Four years ago today. . .

 . . . Jackson joined our family.  There hasn't been a dull moment since.  He is such a wonderful little guy.  He has so much energy.  He is so intelligent and thoughtful.  He loves learning, being a leader and teaching others.  He mimics others, and loves to make them laugh.  He is silly and crazy, but can also be serious.  Jackson learns songs and books quickly and keeps them memorized for a long time.   His verbal skills are incredible, we sometimes forget we are talking to a 3 year old.

After spending 2 days at friends houses, he informed me that at their houses they get to do 'whatever they want'.  He asked sincerely if we could make our house a 'do whatever we want house'.  We talked about what that would look like and he said he would still clean and go to bed, but I'm not so sure.  

I heard Jackson up at 5:10 this morning.  He didn't come directly into our room, which is quite unusual.  Finally, at 5:25 he came into our room to inform me that he had done everything on his getting ready routine (dressed, bed made, teeth brushed, table set) and was prepared to start his birthday.  Usually, it takes at least 1/2 hour to complete these tasks.  But I guess a birthday is great motivation.
I took the kids running to a park and let them play.  I realized just how early it was when they were being loud at the park and I was shushing them because I didn't want to wake the neighbors.  My kids are crazy early risers!

Jackson helped me all morning as I prepared for his party.  He was thrilled with the construction theme.  He loves Bob, the builder and Handy Manny so we tried to make a general theme which was easy to adapt to all sorts of activities.  He loved trying out all the party favors and dressing in his builder outfit.
Here is the invite:

Each kid got a construction hard hat and nail belt pouches.  

Jackson had 8 friends, plus himself and Hallie.

We started with lego building as the kids arrived.  Then the kids excavated tools from frozen ice.  The kids used kitchen knives to dig out the party favors.  

The kids had to 'build their own' lunch.  They 'scooped' corn meal onto foil, hammered out the dough, painted on sauce, scooped cheese and sawed the pepperoni's.  While the pizzas cooked we commenced with more games. 

The kids played musical chairs, pin the screw on the driver, build a sky scraper (with boxes as bricks) and then wreck it with a wrecking ball, and 'lofty, lofty Bob' (duck, duck, goose) with a giant inflatable hammer bopping each kid on the hard hat :)

After eating the pizza, the kids painted the walls outside with water.  Then they used their new hammers to hammer tees into foam.  Finally, came presents.  Jackson got a puzzle, a punching bag, race cars, play-doh toys and a memory game.  

We ate cupcakes (Yes, that is Jackson's face on the Bob, the builder).  

Taking a break from all the hard work at this party.

 We ran out of time to build with our play-doh, but the kids got to take some home anyway.  I think Jackson really enjoyed being with friends and planning and preparing for this fun party.   This kids took home their hat, the belt, hammers, 3 other tools, paint brushes, play-doh and the golf tees and a bouncy ball just for fun.  I like using the party favors throughout the party, so we get to enjoy seeing them enjoy their gifts.
Later on, we gave Jackson rollar skates and a roadway rug.  We also went swimming and out to 'Dairy Queen' (Jackson's choice) for dinner.  I did a favorite tradition of my childhood and went through Jackson's baby book telling him memories of the day he was born and his childhood.  It made me remember so many great things about him.  I love this boy!!