot & Co.

I spent the day with them, not doing much work (I figure I owe them that!). We watched cartoons, I threw them on the Lovesac and rolled them up in a blanket (this was a request: "Like a taco, dad!"). Will helped me unpack and arrange things, we all met Sarah at the hospital (where she interns as a social worker) to eat lunch on the lawn, and Tommy and I bonded, but not without a fair share of drool soaking my t-shirt.

I got into Penn State's grad program and start in January.

Helios kicks off its sales efforts next week.

A Quick Summer Blog

2008-08-23T17:41:00.004-04:00

We, once again, made the cross-country drive (taking the I-90 this time) to spend the summer in Montana, Utah, Idaho, and New Mexico and have successfully returned to Hershey, PA (on Route 66) to prepare for school to start. On our trip we managed to do and see a million awesome things - the highlights being the weddings of Emily (Billy's sister) and Daniel (my brother). Unfortunately, my camera was not finished vacationing and opted to stay in Utah while we returned home. But Billy's sis did have time to take a few pictures of us while we were there so I'm gonna post some of my favorites of the kids. Thanks to everyone who made our summer great!

We, once again, made the cross-country drive (taking the I-90 this time) to spend the summer in Montana, Utah, Idaho, and New Mexico and have successfully returned to Hershey, PA (on Route 66) to prepare for school to start. On our trip we managed to do and see a million awesome things - the highlights being the weddings of Emily (Billy's sister) and Daniel (my brother). Unfortunately, my camera was not finished vacationing and opted to stay in Utah while we returned home. But Billy's sis did have time to take a few pictures of us while we were there so I'm gonna post some of my favorites of the kids.

Welcome Thomas King Jackson

2008-04-04T16:15:00.002-04:00

Just letting you all know that Thomas King Jackson joined our family on April 1, 2008 at 2:21 am, weighing in 8lbs. 9oz. and 21 inches. Oh, and I didn't get an epidural this time...and not by choice. Both mom and baby and the rest of the gang are doing great! For photos, follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16079&l=5683b&id=799374669

More to come later!

Okay, Okay...I'll do it!

2008-02-26T08:17:00.003-05:00

I have been tagged SO many times by different people and yet I've never sat down and actually done it yet so here goes...

5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago

1. Going to Mountain View High School (Go Bruins!)
2. Breaking my arm while swing-dancing with Jeremy Shoemaker...oops!
3. Getting like 4-5 migraines a week...that was fun...
4. Driving a big, black Jimmy - that thing was a tank!
5. Watching "Breaker High" every day after school (did anyone else watch that show??)

5 Things on My To-Do List Today

1. Homework, homework, and more homework
2. Get diapers and fruit at the store
3. Turn in my taxes and get excited for my refund :)
4. Put away the clean laundry (which I didn't do)
5. Prepare, serve, and clean up 3 meals

5 Snacks I Enjoy

1. Cookies...any kind, really
2. A bowl of cereal
3. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
4. Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips
5. Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream

5 Things I'd Do If I Were a Billionaire

1. Get a nicer car...but probably still a minivan even though I thought I'd never be a minivan mom
2. Pay off my mortgage
3. Start a series of schools in India for underprivileged kids
4. Buy lots of yarn and knitting supplies
5. Get new running shoes

3 Bad Habits

1. I always fall asleep during movies (sorry, Billy!)
2. Procrastinating everything until I'm stressed
3. Letting my kids watch more tv than I should

5 Jobs I've Had

1. Super-mom Extraordinaire
2. Sexy Zuka Juice Smoothie-maker
3. Secretary for BYU's Geology Dept.
4. Math Tutor for one of the cutest 1st graders ever
5. Telemarketer (for about 1.5 hours)

5 Things People Probably Don't Know About Me

1. I used to hate chocolate and now I live in Hershey, PA and eat chocolate almost every day!
2. Even though I'm currently getting my Master's degree, I actually don't like school.
3. I will watch certain cartoons (mostly Backyardigans or Charlie and Lola) when there no kids around because I think they're super cute.
4. I am voting for Ron Paul.
5. Of all the guys I dated, I dated Billy for the shortest amount of time before we got engaged.

