Thank you Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

Why am I thanking these people?  Because they are the authors of the Spiderwick Chronicles.  I actually haven't read these books but my kids have been reading them in their 2nd grade class.  Aspen loves to read and will read anything and everything.  Jackson, however, does not love to read.  It's torture for him and he doesn't enjoy it at all.  Until now.  

He loves the Spiderwick books and can't get enough of them.  Last night after I tucked him into bed I went in to check on him and found him hidden under a blanket READING with a flashlight.  Reading by his choice.  Sneaking to READ "just one more chapter."  I was so excited!  I went right online and ordered the 5-book set from Amazon (which I fully intend on reading myself).  

Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers concert was fun! Jackson lost his steam after about 45 minutes but overall he thought it was awesome! Our ears are still ringing from all the teenage girls SCREAMING (I'm pretty sure that if I were 14 I would totally be one of those screaming girls). They played all of our favorite songs. Jackson couldn't wait for his favorite "S.O.S." and of course it was the very last song... he did perk up for that! My personal favorite is "Year 3000" which was their opening song... see video below for a clip! They also did a cover of "Take On Me" by A-Ha and I laughed thinking that most of the "kids" in the audience probably thought it was just a new Jonas Brothers song!

The opening band was an awesome surprise... ROONEY. I've actually been a Rooney fan for awhile and have some of their songs on my ipod. So that was a bonus!

More pictures from the concert to come!

What are you doing tonight?

Jackson and I are going to be rockin' out at the Jonas Brothers concert!  Can't wait!  (P.S.  Note the playlist-- part of our excitement)!

The one where Jared passes the AT-SAT

This is bigger news than we've had in a long time! Jared has been trying to "be" an air traffic controller for awhile and he was finally able to take the AT-SAT (Air Traffic Selection and Training exam) last week. It's an 8-hour long extremely difficult exam. Well... he totally PASSED (and earned "well qualifed" status) and will soon be off to Oklahoma for training (for 12-16 weeks... picture a major sad face here). However, once he's done in Oklahoma he'll be working at the Salt Lake airport! YAHOO!

Hannah Montana in 3D

We went to see the Hannah Montana 3D movie over the weekend. For me it was complete deja vu because it was the very same concert we saw (they filmed the movie in Salt Lake). Aspen loved every minute of it and Jackson got a little bored. Except he thought it was AWESOME that he got to keep the goofy 3D glasses! There was also a short part in the movie with the Jonas Brothers and he thought that rocked!

Aspen wore her Hannah Montana wig but got embarrassed before the movie and took it off! After the movie we went to the "Red Carpet Rockstar Event" where about 50+ little girls were singing, dancing, etc. (and most of them were dressed up like Hannah Montana). Aspen won the limbo contest and got a cool poster! There were only 3 boys there and the DJ talked them into going up on stage and doing the YMCA. Jackson refused at first but I bribed him with a trip to the gas station!
Love the pose!

New Table!

Wise Words from an 8 Year Old

During the week of Martin Luther King Day my kids had to write their own "I have a dream..." speech.  I never received Jackson's work sheet (I think he throws papers away rather than bring them home) and I found Aspen's crumpled up in the bottom of her backpack.  These are pretty wise words from an 8 year old.

"I have a dream... they will have no more wors and no more fites and us to have piece in the whole wide world and to have freedum and that peaple will not kiddnap kids and for wors to stop!! And peaple to stop stilling and to be nice to other peaple and believe in god and believe in ourselfs.  And when I grow up I want to be a good parent.  The End.  by Aspen"

It makes me sad to think of the things her little mind is worried about.  I think when I was 8 I was only worried about playing with my friends and eating treats.  It's sad she has to think about kidnappings and war.... but I loved her essay.  My little proud-mommy light shined bright!