Ice Skating Reward

Lately we have had some struggles with bedtime, so about a week ago we initiated a sticker reward chart.  It is working, and will more than likely make us go broke in the near future!!!  Here is how it works....Jackson gets to make a list of all the rewards he could potentially earn by having a good bedtime.  At the beginning of the week, he chooses 1 of the rewards and that is his goal to work towards. He has to earn 5 stickers to achieve the goal.  This week the chosen reward was ice skating.   He had 7 of 7 great bedtimes.  I don't think he is on to the fact that he only needs 5 of 7 yet!  The list of rewards he came up with is actually fairly extensive, he has a good imagination (or at least a lot of wants).  Next weeks goal is a hockey game!
Here are some photos/videos of his 1st time on ice.  He is such a natural!  We have inline skates at home that he uses, but he hasn't ever touched the ice or actual hockey skates.  We talked a lot about it before we went.  We told him at first he will have to hold on to the side or hold Daddy's hand and he may fall.  Boy, were we wrong!  That child hit the ice and took off.  After 1 loop around he told Daddy not to hold his hand anymore, and he could do it alone.  He even made a new friend.  This particular ice rink has 8 week skating lessons they are currently in the middle of, so we are thinking of starting him May 1 for the lessons.  We aren't sure how it will go, but he is such a natural it is worth a try.  We plan to take him a couple more times in April before he starts.  After that, they have something called integration where they teach some hockey skills.  Then, they allow kids to join a leagues if they test high enough.  Only time will tell, but I have faith in him.


New friend Kaitlyn

 Playing in the snow from the Zamboni with a very pregnant momma

 Getting ready to walk onto the ice for the 1st time

 Pretend face off

 Jackson chasing Daddy

 Tiny Ovi taking advice on skating technique

 Checking out the nets on the other side of the glass

 Getting laced up

 I really like this one

 Going solo

 Chasing Daddy

Emily's Birthday Party Part 2

As you can see, it was a lucrative birthday for our 6 year old niece!  Even Jackson got another gift!!  She almost couldn't stand waiting until her parents got home, then she almost couldn't wait until Jackson woke up from nap, now they are playing in the floor.  We are so glad they came down to share the weekend with us.  Plus, we just found out that Uncle Jim and Aunt Rita are officially in labor and expect their son Mikey to arrive today!  Now we are going to have two Leprechauns in the family!!!  Super excited for our growing family!!

Birthday party part 1

Cousin Emily is 6 years old today!  Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Jeff went to run a 1/2 marathon this morning (crazy overachievers), so we had a warm up birthday party around 6:45am.  Toys were left out for the kids by Aunt Carolyn so sleeping in was not an option for these two excited kids.  When everyone gets back, we will have cake and some more gifts!  Part 2 to follow!!

Bring on the warm weather!

We are so looking forward to Spring and the warmer weather!  Keeping Jackson inside, as far as he can tell, is a little like torture.  Don't get me wrong, he can go outside for awhile, but he can't wrap his mind around why he it isn't for a full 8 hour day when it is 30 degrees outside!!!

 

Daddy and Jackson filling up the bird feeder.

Action shots!  Hockey player Jackson without skates.  Notice the "Zamboni" in the background?  Occasionally he had to clean the ice...very important!

 

Jackson practicing for his baby sister Alex. 

 

 

We had a nice winter, but we are all looking forward to warmer weather around the Curran house.  Jackson is practicing how to be a gentleman, and is doing very well.  He is such a sweet natured kid, but passing gas at dinner and us trying not to laugh probably doesn't count as being well mannered.  We are also working on arguing and crying.  He is doing much better at arguing.  Bill says he gets that from me...of course, I argued and totally disagree  :)