I'm tagging - anyone that wants to do it because pretty much everyone I know has done it already!

Massanutten, VA

2008-01-14T15:30:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Billy's grandparents, we were able to take advantage of their timeshare in Massanutten, VA for four glorious days of rest and relaxation at the beginning of January. It was a beautiful ski resort area where we could just run around and play outside, watch lots of movies, relax, and knit...okay, I'm the only one who knitted but it was fun.

The kids loved the great playground there and I love Will's cheesy face.

Kasia was content to swing for a while but soon got bored and then very muddy as she slid down the wet slide again and again.

Joe and Billy convinced Isaac that they used to play this game when they were little where someone chases you with a big stick and beats you if they catch you. The game lasted for a long time (probably until Joe got too tired) and lucky for Isaac, he never got caught.

No Jackson family trip to the mountains would be complete with out one of the famous Jackson family hikes. This small jaunt turned into a 4 hour excursion up the face of an incredibly steep mountain. Lucky for me, this prego stayed home. And nobody was hurt.

Don't ask me what Billy would've done here if either he or Isaac were to fall. Once again, glad I wasn't there.

The top of the mountain they hiked to.

A cave we discovered at the local pond. Kosh had no fear and headed right in (with Billy close behind). The boys weren't so sure but enjoyed listening to the echoes...

Thanks again, Bill and Audrey, for a great trip!

A quick catch-up

2008-01-14T14:54:00.000-05:00

No, the Jackson family is not dead, nor have we gone underground. The reason for our recent blogging-world absence is simply that I am a mother with three children who has just entered the last trimester of her pregnancy who is also going to school part-time to get her Master's (I got an A- in each of my classes last semester for those who are curious) and was incredibly busy over the holiday season. I'm sorry. But now we're back into the flow in life (any other mothers that were ready for school to start again?) so I'm hoping to have a little more blogging freedom. Here is my attempt to quickly catch you up on the happenings of the Jackson family over the last couple months, in no particular order.

My little sis, Meagan (aka "May-May") came to visit us for a whole month! Billy had a business trip to take in India and we were all glad that Meagan came to help out. She stayed from Halloween through Thanksgiving and this picture is of her eating her first bite of pumpkin pie since she was a little girl. Billy was trying to convince her that it's not nearly as bad as she remembers...may have been successful?

Auntie Em (Billy's little sister) came up for a day and went with the kids to Chocolate World. We wish she could've stayed longer! She's so much fun.

Our first ice storm! I couldn't believe how much everything was absolutely covered in ice. This is the rose bush and grass in our front yard. School was canceled for a couple days and we had no power or heat for a while. All over town there were trees and things that had been knocked over.

Once it finally warmed up a little for the ice to start melting, it became extremely windy, blowing chunks of ice everywhere...which didn't help with the power crisis. This pic is our side yard - it looks like someone dumped out their ice cooler!

Uncle Joe (Billy's bro) came for Christmas and New Years. This is his beautiful gingerbread house. You'd never guess he was the artist in the family. Here are some more pictures of our gingerbread house making adventures (for some reason the only pictures we took of Christmas, although I did get a lot of video).

Sorry, too lazy to rotate...

Can't you just sense the sugar?

Billy's Cocoa Castle...

We had a great Christmas with way too many presents and a lot of yummy food - exactly what Christmas should have, right? We missed all our family and loved ones as we spent our first Christmas with just us since we were married but thanks to modern technology we were able to talk to or see most of you! Gotta love the holidays.

Our Little Thumb-sucker

2007-11-13T20:06:00.000-05:00

So today I had my long-awaited ultrasound to answer a few of the questions about this pregnancy...like my due date and what we're having. I was so excited to find out that we'll be having another little boy! And my due date is March 31st. That's about 6 weeks before I have my finals. Things will definitely be interesting.

Anyway, I'm posting a few pics of the little guy for anyone interested.

I had trouble uploading a video so click here for a link to youtube to see it.

