Shark Love

Mr. Man's love of all things from the ocean continues.  He spends quite a bit of time playing with his ocean animals, reading ocean books {fantastic birthday gifts}, and watching Finding Nemo and The Octonauts on TV.  We have recently been pulling up aquarium cameras on the internet and letting Bubs watch.  He LOVES them!!!!   

He especailly loves to watch the sharks as they glide across the screen. 

We are definitely going to have to plan another trip to the real aquarium soon!

Spirit Wear

Every Friday, my school, along with all other schools in the district, encourages its students to show their school pride by wearing spirit wear.  It is so awesome to see the playground covered in maroon and navy in the morning.

Once we learned that Bubs would be attending Copper Hills, I knew he needed his own spirit wear.  I once again called upon the very talented and beautiful Lisa, of Bug O'Boo, and asked her to create something fit for a Miner {the Copper Hills mascot is a Miner}. 

Noah absolutely loves his spirit wear and yells "Copper Hills Rocks" whenever he sees it.   Thanks so much Miss Lisa...we think you ROCK!

Happy Valentine's Day

Things Noah loves...

1. anything that lives in the ocean
2. playing outside {especially Nana and PopRo's backyard}
3. going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
4. going to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo
5. his Mama and Daddy-O
6. Squirt Turtle
7. his new school {everything accept for the drop-off}
8. watching Finding Nemo
9. playing on Daddy's iphone
10. You!

In keeping with Bubs' love of all things aquatic, Kc created some adorable items to help Mr. Man celebrate Valentine's Day and spread the love. 

These are the Valentine's cards Mr. Man will be passing out at school.

I added some Swedish Fish and voilà...Bubs is spreading the fishy love!

Kc also took the ocean animals from Noah's third birthday invitation and modified them into a heart shape.  When they are added to a t-shirt, they create one happy Little Man!

 Bubs is truly ready to spread the aquatic love!

We're hoping that your day is filled with love, laughter, and a few fish!

Thirty-Six Months

Bubs is Three Years Old!!!  Can you believe it?  I sure can't.  He's been bringing us joy for the past thirty-six months...even through all the ups and downs.


Noah's current stats are:

Weight:  42 pounds
Height:  38 1/2 inches

Once again, our wonderful friend Lisa, from Bug O' Boo, created Noah's Under the Sea birthday shirt.  I think she truly outdid herself this time.  I loved the pirate shirt as well as the Noah's Ark shirt, but this one truly takes the cake! 

Bubs points out all the sea creatures on the front and has requested to wear it every morning since he got it.

 

Bubs continues to love his Ryan Bear!

 

Happy Birthday Bubs!

First Day of School

Noah was supposed to start school on Monday the 30th.  We had been preparing for several weeks.  We made trips to the new school, took plenty of pictures, practiced the new routine, and talked about it over and over again.  We also took the pictures and put them into a book.  Every night we would read the book and get excited about "Copper Hills School" {as Noah calls it}. 

Well, the day before school, Bubs developed a runny nose which slowly got worse and worse throughout the day.  And then the cough started...and boy was it a wicked cough.  The poor guy had such a hard time breathing.  He couldn't breathe through his nose - too stuffed up.  He didn't want to breathe through his mouth - every time he did the coughing would start.  EEK!

Needless to say, it was a very long night for all members of the Jackson household and we opted to keep Mr. Man home on his first day of school.  How sad is that?!?

After a day spent hangin' at home with Daddy, Bubs was back to his usual self and was excited for his new first day of school.

Thanks to all the prep work, Noah was quite confident as we walked the long hallway to his classroom.

 

He gave Mama and Daddy a quick hug and sauntered into the classroom like he'd been doing it all his life. 

 

WOW!!!

No tears!
No fits!
No whining!

And Noah didn't either!

Could this be a sign of things to come?!?  Noah's amazing teacher e-mailed me an update later that morning and told me he was doing great!  Amazing!  Nana picked Mr. Man up after school and received a glowing report of his first day.  When I got home, Noah talked all about his day at school.  He told me about snack time, painting at the table, playing on the playground, and holding hands with his friend {who just so happened to be a sweet, little girl}.   We truly couldn't have asked for a better first day of school.

That night, we read Noah's school book again and prayed for his teacher and friends.  We talked about going back to school in the morning and prayed for another great day.

As we walked down the hallway to Noah's classroom on his second day of school, Bubs was less than enthusiastic.  What?!?  You had a great day yesterday!  You love school!  You want to do this!

Bubs disagreed!

Mr. Man seemed to be telling me that he already did this.  Yesterday.  Don't you remember?  It was fun while it lasted, but it was over.  Been there...done that.  He didn't need to do it again.

Oh, no!  Here came the tears! I literally had to peel Mr. Man out of my arms and deposit him into the waiting arms of his very patient teacher.

Apparently when we had been preparing Noah for school {visiting the classroom, reading his book, talking all about it} we failed to mention that he would be going every. single. day.

Over and over and over again.

Poor guy!

Noah's teacher reported that he had a great second day and was quick to stop crying.  That made me feel a little better.  Perhaps day three would be better.  Perhaps there wouldn't be any more crying.

Well...that was not the case.  Day three and four looked very similar to day two.  It will be interesting to see what this coming week will bring.  After the weekend at home with Mama and Daddy, will Mr. Man be excited or reluctant to start back at school?

Your guess is as good as mine...

Under the Sea Birthday Party Bash, part 2

It was so much fun planning Noah's birthday party.  We knew right away that my little fish fanatic needed an appropriately themed bash.
I painted some Japanese lanterns and hung them high to look like we were under the ocean.

There were fish, octopus, and sharks everywhere.

Kc added his own design touch.

We had Submarine Sandwiches for the adults and Peanut Butter and Jellyfish sandwiches for the kiddos.

There were Fish and Chips to munch on {served in newspaper, of course}

and the cutest Octopus Dip with Crunchy Coral.

And no party is complete without Ocean Animal {funfetti} cupcakes.

After lunch and some playing outside, it was time for presents.  Bubs had plenty of practice opening gifts over Christmas and he definitely put those newly developed skills into good use.

The oceaned themed gifts flowed freely.  Mr. Man received an adorable turtle and ocean animal puzzle,

Finding Nemo action figures, 

not one, but two, Nemo fish,

  

and a whole host of cuddly ocean animals.

Bubs also received so many amazing ocean books {which we have been reading over, and over, and over, and over again}.

 

Cuz Jonah {and his most crafty Mama and Daddy} gave Bubs his very own book of sea creatures.  It was filled with pictures they took at our recent trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  The book has a very special place of honor in our house and Mr. Man has read it a bazillion times.

The last present Bubs opened was the most adorable {handpainted} Nemo shoes...if I do say so myself.

It was a fantastic party filled with family, friends, and fun.  We can't thank everyone enough for loving and supporting our Little Man.  

Only 359 more days until Bubs' fourth birthday...eek...I should start preparing now...