Birthday Musings...

Guest editor - Mommy

6:36 a.m.

Knox comes strolling into the bedroom rather early and plops his head down on the bed right beside mine. His nose immediately starts bleeding. I wake up to this all happening and quickly tell him to just lay down beside the bed and rest, thinking I can squeeze in a few extra minutes of sleep while he waits on his nose to stop gushing. Total rookie-mom mistake. I mean, by now I should know that "extra sleep" is a myth.

Then the humming begins... Never have you seen - or heard, rather - a kid so happy to be laying on the floor with a bloody nose. I finally give up the effort to extend my night of rest.

Sidenote - as blood is being spurted and knox is happily humming away on the floor, Jay NEVER stirs. Is this a genetic gift? Are all men able to sleep regardless of the fact their off-spring could literally be dancing a jig on top of them? I say this less out of frustration and more out of jealousy, but I digress...

Mommy: [roll over and stare down at him, laying on the floor] KNOX! It's your birthday! Happy birthday, big kid!

Knox: For real? Today? For REAL?

M: Yep! And because it is your special day, you can eat anything you want for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Why don't you think about what you want for breakfast first.

K: [very matter-of-factly] Oh wow. That is very cool.

[eyes getting bigger... things are sinking in.]

I KNOW! I know what I want for breakfast!

M: [bracing myself for a request of just a plain bowl of granulated sugar] What, honey!? What can I get you!?

K: [getting more excited and animated by the minute] TWO bananas! Can I have that? Can I have TWO!?

M: Wow. That is a crazy breakfast! But yep, you can have it because it's your big day!

Reh. Bull.

During the consumption of his two healthy, potassium-loaded breakfast treats, we discuss events for the upcoming day.

M: Hey... So what do you want to do today? We can play, we can swim, go see daddy, whatever!

K: [finger on chin - very dramatic] I know! I have a great idea!

[his little hands are becoming quite active as this idea grows in his head.] Let's have lunch, go for a swim before naps and then eat corn-on-the-cob for dinner!! [vigorously nodding his head, trying to get me to agree to this insane and reckless plan]

M: [squinting my eyes as if in deep thought...] OOOOOkay... Let's do it!

And thus, our day began!

While Knox has been hysterical, fun and entertaining during his year of being three, he has also been wild, challenging and just generally a bit crazy. I must say that if today is a preview of what I have to look forward to as he moves into being four - I. WILL. TAKE. IT.

Fruit for breakfast? Suggesting naps!? Corn for his birthday dinner?!

SOLD.

The year is in diapers, but it is certainly looking up.

And now back to Knox's witty commentary... :)

Guess who turned FOUR?!

Well, well, well... What's that? Who has officially launched himself out of those dreaded toddler years?! Peace out, babies! I have finally achieved big kid status!

I'm four, I'm fierce, and I love a floppy hat. Look out.



For my military-themed party, Daddy got in on the fun and busted out his awesome "urrrr-force" hat too. We look sooooo cool.



Mom and Sully = lame. Where is their gear? Army green shirts and khaki shorts don't count.



Although in Mom's defense, she did make me a camoflage cake. Sure, it was drenched in cake sweat (what the wha-!? who knew cakes actually sweat?!) by the time it was served, but whatevs. As far as I know, it didn't cause any food poisoning, so I'll chock it up to a success!




...munch...munch...munch...mmmm....CAKE.



After stuffing ourselves silly, a bunch of my friends and I were unleashed in the backyard.



And then it was time forrrrrr PPPPRRRREEESSSEEENNNNTTTSSS!!!!

Sidenote - this is the first year that I have fully anticipated an onslaught of presents (actually "got" it). I believe this caused my Mom some stress in that she was worried I would full-on tackle guests as they arrived and demand my loot. I am happy to report that I was quite gracious.

See? Simply angelic.



The other great thing that happened at my party (other than presents, cake, friends, etc...) is that Granny came to visit!!

We had an awesome time - mostly playing nerf gun wars. She's a surprisingly great shot! Who knew?



So in other news... turning four is bringing lots of new skills. Among them, I have recently learned how to swim -like for real swim. Deep-end and all!

This is particularly remarkable since about a month ago, my biggest aquatic skill was either drowning or flailing about while attempting to drown.

Here is my "starfish."



And here I am taking my swim test with full winter gear on. Swimming in a bunch of nylon - which basically made me into a giant water bubble - was slightly challenging.



But I passed! (This is me getting flipped around and showing my instructor that I can catch my breath.)



Since acquiring my newfound skills, we have been swimming quite a bit to combat the ridiculous heat. Problem is, you need to stay in the pool to actually cool down.

Sully still hasn't grasped that concept. Or the concept of wearing proper swim attire. Nice view, Sul.



When we go to the water park, Mom and Dad do make Sully dress appropriately. On behalf of everyone in South Georgia that patrons Wild Adventures, thank you.




Here I am taking a breather before heading back to the wave pool. Ignore my orange teeth...



We might have been eating orange crackers...

So as you can see, all is well in the Jackson household! Hope everyone is having an awesome summer!