Jackson's first shave

 With a co-ed mixer looming, Jackson decided it was time to shave his "mustache!"  Exact date was Sept. 23, 2026...

Norah's birthday card to Jackson

On the Friday about 5 days before Jackson's birthday, Norah came home from camp very excited about a birthday card she had mailed to Jackson.  She excitedly ran out to the mailbox to see if it arrived.

Friday:  Norah, the mail doesn't arrive the same day you send it.

Saturday: Norah, the mail usually takes more than one day

Sunday: Norah, there's no mail delivery on Sunday

Monday: Norah, it's not here yet, let's check tomorrow

Tuesday: Norah, it's not here yet, let's check tomorrow

Wednesday (Jackson's birthday): Norah, distracted by birthday donuts doesn't notice there was no mail delivery today...

Thursday: Norah's moved on, but still no mail delivery

Friday: still no mail delivery

Saturday: still no mail delivery

Sunday: All our backlogged mail arrives, including the birthday card!

The Long-Awaited Card Arrived!

The card was super sweet.  Here's what her camp counselor transcribed for the text of the card:

Dear Jackson,

I love that you play with me.  And I like it when you sit in the car next to me.  Happy birthday to you, Jackson.  I love that you play Pokemon with me at home.

                                                                                        Love,

                                                                                         Norah 

 

Who's exactly seven? Jackson Leven!

The post title is what Jackson greeted me with on the morning of July 29, 2020.  I guess he hadn't forgotten his birthday ;-).  

Donuts for the local "street gang"

Kiddie pool

Diving? (He was fine)

New wheels

If this birthday had a theme, it was Pokémon

Cannonball Run

Slide Mania!  Thanks Aunt Julie and Uncle Dave!

Add caption

It's Good!

Grill Chief

The younger half

Gift Time

Jackson loses his second tooth

On January 23rd, 2020 Jackson lost his second tooth.  He was pumped to get another silver dollar.  The third one looks like it will fall in the next couple days...

Jackson loses his first baby tooth!

On January 9, 2020 Jackson lost his first baby tooth!  

The day before, it became really loose at school and Jackson played with it incessantly.  The next morning, before Will was fully awake, he pulled it out with his bare hands. ;-)

Jackson goes to Kindergarten!

Today was Jackson's first day of Kindergarten in Mrs. Barnes' class.  He was ready to go!

Jackson Pedals His Own Bike

This weekend, Grandpa and I put the pedals on Jackson's bike (pedals had been removed to use it as a scoot-bike). 

In his first outing, he was riding well on his own with help at the start and stop.

 In his second session, he learned to start and stop on his own.  Now he can ride as fast as his dad can sprint!

Thanks Grandma for the photos!

Jackson's First Baseball/T-ball Game

Today was Jackson's first baseball game.  I was a bit apprehensive since we had missed both of the team's practices while on our spring break trip, but Jackson was ready to go!

Looking Sharp

Warming Up With Grandpa (at Norah's soccer game)

I thought Jackson was playing tee-ball, so his one 15-min batting practice consisted entirely of hitting off a tee.  Imagine my surprise when the coach started pitching to the first batter.  Turns out that each kid gets three pitches, then hits off the tee. 

Jackson's first hit...on his first pitch!

 Jackson wasn't phased though.  He swung and hit the first pitch he ever saw -- practice or game!  It was also the first hit by anyone on his team (he was the 7th batter, some of the later batters also connected). 

Running home for his first score

In his second at-bat, he made solid contact off the tee.

Jackson's learning to write

Jackson has been showing a new interest in learning to write the last week or two.  He sometimes asks us to write a word or short phrase on a piece of paper and he will copy it.

As a sample, this came home from school today.  At first I was amazed at how well he wrote "March Birthday Cake" mirrored, but then I realized he traced it from those words written on the other side. :-)

Jackson's First Soccer Game

Saturday was Jackson's first soccer game.

Sporting his new uniform.

Warming Up

Jackson favorite activity -- spectating from on the field ;-).

Pronouns

For a while, we've noticed that Jackson confuses pronouns (we assume that this is normal).  The most common mistake was Jackson referring to himself as "you" after we had referred to him as "you".

Will:  Jackson, may I sit next to you?
Jackson:  Daddy, sit next to you.

Last week, we noticed he suddenly started switching "you" and "me" appropriately.

Will:  Do you want to go to the store with me?
Jackson:  I'll go to the store with you, Daddy.

Gratitude

In the last week or two, we've noticed that Jackson has started saying "Thank You" unprompted when someone gives him something.  On Tuesday, we gave him a toy car transporter.



Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Parents:  You're welcome, Jackson.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Parents:  You're welcome, Jackson. We're happy that you like it.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Parents:  (share "what do we do now glance?")
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
Jackson:  Thank you Mommy and Daddy for the car transporter.
...
Parents:  Jackson, are you ready for milk?