Week 42 of 52 in 2017

Jackson:  With having the day before off and Michael able to take off with us, Jackson got to get in some goalie practice and he was declared ready to go.  Jackson has been waiting for this moment for the past couple of weeks.  He had a couple of good saves and showed strong intensity and was not afraid to go out and challenge the offensive players for the ball in his penalty box. So HAPPY and proud of him.

Connor:   Despite Connor constantly saying no that he didn't want to go to a Fall Festival, we planned and found the opportunity on the day the boys have off.  He reluctantly agreed and after picking up his Halloween costume, we headed off to Larriland.  We had been there the year before.  His skepticism wore off quickly when he was reminded of his love for apples.  He must have eaten 4 of the free apples despite the $31 worth that we had just picked....  That smile makes it worth everything.

Week 41 of 52 in 2017

Jackson:  We had finally made it to a Fall Festival but unfortunately, Michael didn't pay attention to the size of his food and was unable to swallow a piece of brisket.  This is not the first time that this has happened so we knew a trip to the ER was in order.  It took a long time to assemble the team that was going to perform the emergency endoscopy but through it all, Jackson was the best patient advocate anybody could ask for.  He made sure that Michael knew to tell them that his pain was at a high level to get immediate help.

Connor:  It was yet another Saturday morning and Manchester City was back in action. Real Madrid was too much for our team but Connor scored his 1st goal of the season and the only goal for the team.  After not scoring last year with West Ham, he was very eager to put one in the back of the net.  The angle that he had to take the shot was virtually impossible but somehow he did it.  We are so proud of his perseverance.

Week 40 of 52 in 2017

Jackson:  We weren't at soccer practice for more than 5 minutes before Jackson went down to the ground after colliding with a soccer goal.  He was so concerned when he saw the blood and was asking for constant reassurance that he wasn't dying.  I assured him that he would be fine but that a trip to the E.R. was in order to confirm that he didn't need stitches.  So proud of our little guy.

Connor:  Connor is quite the helper depending on the time of day and his mood. On this morning, Connor latched onto one of Michael's favorite lines and decided that it was time to organize the refrigerator.  I really do appreciate his willingness to help but it could have also been construed as a delay tactic on eating his breakfast....

Week 37 of 52 in 2017

Jackson and Connor:  It was the 1st full week of school and with social events on our calendar along with all of the sports commitments, EVERYONE in the house is exhausted. We are doing our best to adjust to the back to the school routine.

On this day, the boys were excited for Purple Friday so that they could show their support for the Ravens.

And, their morning routine of saying goodbye to Michael may have gotten even better. Besides saying goodbye this week, the boys were instructing him "to go to work and make a lot of money." They have been struggling with the amount of time that they are seeing him and we've explained that we can't do anything if daddy doesn't work so...well said boys.

Week 36 of 52 in 2017

Jackson and Connor:  It was finally time for school to start but not after getting our last jumps off the diving board before the pool closed.  After a fun week adjusting back to school, the week ended with a visit to RFES from Kona Ice.  We will need to figure out  how to adjust to the school routine all over again. Hopefully, bad attitudes will go away sooner than later along with a way to get more sleep to push the grumpies away from all of us.

Week 35 of 52 in 2017

Jackson: It was sneak a peek at the school after a long summer. Even if you asked him, Jackson said yes to being ready to return.  He was a little bummed that Caden had moved away but was excited to have the Maggie's and Andrew and finally Josh Denis. This is after he found his teacher's collection of books.  All smiles because his nose is often stuck in a book.

Connor:  Connor was definitely not ready to return to the school.  He was a little hesitant about having the new teacher as change is not really good for him.  But, finding these boys made all that hesitation disappear.  He is looking forward to a fun 2nd grade. And, as long as Jackson isn't his class, ALL is good in his world.  Connor was not meant to be a twin.

Week 34 of 52 in 2017

Jackson and Connor:  It was finally our week to vacation at the Peninsula in Middlesboro, DE.  Yet another great week together as our family of four. More blog posts to follow because a couple of pictures do not accurately describe how much fun we had.

Week 33 of 52 in 2017

Jackson and Connor:  We couldn't be prouder to report that the boys passed their swim test on Friday at Campus Cabana.  Jackson had previously tried but was told that his arm positioning during rotary breathing was too similar to a doggie paddle. They were able to connect with Ryan for another swim lesson who declared them both ready.  There were several people on the side of the pool cheering them on.  They were SUPER PUMPED to pass it and now it won't be a struggle to get them to the pool as going every day was making them not want to go very often.

Week 32 of 52 in 2017

Jackson: Ever since the new Penguin habitat opened at the zoo, we could spend hours watching and waiting for the penguins to swim underwater.  It has been almost 3 years but the excitement on his face in watching this is almost the same as it was when it opened.

Connor: Claire and Connor have an interesting relationship.  They always seem to gravitate towards one another when they are in a group setting.  At Boordy, they followed each other around and even enjoyed a game of Uno.  Maybe its the curls that they have in common. I'm definitely saving this in case it ends up in the wedding video!

Week 31 of 52 in 2017

Jackson: It was close between this pic and him eating his 1st sandwich at the pool but went with the picture of him wandering around Columbia Mall reading a book.  Connor and I always tease him that he has his nose stuck in a book like Belle in Beauty and the Beast.  In typical Jackson fashion and with his nose stuck in a book, he never had any issues or stumbles..

Connor:  Connor was incredibly apprehensive EVERY SINGLE TIME that it was time for the dentist. He's not generally big on change and has never been able to relax about going to the dentist. However, I think that he may have turned a corner. He was all smiles and asked for photographs and even handled the XRays, which were previously a NO. We are super proud of him.