While checking out blogs today, my friend had a giveaway post. The only thing you need to win is to be fast. So here are the rules:
1. I will make something for the first 3 people that comment on this post. It will be surprise and you will get it sometime in the next 365 days (yup, that's a year), but I'm going to try to get it to you by Christmas.
2. To get a special homemade surprise from me, you have to be willing to play the game as well. So, basically, you promise that you will post a similar giveaway on your blog.
3. You need to have a blog, so you can post your own giveaway :). (I suppose you could do it on Facebook, as well.)
4. Make sure you leave me a way to contact you. So, if we're not friends on Facebook or I don't know how to stalk you very easily, leave me your e-mail.
Jackson has been asking to go to the UP (Upper Peninsula) ever since the scouts at school started bragging about going there to find turtle shells. (They have been on a major campaign to get him to switch to the school pack and it's getting hard to fight the big budget of the fun school scouting activities.) Jackson called Barrington at work on Thursday and asked if we could go "up north" that weekend. Clearly, Barrington was not listening and said that we could go.
Enter The Scheduler. (That's me.) Who kindly reminded the duo that they had a flag football game that wouldn't be over until 4:30 on Saturday and had to be back home for school and work on Monday morning. The Planner (also, me) informed Barrington that it takes 4.5 hours to drive to the southern most point of the UP. Needless to say, we had a disappointed little guy. That's when The Rockstar (me, too) had a brilliant idea. I decided I would find a place close by and I would take Jackson on an overnight trip, just the two of us. My friend Corinne takes her children for a fun trip when they reach certain ages and I've always thought it was something that I would like to start with my boys. All the confusion, plus the fact that I didn't have any church responsibilities this week due to General Conference, gave me the push I needed. (And, yes, I will get to all of the talks. Don't judge.)
We left for the 50 minute drive to Frankenmuth, Michigan about 6:00 pm and talked the whole way there. (There might have been a lot of talk about Yeti's and the Loch Ness Monster.) We were ready for dinner when we arrived. I had some friends clue me into what we needed to do and it was mandatory that we attend one of the town's "World Famous" family style chicken dinners. I didn't find it incredibly special (and sort of thought it was a huge waste of food) but it was fun to have lots to choose from. Jackson actually tried at least a bite of everything, which was amazing for the picky guy. It was LOVELY, I tell you, to enjoy a dinner without having a baby or two year old trying to climb on the table. We talked and ate and worked on a word find that was on the back of the kid's menu.
Jackson was obsessed with this horse, Buddy, for our whole trip. We spotted him out and about several times.
We then took a super scary detour to a town just a few miles away because the bridge was out. That is when we actually pictured ourselves going over the bridge and into the cold water in the darkness. Yikes! Our trusty GPS got us to our hotel and we checked in. We took a 10 pm swim where I learned that I can hold my breath longer than any of the 3rd graders that Jackson has challenged. (I knew I still had it.) He was super thrilled that I let him hang out in the hot tub with me. I couldn't say no as it was BITTER cold. When we got back to our room we hung out and watched a little bit of the movie Rudy. When it was time for bed, Jackson asked if I would sleep next to him instead of in the other bed :0).
The next morning we checked out and just hung out exploring the adorable Bavarian town.
We walked along this main street a lot that day. Several times I put my arm on this cute eight year old's shoulder and he reached up to hold my hand. Then, often throughout the day, he just grabbed my hand to hold it as we walked down the street. It think this was my favorite thing all weekend...maybe even in all of my life.
We watched as fudge and taffy were being made:
Sampled a million cheeses at the Cheese Haus:
Checked out the town center.
One of us climbed every tree we could find:
And rolled through lots of grass:
We learned how to roll pretzels. (Something that my parents took me to do as a kid).
I learned that cafeteria lady is not a good look for me.
We played miniature golf where we ended up getting the exact same score - 28 over par!
I continued my streak at beating him in air hockey, although he did win the last game because we played so long that the table shut off. We played checkers:
I seriously had such a wonderful time with this little guy. It is so easy for us to butt heads these days. Jackson loves to provoke his brothers. This trip was a time where I didn't have to correct him about anything or demand that people get along. He was happy to participate in everything. There was no forcing him to enjoy himself. He seemed to take in everything and even ask me what I wanted to do a couple of times.
We walked around a little shopping area where Jackson bought some sharks teeth, a stone and a pocket knife.
Where we bypassed this for ice cream:
I may have tried to coerce my own son to go over this rope and sit on the rock behind him, all for a cool picture. He refused and decided to play it safe, just like his mother.
Then we went on a little drive to go through a massive corn maze. This is something that Jackson was really looking forward to. However, as we entered I asked how long the maze took to get through. The woman said 1-2 hours!!! Onward we went.
Jackson thought this sign was pretty funny.
We happened upon some kids who had a walkie-talkie. They were talking to their sister, but hadn't been able to find her in 2 hours. Jackson started helping us out with some markers.
I think we made it out of there in about an hour. We had been walking all day and were ready to sit down.
There were some goats that we fed corn to who seemed like they had not been fed for a long time. Jackson made sure the greedy big guy didn't take food from the babies. There was a cute dog that he chased around while I looked at the fields. I could not get enough of the golden color of this field. I wish the picture did it justice.
We got in the car about 6:00, 24 hours after our departure. As we drove out of town, there was a rainbow. A perfect ending to a perfect trip.
