Jackson's Grandparents day performance

Today when we dropped Jackson off the school building, every parent and teacher we know asked us: aren't you going to stay? It turns out today is White Rock North's Grandparents' day performance. Since grandparents are out, we didn't think of asking school if we could join.

Luckily other parents posted the photo and video of his stage performance. It started with a poem and ended with a sweet song. It's the cutest thing and I am bummed that I didn't go.

https://www.facebook.com/cashlie.goertz/videos/1398322640181406/

Poem:
On this special day, We really want to say.
We are so glad you are here, you make us cheer.
Sit and stay a while, you always make us smile.
Whatever you do, today is about you.

Song Lyric:
Grandma Grandpa, Grandma Grandpa
Today is for you, today is for you
We want to thank you, we want to thank you
Yes I do, yes I do

At bedtime, Jackson sang the song and recited the poem again. I tried singing and reciting and he was super strict with the wordings with me until I get it completely correct.

We miss you, Grandma and Grandpa. Have fun in Australia!

P.S. Yesterday his new teacher Mrs Sneeze told me Jackson was the best behaved kid on the class that day. Ha! That Rascal!

P.P.S. I think Jackson has the potential to be a poet. Last week every morning on the way to school he would look at the moon and say: Hi, Mr. Moon Moon Moon... You are out late!

The $%^& Jackson Does: Brown dust monster

Jackson started to use scared of monsters and ghosts to get us back upstairs after lights out  a couple of months ago. He became more specific today when I was preparing him for bed.

Jackson: Mommy, there is a brown dust monster. He makes the room very dirty. I'm very scared of him.

I came downstairs and shared Jackson's concern with Will and his reply is: Is that monster's name Jackson?

  

Who is that cool kid?

Norah turns 1! (almost)

Today we celebrated Norah's 1 year old birthday. Our little princess has grown up! She started to try free standing, sleep through the night and show some personality. She is a outgoing person based on how popular she is in her daycare. The teachers all coo over her when she shows up because she is always all smiles.

Taking steps

Always smiling 

Also has a goofy side

Brother is eyeing my presents!

A happy busy Labor Day

This Labor Day we went to Austin for Chloe and Bruno's baby shower and house warming party. Total of 17 adults and 6 kids came to their party from Dallas and California. Our previous neighbor Johnathan and Lindsey invited us to stay with them and we happily accepted.

Norah had just started to sleep through the night three times in a row. And we were nervous about this trip that our routine would be broke again. We went after a morning stroll to burn off some of their energy Saturday morning. We stopped for lunch at Waco, which makes a good break for potty and a later nap. The drive went much smoother as I thought as they both slept after the lunch break.

We joined everybody at Chloe's new house. It is in East Austin and is a modern design. The house fit them and is decorated nicely. Jackson met with his "twin" Oscar who was born three days later than him. They started playing together immediately.

Buddies reconnected

We left early to go to Terrazas' house since it's about 45 minutes away. They have a 4 year old boy and 2 year old girl, plus two 13 year old dogs. Jackson was so happy to have two dogs to play with in those two days. He kept on following them and petting them, occasionally annoy them. And the house with 4,3,2,1 year old kids is never quiet.  Jackson told us he didn't want to go home.

What a houseful!

Norah was jealous of all the actions

The highlights of the trip are a boat ride on Lake Travis. The Terrazas belong to a boat club and they reserved a pontoon boat for Sunday morning. The kids are mesmerized by the boat ride, except Norah got a bit scared at the beginning of the loud engine noise and strong wind. We went in for a swim and stopped at the Rough Hollow Grill for some good food.

We also enjoyed the gatherings at Chloe and Bruno's place. It reminded me of how I grew up -- a big house full of people and kids of all ages. People comes in, people comes out. There is always somebody in the kitchen cleaning and cooking, kids entertaining each other without being bored. We didn't get to be there as much as I wished because of Jackson and Norah's sleeping schedule, but we felt the warmth and energy of the party.

We took a walk in the neighborhood of Sweetwater Monday morning before we leave. Austin is growing in front of us. We were not far from Bill and Jenny's old house. We were thinking of them all the time when we were in Austin.

The trip back is not as smooth as heavy traffic added 1.5 hours on our journey and it took us 5 hours to get home. It exceeded Jackson and Norah's good behavior limit in a car. But we are now happily home and can't wait to be back to our routine ... until next time we travel!

Norah first time in the pool

She loves being in the water! 

Ouray 2016

2016 summer break, we joined Grandma and Grandpa again in Ouray, Colorado for some serious fun!

Norah started early on reading

A hike with daddy on the first day is delightful

Grandma, Grandpa, Jackson and Mommy went jeeping to Yankee Boy Basin, passing by Twin falls.

Jackson's favorite activities is throwing rock and snow in the lake

Ice cream for our hiking line leader. Jackson surprised all of us on a steep hike to cascade fall.

Jackson built a fire with help of Grandpa and Mommy

A beautiful stop on the way to Clear Lake

Norah enjoying the beautiful Clear Lake with Grandma

A trip won't be complete without throwing a rock in the lake

Hiking in Black Canyon of Gunnison, Jackson saw a snake THIS big!

A beautiful day to do Razer

Many sheep roam the mountain

mmmm, S'more!