Jackson is 11

Eleven years ago our baby was born. He came out crying and didn't stop for an hour until I was able to hold him. For the next... I can't even remember how long, he was a mammas boy. He would not go to anyone for way too long, not even Brad. Aunt Teresa worked hard and about 2, I think, he went to her while I was still around. He is still cuddly. During church he still sit next to me and hold my hand or lay his head on my arm. I really hope that never stops. 

On May 1 the boys gave each other their gifts. Since Cam had a job and he was in a spending mood, he got Jackson something as well. He got him a signed copy of the Star Wars script signed by the cast. He loved it. 

We had a low key night with him on his birthday. He wanted breakfast food for dinner and then cake. Reese's cake, one of his favorite candies.

He wanted a tablet to draw on to make pictures and animation on the computer. We got him a nicer one as his only gift. He has not been off of it since opening it. 

Jackson is super creative. He has piles of drawings in his room. On the back of most of his school papers are drawing as well. He also likes to make comic books. Jackson is a amazing student. His first parent teacher conference I was worried they would say he talks a lot and makes jokes all the time, a little class clown, but it was the opposite. He is helpful to all of the teachers and students. He loves to play games online with his cousins. It's the one thing about Boise that I think it is missing, a cousin Jackson's age that he gets along with. He has met a lot of friends here and gets together with his friend Luke often. We have recently been rearranging the garage. We found some bikes and tried to get Jackson to learn to ride now since he is older and he still does not care to learn. Jackson still loved horror things but has branched out to a little of everything. He watches, and re-watches lot of movies, like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Marvel movies. Every thing and everything is a toy. I love that at 11, he is still able to do this. It is fun hearing him in his room playing with his toys. We were looking the other day wondering when we should go through his old toys and get rid of ones he no longer plays with, although I'm not sure I'm ready to do that. Getting rid of the LEGOs was one thing. Jackson has his one definition of clean/organized, and well, ours do not match up. He has a few cubbies full of drawing and loose papers. His bed is half covered in stuffed animals, almost to the point I'm not sure how he has room to sleep. Any trip we take, he adds to that collection. I have passed on my love for Dr Pepper to him. It used to be Fanta, but now that is his drink of choice. He is a homebody. Most nights he would prefer just to be at home with his family watching a show or playing a game. There are times we go out to get a snack or drink and his first question is if he has to go to get something. Which there is a story of Brad, his parents were going out to dinner and asked if he wanted to come. He said no, but can you bring me something home. His older brother Josh was there to witness it and was surprised at how Brad didn't care to go but still got the 'treat' of eating out. I have a feeling Jackson will get to that as well. He is the baby of course.  He is like his mom and dad in that aspect. He is not really into playing sports but he does like to watch them from time to time with Brad. His favorite hoodie is the one that Brad made for his PS5 hockey team. He has also asked to go to sporting events, although he usually only lasts until half time. Jackson is a kind person. He is a good friend and a friend to anyone. I loved watching in Texas how quickly him and Preston became friends again. Other than the eyes, he is a copy/paste of Brad, and Camden. He doesn't like to tease as much yet, but I have a feeling that may come with time. Jacksons favorite food are French Fries. His favorite game or toy is Roblox and his favorite subject is Math. 

Shoes and Stranger Things

A few weeks ago I had the boys take some things to Goodwill after school. They decided to go in and look as well. Cam found a cool shirt and Beck found some white shoes. Jackson liked them as well and wanted Brad to create some custom ones for him. 

These are Jackson's

Once Beck saw Jacks', he wanted some as well. I think both turned out really well. 

The  best way to spend a lazy, colder day? Binge Stranger Things. It's not too often right now that we have all of the kids together at one time, let alone a show we all like to watch. 

Luna

Luna is a weird dogs, to say the least. She loves her sleep and when she's tired, she is just a solid log that won't move. She also is not a normal dog in how she lays. 

She loves the heat. I swear our neighbors probably think we are the worst, but she would not come inside. 

Still he favorite nap spot, the basket of blankets.

Wrapped up in blankets, especially when next to someone.

Then bending a stretching like a dog normally doesn't.

She is comfortable like this and sound asleep, snoring. 

Jackson

It's not a big secret I like plants. I have actually kept them alive for a decent amount of time. Jackson started to grow plants at school, tomatoes and green onions. Now we will really see how much of a green thumb I actually have. 

Jackson is such a good student. Every teacher has loved him. At school they give WOW awards when kids go good things or helpful things. I got this email the other day from Jacks' school. I love hearing things like this. 

Cam's New Space

There is a desk in Jackson's room that was meant for Brad working. He doesn't really ever use it and Camden likes to paint a lot now. I hate the mess on the table all of the time, but it can be a pain for him to put it all up and take down. We moved his room a little and gave him the desk. It really is the perfect set up for his desk. I forgot to take a picture, so I text him and told me to send one... this is what I got. 

