Monday, May 24, 2010

The Front-End Loader

Name and Grandaddy had a big surprise for Jackson: his very own John Deere front-end loader!

Jackson likes to gather up the leaves...

...and take them down the driveway in his scoop.

Then he drops off the leaves at the bottom of the driveway.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Election Day

Tuesday there was an election in Arkansas.

Jackson helped Mama to vote.

He got a sticker for his efforts!

Friday, May 21, 2010

The Magnolia Blossom Festival

On Saturday Jackson, Grandaddy and Mama went to Magnolia's annual Blossom Festival and Steak Cook-off. We caught the end of the parade.

Most of the parade at that point consisted of political campaigners for Tuesday's election.

There was also a classic car show!

Jackson got to ride a train around the streets.

On our way home we stopped by the motorcycle show. Fun.


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Thursday, May 20, 2010

American Recap 1

Jackson and Mama are having lots of fun at Grandaddy and Name's house! First, Jackson gave them the beautiful sticker pictures he made for them with Lili.

One day we visited the gigantic Budweiser clydesdales who were visiting the SAU stables.

Jackson has started doing poos in the potty, so he has been getting rewards for this.

Jackson loves going in his little boat in the swimming pool!

One day we found a box turtle walking through the backyard!

Sometimes we go on walks and come across some awesome machines doing work.

One day Jackson and Grandaddy had fun with the bubble machine...

...and then cooled their heels in the pool...

...then watered the tomatoes.

Name ordered Jackson some great new books, many of which were favourites of Mama when she was little.

And today we went to the Square and enjoyed eating Southern stuff and visiting the Western store.

Click on any photo to make it bigger. More to come!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Fun With Anne and Chris Part 2

While we were visiting Fayettville, there was a big all-day bicycle race. Anne and Chris surprised Jackson with his own tricycle so he could feel like he was particiapting!

Name and Grandaddy and Anne's parents Gwen and Jim all drove over to watch the races and have a BBQ. It was fun to cheer on the bikes!

Gwen and Jim brought some books for Jackson to read, including Ferdinand the Bull, which Jim expertly read to Jackson.

At one point during the weekend, Chris played and sang one of Jackson's favourite songs, "You Are My Sunshine." We're hoping he'll bring his guitar when he and Anne visit us at Name and Grandaddy's this weekend.

On our last night, after many delicious forays into Chrisuine (Chris-made-meals) we ate out at pizza place. Jackson loved counting the Arkansas Razorbacks on the wall.

Thank you to Anne and Chris and their animal friends for showing us such a great time (and for their amazing patience and generosity).

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Fun With Anne and Chris Part 1

Last Thursday we flew into Fayetteville to spend the weekend at Anne and Chris's house. Crazy times were had!

We really enjoyed exploring around town, especially Wilson Park (near where Mama spent her first year of life) with Larry the Dog.

Jackson loved Larry "a little" (he esepcially enjoyed walking him, and being walked as a pretend dog with him by Anne) ...

...but he really loved the 3 cats who live with Anne and Chris, especially Richard Parker, below.

Here he is with Scout, who emigrated from China...

...and hanging with Ipso and Anne, who patiently built construction sites with him for ages.

Jackson also enjoyed hanging out with the diggers of Fayetteville.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Ukulele Session

Jackson's Grandpa Ross came over for a visit just before we left for the US.



He managed to tune up Jackson's ukulele and play all of Old McDonald!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day for Carrie!



Happy Mother's Day





Thank you to all the ladies who do such a great job of "mothering" Jackson!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Summer Crops

This summer we planted a few veggies in pots in our back courtyard.

We had pretty good luck with tomatoes.

We also grew some green beans, carrots, capsicums and various chillis and herbs.


We had a massive crop of habeneros. They and the tomatoes are still blooming and producing fruit, even though it's getting to be late autumn now.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Jackson and Daddy's Circus Trick

Here is a video of Jackson and Daddy performing their famous circus trick for Angus on Friday night:



Jackson had a fun weekend going to to the zoo with Granma and Lili, going to Fairy Park with Daddy, having lunch out with Mama, Olive and Vicky, and eating pizza with Mama and Daddy in Station Street. Posts soon!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Easter in Queensland Part 2

Because of all the rain in Queensland, we spent a lot of time relaxing with toys and books.

But Jackson and Daddy swam in the pool a lot, and one day we had a nice walk on the windy beach.

It was also jellyfish and crocodile season in Queensland, but one portion of the beach was sectioned off for swimming, which Jackson enjoyed.

On the way back to the airport, we had fun looking at all the boats--many of them grounded scuba and snorkelling tour boats--at the Port Douglas Marina.