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Sunday, May 26, 2013
Master Bathroom Remodel
It's finally finished and we love how it turned out!
2 Years Old - A Few of My Favorite Things
Jesper’s personality has really started to shine. He’s an active, friendly, mischievous little boy and it is so fun to watch him grow!
This is a post mostly for Josh and me to remember all the little things that he’s doing right now that make watching him grow so special.
- Jesper wakes up in the morning and asks “Cuddle with Daddy!” After getting dressed, “eat something” in the kitchen. Then it’s time to get “shoes on, Mommy.”
- Excited to see Daddy after school - “Let’s go home, Daddy!” At home, “I play iPad” while Daddy and Mommy work on dinner.
- Tells Mommy and Daddy about his day. Jesper “play cars” with “Mitchy Moo Moo.” He “sat on cow” during circle time on the animal rug and had a “good nap.” When we ask about his other friends, Jesper declares, “nice to Liam!”
- Play outside and go for a walk. Bring the wagon – “I do it” Jesper says, and pulls the wagon for a mile by himself. See neighbors and ask to say “hi to them.” Watch for dogs and airplanes and ants. "It's so fun!"
- Show what he knows - “I’m counting!” One through twenty (almost) and up to five in Spanish. Sing the “ABCs”…”do it again, Mommy!”
- Bedtime routine (bath with Dad, watch Pajanimals, brush teeth, story, and bed). “Cuddle with Mommy” before bed and “sing Rock-a-bye.” Say our prayers and laugh because “Amen” sounds like “Raymond.” Play with Mommy’s hair and laugh at her funny faces.
Happy 2nd Birthday, Jesper!
We had a train theme for Jesper’s 2nd birthday
party because he loves “choo choos” and Thomas the train. The party was on
Saturday, April 6, and almost the entire Carlson family was able to come up for
the celebration.
Brett, Diana, and Malaila came up on Friday night. It was
wonderful to meet Malaila and see them again. The timing was good, because
they were getting married the next week and we were able to celebrate their
upcoming marriage with everyone on Sunday morning.
On Saturday morning, we gave Jesper his present from Mom and
Dad – a Radio Flyer Pathfinder wagon. Thankfully it was a nice day, so we were
able to pull Malaila and Jesper around the neighborhood in the wagon in the
morning. Later that morning they also dyed Easter eggs (a week late...) and played with Jesper’s
toys. They played so well together – it is so fun to have Malaila as a new
cousin!
Nissa, Grace and Walker came up later that day and everyone
helped decorate for Jesper’s party. As soon as Jesper went down for his nap, we
set to work to create “train tracks” with painter’s tape, a railroad crossing
sign, an “art station” and the “depot”.
We also created a little train to pull around the track (it didn’t last
long during the party, but it was worth a shot). :)
As soon as Jesper woke up, he saw the train tracks and
started riding his train around and around and around. He loved it! Brandon,
Sarah, and Sam arrived to help us celebrate and Nissa brought Grandma Millie
over as well.
After the party, we went over to Grandma Millie’s to swim.
I’m pretty Jesper thought that his birthday was the best day ever (further
evidenced by the fact that he has wanted to sing “Happy Birthday” every day
since then). :)
Ashley and Kai arrived that evening and we all had a chance
to catch up. It was so fun to connect with all the Carlson kids – we’re looking
forward to doing it again soon!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Charlotte Trip (Feb. 14-18)
We visited Charlotte over President's Day weekend. Jodi, Paul, and Gavin also came down for the weekend so the gang was all together.
On Friday, the guys all went to a go-kart track in North Charlotte. They were talking about it for the rest of the weekend so it must have been pretty fun. :)
Meanwhile, Jesper, Gavin and I went over to Stacie's house while Jodi and Mom got ready for the day. Elise and I made boats out of plastic bottles while Ari, Jesper, and Gavin played with the toys. After we were done with the boats, all the women and children walked up to a little pond in a nearby community. We fed the geese and tried (somewhat unsuccessfully) to float the boats, and the children played on the playground for a little while.
