Doesn't Santa Deliver to Everyone?

We dropped off toys at a Toys for Tots drop location today. I was explaining to Jacob how those toys might be the only toys a kid will get this Christmas. He says, "well isn't Santa going to bring them presents?" Umm, well, errr.... I told him how some kids didn't have homes and had to live in shelters, so Santa had a hard time finding them, he seemed to buy that. I debate Santa every year as I want the focus to be on Jesus, so I nearly just told the kid what was up, but I refrained.

Away In A Manger 2009

Jacob and friends singing "Away in a Manger"

If you remember, Jacob sang "Away in a Manger" at church last year at Christmas, so he was very prepared this year to sing it again. They got to sing "Away in a Manger" this morning and "Go Tell it on the Mountain". I thought the kids did great. You can see for yourself, almost as if you were actually in the audience with heads and people's cameras in the way...

Away in a Manger...

Go Tell it on the Mountain...

Remembering Florida

On these frigidly cold days, I try to remember how nice it was in Florida. We had beautiful weather for the most part. The boys spent so much time in the pool, they might be considered amphibians at this point.

I was worried about the plane ride, mostly Gavin on the plane. But he was content on the way there, with enough suckers and fruit snacks and even watched a movie for a while (see below). On the way home, he slept most of the way. Easy!

Gavin and Jacob watching a movie on the plane.

The first day we arrived at about 5 or so at our hotel. It was dark by the time we got to the pool, but still warm enough out to go swimming and the pool was about as warm as a bathtub, so in we went in the dark. We did a couple night swims, since daylight did not allow the boys enough time for swimming (I guess).

Jacob and Fred in the pool.

Fred and I would take turns getting up and out with the boys in the mornings, neither of us being morning people. Lots of wandering the beach and picking seashells. Gavin was a good seashell hunter. I have visions of a Christmas wreath made of shells, but they haven't gotten that far yet.

Me and the boys on the beach.


Our family on the beach.

Honestly, Gavin was an attraction at the pool. Everyone at the hotel knew him. They'd say "oh, he's the one that's been jumping in the pool." Yes, he would jump in whether we were near or not, swimmies or no swimmies. At least he could kick himself up to the surface and by that time we'd be there to grab him. Kept us on our toes to say the least and entertained many a sunbather that week. Gavin particularily liked to perform for a family with four young and pretty girls. Oh, they start young.

Jacob also strengthened his swimming that week. He was soon swimming across the deep end and from the shallow to the deep end. Chasing new found friends and playing marco polo and whatever other games they made up.

Here they go jumping in.

Gavin liked Fred to hold him "up high" and then be dropped into the water.

Fred and Gavin on one of the night swims.

One afternoon we walked over to the marina on the intercoastal side of the island (we stay on Singer Island in West Palm Beach) and fed the fish. It was the one rainy day, so this was a good activity during the break in the rain clouds.

The boys at the marina, by a pelican statue.

The last full day we were in Florida it was only 70 degrees (what I wouldn't give for 70 degrees now). So we headed to Lion Country Safari for the day. It was a drive thru safari and we saw all sorts of horned and feathered animals along with lions, elephants and a water buffalo that walked too close to our van for my comfort. At the end of the "safari" there was a small amusement park and more animal exhibits.

Here is a rhino munching hay amongst the zebras.


Gavin on a paddle boat ride at Lion Country Safari.

Jacob feeding Bobby the giraffe.

The boys and I waiting to board a ride.

We should really go to Florida in about February, but the weather was so perfect there over Thanksgiving we won't complain. I wish we could have bottled some of that weather for days like today, or yesterday when the boys made me go outside and "play". Brrrrr.

I thought you were lost...

So, last Friday I went out to mow the front yard one more time, since apparently Fred isn't going to start the mower up any more this year. The kids had just gone down for nap, so I thought I had plenty of time. When I came in Jacob was already up from his nap. He had turned on the TV and was watching his shows. He looked at me and very non-chalantly said "Oh, I thought you were lost." He turned back to watch his shows, showing no sign of relief or excitement that I had been "found".