Isaac's Fall Party

2007-10-28T20:41:00.000-04:00

On Friday I got to go to Isaac's Fall Party at school and watch him in action...or not. How come the wacky and wild kid who never stops talking that lives in my house is not the same one sitting in that classroom? I'm sure the teacher appreciates it but I found it interesting nonetheless.

The kids played a few rousing games, including "Toss the Candy Corn Into the Pumpkin" (I didn't see one kid make it), "Pumpkin Bowling" (Isaac opted to chuck his pumpkin through the air into the pins instead of rolling it), and a contest to see who could roll their pumpkin the closest to the big pumpkin. Then they ate some yummy looking snacks (why didn't they bring enough for the parents?) and ended with the grand finale of the "Too-tee-tah Dance". I didn't want to be the annoying mom taking pictures so I failed to fully capture what Isaac looks like with his thumbs up, elbows back, feet apart, knees together, bum out, tongue out, and spinning in a circle (try it, it's amusing).

Halloween in Hershey: Part 4 - Kasia

2007-10-28T20:32:00.001-04:00

I am dedicating this post to Kasia, who took to Halloween like a fish to water. The first house was a little confusing to her but after that she had it down. She tolerated holding Billy's hand for the first little bit and then he was holding her back too much so she was off on her own. It was so funny to watch and we took about a million pictures of her. She would walk from house to house, kicking her little pink pumpkin bucket as she went, go up the walkway and say "Pees" (please) and then take her piece of candy and be on to the next. People at some houses thought she was so cute that they'd give her more than one piece (more for me!) but that started a bad trend because at later houses she would sometimes cry if they only gave her one. She's so funny! So props to Kosh on a great Halloween and enjoy the small selection of pictures.

Halloween in Hershey: Part 3 - Night on the Town

2007-10-28T20:25:00.000-04:00

Our first stop on the trick-or-treat route was the local police station where they were hosting a "safe trick-or-treat" night. Little did we know that besides juice and cookies, the boys would be photographed for the local newspaper with one of Hershey's own police officers. They were so excited!

After that we headed to Elm Street. Now why did I not think that going to Elm Street on Halloween night might be a little freaky? Thanks, mom, for helping me draw that connection. Lucky for us, nothing scary happened...except for maybe one house that went all out in decorations. We tried to capture it as best we could. I think they had their entire family there in full-out costumes and it seemed just like a real haunted house. The kids loved it!

The kids actually had the energy to trick-or-treat for about an hour and a half (including Kasia) and got way too much candy. But then again, that's the point of Halloween, isn't it?

Halloween in Hershey: Part 2 - Costumes

2007-10-28T20:12:00.000-04:00

Like I mentioned in my last blog, the costume part of Halloween presented quite a challenge.

Isaac had received a costume in the mail from his dad the day before and it was...scary. He said he wanted scary and scary is what he got...or gruesome. Call it what you want, he was most likely the freakiest little 5 year old in all of Hershey. I'm actually not sure what he was. I told him he was a zombie, which is what his dad later confirmed. He had decided, however, that he was a troll like the ones on the movie Willow. Only a child that is heavily influenced by Billy would decide that.

Will was a little trickier to dress. You see, he'd been wearing a different costume that we have in our dress-up clothes every day around town. He was a giraffe at parent-teacher conference, a power ranger at the grocery store...you get the idea. As a result, he kept changing his mind on what he wanted to be for Halloween. When it all boiled down to that last 30 minutes, he decided that he wanted to be Woody from Toy Story (thanks Mom). And he was a great Woody, topped off with Billy's cub scout hat from when he lived in Australia. He had a blast! Anyone who's spent significant time with Will knows that he takes his time in everything he does and this was no exception. He walked SO SLOW while we trick-or-treated and every few steps would take off his hat, hold it high, and say "Let's ride like the wind, Bulls-eye." (from the movie). What a nut!

Kasia was a cute little farmer girl complete with overalls, plaid shirt, curly pigtails, and freckles. It just doesn't get any cuter than her!

