First Day of School--2013!

The First Day of School snuck up on us too quickly like usual.  Jack found out the week before he'd be in Mrs. Gronemeyer's first grade class.  He was very happy with that placement, though not many of his best friends with kindergarten were in his class.

Mommy and Jack's first day of school pic!

The first week of school went well.  Upon asking Jack daily how his day went, he always replied something like, "I got two interceptions and a touchdown!"  Clearly RECESS is a highlight!  He's really liking his teacher, his classroom, lunch, all day school and the math portion of the day too.

Summer T-Ball--Jack 2013

Jack was old enough this year to join Rochester Youth Baseball! He played "Kinderball" on the Premier Bank team.

He had a blast.  And, if I do say so myself, he was quite good!  His coaches were wonderful and he made some little friends.  His best friend, Ryan, was also on his team.

This picture was taken by one of the parents on the team.  He had a fancy camera, and was clearly an amazing photographer!  He took action shots of each kid and then blew them up to 8 x 10 for each child's family!

Jack got the coach's game ball the first game because he had some good plays.  He was pretty excited about that. Each kid got the game ball at least once!  Jack got it twice!

Jack's favorite positions to play were "pitcher," catcher and first base!  I say "pitcher" because they actually hit off a tee, but there was someone in that position pretending to pitch, but then most of the balls would come to that position.  The picture below is when he was playing catcher.

Almost every day on the way to t-ball, Jack would fall asleep in the car! He was tuckered out from VBS or Quarry Hill Camp or swimming all afternoon!

And, of course, each game and practice meant antics from the little brother!

We're already looking forward to baseball next summer.  Next year it's "coach pitch."

Twins Game

Grandpa Jim got us sweet seats to the Twins game in May.  We chose to go in May so it wouldn't be too hot.  Unfortunately we went a week or two too early because just weeks later, Jay's cousin, Caleb Thielbar, got called up to the Twins as a pitcher!  That would have been so cool to see him play.  We'll have to get to another game this season, cause he's playing quite a bit! We had four seats right behind home plate.  We invited Heidi to come along and then took Jack!

Elf on the Shelf '12

Elfie came back this holiday season.  It was so fun to see Luke get into it this year as well.  "Get into it" is a gross understatement for Jack.  Jack LOVES Elfie.  He loves him so much he actually got teary on Christmas morning when he was gone.  Poor buddy!  Here are some fun pictures of the entertainment Elfie provided us with this year!

Elfie arrive with a little typed letter.  Jack just investigated that thing to death.  "I'm sure he wrote it at the North Pole because we don't have that color and our printer doesn't look like that!"

Jack was questioning all the different Santas this year, so we told him the same "white lie" as last year.  All the Santas ARE different but that's because the real Santa sends them to do all the before Christmas work so he can rest up for his big night!  Jack wanted to know if the REAL Santa wears glasses, so he wrote this note to Santa and Elfie delivered it.  He "sound spelled" it in his best kindergarten penmanship!  "Dyr Santa I was wondering if yuo wear glasses? Jack"

Elfie responded with the big "YES"!  The next night he was relaxing in a marshmellow bubble bath!

Jack and Luke were a bit naughty one day, so Elfie hung from the bathroom mirror with a message in Mommy's lipstick.  "Jack, BE GOOD!  U 2, LUKE! Elfie"

The next night he cleaned the mirror!

This night Elfie left a note for the boys.  "Check your Mommy's email!"  We did so and Santa had left the boys personalized videos from the North Pole!

This was Jack's favorite!

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The Great Pumpkin Patch

Annually we go to The Great Pumpkin Patch in Stockton, MN.  It's in the river valley near Winona.  We happened upon it years ago before we even had kids.  We've gone annually ever since.  This year it was really warm outside and super sunny.  The warm part was nice, but the sunny part makes for bad pictures! (Or, just not as great of pictures.)

Homecoming Parade & Football Game

The coronation part of the junior royalty gig was on a Tuesday afternoon.  The parade and homecoming game were that Friday night.  Jack got out of school a half hour early to get dressed for the parade.  He got to ride in a pedi-cab with one of the girls on the court!  He had a great time throwing candy and strutting his stuff!

Jack got to ride in this cool pedi-cab!  I would not want that job!

Tessa giving Jack knucks!

Luke got the chance to sit with Jack and Tessa at the end of the route!

It was a lovely evening for football.  At halftime, the royalty court was announced.  Jack and Ava got to walk hand in hand with the king and queen!