Jacksen Marc McCauley

It seems like I always have lots to say about Megan and Kellan, but not much to share about Jacksen. SO, tonight's post is all about Mr. Jacksen! These days, Jacksen is a sweet, stubborn, cute, ornery, and loveable little 2 1/2 year-old. He loves workin' with his daddy, watching Bob the Builder and the Baby Einstein San Diego Zoo movie, playing cowboys with Kellan, saying the word "stupid" (because he's not supposed to say that word - remember this post http://mccauleykids.blogspot.com/2009/08/words-we-dont-say.html!), drinking sippy cup after sippy cup of milk, and eating lots of fruit snacks! When I ask him if he's tired, hungry, happy, etc., his reply is "NO! I'm Jacksen Marc!" He was our surprise baby...and he continues to surprise us everyday!

I couldn't write an entire post all about Jacksen without including a funny picture of our Littlest. Here he is with a mouthFULL of fruit snacks...did I mention that he would live on fruit snacks if we let him?!

Lots to Do!

Wow - we found a lot to do this weekend! On Friday evening we went to the Capital High football game. Not only did the Bruins have a great game, but we also saw lots of good friends! Saturday was spent cleaning and grocery shopping. Megan went to a birthday party while Marc and I and the boys went to Burger King for dinner. Afterward, we stayed up late watching Cars. This morning we washed our van and all three children got haircuts. THEN, this afternoon we went to the Jefferson County rodeo in Boulder with Grandpa McCauley. Can you believe, with all of this activity, I didn't even take one stinkin' picture?! I'll do better....I promise!

The Boys

I don't think I've mentioned that we have a new routine for our boys. Though Kellan really enjoyed his preschool and learned a lot there, we struggled with some behavior issues that progressed through last school year. We were seriously thinking about other options when our wonderful daycare lady, Arlene, let us know that she had an opening for another kid. At the same time we received notice that the preschool was implementing a rather substantial rate increase....and that pretty made up our minds for us! So, now the boys are back to going to daycare together and they LOVE it! Jacksen and Kellan have suddenly become great buddies and Kellan is taking his role of "big brother" very seriously! He seems to be growing up so much these days - and he's outgrowing those unsavory behaviors we experienced during the last school year...THANK GOD!!!

Lately the boys have become very interested in riding their horse. In fact, Kellan insists on having his own "rodeo" every night after dinner. He and Jacksen make a big production of changing into their jeans and boots and heading out to the corral together. Here are some photos of tonight's "rodeo":

Jacksen

Kellan

I remember that when each of our babies were born, I felt a little guilty about having less time for the other kiddo(s). But now I know that they are such a gift to each other!

Best Buddies

First Grade

Today was Megan's first day of first grade and she loved it! It's hard to believe how fast these years are flying by. Here is a picture of Miss Megan as we were heading off to school this morning:

I can't remember the last time I took a picture of Megan and she didn't strike a pose for me! What a girl! The boys saw me taking Megan's picture and they wanted in on the action:

Yep, these kids are morning people - they pretty much wake up happy every day!

A Little Breather

To say we had a great time in Vermont would be an understatement! Marc and I flew out early Thursday morning and, after a short layover in Minneapolis, landed in Hartford, CT around 5 pm. We picked up a rental car, checked into our motel room, and enjoyed dinner at a nice little resteraunt. The next morning we drove north through Massachusetts to a little village in Vermont called Grafton. You can check out this quaint little place at http://www.graftonvermont.org. Though it was very rainy, it was still warm and very beautiful! Friday evening we enjoyed a bbq and great conversation....and lots of entertainment by Chad Fero, one of Marc's high school buddies. The next morning we ate a delicious breakfast at the Old Tavern Inn and then Marc and Chad went golfing while I read a book and relaxed. The wedding was that evening and it was amazing - the most fun wedding I've attended in a long time! Stephen and Helena are a great couple and we are really excited for them! By Sunday morning we were ready to get back to our Helena life....and, most importantly, our children!

So...what were the McCauley kids up to while we were away? Well, Megan enjoyed her own little get-away in Bozeman with Auntie Ann and Uncle John. They saw waterfalls, went to the waterpark, and rode bicycles! Kellan spent his time with Grandpa and Grandma McCauley and Uncle Ryan. He said he had a fun time playing on the Slip 'n Slide with Uncle Ryan and helped Grandpa mow the lawn. And Mr. Jacksen spent the long weekend at Uncle Bill and Aunt Katy's house with his best buddy, Drew. They played at the park and rode their tricycles together!

It was good for all of us to have a little space and fun for a few days! I am so much more calm and relaxed now that I have had a little breather - I highly recommend this for all parents and plan on doing it again...hopefully I won't wait another SEVEN YEARS, though! Though I feel it's important to spend as much time as possible with our children, I am realizing that it's also important to spend time with Marc and take a little time for myself sometimes - I think it makes me a better wife and mom!

ANYWHO, after our great weekend and a birthday celebration for Grandpa McCauley tonight, I am going to bed. One thing I didn't mention about my weekend was the fact that I caught Mr. Kellan's seemingly minor cold the night before we flew out. WELL, I spent an hour and a half at Urgent Care this morning to find out that I am suffering from a severe double ear infection (you can imagine how much fun it was flying with very sore ears!)...so I think I better get some rest! (I'll post pictures from our trip as soon as I figure out where I put my camera when I unpacked it last night!)

We're Outta Here!

So, the other day I mentioned that Marc and I are taking a trip. We are going to a wedding in Vermont....with NO kids! Nope, not even one! Marc's good friend from high school is getting married in a little Vermont town called Grafton. It will be nice to enjoy some uninterrupted time together - we might even get to finish an entire conversation. We haven't had that opportunity in...oh...about seven years! Megan and Kellan have slept away from us before, but this will be Jacksen's first time...I hope he isn't traumatized for life. I just keep telling myself that his Aunt Katy and Uncle Bill will take good care of him!

Though you will not be blessed with one of my uplifting and entertaining blog posts until Sunday (or probably Monday), rest assured the next one will be worth the wait!

Playground Time

Though the weather was chilly and rainy most of the weekend, we took advantage of a rain break and spent some time at the Rossiter School playground yesterday. Miss Megan wowed us all with her monkey bar skills and Kellan and Jacksen had a great time going down the slides.

The forecast calls for summer weather to return this week - just in time for Marc and I to fly away on a little trip....more on that later....