On Saturday, Grandma June got Jesper when he woke up. One of my favorite moments of the trip was waking up and finding Jesper, Grandma, and Grandpa in the kitchen making breakfast. Jesper was having a blast sitting on the counter, eating a banana like a big kid, and helping open the biscut tins. :) Another favorite was how Jesper had to say "night night" to Papa every night before bed. He loves his grandparents!
Feeding Gavin....probably my favorite photo series ever. :)
Jodi, Stacie, and I went to Mary-Jo's fabric store later that day. I picked out fabric for a flannel blanket and twin duvet cover for Jesper and Jodi found material for curtains.
It snowed later that night! We must have brought our Minnesota weather with us. It was perfect snowman-building snow and nearly everyone got into it. It might have been the largest snowman we've ever built.
On Sunday night, Jodi and I made mushroom stroganoff for the whole crew. Robbe and Amy had gotten engaged earlier that week and came over to celebrate with us. We took some family pictures and the kids played together. It was almost exactly how I remember family get togethers when I was little, but viewed through a different lens. It makes me so happy that Jesper can experience something similar!
On Friday, the guys all went to a go-kart track in North Charlotte. They were talking about it for the rest of the weekend so it must have been pretty fun. :)
Meanwhile, Jesper, Gavin and I went over to Stacie's house while Jodi and Mom got ready for the day. Elise and I made boats out of plastic bottles while Ari, Jesper, and Gavin played with the toys. After we were done with the boats, all the women and children walked up to a little pond in a nearby community. We fed the geese and tried (somewhat unsuccessfully) to float the boats, and the children played on the playground for a little while.
On Saturday, Grandma June got Jesper when he woke up. One of my favorite moments of the trip was waking up and finding Jesper, Grandma, and Grandpa in the kitchen making breakfast. Jesper was having a blast sitting on the counter, eating a banana like a big kid, and helping open the biscut tins. :) Another favorite was how Jesper had to say "night night" to Papa every night before bed. He loves his grandparents!
Feeding Gavin....probably my favorite photo series ever. :)
It snowed later that night! We must have brought our Minnesota weather with us. It was perfect snowman-building snow and nearly everyone got into it. It might have been the largest snowman we've ever built.
We stayed around the house on Sunday. I got a chance to dig through some old pictures. Wow - those were some hairstyles! We need to find a way to digitize all the old photos that my mom and dad have. Some of those pictures are priceless. :)
On Sunday night, Jodi and I made mushroom stroganoff for the whole crew. Robbe and Amy had gotten engaged earlier that week and came over to celebrate with us. We took some family pictures and the kids played together. It was almost exactly how I remember family get togethers when I was little, but viewed through a different lens. It makes me so happy that Jesper can experience something similar!
Valentine's Day
I had Valentine's Day off, but Jesper and I went to his school for his classroom party. The look on Jesper's face when he realized I was going to hang out with him for a little while at his school was priceless. :) It was so fun to see him interact with his classmates and see what his days are like.
The kids all sit around a rug on their special animal at circle time (Jesper sits on the cow). Then the teachers, Christa and Allie, sing an introduction song for each child and they all jump around in the middle of circle at their turn. Jesper did his "Jesper shuffle" - it's a little like a jump and a gallop in one move.
They read books and sang songs and then had free play. All the other kids ran over to the toys, but Jesper played with the garbage can - it had a foot pedal that made the lid open. I should have known that would be most interesting to him - it has a lever. :) After some free time, they gathered back around the circle to hand out out the Valentine's Day candy and then played with balloons.
I have a new appreciation for Christa and Allie. They do a great job with getting the toddlers to listen and follow directions and move on to the next activity.
The kids all sit around a rug on their special animal at circle time (Jesper sits on the cow). Then the teachers, Christa and Allie, sing an introduction song for each child and they all jump around in the middle of circle at their turn. Jesper did his "Jesper shuffle" - it's a little like a jump and a gallop in one move.
They read books and sang songs and then had free play. All the other kids ran over to the toys, but Jesper played with the garbage can - it had a foot pedal that made the lid open. I should have known that would be most interesting to him - it has a lever. :) After some free time, they gathered back around the circle to hand out out the Valentine's Day candy and then played with balloons.
I have a new appreciation for Christa and Allie. They do a great job with getting the toddlers to listen and follow directions and move on to the next activity.
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