I love it because he had to show each section he made. He sent this picture last and said it was the best of them all. I have to agree. 

This Past Week

For the boys school had drawings after their grade took the ISAT. If they did well, they would get a ticket and that was put in a drawing for a prize. Camden won. He said there were a lot of chargers but he found some decent earbuds. He was pretty excited he won. 

Emery had a friend over all weekend. They walked around a few stores near the house and for whatever reason they bought, what they thought, was good sounding baby food. Shocker, none of them were good, other than the applesauce.

Eevee is our 'old lay' Sleeper. She falls asleep sitting up a lot. Luna usually is the one that falls asleep in weird positions but this time Eevee was zonked out! 

Last Concert

Emery had her last band concert for the year. She has liked this years songs a little more. They were playing one at this concert that she would not tell me about at all, just that is was awesome. All the songs were good, I wished I recorded the first song too. 

Her super private song was "Mission Impossible". She had fun playing it. 

First Day

 Monday marked the first day that we didn't have to take the boys to seminary at 6 am. And with only 3 to 4 weeks left of school. The boys wanted their gift from us early, which meant on their actual day, they wouldn't have anything to open. I felt bad and just left them a little note. 

We did have to have a talk after school that it's still our car and no trash can be left in my car. I'm too OCD about that. 

Beckham today went to get something out of the vending machine, reached into his pocket and noticed the keys were not there. He did a speed walk through the hall to the car. As he walked up he saw the key...in the car... unlocked in the cup holder. Glad he found the keys and the car was still there, but he said his heart dropped when he noticed. And that is only the second day driving to school.

Sweet 16

Not sure if it's still sweet 16 when it comes to boys, but we are there, or tomorrow we will be. This is our big birthday month. Brad turned 40 this year. For a guy who doesn't like parties, he married the right person. He knew I wouldn't want to throw a party either. We had a very low key day. Him and I both took Friday off work to just hang out. We had dinner on the 5th for his birthday and had cake. Brad doesn't like a ton of attention, so it was perfect. Friday night we had cousins over to celebrate the boys birthday. They went and saw the new Dr Strange movie. Before they had pizza, ate desserts and opened gifts. 

Beckham got dehydrated water. He did add water to make it hydrated and said it was delish. 

We heard rock band most of the night. Not  sure anyone will make it to American Idol, but it's still a fun game. 

This was my 16th. It was a surprise breakfast party. I remember almost everything about this party and day. While I'm excited the kids are growing up, it does not seem possible that this was 'yesterday' and tomorrow the boys will be this age. This party was almost 20 years ago!

Sixteen years ago today I was not loving life. I was so ready to be done being pregnant. 

From tiny little babies to taller than me young men, I am so proud of the boys every day. I love the adventure that having twins can be, especially ones who are so different but also so alike. We have been blessed that they get along so well and even have the same tastes in most things. Would be nice if they could share a few more things, like clothes was a big one, but that's okay. 

Camden has changed again so much this year. He is finding his style in clothes an music and activities. He likes to dress a little nicer and pulls it off well. Camden loves AJR and is excited to see them soon here. He likes a lot of the same music Beck does as well, which will be nice when they are in the car alone now. Camden really likes RPG type games and painting the characters for them. Brad, Cam and Beck are making up a game, which he will do the guys for. He also is trying to make a cousin D&D game and has painted a lot of those. AND we got a few Hero's Quest, so he has started to paint those as well. He does a great job and each one is better than the last. Camden is working to be a surgeon. He has had that goal for a while. When he leave high school, he will leave with EMT certification and high level course, ones that give you above a 4.0 GPA. He is in a health professions class right now and loves talking things medical. He watched as he got his COVID vaccine and was in awe of Beckham's toe procedure. Camden is still one to try and bug you. He knows how to push buttons and does quite often. Then he will turn around and give you all he can. He loved getting gifts for everyone this year, since he has a job and can. Cam wasn't ever a negative person but more middle ground, mood wise in Twin. Not saying its Boise, but since moving and since this year has started he is always positive. I ask about his day was and it's always 'amazing' or 'the best'. He rarely says anything bad, and if he does, he will say something good after. He really likes his job and likes working there. He's glad that he can get more hours when he is 16. He is ready now to take drivers ed. I am glad and I think he is glad too he waited. He is the only one of the kids who kind of keeps his room clean like I would. It gets messy from time to time but most days his bed is made and everything clean. Now if he could remember to do things, we'd be golden. Cam thinks of too many things at once and forgets most of what he has been asked to do He is getting better at making reminders for himself, but it is still a joke that Cam never remembers. I'm typing this looking at a card I handed to him to put away and he set it on the floor and forgot about it. He and Emery play Rock Band a lot. Cam is into the guitar and drums and does very good at both of them. He has taken a little break from piano, which I did the same. He played a song for mutual the other day and plays every morning for Seminary, so he is still getting it a little. Camden's favorite toy or game is Rock Band. His favorite food is Fried Rice and his favorite subject is Health Professions.