As we drove home, we talked about how some moms have to work for various reasons. And that some moms choose to stay home with their kids. Jackson seemed confused that I actually wanted to stay home with them because I always "seem so stressed out." That makes me so sad. I can't blame him for thinking that, I need to do better...WAY better.
I'm so very glad that we made this trip together. I can't remember the last time I had such a perfectly wonderful day. I'm so looking forward to the next one.
I was so torn when the summer ceased this year. I really enjoyed hanging out with my boys this summer. We did all kinds of fun outdoor activities and they love going to the child care center at the gym together. Grant is getting older and I could sneak in a few moments to enjoy for myself while we were out and about without being constantly on alert. (But not too many, as evidenced by the 5 minutes I lost Grant at the pool. THAT was terrifying.)
However, the day came that I had to send Jackson off to third grade and Luke to preschool. All summer long Jackson prayed to get his old kindergarten teacher as his third grade teacher as she was jumping up a few grades. He didn't get his wish, though, so he was disappointed as he headed off. We've all got to learn to deal with disappointment, don't we? It is bittersweet to me because he is definitely not in the baby grades again. I feel like this is the year when kids get meaner and the real work begins. It is a good thing he has a great group of good kids at his school.
Apparently, a summer with me did nothing for his getting to know me better (as evidenced by this note he left for us on Curriculum Night.)
To translate:
"Dear Mom and Dad, Thank you for coming tonight. This year we are going to learn about crayfish. Did you see my journal with my name? I love you guys. You are extreme. Thank you."
Do you see the bottom of the page, with the drawing? That is where he was supposed to write about what mom and dad do all day while he is at school. You will see that Daddy is doing push ups, because he works out. And, me? What is that circle that I am holding? It is a doughnut, because I "eat doughuts" all day! What?
Anyway, Luke was excited to begin school...until we arrived. He grasped my hand with all of his might the minute we walked through the door. As brilliant as I am, I had set up play dates during the summer with a little girl who I knew was going to be in his class. It's a good thing, too, because when she arrived and ran to him to build blocks together, he gave me a peace sign and I knew all would be well.
I choose the school because it is only a block or so away from Jackson's school and it reminds me of the preschool I attended as a child. We did a Christmas pageant, and so do they. That (combined with the great feeling I got when I visited) was enough for me. Luke has done far better than I expected as he has a very difficult time separating from me. He goes three mornings a week and he has only had trouble on two occasions.
I've come to enjoy the routine (and having only one child three mornings a week). Both boys are happy and doing well.
Time is going by so quickly! You have been such a blessing to our family. Your smile still lights up a room and you are so excited to explore most everything, as long as your family is with you.
You love to play games. Go Fish, Mother May I?, Hi Ho Cherry-O, Mario & Sonic on Wii or any type of race are your favorites. You also love to cheer on everyone. You give high fives, even if you are wanting to win. You love to go to the movies. You saw The Smurf Movie and Spy Kids this summer, both in 3-D.
You love to participate in your Sunbeam class at church, but you have a hard time separating from Mommy to go to class. We usually have to find Daddy, who brings you to class. You can be very animated when you feel comfortable, but can be shy in a lot of other situations. It's ok. You just like to be with your family and we like to be with you!
You have developed a difficult streak, but I think it will pass. You get cranky when you are tired and you don't like to go to bed. You do your best to think of every excuse to talk to me at the end of the night. You usually can't think of anything but, "um, um, um". You do try, though! You seem to be caught in between wanting to be independent and do things for yourself and wanting things done for you. When you get in one of your "moods" you sort of just shut down. You don't talk and don't want anyone to touch you. We just have to wait until happy Lukie returns, which doesn't take too long.
You are such a patient and kind big brother to Grant. I often hear you trying to help him and raising your voice in a tone like one that a grown up uses with a little child. It is very sweet.
You learned to ride your bike (with training wheels) all over the neighborhood this summer.
You love to have play dates with your "best friends", Mason and Talan. You guys have pretend picnics and club meetings.
You became obsessed with the commercial for Pillow Pets this year. For about 4 months, you would scream for us to come to the tv whenever it came on. We would stand there and watch until they showed the dragon pet and you would point out that it was the one for you. Grandma and Pop Pop gave it to you for your birthday and you LOVE it!
Your parents let you use your beloved paci for WAY too long. We thought it would be so hard for you to give it up because you loved it so much. You would climb over mountains (or on top of entertainment centers) to get to it. I often found you hiding in the middle of the day to get in a few sucks. When I would walk in the room you quickly hid it. You always had to have your "silky" too. A few weeks before your birthday, we lost the paci at the beach and you gave it up without much hassle. You asked for it a few times, but you were brave and left it in the past.
You love to write your name, trace and do any sort of craft. You spend a lot of time drawing.
You have a secret handshake that is VERY important for you to do with anyone leaving. You get very upset if you can't do it and it keeps getting longer with more and more actions included.
Watching your joy in everything brings me so much happiness. I'm so glad that you are in our family. I love you so much, Luke!
With lots of hugs and kisses,
Mommy
You got to have two celebrations this year because we were in Maryland on your actual birthday but you really wanted a friend party too. Here is a video on your big day in Maryland with your Rio cake. (Cake #1) (I can't figure out how to get the second video deleted. Let me know if you can figure it out, please!)
You choose to have your friend party at a local park. You and your buddies had fun playing in the park and talking about the movie Cars. We hit a pinata and made race cars. Then, we had a big race. Here is your Cars cake (Cake #2).
