James and the Giant Peach Jr. at the Children's Playhouse of MD

The boys had such a great time at Mary Poppins at the Children's Playhouse of Maryland that we were definitely ready to get the boys back to the theater.  We had never read or seen the movie so we borrowed the Disney version to get us up to date on the story.

We arrived and were treated to seats very close to the stage.  The kid actors were again very good and a lot of them had been in Mary Poppins so there were familiar faces.  The boys' favorite part of the play, like the movie, were the animals that help James get from the UK to New York. 

They again offered the ability to get autographs from the cast.  The boys made sure to secure all of the bugs, including the grasshopper, Miss Spider, ladybug and the centipede. Their favorites were the Miss Spider and centipede.  Several of the members of the cast remembered Jackson from all the waving at Mary Poppins.  He definitely makes an impression on others...

This was the narrator.  We all remember seeing him in Mary Poppins.  James Henry Trotter had a lot of people surrounding him.  The boys were able to get autographs but pictures were not that clear. James was also in Mary Poppins. 

Spiker and Sponge were fantastic.  The boys were unable to get pictures with them because they are James' evil aunts.  They did such a great job playing their roles.  We hope they didn't take it too personal that they couldn't do a picture!  

Celebrating Aidon

The boys were incredibly excited when they heard about Aidon's party at SkyZone.  They hadn't been in months and it is such a fun place. And, celebrating a friend's birthday made the idea of going back even more fun. It also gave the boys some time to spend with some of the boys from Ms. Guth's class. 

Aidon getting acknowledged by the Sky Zone staff. 

Sky Zone was super organized and had held the kids in a room prior to releasing them giving them rules about what could and could not be done along. They even offered a lounge room with a television and refreshments. 

Walking over to the jump area.  

Chase, Jackson, Conor and Chase 

Carson, Everett, Graham

Lisa inspecting the group and making plans for some dodge ball tournaments for the parents. 

It was such a fun time celebrating Aidon and we discovered the goodness that is Dominick's Pizza. Hopefully, they will deliver to the Forge. 

Picking up daddy at the airport

Michael was away for a couple of days visiting friends in Tampa.  While he was gone, the boys had a 1/2 day and Jackson was diagnosed with strep throat. We were able to handle everything that was thrown out as including the sick visit, first ever food from Burger King as a treat for the patient, watched the Love Bug for the 1st time and very restless sleep for Jackson. 

They boys were very excited to get to the airport. We packed several snacks as it was close to dinner. 

Once we arrived, I had explained to the boys the process of checking the arrivals. Now that they are reading so well, they could read the entire arrivals board.  We were so happy to confirm that his flight was arriving on time. 

There was lots of waiting but they continued the good work of following the arrivals chart. Connor was obsessing over the Starbucks that was in his view.  However, our standing rule is no frappucinos when it is cold. So, we waited some more until he finally emerged. 

Reunited!! And, we were out of the airport to get to the car and quickly find dinner. Their excitement could only last so long as all of her stomachs were grumbling. 

Celebrating Dr. Seuss' Birthday

It was time to celebrate Dr. Seuss birthday and both boys had a pajama day and were instructed to bring in a Dr. Seuss book to read and share with the class.  Each year, we have these red and white striped versions that are prefect for Valentine's and Christmas and are a perfect example of the stripe's in the Cat's hat.  The boys have really come to LOVE when it is pajama day.  So, it helps lessen the sting of the cost of said pajamas. 

The official together pic followed by the outtakes because apparently smiling and looking at the camera at the same time is still asking too much of our 6 year olds.  You can really see Jackson's missing teeth really well. 

Connor has been obsessed with all things Dr. Seuss and some of his first words were Cat and Hat.  As a toddler, he would wake up from his nap and sort all of his abridged versions of the Dr. Seuss classics.  He could spend hours organizing the books with almost precision assuring that each book was equidistant from the other.  And, he spent just as much time trying to keep Jackson from touching the books. 

And, a flashback to our Cat loving 2 1/2  year old. Cat, Cat, Cat was on repeat ALL DAY LONG!!!!

