Summer Fun!

In about 3 weeks Jackson will start 1st grade! He has spent the summer at summer day camp at the YMCA, but is SO ready to head back to school. He went on his first field trip with camp on Wednesday to the Fort Worth Zoo and was a little disappointed because he didn't see a lion.

Last week Jacob and I took off a few days for a Stay-cation. Jackson experienced several "firsts". He went to Six Flags and had a blast! His favorite ride was the Runaway Mine Train, but also enjoyed another ride that you get totally soaked on as well. The next day we went to Hurricane Harbor (water park) and Jackson had a good time there. On Saturday we took him to a baseball game, Grand Prairie Air Hogs. This was a great choice for his first real sports event. Before the first pitch had been thrown, he was already asking how much longer we were going to stay. I think he sampled everything they were selling at the snack bar. He just not really into anything sports related. Things got better when their mascot "Scout" appeared and Jackson watched him entertain the crowd for the rest of the game. I'm really glad we chose this over taking him to the Texas Rangers at $60/ticket.

While we were out having fun with Jackson, poor little Austin spent the days with Nana recovering from the hand, foot and mouth virus.

Here are a few photos of our fun!

Kindergarten is coming to an end...

It is so hard to believe that Jackson's kindergarten year is almost over! He has grown tremendously since the beginning of the year in so many ways. Academically he has grown 8 levels in reading and has gone from not being able to read to reading at about a 2nd grade level. Gone are the days of being able to spell things to Jacob, Jackson can decode our messages now.

Several times throughout the year he has taken standardized tests in reading and math. I almost could not believe the scores! In reading his goal for the year was 165. The first time he took the test he received a 151 (78th percentile), in December/January he met the goal at 165 (90th percentile) and on the final test taken last week he scored a 181 (will update percentile). In math his goal was 160. The first time he took the test he received a 144 (51st percentile), in December/January he met the goal at 165 (87th percentile) and on the final test taken last week he scored a 182 (will update percentile). We are extremely proud of him!

Behavior this year has been a challenge, but in the last month we have seen a change in him and he has started maturing. First grade, here he comes!

Austin at 18 months

Weight: 18lbs 12oz
Height: 30 inches

 Austin doing wonderful! He is now totally on table food with one pediasure a day to help with extra calories. He LOVES "cooks" (cookies) and anything sweet.

Developmentally he is still catching up, but was released from physical therapy about 2 weeks ago. He is walking more consistently. His next challenge is learning to standup in the middle of the floor rather than pulling up on something. The OT thinks he may have a little depth perception issue so we ordered him wooden puzzles to help him with that. His next follow up with the opthamologist isn't until august although the retina foundation (they do more in depth vision testing) has said his vision is age appropriate.

Austin has come such a long way and I can't wait to see what the future holds!

STAR SCHOLAR!

We are SO proud to announce that Jackson was Star Scholar today! This is HUGE for him. He not only had to go all day without getting into trouble but exceeding all expectations. 

We made a point to call grandma and papa as well as nana and big pa to deliver this awesome news. Jackson thought it would be funny to play a joke on his grandparents and told them he was on pause, which is the worst possible place to be, because he punched someone. He's a joker and wouldn't actually do that though. Silly boy! 

Catching up with Jackson!

My BIG boy is now 6 1/2 and it's hard to believe! 

He's doing great in school! He's reading between a 1st and 2nd grade level. He is WAY above average in the testing areas and met his goal for the year right after the first of the year. Jackson's biggest challenge at the moment is behavior...it's SO hard not to talk or act up when you are completing assignments quickly and have free time. He is a talker!

Jackson loves video games at the moment and playing on the computer. Superheroes are his biggest interest, especially Batman. He is a sweetheart and still loves cuddling with mommy. He's a great big brother to Austin and tries to play as much as Austin will let him. He's very protective of his brother and when he gets the occasional comment about his little "sister" (he looks nothing like a girl), Jackson is quick to let them know politely that he has a BROTHER!

I just looked back and realized its been a year since my last post!

Here's a few pics of big brother:

Catching up with Austin!

Weight: 18lbs 8oz

Height: 29.5 inches

I know it's been a LONG time since I last posted, but Austin is doing wonderful!!! We've been busy with doctor appointments, birthday parties, etc. Austin turned one on September 21st and he celebrated with close family. Here are a few pictures from his party...

K

Austin had his 15 month check-up not long ago and is healthy, healthy! I'm sure many remember all we went through with Austin having a milk protein allergy. I'm excited to say that it is complete resolved and he is now on whole milk. We are also giving/mixing with Pediasure to increase the calories since he is still on the small side. He is eating table food by the fist full and will eat anything you give him. He has 16 teeth (that is not a typo) so eating is no issue other than shoving too much in at a time. 

Developmentally he is catching up everyday and is really close to walking. He takes a few steps and can really walk just lacks confidence. You can't look away for a second because he is on the move and into everything! He knows how to comb his hair and is starting to use a spoon. He loves music and will dance or bob his head. His vocabulary is increasing everyday and his favorite word is "cook" for cookie. 

Here are some more up to date photos since I start a post but haven't finished one in a while. Hoping to do better!