Fun Fall Foilage

The leaves were finally dry enough yesterday and the sun was actually out, so we enjoyed some time in the leaves. This year Gavin didn't cry (see last year's attempt).

Happy Halloweens Already

We've been celebrating Halloween since Thursday. I first took Spiderman and his Spider to the MOMS Club Halloween party on Thursday morning, lots of games and treats. Then on Saturday afternoon, Fred and I took the boys to the community center for their Halloween party, more games and a few treats. Here are the boys...

You wouldn't think that a spider this cute would actually bite, but he does.

Jacob and Gavin at the photo opp booth.




Jacob ran into a friend, who was also dressed as Spidey. Can you guess which one is Jacob?

Sunday night we had "Holyween" at church. We went with Biblical costumes for this party and we all dressed up, some more humiliated than others. Jacob was his favorite Bible character, David, complete with sling and Goliath (Fred). My mom brought down a lion costume last week, so I bravely wore that and tried to dress Gavin as Daniel (you know, Daniel in the Lion's Den). Songs, prayers, games, crafts and LOTS of treats were accumulated as the boys "Trunk or Treated" from car to car in the parking lot. Let me tell you, it is the fasted way to fill a bucket with candy!

Here is our version of Daniel and David.

Here David has "slayed" Goliath.

Daniel bravely facing his Lion.

PS Jacob is the Spiderman with the Spiderman slippers on, he's on the left.

Croup treatments equal Roid Rage

Jacob is enjoying being back in school. He still mentions his class from last year and how he misses them. He is making new friends though and has plans to get together with the old gang for a Halloween party. Fun!

Gavin enjoys his new music class. He doesn't appear so entralled when we are there and is done after about 20 minutes, but when we are home he sings parts of the songs and does some actions, so I assume that means he likes it. He also seperates without a problem at ECFE and MOPS (unlike last year), so those have been fun activities for us this fall.

Fred was off to Vegas at the beginning of October. While he was gone, I came down with a cold. After Fred got back Jacob came down with something, which I thought was just my could, but it was more like croup. He got to go to the dr and get a shot (which I had pretty much promised he wouldn't get) to make him better. Then Gavin got that croup and he was at the doctor twice and got TWO shots of steroids to make him better and he is still doing oral steroids to fight it off. He is sounding much better now and coughing a lot less today. He does however have "roid rage", you know you've heard of professional wrestlers having that side effect from steroids. Well, it happens to little ones too. I thought it was just my imagination (or easy excuse for his horrible behavior), but other moms have confirmed the phenomenon. I've been watching things sail by my head all week.

I am leaving for the weekend to catch up on my sleep (since I've been sleeping with Gavin in the recliner most of most nights this week) and hang out with my friend Kim and finally see their "cabin" (aka second home) in Wisconsin. So looking forward to finally seeing the Sex in the City movie. Yeah!

Fred is back at school. Two classes this semester and one next semester and he is done. Can't wait!

Plans are set for Florida in November, over Thanksgiving. Fred's parents are going with us, so that should be fun. Very much looking forward to warm weather and the ocean.

In the swing

We're in the swing of the fall schedule. Last week was our first full week and all went well. Except that Gavin and I went to music class only to find out it didn't start until this week, so we had our first class this morning. Jacob's preschool friend, Maggie, is in the room across the hall this year, but they get to play together at recess. His still asks though why she can't be in his room or when she will be in his room. He does have other good friends in his class, but he must really miss Maggie. We had her over for a play date last week and that was fun. Then Jacob went to her birthday party on Saturday morning.

After Maggie's party, he came home, took a nap and was off to another birthday party that afternoon - Johnny's from preschool last year too. Which ended up making Fred and I late to our card club Saturday night. Our social lives have obviously been changed by the kids, but now their social lives our interfering with ours. Oh, a sign of things to come.

