Standard

Trick-or-treating, 2020 style

With the number of local COVID cases practically doubling day after day leading up to Halloween, I had been torn about whether or not we should go trick-or-treating.

Then on Halloween I saw that nearly everybody on our street set up a “trick-or-treat” table at the end of their driveway with candy scattered about. We did the same thing. That way kids could still parade around and get candy without having to interact with people at the door or stick their hands in a shared bowl.

With that being the case, we decided to head on out — even though both boys were already so tired out from the party earlier in the day. Jackson was super excited at first, but only made it to a handful of houses… errr, tables? Definitely a different experience this year, but fun nonetheless!

more
Quote

Ouch!

Jackson: “Daddy, would you like to join us for story time?” 

Justin: “Sure!”

Jackson: “Well, sorry. You can’t.”

(Slams door) 

more
more
more
more
more
more
more
more
more
more
more
more
Status

Alternate message

Daniel Tiger, one of Jackson’s TV shows, has a lot of little songs and rhymes to teach all kinds of great lessons for preschoolers. One of them — meant to help the kids transition when play time is over — goes: “That was fun, but now it’s done.”

Sounds awesome, right?!

Well Jackson keeps ripping toys out of Beckham’s hands, singing “that was fun, but now it’s done!”

more
Standard

1st visit to the dentist

I had Jackson’s first dental visit booked just before the pandemic started last year, but I was a spaz and missed the appointment. The re-scheduled date ended up falling during the stay-at-home order, so that one got canceled, too.

He was probably long over due, considering he is over 3 years old now, but finally we made it in.

And as if seeing the dentist isn’t nerve-racking enough, the poor kid had to wear a mask and then deal with all the people wearing face shields and loads of protective gear, along with all their regular drills and scary gadgets.

He did so great, though!

Sat perfectly, followed all their directions, answered all their questions. The dentist and hygienist were both super nice and slowly guided him through the process. All in all, smooth sailing.

And thankfully, no cavities!

more
Status

Choose wisely

One of these bowls is cinnamon and sugar while the other is cinnamon and salt.

(Jackson took the initiative to start baking without me.)

more
more
more
more
Status

Outside only, please

One COVID perk: Not having to clean when people come over!

(BTW, the one bare spot behind Beckham is where I was sitting. And the one bare spot behind Jackson is where I just picked up a train set that was there. And five minutes later he noticed it was gone and was asking for it.)

more
Status

Uh oh

Jackson figured out how to unlock the door to the outside. We may need to get a Michael Lock over here.

(The “Michael Lock” was a little fish hook lock we had on our front door growing up so that my younger brother Michael wouldn’t be able to escape out of the house…

We called it the “Michael Lock” and always had to remind one another to make sure the “Michael Lock” was on. )

more
Quote

Stay away zana

Jackson: “You know what song is stuck in my head, Mommy?”

Me: “What song?”

Jackson: “The zana song.”

Me: “What’s the zana song? How does it go?”

Jackson: “Oh, sue zana! Don’t you come for me!”

more
more
Status

Step right up

Which station would you like?

We have a food station, puzzle station, dinosaur station, pumpkin station, monster station and excavating station.

This actually started from me being too lazy to clean the table when Jackson was ready for a new activity. I just kept pushing things off to the side, and then viola — the “stations” were born.

And turns out he actually loved moving back and forth between them all, haha.

more
more
more
Quote

Nice try

Me: “OK, one more minute.”

Jackson: “And then after that minute, one more minute? And after those minutes, then A LOT of minutes?!”

more
more
more
more
Standard

Who’s picking it up from who?!

Jackson will ask for something and then he always adds “or no?” at the end of the sentence. As in: “Can I have another fruit bar, or no?” or “Can I watch TV, or no?”

Justin and I realized we are both starting to talk like this now, too. Except while at work, at the doctor’s office, on the phone, etc. lol

more
more
more
more
more
more
Quote

‘It’s October!’

Jackson to neighbor: “We’re looking for decorations and pumpkins. Cuz it’s October!”

Neighbor: “Do you have a costume?” 

Jackson, looks down: “No. I have a coat.” 

more
Standard

More positivity

Me: “Shoot, we’re out of milk!”

Jackson: “Don’t worry, Mommy! We can just pretend my water is milk.”

And another one:

Me: “Oh no!!! Luc ate your pancake!”

Jackson:  “Don’t worry, Mommy! We have lots and lots of other food.”

more
more
Standard

Coincidence?

I don’t think this had a deeper meaning, but through the lens of COVID this is so sad!

Jackson, talking about a picture he drew: “It’s a Halloween party. But it’s missing something.”

Me: “Oh, what’s it missing?”

Jackson: “It needs friends.” 

more
more
Quote

Ahhhhhhhhhh

Jackson holds up a skeleton hand. (We got out the Halloween decorations.)

Jackson: “Mommy, say, ‘bye.'” 

Me: “Bye!”

Jackson: “Byeeee! See you on the other side!” 

more
more
Quote

You can do it, Daddy

During our evening stroll…

Justin: “Why don’t you walk.”

Jackson: “No. It’s hard work walking.” 

Justin: “It’s even harder work carrying you!” 

Jackson: “It’s OK, you can be brave. Let’s go all the way to the end!” 

more
more
more
more
more
more