Swimming Success!

Today was a big day in the life of Jackson Hays. It was his first introduction to floaties. So, without further adieu...check out how much more fun the pool just got for this little guy.

He can hang out and chat with me...

swim on out to the middle of the pool...

the smile really says it all...he was so happy about this new-found freedom!

He got so brave, he even swam all the way across the pool to the little waterfall steps. I was so proud!

Wild Weekend

Jackson was all smiles when he arrived at the "party" on Saturday night. He had spent a fun-filled day with his daddy, but was ready to hang out with the gang. He even wore his new party shirt. Jared said that he insisted on putting on his red hawaiian shirt--I love it!

Jackson got to meet JP for the first time and really had fun scoping out all of his new cool toys. This bulldozer was a fave for a while...

Then it was time to move over to the conference table and do some light reading. Jackson's "reading" to JP here and showing him the pages.

JP decided he could hang with the big boy and picked up a book himself:)

These two dudes weren't still for long, though, and soon had talked JP's mommy into taking them on a ride. They saw all kinds of wildlife on their neighborhood safari.

Since it was such a pretty day on Sunday, we decided to continue our time outdoors and invited the fam over to go swimming.

The water was a little cool to begin with, but then it felt AWESOME!

Madison did great--she even went under 4 times and never cried one tear...we're hoping that Jackson takes some pointers from her!

I was so excited, though, b/c Jackson actually went swimming! Last year we could not keep him in the water--he was much more content to just play with the water hose. Here he is taking a jump off the spa.

"Wow! This really is fun, mom! Way better than that water hose."

"AGAIN! AGAIN!"

After all that jumping, this little guy was ready to take it easy. He took in some rays in his turtle float and enjoyed the Sunday afternoon. Ahhh, how nice. Can't wait to do it again.

Junior Fire Chief

FYI, Firehouse Subs has the best deal around for kid's meals. All kid meals come with a nice, red Fire Chief hat. So cool! Jackson went there yesterday with his daddy and came home with this great hat.

He wore it all around the house this morning and was in such a great mood.

Jackson was already in awe of all things fire station related; fire fighters, big ladders, fire engines, ambulances, and the fact that when we donated money to their fund last week, the fire man gave Jackson a neat sticker. This has just sealed the deal, though. Fire Fighters are way cool.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the three day weekend at Lake Texoma and really enjoyed ourselves. Lots of activities were offered at The Raines Resort and Jackson participated in just about all of them! First things first, though...gotta get your sun gear on.

Madison's ready with her sun hat:)

Activities at the Raines Resort included splashing in the new Dino Pool...

moving water and boats in the water table...

catching some rays with Mom and Hayley...

teaching Maddie how to make Bubble Dog blow bubbles...

driving down to the lake in the golf cart...

taking a ride on Dad's shoulders...

pushing Madison on her car...

checking out the wild life (in this case it was the roly polys)

chowing down on LOTS of good food (in this case it was an ice cream sandwich)...

and FINALLY taking time out for a nap! The last day both Madison and Jackson fell asleep in Boom Paw's lap. Naturally. I had tried everything for 3 days straight to make these two go to sleep and they fought me every step of the way. Guess Boom just had the touch:)

What a fun weekend! Thanks Gigi, Boom, Adam and Hayley for spending it with us!

Summer's Here!

We have been love, love, loving the great weather this past week. Here are some highlights of how we've been enjoying the outdoors.

Jackson and Madison riding their bike and train. Love the little baseball cap...especially on Maddie.

At the spray park in Rockwall. So glad he didn't turn that red thing around and squirt me with water!

Blowing bubbles with Gigi at the spray park. This was quite the hit with all the kids. We had 2 or 3 little kids just run up to our blanket and ask to blow bubbles. To my surprise, Jackson let them...reluctantly. One of the little girls could have been a double for Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. No joke. She looked exactly like her!

Madison checking out the water. It was her first time at a spray park and she did so good!

Fighting over Jackson's new bucket. Bet you can guess who won that one. He compromised by giving her his other bucket.

After all that water and sun-filled fun, little munchins need to recharge witn some goldfish.

Racing daddy in Memaw and Poppy's backyard last night. Jackson won every time!

After all those sprints, guys need to relax. This lasted about 3 seconds, then it was time to race again.

Enjoying some of Memaw's cake. He passed on the cheeseburger and tater tots and went for the watermelon and cake instead. One for two isn't bad.

Checking out a lightning bug with daddy. Not so sure about those crazy flying bugs.

Ready for a big weekend at the lake. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

They don't call 'em "terrible" for nothin'

It's official! We have hit the dreaded TERRIBLE TWO'S!!! Let's just recap the day so far and see what y'all think.

6:53 am: wakes up hollering, "Mommy, waffles!!" When I dared change his diaper first before making his waffles, the terrible-ness began. At this point it was a dull whining that got on my nerves. Mind you, I had just been SOUND asleep a mere two minutes before the whining started.

8:25 am: Throws fit when I don't pick up all 4 books to take with us upstairs. Get books, we're all ok now.

9:55am: Sees a vacuum in our garage. Since we're on our way to The Little Gym, I scoop him up and put him in the car. Bad idea. Screamed the entire 20 minutes to Little Gym about wanting to play with the "vacuumer." Argh. I almost turned the car around but then I thought about having to endure more whining alone, at home, so I kept driving.

10:15am: Refuses to greet Miss Jessica at Little Gym or participate in any of the warm-up activities.

11:30am: Shopping for a birthday present at Target now. Sees the water gun section and almost has a kniption b/c he wants one so bad. Did not give in, though, since they were for kids 6 and up. Then sees a kid rake, shovel and water nozzle and decides he absoulely MUST have it. It was $9.89, so I got it and spared myself and the rest of the Target-goers from his wrath.

12:15: Eating lunch...things are going well. He's almost done and I hear a loud dripping sound. He has peed his pants and it's going all over the floor. Gets way upset...not because he's covered in pee, no, it would be because he's mad that I'm now washing his clothes. Silly mom, what are you thinking? Screams "shorts! shorts! shorts!" no less than 100 times.

I could go on, but I'm getting exhausted just re-living this day. He's finally taking a nap now so hopefully he'll wake up and decide that being 2 isn't so bad afterall. Let's hope.

If Jackson had a sister...

I'm pretty sure this is what she would look like! Chloe and her mama came over for a playdate last week and we all had fun hanging out.

I just really cannot get over how much they resemble one another. They've both got seriously blue eyes and precious blonde hair. Too cute:) Chloe, Jackson really wants you to come back one day so that you can play upstairs and go for a ride on Trigger.