The One With Tennis on Fountain Square

After visiting the Carew Tower, we headed over to Fountain Square. I love Fountain Square.

When I worked downtown, I loved going down at lunch and just people watching. The Tyler Davidson Fountain is so cool, I was really excited for the boys to experience it.

Lucky for us, the US Tennis Association was on the Square holding some kind of event promoting tennis for kids. They asked if the boys would like to play. Tennis on Fountain Square? How cool is that? Sign us up!
I signed some waivers and they hooked the boys up with wristbands and racquets and let them hit a few balls. Then the tennis pros got there and played doubles with the twins. The twins really enjoyed it and seemed to catch on really quickly.

Jackson got to play singles but was more interested in modeling for the photographer there to take pictures for the USTA website. (They aren't up yet. I'll add a link to them when they are posted.)

Afterwards, Bryce and Jarron both asked if they could play tennis again sometime. I'll have to look and see if there are any programs in our area. That's the really neat thing about our boys, they always want to try new things. I love that about them!

The One Where We Witnessed A Crime

This past Saturday, we had one of those days that I love-nothing to do and nowhere to be. Chuck, as he does most Saturdays-because he is a good husband and daddy, got up before me and got the boys breakfast. When I finally dragged myself downstairs (did I mention that I'm not much of a morning person? At all?), he said, "We should take the boys to the Carew Tower today." Hmmmnnnn...

For those of you who aren't Cincinnatians the Carew Tower is currently the tallest building in downtown Cincinnati. You can take an elevator up 49 flights and walk out onto the open air top deck. There is also a mall on the main level. The building is old, and the architecture is pretty cool.

And for those of you who don't know me well, I have a deep, deep fear of heights. Just thinking about being that high up makes me break out into a cold sweat and I start shaking. But he was excited and the boys were excited, so I went.

I am proud to say that I went all the way to the top of the tower without freaking out. We met a really nice couple from Georgia that gave the boys quarters to use in the viewfinders. The twins were tall enough but Jackson still needed a couple of inches to see.

It was blazing hot so we didn't stay long but it was neat to see the newest building being finished (it will be taller than the Carew Tower) and to see the Bengals stadium from above.

I haven't been downtown in awhile, we just live so far out in the suburbs and we don't really have a reason to come down very often. And I admit, I don't think downtown Cincy is the safest place in the world. But since we were there on a sunny Saturday morning, I felt pretty safe.
Apparently criminals are criminals no matter if the sun is shining or not. While looking for the skywalk, we saw two men running full speed down the mall. Chuck and I both thought at first that it was older teenagers acting rude. We quickly realized that one man was running and the other was chasing him. We were watching a thief try to allude an undercover security guard! Chuck quickly pulled the boys and me to the side so that we wouldn't get run down. The security guard's walkie talkie went flying off as he ran past us. Chuck picked it up and handed it to the uniformed guard at the desk. She calmly took it and went about her business. No reaction at all. Almost as if it happened all the time. Which maybe it does-but it left us a little shaken. If nothing else it was certainly memorable!

The One Where Jackson Turned Six!

Wow. Has it really been six years since this happened?

2004

I love those last two pictures-even the super blurry one. Because that expression on their faces? Pure bliss. They were thrilled to be big brothers. And I was so thrilled to have Jackson Scott join our family.

2005

2006

2007

2008

 2009

Looking at these reminds me of how quickly a year flies by. Of how fast they go from being a baby to a toddler to a boy.
When I looked back at the pictures of him from the last six years, a flood memories washed over me. His first tooth, first haircut, and first steps. How he'd follow the twins around even before he could walk, just trying to keep up. The way he used to say "memonade" instead of lemonade. The way he would spend hours in the baby swing in our backyard. The way he hated the beach and sat on a towel the whole time complaining about the sand. How he used to wear a Power Rangers glove only on one hand and would insist on wearing it to bed. The way he cried the entire time he played soccer his first year and how happy he was when he scored his first touchdown in football. The way he climbed onto the school bus for the first time without tears and without a look back. How little he looked getting baptized but how strong his voice was when he declared his faith. And how amazing it is to see him teaching his little brother all the things his big brothers taught him.

SIX random things about Jackson at SIX:
-He can hear a song on the radio twice and know the lyrics by heart.
-He can clear any video game you put in front of him within days of getting it.
-He is scared of the dark but doesn't flinch when you give him a shot.
-His favorite toys are anything related to video games, his Zhu Zhu pets, and his Legos.
-He can swim like a fish and LOVES the water.
-He will only eat the main dish of any meal you serve him (he won't touch side dishes like noodles or rice).

Jackson. Baby Jack. Apple Jacks. Action Jackson. Monkey. Our boy. We are so proud of you. We love you so much and couldn't imagine life without you.
Happy 6th Birthday Jack-Jack, we love you more than you'll know.