I Can Swim!

I'm thrilled that we're done with lessons again for this year and he can actually swim now. These aren't the best videos but my memory card was full. Jackson's now able to save himself (Lord willing) if he fell in a body of water and can do a simple freestyle. He's so sad to not be going to Miss April's house every day anymore but I'm glad to have that time each day at home. It's amazing how much he learned in 10 minutes a day for 3 weeks.

Random Family Time

We've had some fun family time in the midst of our crazy work and school schedule. We weren't able to get a culture pass for the library but had a coupon for the Arizona Museum for Youth and visited there for the first time. It's great for the kids. There were kitchens, a slide, art area, building room, library, story time, and exhibits. We went when it opened which ended up being perfect. By the time we left, there were some bigger kids there and the toys were everywhere. I forgot my camera, but the pictures from my phone actually turned out ok.

Cooking in the kitchen.

"Grandma DaDosa-I found middle C!"
Serving Daddy some yummy treats.
Picking corn.
Deciding whether or not to pick the carrots.
Serving up some bread in another kitchen area.
We read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and stamped Jackson on the tree.
This was a cool box that was lit up. Jackson had fun building.

Lounging in the library area and petting the kittens.
Drawing and cutting.
Spinning in a fun chair!
One thing Jackson likes to do it pretend that he and Daddy are sleeping. They 'snore' and Mommy has to come and wake them up.

Easter-long overdue!

Ok, it's been 2 weeks already since my last post. Life has been incredibly crazy recently and I'm praying that this week will be easier for our family. Swim lessons finally finished this week which is 2 hours in the car (going from work to pick Jackson up, head to lessons, and drive home) and Shane's softball season ends this Tuesday. That will mean our evenings will be family time again. Praise God! In the past 2 weeks, we've had some fun though. I'm going to do a few posts of some of the things we've been up to beginning with Easter.


Easter: We had an amazing service at Tempe Town Lake that morning. It was perfect weather after a rainy Saturday to praise the resurrection of our Lord with our church body. It was Jackson's first Easter that he had a slight understanding of what Jesus did for us on the cross and how He rose victoriously from the dead. Of course it's a 3 year old understanding, but it's a lot more than last year. I'm excited to watch him grow and learn more about the great God who entrusted us with him.


When we got home, we had an Easter egg hunt in the new backyard-he has an eagle eye and needed NO help at all from Mom and Dad.

Spending a rainy Saturday coloring eggs for the first time.

Swim Lessons

Jackson took ISR swim lessons last summer and learned how to save himself if he fell into a body of water. He learned to turn over, float, and cry until he could be rescued. He cried daily during the 5 weeks of lessons but it was worth it to have the peace of mind. Plus, the lessons are only 10 minutes everyday. Not unbearable to hear your child crying. :)


This year, we've started the refresher lessons. They are only 2 weeks since his float is perfect still. He's learning now how to flip over, kick and swim, flip back over when he needs to breathe, and continue until he gets to the edge. He LOVES it this year, which has been so nice. He talks about swimming with Miss April and loves spitting out the 'yucky' water he gets in his mouth. She said he'll be doing strokes by the end of next week which will make our summer near water a lot more fun for him. We're allowed to take video on Fridays so here's what he can do so far.

It's Done!

Our backyard is finally finished! We've had dirt in our backyard since we moved in and it's limited our time outside. God blessed us and we were able to have a company come in and design something in our limited space. Here are some shots of what we have now and how Jackson celebrated with his new baseball T.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After


The acrylic over the concrete.

It's been nice already to open the door and let him play outside without having to worry about how much dirt he's going to track in when he's done. It's not a large yard, but it's great for us considering we have the park as our front yard. We're overwhelmed by God's goodness to us and blessing us beyond our wildest dreams and expectations.

The Three Moore Men

Don't they look thrilled to be taking this?

This One's for Grandma Frank

For anyone who knows my grandmother, she loves children and giving them gifts. She told us that everyone needs a little red wagon and was surprised that Jackson didn't have one yet. So, she found one at a thrift store for $1 and gave it to him. (Only it's a little pink wagon) Jackson knows the difference between pink and red, but is convinced this is a red wagon that "Gramma Fwank" gave him. Shane has put it in "toy time out" several times (when we need a break from certain toys) and Jackson found it again this week. He's been dragging balls, money, toys, etc around the house and it's not quiet. Here are a few shots for Grandma. I love you!

Spolied for a Week

Shane's parents came and spent a week with us over their Spring Break. I don't know who has more fun-Jackson or his grandparents. Since he's the only grandchild at this point on the Moore side, he is showered by all with attention. He got to spend the week with them while Shane and I worked. Actually, I worked. Shane came down with strep the day his parents arrived and was home in bed until Wednesday. I've since lysoled everything in the house and no one else has had any symptoms, Praise God.



We've been having our backyard landscaped over the past two weeks which is a major blessing. It will be so nice to let Jackson go outside and not come in filthy from all the dust and dirt (since that's all he's had to play in for 15 months). They covered the concrete walls with stucco but we had to paint it since we're too frugal to pay what they charge for that service. Shane's parents brought a sprayer and did it for us and it looks amazing. Of course Jackson wanted to help, but I was a fun spoiler for him. We pulled out some water colors instead so he could paint while grandma and grandpa did.

I'm so grateful that I have amazing in-laws who love helping with our home improvement projects.


"I painting!"

He added more color to the water than the paper.

Potty training?

So Jackson has showed little to no interest in potty training so far. I'm not planning on pushing it because there are enough other things to work on right now without adding this. At his well check, our pediatrician told us that he definitely has the capability and is smart enough, it's just waiting for him to choose to do it. I was giving Jackson a bath tonight and he stood up, crossed his legs, and said "I need to go potty." I was thrilled! I stood up, went to grab him and put him on the toilet, when he sat down and said "All done. I done in my bath". Wonderful! I guess we'll stick to plan A-wait longer.

Golden Birthday Party

Here are some pics from Jackson's Golden Birthday party. The kids decorated pet rocks and dug for gold. Jackson LOVED having friends over, but was too overwhelmed to open any gifts on his own. He finally did with some help, but he preferred playing with everyone.

They turned out really cute. Jackson named his 3-of course.

Digging for gold, weighing it, and 'buying' goodies.