Connor really wanted to bring The Big Red Book of Beginner Books that Santa Claus was kind enough to bring to him.  We cautioned him that the book was heavy and that there was a chance that it could get ripped.  He argued his case but eventually understood that it was more important to be able to read it at home than share.  Begrudgingly, he picked If I Ran the Zoo. 

Jackson settled on Thidwick the Thick Hearted Moose.  We are not really sure of why as there are so many other favorites but he is always full of surprises.  Love the toothless smile. 

A lost 2nd Tooth

When we were in the dentist's office a couple of months ago, the dentist confirmed that Jackson had only 1 loose tooth.  Jackson was unable to leave the adjacent tooth alone. We were begging him to leave it alone.  

At no point did we ever think that his inability to leave it alone would result in him actually loosing another tooth.  Apparently, he knew what he was up too.  And, this time, we actually have a tooth to give to the Tooth Fairy. 

A Star Wars Valentine's Celebration

The boys had been chatting about Star Wars and the Super heroes a lot and most of the conversation has been focused on Star Wars. They had questions that we didn't really have answers for.  They've both been reading some books that they were given and definitely know more about it than their mom and probably their dad. 

So, the boys woke up on Valentine's Day morning to some gifts from Cupid.  Cupid was kind enough to deliver some candy, some learn to draw books, Star Wars stickers and colorings books and most importantly the Star Wars Trilogy, which included A New Hope, Return of the Jedi and the Empire Stripes Back.  The boys couldn't handle themselves when they saw the DVDs.  We compromised and decided that we could watch the movie after we got back from swim lessons.  I guess we are entering a galaxy far far away.

Update to the Tooth Tree at RFES

Jackson was so excited about his lost tooth and his name being put on the tooth tree in Ms. Shapira's office as so many of his classmates already had.  Unfortunately, he was too shy to tell Ms. Thomas on the day he lost it (despite being so excited) and there was a substitute in on Friday.

So, we chatted this morning about what he needed to do and he made sure to get to the nurse.  She kindly gave him a lost tooth necklace and put his name up on the tree.  

As you can see, he was very happy to finally get the necklace. 

A Lost and Swallowed 1st Tooth

Jackson's dentist had alerted us in the fall that he had one loose tooth and on track to loose it in a couple of months. So, this morning, Jackson went about his business eating lunch and he walked upstairs to go to the bathroom and get ready for school.  

After going to the bathroom, he relayed, "I lost my tooth and I swallowed it."  We were all in shock that it happened and that he really couldn't find it.  Picture proof of the lost tooth. 

He went off to school and reported the missing tooth to the nurse and he went up on the Tooth Tree in her office and came home with an empty tooth case.  Since we didn't have a tooth to give to the Tooth Fairy, we decided on a note.  His note reads "I swallowed my tooth. XOXO Jackson Feb. 4th."  

We are so proud of him and his handwriting has gotten so much better since the start of school.

The tooth fairy delivered something forJackson and he was ALL smiles. 

Sledding with the gals

We had asked the gals what they were doing and they were up for some sledding so we met them over by the school.  Before the girls arrived, the boys were able to get a couple of runs in.  It was definitely getting harder and harder to get down the hill as the snow was melting and there was more ice than snow.  So, we are very happy that the boys got in a chance to have some more fun.

Claire's mom was kind enough to bring hot chocolate and marshmallows for all of the kids to warm up in the cold of the snow.  Connor was definitely ready to indulge.  The hot chocolate was so warm that the kids had to use the snow/ice to cool it off. 

Jackson, who definitely doesn't lack in the confidence department with the girls, wanted to join the girls on their sled.  When there wasn't enough room, he just decided to hold on and take a ride. Luckily, the girls didn't mind. 

Jackson and Connor with  Sydney, Claire and Mary

Jackson finally worked Mary down enough to get him and Connor on the sled.  The parents kept on shaking their heads when the kids kept trying to pile more than one kid on the sled because the sled wasn't really moving at all.  But, whatever makes them happy!!