Back at it?

I have not looked at this blog in ages and I realized there were a lot of posts I never published so I just released them. They are old and out of chronological order but at least I have the event documented!

Let's get up to speed. The end of summer 2011 was overall great. Unfortunately my Grandma passed away at the end of August. It was hard on all of us. We struggled with when to tell Jack about it. He is a very emotional guy and he was going to be starting school the following week and we didn't want him to be affected by so much change at once. In the end, we decided to wait and tell him. I don't regret it because I was emotionally stable enough to talk to him about it and he took it very well. Similar to the pet Beta Fish, Mooky conversation, we told him that Great Grandmas went to Heaven and that even though we can't see here anymore she is still always with us and we can talk to her anytime. He understood and overall it went well.  

Jack and Great-Grandma March 2011

On a much lighter note, we enjoyed every last part of it before school started. Jack finished up t-ball, we went to the cabin and we got outside as much as possible!

Dylan enjoying his kiddie pool

 

Jack at the Anderson's Cabin

 

Labor Day - family time at the park up north

Fall was obviously a very exciting time for us. Jack was starting Kindergarten! Jamie and I got to join him on his first day of school which ended up only being about an hour. But we got to meet his teacher, see the classroom and get instructions for the year. Jack was thrilled!  He didn't seem nervous or scared at all. In addition to Kindergarten, he also attends Kid Stop in the morning and afternoon at school. He enjoys being there. Every day he gets to do new projects and activities. He is learning how to read, write and do math. It is amazing how much these little guys learn and the growth they show week by week!

Jack's First Day of Kindergarten

As we continue into fall, our little Dylan finally started walking at 17 months! Jack was a late walker too so we were anticipating Dylan to be the same. Now he is able to keep up with his big brother and he loves it. His vocabulary is still expanding and is repeating words when he is asked to. He is still in KinderCare three days a week and seems to enjoy it. He has an appetite that won't stop. I always say he must have a hollow leg because I do not know how a little guy at 25 lbs can put away as much food at he does! Right now he still loves his nuks, and his Mickey Mouse blanket. His favorite toy right now is his vacuum and he likes to play floor hockey and basketball with Jack!

Dylan at the apple orchard

Me and the boys at the apple orchard

We enjoyed Halloween. Jack was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Dylan was a Spider. We went out trick or treating in our neighborhood for the first time since we have lived there. Normally we go to Jim and Sharon's but we decided to stick around home and go with our nieces Mya and Tayor. The weather was nice and everyone had a great time!

Jack, Taylor, Dylan and Mya Halloween 2011

Hockey started back up in the fall as well. We are still in full swing of the season. Jack is playing at the Mite level and he his team is The Bulldogs! He has improved so much from last year and he continues to get better each weekend. Just last week he played at the Maple Grove High School hockey game and he even gets to play at the Wild game on his birthday this year! More to come on that.

The Holiday Season was great for us. Thanksgiving was good. We went to my parents and Jamie's parents just like we have been doing for the past eight years. In December, we decorated cookies at both my mom's and Sharon’s went to a holiday concert, and of course we had to go see the big guy Santa. We stood in line of over an hour on a weeknight, but it was all worth it. Jack was so happy to see Santa and tell him what he wanted. Dylan on the other hand didn't care too much for Santa! Christmas was extra fun his year since Dylan was old enough to open his own gifts and get excited. This year, instead of my side of the family coming to our house to celebrate, we went to my sister’s place. It was nice not having to host this year. Then on Christmas Eve we went to Jim and Sharon's like we always do. It is my favorite day of the year! And then of course Christmas morning we were woken up by a very excited 5 year old! We open the gifts from Santa and then we went back to Jim and Sharon's for Christmas dinner. It was a wonderful holiday season!

Jack decorating Christmas Cookies at Grandma Sharon's

Christmas Eve at the Henry's

Santa's Little Helper

Dylan opening gifts

 

So here we are into January. The weather has been very mild so we have been outside more than usual. The boys' birthdays are just around the corner so I will be busy planning that.