Halloween in Hershey: Part 1 - Pumpkins

2007-10-28T19:50:00.000-04:00

So this last Wednesday night a sweet neighbor informed me that trick-or-treating would take place on the following night. That's right - Thursday, October 28th. Thinking that perhaps he was getting a little kooky in his old age, I went online to check it out. Sure enough, the government of Pennsylvania has decided that they have the ability to change the dates of holidays. I'm thinking now I need to double check when Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years will take place so that I can plan accordingly.

This type of change is not one that a mother is thrilled to hear (especially a mother with a big midterm and 2 presentations coming up soon). I had to do some major schedule reshuffling and Thursday quickly became "All-Day-Halloween Day". I didn't have costumes for all the kids, the pumpkins hadn't been carved yet, and I had a few decorations that I wanted to put up over the weekend.

This first part of my Halloween blog will focus solely on carving pumpkins. Will was the only child who had carved a pumpkin before and so we had lots of fun picking our own faces and cleaning out the guts. I also thoroughly enjoyed the roasted pumpkin seeds that I was able to make with the innards of our pumpkins. Ahh, childhood memories...

Here are the final products:

True works of art in progress...

Isaac is glorying in the guts of his pumpkin.

Can you guess who's pumpkin this was???

Yes, this was my design of choice because it's fast and easy and it's what I feel like I've been doing for the past 4 months...

This was Will's "Mean Pumpkin"...with a little help from his dad.

Isaac actually drew the face of his pumpkin himself but I carved it for him...like I would give a 5-year-old a knife.

Why is it so impossible to get a decent picture of 3 kids under the age of 6?

How cool are these?

A Midnight Visitor???

2007-10-24T13:30:00.000-04:00

The boys woke the other morning to a pleasant surprise -- a large string hanging from the light fixture in me and Billy's bedroom to our bedpost. They sat with wide eyes and awakened imaginations as I spun a tale about an enormous spider that woke us up in the middle of the night as it started to create a web over our bed. Afraid we were about to become dinner for the spider, I shook Billy who proceeded to battle the spider with the baseball bat he keeps under the bed. After a long and arduous fight, Billy was victorious and the spider agreed to never return. All that remains is this one strand of his web...

The actual explanation: we have no lamp in our room for the time being and so we have to use the overhead light to read at night. Due to laziness, we tied this string so we can turn the light out without having to disturb a comfortable position and risk re-awakening ourselves.

Sunday Dinner at the Jackson

2007-10-24T13:17:00.001-04:00

On a normal Sunday, dinner at the Jackson household consists of the following: homemade waffles, eggs, sausage, and orange juice. And yes, keeping with the Nelson tradition, I do put peanut butter on my waffles.

However, this past Sunday was different. Call it a pregnancy craving or whatever you like, but I asked my hubby to make me Bigos - a Polish dish that he learned on his mission (a few of you have been blessed enough to have partaken of this meal with us in the past). I don't think I've asked Billy to make this since before Will was born since it takes most of the day to cook.

I was in heaven! The smell of Bigos filled the house and when we returned from church I could hardly make the mashed potatoes fast enough. In my selfish haste and excitement, I forgot to consider how the children would feel about this meal that may seem a little strange to them. After quite some time at the table, Will managed to eat about half of what he'd been given. Kasia would scream or violently shake her head if you tried to give her a bite. And Isaac ate 1/2 of a bite. I was baffled! What child wouldn't appreciate a meal that consists of chicken, kielbasa, cabbage, and prunes? I don't find it necessary to go into more detail, however, since a picture is worth a thousand words...

A Change for the Jacksons

2007-10-24T13:09:00.001-04:00

After having settled in our new home here in Hershey, we encountered a few problems with an appliance that I've come to rely on heavily - the washing machine. How does a mom with 3 kids survive without a functioning washing machine for more than 3 weeks? For me, the answer lie in the basement of the house we're living in (don't worry, the rest of the house looks nothing like this). I posted about doing laundry here in my Adventure Journey blog, which you can read here:

http://ajhub.com/blogs/adventuremom/archive/2007/10/18/adventures-in-laundry.aspx

Why am I writing about this now? Because a happy day has come! This past week we finally got a new washing machine...and a new dryer. It was like Christmas at our house. And not just for me, the main blessing-receiver in the story. Billy and the kids were equally as enamored. The children love to sit and watch the washing machine wash the clothes. And Will has become quite adept at loading it for me and helping to add the soap.

