The last of 5....

So many milestones have occurred in the past (less than a) week:

Jackson graduated from Kindergarten last Thursday.  We had a fantastic time playing at Landfall park with all of our school friends.  Charlie and I organized some games...jump the creek, red light, green light, and dizzy bat relay.  These are all games the children love.  The kids had a snack and then time for the presentation of kindergarten certificates.  Now, I have to brag on my son just a tiny bit.  It's a "proud mama" time. Jackson read the most books in his class.  January, Mrs. Grzeck started sending books home each night.  The children sent the book back to school once reading it was mastered.  Jackson read 149 books from January to May, not to mention the books he read at home.  That is an all time high!!  Ok, ok enough of my "proud mama" moment! :)

Mrs. Grzeck, Jackson and Mrs. Hunter

We had a great Memorial Day weekend.  It felt like a mini-"stay"cation.  We met friends at the beach on Saturday, went to the pool on Sunday and back to the beach on Monday.  Jackson and Eliza are at such a fun age for the beach...no diaper changes, independently play (some), love jumping waves, no napping required...  Charlie and I are trying to soak up this age!  Also this weekend, our very good friend Kora is visiting.  Kora is the granddaughter of our next door neighbors.  She and Jackson have been playing since they could run around the backyard together.  We love when Kora and her sister, Maddie visit.  We always have so much fun with them!

Kora and Jackson relaxing in the hammock

On a sad note, our sitter, Liza B has graduated from UNCW (that's not the sad part; that's exciting!).  She will be returning to Camp Cheerio and moving on to another chapter in her life after camp.  We had a fun dinner at Brixx Friday evening (kid's restaurant choice, of course) and dessert at the Fuzzy Peach.  Unfortunately, Fuzzy Peach didn't have cookies & cream yogurt, but it was still delicious.  We will really miss you Liza B.  We love you!!!

Eliza, Liza B and Jackson outside the Fuzzy Peach

Jackson and Eliza both had play dates today.  Jackson went to his friend, Ben's house, and Eliza joined 4 friends at the beach, including Eliza's good friend, Caroline.  She is moving next week.  She and Caroline are buddies!  We will really miss Caroline!!!

Caroline and Eliza at school

Tonight, our family celebrated "the last of 5."  As Jackson said, "At midnight, I'm going to be 6 years old!"  He is quite excited.  All during dinner, he kept asking us if we've bought his presents and where they're hidden.  He was looking all around the house trying to uncover his gifts.  One day I'll tell him that his mother was the ultimate gift finder and guilty of unwrapping and re wrapping gifts (sorry mom, truth comes out!) just to find out what the gift was.  I know, I know, it ruined the surprise, but I just COULD NOT wait!  So, our children's gifts will be hidden so well the gifts will NEVER be found! :)  So..Jackson read his last bedtime story as a 5 year old, and he came out and gave me my last 5 year old hug and kiss before being tucked in for the night. Jackson came out of his room once to say, "I just can't go to sleep because my birthday is tomorrow, and I'm too excited!"  I love it!!  He's now fast asleep probably dreaming of his big day tomorrow.    It's so hard to believe 6 years ago today, he hadn't even made an entrance into our lives.  My, our lives have changed.  We have been truly blessed by his presence.  He's such an amazing kid!  We love you, Jackson!  Happy 6th birthday!!!

39 weeks pregnant with Jackson

Welcome to the world, Jackson Brady Lee!

5th birthday party at Jungle Rapids.
He's grown so much over the last year!