Growing Up!

Noah went on his first "field trip" at preschool today. They took the kids to the theater here in town for a tour of how movies work and saw the new Dr. Seuss movie "Horton Hears a Who". Noah was very excited about his outing and got himself dressed for school this morning very quickly. All the kids wore their matching Lindsey Lane Preschool T-shirts. This was the first time he's ever done anything like that with anybody other than family. I thought about going with him, but didn't really have a babysitter and didn't think Jackson would do very well at the movie, so I ask Noah what he wanted. I said "Do you want Mommy to go with you, and do you want to go by yourself with your friends to the movie?" He, of course, said -"By myself with my friends!". I guess Mom's already not so cool anymore, huh? I guess I should just be glad that he likes doing things like that and gets to experience some things alone. He did enjoy telling me all about it when I picked him up this afternoon! He said he had a great time and really liked the movie (and the coke, popcorn, and M&Ms!).

Easter Sunday

We started out our Easter Sunday letting the boys go through their baskets from the Easter Bunny. Noah had specifically asked for a tie and as you can see, the Easter bunny came through for him! He got a tie, a belt, several other surprises and lots of candy. I think he was just as excited to go through Jackson's basket with him as he was with his own! After church, we headed over to MawMaw's house for lunch. We had a great lunch (thanks MawMaw!) and then got ready for an Easter egg hunt. Rachel, Olivia, Noah, and even Jackson had a great time hunting Easter eggs. When we got home for the afternoon, we were all pretty tired. Jackson went to bed and slept right up until time to go back to church. As Noah usually puts things- "Easter was so good!"

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Our neice Rachel had a birthday on Friday, so as part of Easter Lunch at Mawmaw's, we celebrated her birthday. She had birthday cake, presents, and "Happy Birthday" sung by the family. Rachel has really grown up on us! This was her 12th birthday, so next year, she'll be an official teenager! Look out Wendy and Scott- she'll be hitting the roads before you know it. I think she's already picked out what she wants for her 16th birthday- I hear she really likes the Hummer H2! Her dad does work at a car lot...

Easter at GG and Grandy's

My grandmother wanted the whole family to get together for Easter this year- something we haven't done in a long time. With 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, getting everybody together at one time isn't very easy to do anymore. But tonight we managed to pull it off for her. With lots of help from my Aunt Jean, and everybody else pitching in to bring food, we got together to eat supper. It was a full house with lots of good food! Noah had fun playing with all his cousins that he doesn't get to see very often. He has two cousins that were born within 2 weeks of him, so they're almost exactly the same age.
After supper all the kids headed outside for an Easter egg hunt. Noah loaded up on plenty of eggs filled with candy and other treats. A plain empty Easter egg is pretty much unheard of these days!

Thought this was a pretty cute picture of Jackson hanging out with GG and Grandy! He's the youngest one they have around now, and GG enjoys getting to sit and rock him. They make a special point to call him by his full name-

"Jackson Dean"! I think they are quite proud that he's got his granddaddy's name.

"Check it Out- I've Got Feet!"

The latest discovery in Jackson's little life- he found out that he has feet! The last couple of weeks he's become quite fascinated with watching his feet- kicking them up in the air and entertaining himself with them. Last night he really seemed to have a ball with his new

found toys! He succeeded in getting

those toes all the way up to his

mouth and chewing and sucking

away. He's growing and changing much too fast. It's fun every time he learns something new, but also makes me a little sad because it means I'm not going to have a baby much longer! I love you little buddy and am having so much fun watching you grow!

The Cat in the Hat!

To celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday, everyday at school last week the kids did a little something different- Monday was pajama day, Wednesday was Croc shoe day, and Friday was dress like your favorite Dr. Seuss character day! So on Friday, Noah got to dress like the Cat in the Hat. We thought he looked pretty cute with the great big hat on- kind of helped balance out the big backpack on his back!

Noah's First Flight

Last Thursday morning I had planned to meet a friend of mine, Dr. Jeff Johnson, in Madison for some work related paperwork. Before leaving the house Jeff called me and asked if I wanted to go flying for a little bit. Now I have gone flying with Jeff before, but this invitation was special. He had his son David with him and he asked if I would like to bring Noah along. I was a little concerned as to how Noah would do as he had never flown in anything before, but when I asked him if he wanted to go of course he said yes. He does have my DNA...

We drove over to the Huntsville International Airport and met Jeff and David at the Signature Flight Support FBO. They had already pulled his aircraft, a very nice Piper Cherokee 235, out of the T Hangar and completed the preflight. After putting Noah's car seat and David's booster in the rear seats and getting them all belted in Jeff started up and off we were. Noah was careful to secure Buster, his stuffed puppy dog, in between he and David stating that Buster had his seat belt on too. As we taxied to runway 18L Noah was all smiles and I of course was bursting with pride that my little buddy was enjoying just being in an airplane even more than I. After getting clearance from the tower we pulled onto the active and away we went. Noah was grinning from ear to ear as he watched us leave the ground and David exclaimed "we're flying!" I don't know which one was cuter. It was great to see those young boys enjoying flight so much.