We have had a couple fun and relaxing weekends here at home. Last weekend I got to go to a moms coffee gathering to celebrate the kids going back to school and then Saturday night the whole family got to go to a friends for a BBQ and t0 check out "Steamboat Days" in Carver. The "redneckness" of it made me feel very much at home. There was quite the range of folks there - suburbanites to bikers. We got to see the fireworks too.

Last Sunday we had our Rally at church with food and games and a bounce house. Then we were off to the Twins game with free tickets from Fred's work. They won easily, so we didn't stay for the whole game. The boys can only handle about 5 innings, or we can only handle them at a game for 5 innings - however you want to say it.

I also got some priming done in the basement (ceilings and inner walls) last weekend, which made workout on Monday morning particularily challenging and moving my arms at all a challenge the rest of Monday.

This weekend I got to go scrapping on Friday night, Fred and I did card club on Saturday night. Then we all went to Fred's brother Corey's to watch the game on Sunday. Fred's parents were down as well as his sister and brother-in-law.

Tonight I get to go out with some friends of mine, one in town from Canada. We are going to Redstone in Eden Prairie, so that should be fun and delicious.

Gavin is saying more and more words each day. Finally! Jacob was saying much more by this age, but now he asks "where'd he go?" or "where'd mama go?" and the other morning asked "where's Hannah's bowl?". He's mastered going down the long slide on the playset and climbing up it. He had his first ECFE class last Thursday and seperated well, but thru a huge fit when we left the building. He thru another at the park on Friday and I could not figure out how to make him calm down, so I just had to let it run its course. A good scene for the other moms at the park - thanking their lucky stars it was me and not them dealing with a tantrum like that.

Gavin with playgroup friends Avery and Daniella. Snack Time!

Jacob with his friend Kyle on the first day of school.


Jacob outside his school on the first day of preschool.

Jacob and Gavin on Jacob's first day of school.

Jacob posing for 1st day photos.

Drea and Gavin chatting at the lake. She's probably explaining to him why not to dump sand on your aunt's head, because...

earlier they were playing on the beach and Gavin decided to give Drea sandy hair.

Last day at the lake...

End of Summer

We finished up summer with a soccer camp for Jacob. Chaska's Touch-A-Truck. A Jason Mraz concert, aka date night. A girls only outting to a Vikes preseason game. A Jeske family gathering at our house. A day at the Mall of America. A family trip to the state fair. Johnny Holmes. An adults only trip to the state fair. A variety of fantasy football drafts. One last trip to the cabin to take out the boat. And now its fall.

Jacob had preshool visitation yesterday and starts class tomorrow. He has the same teacher in the same room he was in last year, but none of the same classmates. He does have his good friends Kyle and Bobby joining him in his class though and he's never afraid to make a new friend. His goal for the year is to master holding a pen/pencil correctly and improve his handwriting. Then I think he'll be ready for Kindegarten next year.

Our fall schedule looks like this:
Monday - Preschool for Jacob, music class for Gavin (and me), gymnastics for Jacob, school for Fred
Tuesday (2nd and 4th) - MOPS
Wednesday - Preschool for Jacob, school for Fred
Thursday - ECFE for Gavin (and me), Jacob gets to go to sibling care there
Friday - Preschool for Jacob, playgroup for Gavin (and me)

I am sure Tuesday or Thursday nights will include me fleeing the house on a number of occasions. Even if it is just to wonder Target alone.

Marked with the Cross

It's funny how things that you try to teach your kids appear when you least expect it. Today as we were playing with sidewalk chalk on the patio, I drew some faces and Jacob marked their foreheads with a cross "to remind them that Jesus died on the cross."

I spy with my little eye... a Tiger!

I got to go the the PGA Championship practice round on Tuesday with my sisters and Joe. We saw...

Tiger, getting ready to tee off on 18.

Tiger, posing for me. How nice he is!

Tiger after he tee shot.

Ernie Els leading his crew off down the fairway.

