Just Jack 2010

Jack sporting his Football unioform

Riding Thomas the Tank Engine

As this new year of 2011 starts I wanted to take a chance to write down some thoughts and feelings that I have concerning Jackson and his growth this past year. Jackson has had many changes this year the main being a change from toddler to young boy. He is no longer holding onto anything toddler...it is all BOY!

Jack has been attending pre-school this year and LOVES it. He is so happy to go ALL BY HIMSELF. He loves learning and is asking about what rhymes and what letters go with what to make words and is learning to write. Jackson has quite a thirst for knowledge and a great memory...he can recall something that happened a year ago. He can't get enough of going to school and he adores his teacher Mrs. Mikel.

Jack became a BIG BROTHER this past year. His little brother Parker absolutely and completely loves him. Jackson can make him laugh and smile and he is found telling Parker all about his day and what is going to happen next or what his favorite idea is at the moment. Jackson is learning to share his toys and help Parker out when he is sad. Jackson has shown much love and kindness as well as this unknown (to his parents) tenderness towards his little brother. He helps him eat his Cheerios and will sing to him when he is going to sleep he also is a wonderful entertainer. Jackson and Parker love to take baths together and love to explore the water world that the tub turns into.

Jackson is blessed with LOTS and LOTS of energy. This past year he has been learning to hone that energy and use it where it is appropriate.

Jackson started soccer in the Fall and showed us his athletic abilities as well as learning to listen to a coach and be a member of a team. He had a great experience and can't wait to get back on the field in the Spring.

Jackson is a pretty tall kid for his age. In Disneyland that worked mostly to his advantage except on one ride that was a really fast train (a little too scary for a three-year-old). He was also tested for all types of allergies this year...we called it the "Isty Bisty Spider" scratch test at the doctors. We found out for certain that he is allergic to peanuts...we pretty much knew that but it is nice to know the severity of it. With his height is makes it a little tricky to find clothes that fit him well. He is really tall and skinny and in between toddler and boy clothes. He seems to be just fine wearing warm-up pants and or athletic shorts and University of Utah t-shirts all day everyday.

Jackson is a bright spot in our home. He is intelligent, fast, learning to stay within the limits that are set and just a joy to be around. Jackson is very opinionated and isn't swayed easily. He loves to be social and asks daily to play with friends and or to go to either Grandma's houses to play. He ADORES his cousins and can't get enough of playing with them.

Some of Jackson's loves of the past year have been golfing with his dad at the driving range, playing soccer, going to the University of Utah Football and Basketball games. He loves to play with trains...Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends to be exact. He can be found round the clock singing...any and all types of songs. As of the last month he is really into Lego Star Wars due to a Wii game Rob introduced him to- the Wii is also one of his loves.

We love having Jackson in our family and as his parents he has forced us to up our game and be constantly aware of how we are teaching and rearing him. He has made a lot of progress this year and we are so proud of him and can't wait to see the boy he is turning into.