The Lee Family: Cousin Jackson Turns ONE!

After Sofia got out of school on Friday we headed to meet CK at the Arlington Airport so we could fly to Atlanta and spend the weekend celebrating Jackson's 1st birthday and see Cynthia and Jay's new house in Marietta. The flight went very smoothly and CK Sr. picked us up at the airport. We arrived around 9pm local (8pm TX time) so both girls were ready for bed and we were all hungry. The girls had granola bars, bananas and fruit snacks on the flight so they weren't exactly starving. We ended up stoping at Wendy's for a quick bite since we didn't have any idea of other options. After eating possibly the worst food ever (the girls and I haven't ever eaten there before), we arrived at Cynthia and Jay's new house! The subdivision is still under construction and since it was dark out we weren't able to get a sense of how it all looked, but we were given a tour of their house and it is awesome! It's very cozy and seems to fit them perfectly, even though they don't feel completely unpacked and will need more furniture to fill up their house. It's such a perfectly designed house and feels so cozy already!

The kids played for a while and we ended up putting them to bed way past all their bedtimes (Jackson was asleep already when we arrived, so he was well rested). Sofia slept on a blow-up bed upstairs in Chandler's room while Olivia slept in a pack-n-play downstairs in the media room next to Jillian's blow-up bed (Connie and CK were in Jillian's room while we were in the guest room next to the media room. It was the perfect set-up!) Just before midnight while Cynthia, Jay, CK and I were relaxing in their living room, we heard Sofia crying and running down the stairs. Before we knew it, she was throwing up all over their hallway rug! It was terrible and she felt awful. Of course, we reassured her and cleaned up while Cynthia gave her Motrin. Sofia was sweaty and had chills, so we were afraid that she might have a virus. She wanted to sleep down in our room, so CK moved her bed downstairs while we made she she wasn't going to be sick again. We all went to bed, sleeping fitfully with every noise Sofia made. Luckily, she never got sick again and I'm pretty sure it was the food.

Saturday started with a "Mommy, can you get me out? I can't get out myself..." from Olivia. I got up around 7:30 to get her out of the pack-n-play while Jillian jumped up and we all headed upstairs where Chandler, Jackson and Connie already were up. Sofia continued to sleep and the four kids had cereal and muffins while Jillian talked all of our ears off! She's definitely a morning person. Olivia was very clingy and tearful and I finally gave her Advil which helped. Sofia got up around 9am and Chandler was so happy to finally get to play with her more. First, Grandma and Grandpa gave all three of the girls their own "Frozen" dresses and Barbie dolls and they were super excited about the Frozen dresses! Sofia changed into it immediately and they all headed down to the basement to play. Both Chandler and Jillian wanted Sofia's attention and Jillian always seemed to be the one trying to play with Sofia and Chandler. Once we reminder her she could play with Olivia, it seemed to work out well. However, they all really played great together and all got along.

Soon the house was in full "party preparation" mode with Cynthia heading out to get party supplies and Connie and CK Sr. going to get the chicken salad sandwiches. Jay, CK and I started to organize the basement, where the party would take place and decorate. Soon it was time for the party and Jay's Mom and stepdad showed up with their friends and their three kids arriving well into the party (they had their date mixed up). We all ate and enjoyed the outstanding chicken sandwiches and other food before singing "Happy Birthday" to Jackson who got to enjoy his very first smash cake! After cake and ice cream, all the kids played together outside. Finally it was time for Jackson to open his gifts which he wasn't particularly interested in doing, so Cynthia let the other kids open them for him. Of course they all LOVED playing with the one year old gifts! Cynthia and Jay's friends headed home around 6pm (they live a few houses away, which must be great) and we all had Connie's delicious baked ziti. I put all three of the girls in the bath and got them ready for bed before they all headed down to the movie room where they watched Frozen. Of course the girls were super excited and Chandler went along with it. After the movie they were off to bed.

On Sunday we enjoyed delicious donuts CK and Cynthia picked up and the kids played together. We headed to the airport around 1pm and headed home to Texas. It was perfectly planned since both girls were exhausted from short nights. The girls said goodbye to Grandpa and we loaded up in the rain. Cynthia made us sandwiches which we all enjoyed and I think the girls were asleep before altitude and I was close behind them. We ended up stopping in XXXX for a bathroom break and gas and continued on to Arlington, arriving around 6pm. We ate and picked up Buddy from next door before getting home and unpacking from a fun weekend!

Grandma handing out gifts - Frozen dresses! A HUGE hit!!