Angel Cabrera with his group. (He's second from the right)

Rich Beem teeing off on 17.

Adrea taking a nap in between golfers. So her mother's daughter.

The boys and I in our new PGA Championship hats.

A little time in the country...

We have returned from a couple weeks in Melrose. Fred was with us the first week and the boys and I stayed and extra week so Jacob could go to Vacation Bible School (VBS) at St Paul's and I helped out there too. We had a fun vacation, but it is nice to be home.

With Fred we tried to get to the lake as much as the weather allowed. We went and saw Fred's uncle play in one of his many bands. Watched the coverage of the "sexual assault" that happened not far from my sister's house. Fred got in a round of golf with his dad. We also enjoyed some time at the Stearns County Fair and watched the demolition derby, starring our nephew whose car ended up under another car at one point. Scary!

The second week in Melrose the boys got haircuts and then got they did pictures with their Jeske cousins (Maddie and Isaac). Jacob got to do a couple sleepovers at Middendorf's as "the twins" (cousins) were staying with Grandma and Grandpa for the week. Gavin got to spend time at Middendorf's while Jacob and I went to VBS. We capped off the week with a trip to the Little Falls Zoo.

Meanwhile back in Chaska our house got reshingled and I was very anxious to see it after Fred described the new shingles as "red". I was very relieved to find that they were not so "red", but brown with maybe a tinge of red - I think they coordinate well with the brick on the front of our house. Fred also got some painting of primer done in the basement and some other to-dos done, not all from my list I left him:)

Fred came back up to Melrose on Friday night and we enjoyed "42nd Street" in Cold Spring, directed by Fred's brother and our sister-in-law. On Saturday Fred took the boys, the twins and cousin Samantha to the lake. While I got to come to Chaska with my dad to assess the water problem in our basement. We had 6" of rain here on Friday night and the sump pump hose had not been placed where it should have been (I refrained from chewing my husband out too badly). My sister came down to help us clean it up. Luckily there isn't any carpeting down there and I don't think there was any permanent damage done.

We broke out the new 3 person "tube". Here Jacob is enjoying it with cousins Jesse and Jordan.

A typical scene at the lake, Fred in the water with the kids. Here Gavin is smiling at Maddie swimming to him.

Jacob jumping off the raft.


Jacob and Maddie practicing their syncronized jumping.

Grandma Mary Ann even got on the tube (with her clothes on) with Gentry. Daring Grandma.

We had the Feldewerd boys out at the cabin with us one day.

Here Gavin and Ben are playing with trucks.

Jacob and Jake had fun with the paddle boat for hours. They were determined enough to unbeach it themselves and then clever enough to figure out they could anchor themselves to the shore and paddle out a ways. So fun to watch bright 4 year olds play. Amazing how well they do when they see each other about twice a year, but play like they are best friends. (Their moms find that really special, being friends since 1st grade.)

Jacob (far left) with his new preschool buddies at the VBS final program. They sang a peppy version of "This Little Light of Mine".

We went with Alyssa and her kids and Grandma and Grandpa J to the Little Falls Zoo. Here the kids are pretending to be afraid of the stuffed wolf. Well, everyone but Gavin.

Watching the funny little bears play at the zoo. 2 at a time would climb in that blue barrel and wrestle around.

Gavin feeding the goats. He'd give the animals one pellet at a time.

Jacob feeding the donkey.

They boys are obsessed with their scooters lately. When my dad made a run to Chaska for a buddy, we had him stop and bring the scooters to Melrose. He was their hero! Here Gavin is acting like the 4 year old he thinks he is.

We are still kind of on vacation with the PGA here in town. My mom came down yesterday and we took the boys (they were free to get in). Today my sisters and my brother-in-law went. Apparently we saw Tiger yesterday, but today we really did see him and recognize him. Why is it so exciting to see famous people? I don't know, but it was. My sisters and my dad are going on Saturday too. It's fun to watch the golfers and the other spectators. I'll try to get some of our PGA pictures posted soon too.