The Backpack and other adventures of the week

We're continuing to try to get our big 15-mo.-old to walk! Harry is just too content with his lightening crawl. Here's Jackson helping with the cause:
(missing video)

The boys' room has been the most dorm-like neglected room of our apt., and on Friday morning on a whim the boys and I drove to the Pottery Barn Outlet in San Marcos (about 50 minutes) to look at rugs. I think that "whim" was the Holy Spirit's kindness, because all rugs were 60% off already discounted prices. I bought an 8x10 100% wool rug for the boys' room for $108, along with a blue Roman shade (originally $129) for $5.99! And lastly, we got a monogrammed backpack for Jackson for $2.07! He was so excited about it that he slept with it at naptime that afternoon. And then this morning Matthew took Jackson with him on a quick run to campus, and as usual, Jackson had to wear his tie ("school" = "work" in his mind, as they are equated for his Daddy. A side note: this week we went to visit a preschool co-op that some friends are doing, thinking about the possibility for next year, and right before we left, Jackson ran back to get his tie for the occasion) and this time the backpack got added to the have-to's. I took a picture before they left:

It looks like he's upset here, but he's trying to make a funny face for the picture. :) The backpack is far too big, as you can see.
Another milestone for the week was Jackson saying his ABCs all the way through for the first time. Here he is showing off:
(video missing)
Our friends the Michelsons (from Princeton) are coming to visit this weekend. YAY!