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.