Random notes...

Gavin has popped a couple molars in the last week or so. So even though his cold is gone, the nose is still running. Now he has his 2 bottom front teeth, his left 1 yr molars (top and bottom) and his front top 4 teeth. There are going to be a lot more teeth coming in the next few months - 2 more molars, 4 eye teeth and the remaining 2 bottom teeth. Eek! I don't like teethging...

Gavin is trying to say words. Puppy, Hannah, ball. They aren't too clear, but he's trying.

Jacob had school pictures on Friday. I was with him when he got them taken and they looked pretty cute - even with his haircut I gave him. The salon (if you call Great Clips a "salon") doesn't do it like I ask, so I've been trying to do it the last couple times. Plus, since I started coloring my hair again its just not in the budget for him to get haircuts - tee-hee. The suspense will be what he looks like on the class picture, just the teachers and photographers there to get 18 kids to look at the camera. Hmmm...

I have a fun summer planned for Jacob. Swimming lessons, tennis lessons, sports camp, hike camp, t-ball. So much fun, seems so far away. After taking him ice skating this winter and roller skating last weekend, I decided not to torture any skating teachers this summer with him. He's like a rag doll on skates.

I am having a hard time keeping Jacob from pulling Gavin over, pushing him, body checking him, etc. So I have implemented a complete no touching rule, punishible by time in his room - the only real way to keep him from NOT finding a way to get Gavin to the ground. No wonder Gavin's a biter, what's a babe to do? Although, Gavin did go in for a bite on another kid at playgroup on Friday. Luckily it was one of those times where I was actually watching my kid and could see it coming and was able to get to him before he made any contact. He continues to think its some sort of game to try to bite us and I don't know why we all giggle as he tries. I instruct Jacob not to laugh, but I can't help it when he comes after me. What is that about?

I have been hip-hopping and tapping on Tuesday nights. The hip-hop makes me feel like I'm back on danceline in high school - only we learn a lot slower and there is less bickering. The tap makes my legs want to fall off during warm ups - good workout and you have to watch yourself in a mirror which makes you realize just how not in shape you look. Arg. I have started strength training once a week - they work you so hard they don't recommend you do it more often. Ouch.

Just Pictures...

Just some pictures of the kids...

Gavin, our newest driver.

Jacob and his cousin watch his ball sllloooowwwllly roll towards the pins.

Gavin running around the house.

Jacob and Gavin being silly.

Jacob.

Gavin and Jacob with Auntie Dre-Dre.

Gavin Copy Cat

Gavin is so fun these days. He loves to copy what others are doing. He does fake sneezes. He pretends to pump soap and suds up his body in the bath, just like big brother. Still loves "talking" on the phone. Spends a lot of his day going up and down the steps. He really enjoyed the pool on Monday, as did Jacob. Only struggle with Gavin this week is his cold - the nose will not stop oozing. Yuk!

Jacob had a stomach bug this week too. He puked at the mall, in the food court, while we were eating with friends. Gross. I felt really bad for whoever had to clean it up and for those trying to eat while Jacob was hurling his lunch. He had no other ill effects from the bug, just puked Wednesday at lunch and then Thursday at supper. After the Thursday episode he was still hungry for fish nuggets - which had just been tossed out. Ew.

I had a fun night with Kim watching Sex and the City. We'd seen more of the last season than we'd thought, but the food and wine and company were great. Tonight Fred and I are bowling with my MOPS group. We are getting a real babysitter, one of the girls from church. Very brave of us. Then tomorrow I am hanging out with my mom and sister, Parade of Homes here we come. God bless Fred for being so good about letting me run around;)

What I Learned on Vacation

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Photos

1. Our first of many self-portraits of the trip. We are still in the Port of Miami here.

2. Georgetown, Grand Cayman.

3. Self portrait of us in Cozumel.

4. Our ship, the Norwegian Jewel.

5. Fred being serenaded after lunch in Cozumel.

6. Amber in Cozumel.

7. Us, between our ship and a Carnival ship.

8. Our last self-portrait, at sea before supper at Cagney's Steakhouse. Yum!

Lessons...
1. When you cancel the flight out on your airline ticket, they will also cancel the return flight. Even though you booked them through Orbitz and you cancelled with Delta, because they cancelled due to weather and couldn't understand that we NEEDED to be in Miami by 2 on Sunday to catch our cruise. "We can get you in at 12:01 am on Monday..."

2. Crying and yelling will get you more than being nice.

3. You CAN tell that you are on the water in a giant cruise ship and then when you get off you FEEL like you are still on the water.

4. They hand out sea sick tabs like breath mints on cruise ships, thank goodness.

5. 6 days is too long for me to be away from my kids, but they will survive and enjoy the time with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins.

6. I can sleep past 9 and still need a nap during the day.

7. Fred and I should invest in helmets to protect our heads from falling drinks.

8. I like warm, sunny weather. Cool and cloudy weather while on a ship though, stinks.

9. I'd rather have a swim-up bar, than a cruise ship.

10. We might be taking a road trip next year.

Kid Update

I chaperoned my first fieldtrip for Jacob's class. We went to Lowry Nature Center, west of Victoria. We had a gorgeous winter day to hike around and look for animal tracks and snow fleas. I was in charge of Jacob and his friend Maggie. About the only 2 that found it better to walk in the snow than on the trails and if you know Jacob, it doesn't take much to make him fall and so I spent a lot of the day pulling him back up.

Here is Jacob with is friends Johnny and Maggie.

Maggie, Johnny, Myles and Ellie

Jacob giving Maggie a ride on the kicksled - their favorite part of the day.

More pictures of the kids...

Jacob in fine form at gymnastics.

Gavin taking care of Jacob's "guys" while Jacob was at the Timberwolves game with Fred.

Jake Feldewerd with Jacob at the Paramount in St Cloud to see Aladdin.