We climbed out and flew over the west side of Madison and took a northwesterly route toward Athens. Noah was a little pro already adjusting the volume controls on his headset and sounding like an experienced aviator. I called Becky to let her know we were only about five minutes out from the house. We flew just south of the square and over to the west side of town and then spent the next several minutes circling our home. I took pictures of the house from the air as Becky stood out in the front yard taking photos of us from the ground. Noah thought it was cool to see mommy from so high up. We then went back east flying along the north side of Athens within site of Noah's Aunt Jean's and GiGi and Grandy's house.

We picked up vectors to the ILS for 18L and got clearance to land. We flew the length of the city of Madison and Jeff made a beautiful landing as always. As we taxied back to the T Hangars I felt so fortunate to have experience this day with Noah. Thanks to Dr. Johnson I had gotten the opportunity to introduce my oldest son to the freedom and thrill of powered flight. One day I hope to do the same with Jackson. Maybe one day one of them will be taking me flying...

Thank you, Jeff, for the incredible gift of taking Noah on his first flight! I will always be grateful.

Jackson Dean... or Michael Jackson?

This one was just too cute not to share! Jackson loves to suck his thumb and fingers so much, that over the weekend he practically sucked a hole in his thumb. He seemed very cranky Friday night, especially when he was trying to go to sleep- which is of course his favorite time to suck his thumb. When we started trying to figure out what was wrong with our normally easygoing baby, we discovered that his left thumb was swollen, red, and had actually split open. The only thing we could figure out to do with it was to put Neosporin and Aquaphor on it, then cover it up with a sock so he couldn't suck it. Kind of made him have the Michael Jackson look! Although he looks pretty happy in this picture, he wasn't too pleased with the situation. Naptime and bedtime weren't too pleasant for a couple of days. Thankfully, by Sunday it was well enough to leave uncovered. Now we're just trying to keep it from happening again!

Storytime at the Bowmans

Before starting preschool, Noah and I used to go to storytime at the library. We don't get to go very often now, but it looks like he misses it! He decided to have storytime with Jackson. I'm not sure which one enjoyed it more- Noah getting to be the "storytime teacher" or Jackson, who paid pretty close attention to everything Noah said! Noah is really enjoying Jackson more and more, especially at times like this when they actually interact with each other. David and I love to watch them do stuff like this. They make a good little pair!

Muffins With Mom

Today was a special day at Noah's preschool- it was "Muffins with Mom" day. Moms got to stay for the first hour and share muffins and juice with all the kiddos. After we ate, we did a little craft together that his teacher had picked out for us. It was kind of nice having a little bit of Mommy/Noah time again. We don't get many chances to do things alone since Jackson came along. I think Noah enjoyed having me all to himself for a little while. When it was time for me to go, Noah got kind of teary eyed. Mrs. Drea said that all the little boys got upset after we left and Noah actually asked "Is she coming back?". It's nice to be so loved- I think I'll need to remind him of this day about 10 or 12 years from now when he suddenly decides Mom's not so great anymore. I guess I better enjoy it while it lasts! I love you, Noah!!

Cowboy in Training?

The rodeo fun continued after we got in from church tonight. Since Jackson stayed behind at MawMaw's house today, Noah (being the great big brother that he is) wanted to give Jackson his private showing at home! First and foremost in any "show" of Noah's is that you must look the part and that includes everyone. Jackson, being the good sport that he usually is, went along with the plan. Sitting in his little saucer sporting that great big hat, he sat and watched, totally amused while Noah rode his stuffed horse and demonstrated how to swing his new rope. Have you ever seen two cuter cowboys? Maybe next year Jackson will get to go along for the real show!

Hmm... Do I Want to Be a Bullrider or a Roper?

Meet the newest member of the Longhorn Rodeo circuit- Noah Bowman. He went to his very first rodeo this afternoon and can now tell you all about being a cowboy! He definitely looks the part- as you can see he's sporting a brand new cowboy hat and rodeo t-shirt. They complete the outfit since he already has some boots (Daddy and Noah went for a haircut a few weeks ago and came home with cowboy boots- haven't figured that one out yet!). He really seemed to have a good time watching what all went on and soaked it all in like the little sponge that he is. He can tell you exactly how to rope a calf now, including the fact that "you tie up 3 of his legs"! He pays attention to every little detail and doesn't forget a thing. On the way out, we had to pick up an additional souvenir. Cowboy Noah is now the proud owner his very own rope. There's no telling what's going to get roped in around here in the next few days!