Finding your Namesake

Each Memorial Day, we rise early and head to Tahoma National Cemetery to honor our fallen veterans.  This is the first year Jack is starting to conceptualize the idea of passing away and also wanting to learn about his grandpa.  He was pretty excited to point out his name on the wall, and then even more excited to see his middle name as well. 

 

Sadly our favorite Uncle Sam was not present this year.  Kyle is already thinking about what she will bring to honor Grandpa Dale next year.

Diving into the Deep End

For the fourth year, Kyle and Jack are doing local swim lessons.  After years of uncertainty, Kyle conquered the slide on her first try.  She can easily swim the length of the pool and was learning how to dive by day #2. 

As for Jack, he spent most of the last year sitting on the steps waiting for free time when he could play with the Star Wars toys.  This year, he is doing cannonballs, swimming into the deep end, learning the crawl stroke, and diving to the bottom for torpedoes. 

Suspect we have a lot of swimming in our future and the final breathing point where you don't have to constantly fear the kids around the pool!

The BIG 5

It's here - the moment Jack has been waiting for - telling the world he is 5.  For months, he has made sure to let everyone know he is 4 and a half.  Now he can announce he is one entire hand.  It's not entirely clear if Jack believes this age is full of many additional privileges, but it's big, really big. 

Jack is funny, a charmer and loving.  He is quick with a joke and has a natural ability to make people smile. Jack knows how to play a crowd, and at times, even trying to discipline can be difficult.  He is smarter than he might realize and knows how to figure out the answer to achieve what he desires.  We'll see what his teachers think of this in the future.  He is quick with the hugs and random moments of letting you know you are loved.  Sitting in his dad's lap in the new big chair has become one of his favorite places - especially if watching sharks or trucks on TV.  He is adventurous when it comes to climbing and swinging yet cautious about some new experiences.  Sitting quietly is not his preferred method when there are things to see, excitement to share and people to greet.  He thrives on his friends and social situations.  Kyle is still his ultimate companion and many days are spent playing outside, creating scenes, doing puzzles and even quietly reading.  This kid goes from when he wakes up until he crashes each night. 

This past year, favorites still were sharks and trucks.  His knowledge base has expanded with many new unusual facts including types of sharks and how long it would take to brush their teeth.  There was added love for Transformers, the Hulk and Star Wars.  He started learning to swim, took on every set of monkey bars, can swing as high as his sister, and climbs any structure there might be.  He got his first chainsaw and was ready to take on the big haul.  An archery set was a Christmas delight in preparing for his first hunt.   He took on wrestling and brought home his first medal.  The training might have tested all our patience, but he ended the season with a pin.  Jack started a new school this year where he sings more songs, counts to 100 and gained more social skills than we could imagine.  He loves French fries, chocolate milk and any sweet you might have.  A new found friend was found in Rex and a shark named Timmy.  A scary day brought his first concussion and new rules on rock walls.  Rule following might not be his forte, perhaps because there are so many to forget. 

This kid is so truly Jack.  He makes an impression everywhere he goes.  He tests all the limits but knows how to show such love, it's impossible not to enjoy every moment.  Jack is one who will befriend all.  He is eager for what each day brings and excited about so many things, he has a hard time containing even himself.  Jack is pint-sized joy bursting at the seams.  Life would be utterly boring without him.

 

 

Birthday BBQ - Bigger and Better

The Watson combined Birthday BBQ took place a bit later this year.  It was our best weather yet with a picture perfect day in the 70s.  Some scheduling was necessary to coordinate around softball games, jamborees, and other events.  However, we had our largest attendance to date and most folks stayed for hours enjoying the bounce houses and weather.  It was exactly what we had been hoping for from the day we started this event. 

There were two bounce houses, a scavenger hunt, pinata with lots of candy and sprinkly cupcakes to devour.  There was a lot of running and smiles with a few occasional tears.  The best part was one child letting us know it was the best birthday ever on his way home. 

Can't wait for next year!!