Beckham looks like he is turning 18 and not 16. This school year has been a really good one for him. I think he had a hard time when we moved. He held onto his friends in Twin, even though they didn't respond much, and he kept to himself. Both boys moving to the school they are in has helped them so much, but Beck even more. He has friends that he goes and hangs out with and makes plans with and ones he talks about from class. I asked the other day if this year was better and he said much. If you want a serious answer don't ask Beck. If you expect more than a head nod from him as an answer, you'll be disappointed. He likes to know he is sarcastic, although we may have to have talks to not go so far. While he is sarcastic, he does care about his family. Beckham is always helpful when I need him. He is able to reach a lot more than I can. He is really into building muscle right now. He has a class with one of his friends and they have plan this summer to do more.  Beckham loves music and almost all types. He has a playlist on our Amazon that has 25 hours of music on it, so far. He is open to hearing new things and he shows me songs he things I'll like. I love that he comes to me with that. He is still learning the guitar and it's fun to hear him play in his room. Since Christmas and getting the new one, he plays on his amp more, so we can actually hear him. Beckham also has a good imagination. He has a book where he writes movie, game, character ideas. After watching the new The Batman, he came up with ideas about other Batman universe. A book of food super hero's, Chimichanga Chad being one of my favorites. Beck also likes to watch new shows, or shows Brad and I liked. For the most part he likes them as well. One he didn't fully get was Seinfeld. I think Beckham really likes the freedom that his license has. It's only been a few days but he likes just getting out. Sometimes just getting out for a short drive is the best. It's one of the few ways that I get to be fully alone. When Beck graduates he will an an Associates of Art, 2 years done. He still says now he plans to go to directing, which is great, but I've tried to talk to him also about something like graphic design. He likes to write stories he also likes to create characters and in the game they are making, he wants to help design parts of that. I'm most interested to see where life takes him. They are both so smart and creative, life is going to take them far for sure. Beckham's favorite game or toy is the dumbbells. His favorite food is Double Bacon Deluxe from Culver's and his favorite subject is anything but US Government.

Day 1

Day 5839. Day before their birthday. I asked them to put on an outfit that was them. Camden has a paintbrush by his ear, Wendy's because he loves his job and the rest is his style. Beckham like comfy clothes, got a free hoodie so why not wear it. He likes Zox and hats a lot and the shoes were his birthday gift. Some handsome looking boys. Not as much height difference any more. 

Lord Beckham

Camden has had an idea for Beckham Birthday gift for a long time. He ordered a while ago and kept telling Beckham that it was amazing. Camden could not hold in the secret any longer so May 1 he gave it to Beckham. Right here he is Knighting Beck. Didn't tell him that I'm pretty sure only Royalty can do that and I don't think It has to do with Scotland, but I could be wrong on that. 

He bought Beck a one square foot plot of land in Duror Scotland making Beckham a Lord. It's pretty funny, pretty lame, but Beckham liked it. And that's about the most excited reaction you an get from Beck.

Picture Dump

Emery, Avery and Jackson walked around the Alberton's/Walmart area the other day. They had a few dollars to spend and spent a few hours walking around. We made dinner plans with Paul that night for dinner. He hung up the phone and ran into the kids. 

I'm not sure how I had my arm up, but one day at lunch Beck said my scar looks like Jokers face. Thanks? I think? So I let him color it. Brad Its a very big mouthed Joker. YSS is Why So Serious. 

I went and got Camden from work the other day. Every now and again I will take the dogs with me. This time I opened up the window. Eevee hated the sound of it opening and stayed away. 

Luna however knew that this meant freedom and kept trying to climb out. I had to hold her so she didn't. 

Only reason showing this is a reason number 1 why high ceilings are useless and annoying. We had 3 of the 4 lights go out and had to get something just to change them. 

Not sure I'll ever do fake nails again. It was fun for a little bit, but more a pain. I still have mine on. I clip them as they grow. I'm too cheap to pay someone to just take them off. Emery however used a safety pin to take her nails off. I can take a lot of gross medical things, but feet and nails coming off are the two I can not take. 

She just an old lady who will sleep anyway/anywhere. 

I saw this article and sent the title to the kids. It really talked about how a baby needs their mom and knows that voice from any other and listens for it above all, but at a certain age, kids realize there are more people to help and moms voice isn't the only one. It's not really saying they ignore you, although the title makes it seem that way. Beck' response was Beck at his finest.