'Baby Chocolate'

We have been encouraging Wyatt to drink from a 'big boy cup' instead of his sippy. So, now when he asks for chocolate (milk) he says 'baby chocolate, not big boy chocolate.' I want to remember that...

Gavin the Graduate

Gavin finished up his preschool career last week with a graduation ceremony, which included lots of songs and the handing out of diplomas. He has had so much fun learning at Preschool Place, I hope he has as much fun at kindergarten next year. He's learned a lot too - he's starting to read, doing some adding and subtracting, and is really good at printing. He's excited to have the summer off and very excited to ride the bus in the fall. He has quite the fan club at his graduation - Grandma and Grandpa Jeske, Aunts Alyss and Adrea, dad, mom, and Wyatt.

 

Gavin

Avery & Gavin with their diplomas.

Gavin with Dad and Mom.

The fans - Grandpa, Grandma, the graduate, Alyssa, Adrea, and Wyatt.

Gavin singing some "Tooty-Taut"

Celebrating 8 Years of Jacob

Jacob began his birthday week last Sunday evening with a Chuck E Cheese dinner with his family.

 

On Monday, his actual birthday, he got to open a couple presents from his brothers and his mom & dad - before opening them he asked "are any of these and iPod?" (No.) he got the latest Big Nate book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days movie, and some decals for his bedroom wall. (His room got redecorated and I feel like the kid birthday party is his present from us.) During his school day, Grandma Jeske, mom and Wyatt surprised him with McDonald's lunch and ate with a table of 8 year old boys. Later on in the afternoon, Wyatt and mom returned to school with birthday treats for the class - puch-em's from Schwans.

 

After school, he came home to open cards he'd received in the mail and his gift from Grandma and Grandpa Jeske - an iPod. Before opening his iPod, he said "I have a good feeling about this one." Needless to say he was ecstatic when he opened it. That evening Jacob got to go with Fred to the Twins game. They had seats in the Emerson suite - so Jacob got to enjoy a couple hot dogs, other snacks and treats, and Mt Dew. 

 

Jacob and Jacob - both born on 5/13/2005 and in the same class at Chaska Elementary.

Jacob opening presents in the morning.

Jacob celebrating after opening his iPod.

Jacob checking out his iPod.

Cupcake celebration - we didn't even have time for cake on his actual birthday, we did take time on Tuesday for some cupcakes.

 

On Friday, Aunt Adrea and Uncle Tim surprised Jacob with lunch at school again. Then that evening it was time for Jacob's birthday party with 11 other 8 year old boys. Oh boy! We had it at the school - through community ed they offered a Wipeout themed birthday party. Since it had rained all day, we had to do the activities in the gym. They did a scavenger hunt and then ran an obstacle course that included hurdles, running the bases, kicking soccer goals, agility hoops, putting challenge, and football toss. We finished the party with cake and ice cream and sent the sugared up boys on their ways. The boys had a great time, my patience and nerves were tested. Next year I hope to avoid a birthday party somehow.

The noodle army at the end of the obstacle course - yes, these boys were all inappropriate and obnoxious with their noodles.

Jacob doing the football toss challenge.

Jacob with his scoreboard cake. (It was crazy hair day at school, hence the wilder than usual hair.)

The party - with their ho-hum leader. (Eli, Aaron, Bobby, Gavin, Jacob, Kyle, Grant, Keegan, Xavier, Brendan, Bryce, and Brendan. Bruce the leader.)

Gavin's Career Aspirations

When asked at school what Gavin wanted to be when he grows up he replied "an angel, so I can go around helping people." Another kid abruptly informed him that in order to be an angel you had to be dead. Gavin replied, "then I'll work at McDonalds."

Mother's Day & Race for the Cure

The original plan for Mother's Day 2013 included all the Jeskes doing the Race for the Cure in celebration of mom and all she's been thru in the past year. However, life threw too many curve balls this last month - my dad being re-diagnosed with cancer, him starting cancer treatments, which caused coplications with his blood thinner and thus internal bleeding, and then on Saturday night before the Race he required surgery. So, needless to say the Jeske "celebration" was cut down to me running with a couple friends (Lys and Dre were suppose to run with us and a couple of Dre's friends) and then you'll see below the 1k walking crew - which mom and dad were suppose to be part of. It was my first race and my first 5k. I can say that on 3 hours sleep it wasn't a stellar performance, but I did run the whole way and it was very moving to see all the people out there racing especially the survivors.

 

The Middendorfs in our "Live for Dessert" team t-shirts. At the finish line.

"Live for Dessert" walking team included Maddie, Me, Karen Heinen, Kyra Fuechtmann, Ronnie Heinen, Kim Fuechtmann, Wyatt, Fred, Adrea, Ike, Gavin, Jacob and Alyssa.

"Live for Dessert" runners - Karen, myself, & Cori Silvestain.

 

After the Race, my family returned home to enjoy lunch and a special "We Love Mom" ice cream cake. I received a fun frame Fred made with the boys and some supplies for my flower bed. Then I got to take a nap :) We all headed up to see my dad at the St Cloud hospital and give my mom her Mother's Day goodies. We ended the day with an early birthday celebration at Chuck E Cheese for Jacob's birthday.

Totally made by a dad - with kids in jammies or barley so & the open windows. Plus, I knew he was working on something as Costco emailed me about my photos that were ready to pick-up - which I hadn't ordered.



 

March for Babies 2013

Jacob and I did the March of Dimes walk last Sunday. It was a gorgeous day and there were tons of people there. They shared a number of touching stories before sending us on the walk. We talked about all the preemies that we know during our walk, especially Jacob's cousins' baby-Scarlett. After Jacob got to do a bouncy obstacle course and jump in a bouncy house. There was popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs to enjoy afterwards as well. It was a fun morning with Jacob, we don't spend one-on-one time too often, so it was a great opportunity to catch up with him.

Jacob and I ready to march.

Jacob with Nordy (Wild mascot).

Jacob with Goldy Gopher.

2 funny quotes I can currently remember, so I'll write them down...

Fred was in Manila, Phillipines last week. On about April 24th, we were FaceTiming Fred. Trying to explain to the boys that when we were talking to their dad on Wednesday night, it was actually Thursday morning for him. We asked Jacob what day he thought it was where Fred was. Quote "February 12th?" Interesting guess. Still makes me chuckle.

Next funny quote comes from Gavin. He asked why Chuck E Cheese wears his hat backwards. I said "to look cool." Gavin replies "oh, like when dad tries to look cool."

I know they say more funny stuff and I need to be better about writing it down since my brain has turned to jello and retains nothing.