It's great to be 8. Ask Jackson, he'll tell you all about it and anything else you want to know.

His teacher at school has a nickname for him: The storyteller.  It's true.  He will tell you one story and then while he is telling that story it reminds him of how someday we will have a black moon.  He will then explain to you how that is possible and he will do all this when there is just 3 minutes left before you have to leave and he will not have his shoes on, still need to practice his piano, finish a homework page and will be doing a fast and furious pee-pee dance.  He is smart.  Not just regular smart but the kind of smart that his brain never stops thinking, imagining, wondering and dreaming.  I love that about him even though it is frustrating when all I need him to do is turn that brain off and get some sleep.  Jackson has the sweetest smile and giggle.  He is full of joy and laughter and practical jokes.  He also indulges occasionally in the guilty pleasure of teasing a sister or two.  He can climb anything and has the ability to inspire me to prayer quicker than any of my other children when watching some of his antics.  He recently climbed a tall tree at the park (while some cute neighbor girls watched) hooked himself to the branch with his shirt(!) and then let go and flailed around.  A few parents thought he was stuck.  A few warned him about ruining his shirt.  He responded, " I'm fine.  My mom doesn't care if I ruin this shirt." WHAT??  He quickly learned differently that actually I have quite strict climbing and shirt-ruining policies.

Jackson wanted a bike ramp for his birthday.  Are you surprised?  

The cake--Jackson's candy dream come true.  

We had Jackson's birthday party at Laser Quest.  

Life with Jackson is never boring.   Oh, how I love this boy!

Classic.

How Robert and his iphone got eye surgery...

Max's rendition of the above photo.  

Kate's 11th Birthday

For Kate's 11th Birthday we threw a Spa Party.  The girls painted each other's toenails, tried different face masks and facial scrub.  We ate cake and watched Kate's movie choice: Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief.  I can't  believe this girl is eleven years old!  Wasn't I just changing your diapers?

Love.

I spy a Max with one of his many lovey's.  I love that when you sleep you always have your arms wrapped around one of your stuffed friends.  You have several that occupy your bed: Bunny-Lovey, Mac, and Buzz Lightyear.  Just so you know, I took your picture and then kissed your cheek and inhaled your sweet Max smell.  Some days I wish you would stay four forever.

Best. Dinner. Ever.

We ventured down to the strip to eat at a Vegas institution: Dupar's.  We dined on pancakes (amazing!), french toast, chicken fingers and rib-eye steak with french fries.  It was not the most healthy meal ever but it was delicious. (We did get a side of veggies but they were drowning in butter so I'm not sure that counts.)   We showed the kids Fremont Street and ate deep fried Oreo's and Twinkie's for dessert.  Maybe it was the sugar rush or the lights or maybe even the rain but it was an unusually magical evening for our family.

Easter

R.I.P. Jet Black Reynolds

Jackson's hamster died this week.  It was so sad.  He was such a good, sweet little pet for Jackson.  Jackson really wanted a pet for a long time.  He had to work hard to earn his hamster--convincing me and with good behavior.  He also did a great job of taking care of him.  He cleaned his cage out and always made sure he had plenty of food and water.  "Hammy"  as we nicknamed him had quite a few adventures.  He was a great escape artist and would chew his way out of his exercise ball and run it over and over again into the wall until the lid popped open and he escaped.  He also escaped once from his cage and we found him in Robert's suitcase hiding out with provisions.  I would often come into Jackson's room when Jackson was upset and find him cuddling and loving Jet to help soothe his hurt feelings.  I really never thought we would all get so attached to a Hamster but we did.  He was fun to watch and play with and we will really miss him.