Celebrating Cultures Around the World

Jackson and Charlie's school held a parade today to celebrate cultures around the world. With Charlie leaving school early due to stomach ailments, Joe and Charlie were spectators to Jackson's parade. As they listened to "It's A Small World After All",the spectators watched the countries of China, South Africa, France, Czech Republic, and USA (Charlie's class) be represented. With Jackson's teacher being a descendant of a Czech Republic immigrant, she was proud to share their heritage with the class. Jackson enjoyed the costume, a little marching, and a lot of goofing off for the camera.

Sometimes It's the Small Things

With Halloween around the corner, Jackson has really gotten into dress up and playing characters. With this in mind, I ordered the boys matching sheriff pajamas. Jackson and Charlie were so excited about the new Pjs and Jackson loved running into the room and declaring,"There is a new sheriff in town!"Sometimes it is in the smallest things that the boys find joy.

Preparation for Baby Banks

As November fast approaches, my friends, Tori and Bryan, are making preparations for the newest addition: Baby Banks. Today, along with 10 other of Tori's closest friends helped her to get ready for the new arrival by throwing her a baby shower. Our friend Whitney did a great deal of the planning and the shower turned out fantastic. I was so excited to be able to visit with friends and to see Tori and her family.

I think my favorite parts of the shower were Tori's niece, Georgia, helping with the gifts and to hear Tori's pregnancy comments; my favorite being "I can't use my core right now."

I am so excited for Tori and Bryan and I know that they will make excellent parents; Baby Banks will not only be blessed with loving parents but I suspect he will have a rockin' nursery if Aunt Leigh Anne has anything to do with it.

Charlie Turns 2

We were so excited when we found out that to help us celebrate Charlie's birthday, Joe's parents were making the long journey from Missouri to visit us. The boys woke up on the big day ready for the upcoming festivities and cake and in high anticipation of the grandparents arrival.

Jackson at one point was dancing around the house while Joe was

preparing his one pumpkin that he harvested for use in the pumpkin cheesecake to be made that day.

After Wayne and Judy's arrival, we settled in for lunch and a little cake. Jackson was just as excited to play with the Mickey Mouse and Minnie on the cake as Charlie.

After naps it was time to get ready for a little football viewing and then a little outside play.Jackson wanted to show Grandpa

his baseball abilities and after several attempts failed attempts for Charlie to pull Jackson around in the wagon (Jackson did not give the Birthday Boy any slack); they enlisted Grandpa for the task.

The day ended with the opening of presents. The boys were so excited to get both Kansas City Chiefs and Auburn gear. Charlie was very

excited about his new tricycle and all the boys were signed up to help in the assembly. Jackson was proud to be the big brother and demonstrate how to pedal and Charlie enjoyed the ride.

We ended the day with a little Auburn football and star gazing. Charlie had a fantastic day; he got to spend time with his Grandparents and Auburn achieved a victory (maybe I was a little more excited about the last part).

What We Will Do For Our Kids

About a week ago our postal carrier made a delivery that created quite a stir at our house. The delivery was a costume catalog that most households would of thrown away within 5 minutes of viewing however not the Mortons. Once Jackson saw the catalog he wanted to talk about it and talk about it and talk about it. He even wanted it to be part of his bedtime stories at night to analyze which costume he thought would be best. He changed his mind about 4 times and finally decided on a Star Wars Bounty Hunter costume that was almost $70. There was no way that I was going to spend that much money on a Halloween costume so I decided that we would make a trip to the local costume store that had just opened next to Target.

After some quick directions from the staff away from the scantly clad female costumes, we found the kids costumes. Jackson quickly decided that he would be Darth Vader and Charlie a Jedi. We headed home with purchases in hand.

Once home, the boys had to get their costumes on and try them out. Then Jackson masterminded a plan for us to "scare" Dad when he got home from work. He also explained that the plan would only work if I too were in costume. Jackson decided that I would make a good Princess Leia and had all the things that I needed: white clothes, boots, and "wiggy hair".

Needless to say no amount of money will have me recreate this costume on October 31st, but the look on Joe's face when the Star Wars Threesome jumped out at him was PRICELESS!

Labor Day Acitvities

With having to work the weekend prior and the following day, we decided that we would see what Huntsville had to offer for Labor Day festivities. With limited options, we decided to head to Monte Sano Park and have a picnic. The boys really enjoyed the large playground that Monte Sano offered and after playing for about an hour, I felt that both boys were in need of a bath and change of clothes. After the playground, it was time for our picnic. The boys really enjoyed the PBJs and Joe and I commented on the scenic views around the picnic area.

Even with the best laid plans for the boys being tired and taking long naps, both boys nap time summed up

to a 15 minute snooze. With such short naps under their belts, we decided that the boys would do best with a little outside fun. We filled up the baby pool in the backyard

and since both boys have really outgrown the pool they decided to get creative. They had a contest to see who could splash out the most

water. Three fill ups later and Charlie deciding he would be safer diving with a helmet ( since the pool would definitely be rated "No Diving"). We called it a day. Just another relaxing day off with the Mortons.

Are You Ready For Some Football?!!

Auburn played Arkansas State in the opening game of the season and, of course, we let the boys stay up a little later than normal to celebrate the opening day of SEC football (Joe would say football in general). I tried to get the boys pumped for the game and found some old Auburn shakers in an upstairs closet. The boys had blast running around the house and hitting each other with them; however my favorite part of the night was seeing Charlie try to get ready for "Down, Set, Hut". I think he might have a little difficulty seeing which direction to run.

Jackson's First Camping Trip

Joe and Jackson decided to have a male bonding evening and spend the night in the great outdoors. We were not sure how Jackson would do sleeping outside with all the new noises and colder night temperatures, so the campground was the Morton backyard. Jackson and Charlie's school was closed on Friday so Joe took this opportunity to set up the campground with the boy's supervision.

By the time I arrived home from work the campground was ready to go and the campfire was

ready to set. Joe planned for hot dogs and s'mores for the campfire roasting and the boys really enjoyed cooking their own meal. Jackson was not so sure about the s'mores but did enjoy the marshmallows. Charlie just ate the Hershey bar.

As the afternoon progressed to evening, Charlie and I retired to the house and the camping boys settled in for the night. Jackson had a short moment of hesitation about being outdoors to sleep, but after the promise of hot chocolate as a reward for making it through the entire evening, he was determined.

Saturday morning I was awaken by the boys returning from the campsite and Jackson requesting his reward. I love the picture of him enjoying his hot chocolate, you can see his sense of accomplishment all over his face.

Popsicle Pow Wows

About three to four times a week, our family ends our day on the back porch. Usually popsicles are the refreshment of choice and it has become a time that we catch up on each other's day without the TV or cell phones as a distraction. The boys love this time to share what is new with them; last night Jackson shared the rules of his new class at school and Charlie proved he could count to eleven (something we totally did not know he could do). I find myself looking forward to this time together and as the days continue to shorten, I know that each night is precious.