Ah, the simple pleasures of life...

The old laundry room I used to use was located through this tunnel of terror. No, this is not earthquake aftermath. This is infact the way to the washing machine.

Billy and the children happily watching the stains and soils magically remove themselves from their clothes.

An Outcry for Kasia

2007-10-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

So, since my last postings I've had an overwhelming outcry for more pictures of my little princess (yes, she is a princess and she knows it - I am now the queen). This demand for what I've deemed the most beautiful girl in the world has made me realize something - I don't take enough pictures of her! Why is that? I'm not sure. I'll have to work on it. In the meantime, here are a couple of cute ones for those who are hungry for more Kosh to enjoy!

What Kasia and I do while the boys are at school...

2007-10-18T13:48:00.001-04:00

Pretzels in Lititz, PA

2007-10-18T13:27:00.001-04:00

Last Wednesday we decided it was time for a little family adventure so we headed down the road a ways to Lititz, PA - maybe one of the quiantest towns around here (how can you really say with dutch country so close?). In town they have the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery - the oldest pretzel bakery in America. Inside, you can make roll out your own pretzel and bake it in their oven (warning: the ovens are being updated now so if you go any time in the next few months this feature won't be working). We got some of their hard pretzels as a sample and I think they may be the best pretzels I've ever had. Seriously. As a perk, we also met the great-grandson of Julius Sturgis out in the garden. What are the odds? And for those of you who ever want to get some for yourself (or send some to me as a gift because you love me and know that I deserve them) they are now referred to as Tom Sturgis pretzels.

After pretzel making, we walked up and down the streets looking at the awesome shops along the way. I'm sure we'll head back there someday again because there's so much we didn't get to see or do (including an old-fashioned chocolate factory with samples). We then had a delicious dinner at Roma's (2 huge pizzas for $10). Nothing makes a trip like good food!

Okay, I know that two of those pictures are sideways but I'm too lazy to rotate them before uploading. What can I say, I have limited time.

Big Day for Isaac

2007-10-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

As if moving to a new town and starting kindergarten weren't enough, Isaac decided to add a little more change to his life by losing his first tooth. Well, his first wiggly tooth to fall out, that is. I'm surprised he never misplaced it because he carried this itty-bitty tooth in his hand all day before I finally got him a ziplock bag to keep it in. He was so excited to put it under his pillow that night and even more excited to discover that the tooth fairy left him a whole dollar! He later confessed to being slightly worried that he would only get 35 cents like Grandpa Phil...

Look at that great smile! But that's actually not the tooth that fell out - the dentist pulled that one out much earlier this year.

There you can see the tooth that fell out. You can also see what Isaac looks like when you tell him to smile really big.

Back to School

2007-10-18T10:11:00.000-04:00

This week was a big week in the Jackson household for all members. Isaac and Will both started school this week - hooray! After much stress and working with the principal, the superintendent, and more, Isaac is officially enrolled at Hershey Early Education Center (the school district's Kindergarten). His teacher is Miss Smith and he is LOVING it! Aside from having something to do each morning and getting out of the house, the highlight for him is getting to ride the bus to school. He always gets on the bus with the biggest grin.

Will's first day of school was Tuesday (he goes Tuesday and Thursday and wants to go every day...and ride the bus like Isaac). He goes to Hilltop Christian Nursery School and it's a really cute school. On his first day, he was up and ready with backpack, jacket, and shoes about 2 hours before he had to be there.

Kasia's life has changed as well - she now gets mommy all to herself a couple mornings a week. Not to mention free reign over all the toys without any big boys telling her what to do or attempting to wrestle with her.

Billy and I are thoroughly enjoying the peace and quite that comes with having the boys gone.

Isaac's first day of school.

Getting on the school bus. I wish you could see his face but I didn't want to be the annoying mom that's slowing down the bus so I could take pictures.

Will's first day of school. I know he looks grouchy but he wanted me to take pictures of his "mad face". He was actually really happy.