JUMPER

Ding-Ding-Ding.  Ladies and Gentleman, we have a winner. 

Why am I not surprised that Baby J is the FIRST of my children to JUMP from his crib? I'll have to look back on my notes, but I think we transitioned JP and AA into a toddler bed around the age of 2 - not because they EVER jumped, but because they were potty trained and I wanted to give them free reign to use the potty when needed.

We haven't even started potty training Baby J. He's not even 18 months.

I will definitely blame today's situation on too much SUGAR from Grandma K's fall festival.  I put JP down for a nap around 12:30.  He didn't fall asleep until 2:00.  I watched him baby slam side to side on the monitor for several minutes.  I listened to him babble all of the words he knows.  I went in to rock him a few times, but it was clear that he was not tired.  Just as I was getting ready to rescue him from his crib and forfeit the nap, I heard a loud THUMP.  I knew exactly what happened.   The little stinker jumped.  HE CLIMBED HIS CRIB AND JUMPED.

He cried and ran to his door.  I met him there and he immediately stopped crying.  I rocked him until he fell asleep.

This better not happen again, or I am in big trouble.  BIG trouble.  He is too young to transition to a toddler bed.  Tonight I stared at his baby monitor right outside of his bedroom door, ready to leap if he was ready to jump.

I have a feeling the Terrible Twos have begun.

ROCKS

Who knew that a pile of rocks could keep us entertained for an hour?

HOMECOMING

Oh, I remember these days growing up … It's Homecoming week in Stewartville. Each school day has been a "Silly Day" … hat day, color day, pajama day, crazy hair day:

(although AA doesn't go to this school system, she still participates):

and today it was Maroon and Gold day (how fun is it that these were my high school colors too?!?).  Note to self:  Buy JP official gear for next year!

There was a pep fest in the elementary school and "real high school football players came to our classroom and gave us their autographs!"

I just love this small town atmosphere!

THE BENCH

(I just reread my St. Olaf post from last year at this time while searching for a photo of Baby J on The Bench in 2014.  This little guy's birthday will always be a meaningful date for me.  Other than the kids being one year older, and this now being our second time visiting Ms. Sara's bench with the kids, my comments are exactly the same:)

We started a new tradition today: A fall visit to St. Olaf College with the whole family.  I've wanted to make the short trek to Northfield for awhile now for the following reasons:

1) To take in the beauty of the campus this time of year

2) To visit Miss Sara's bench- a bittersweet place to reflect on the circle of life

3) To give the kids an idea of what a college is

4) To satisfy my craving for Hogan Brothers

Our visit was a success (though trying to capture one decent photo of all three was challenging!).  Miss Sara's bench seemed to be glowing with Heaven beams.  She was with us, for sure.  

I really do not care which college the kids choose later on (at least that's our thought now!), but after tonight's visit to St. Olaf (I'll need to teach them it's called St. O-Luff instead of St. O-Laugh, thanks to the lead role on Frozen), I think they are brain washed.  JP and AA thought the campus was just the coolest ever.  

And maybe they are right.

2014:

2015:

GO DADDY

Daddy ran his first half marathon today!

We met him just prior to the finish line:

JP is already asking when he can race.

FALL

'Tis the season for Apple Orchards.  Today we went to another orchard on the north side of town.  This one seems to be the kids favorite each year.  

Their favorite part is definitely the corn maze.  The Adult corn maze, that is.  Hidden in the twists and turns of twelve feet corn (I have no idea how tall actually - but really tall!) are 12 little numbered mailboxes with special stamps inside.  The object is to find all twelve stamps as quickly as possible.  The description of the maze states that it takes an adult, on average, 45 minutes.  This year it took JP and AA (with ZERO help from A and I) 41 minutes.  (okay, to be fair, they actually only found 11 of the 12 stamps).  These kids have an amazing sense of direction (which A and I both fully admit comes from their mother).  I doubt we'll ever try the kid maze!

Baby J LOVED the maze too … he literally ran for 30 minutes trying to keep up with the Big Kids.  He'd stumble over the uneven ground time and time again, but kept getting back up.

Today was just one of those days when we couldn't help but stop and be so thankful for our blessings.

FALL FESTIVAL

EARLY MORNING

Thank goodness for the beautiful shining sun,

 

 adorable little faces obscured by mouth guards,

 and contagious energy from these Flag Footballers ...

because 8:00 AM games (with practice at 7:15 AM) is REALLY early for a Saturday morning!

SHARK TEETH

And here we go.

Luckily - or maybe not - we've managed to stay out of the doctor's office for the last several years.  Sure, my kids have had snotty noses and dry coughs from time to time, but I can count on one hand (probably half of one hand!) the number of times we've needed a round of antibiotics in our family.  However, I always had a feeling that once Kindergarten started we'd be making up for our years of health. 

I'm right again.

Sunday night JP woke up with a sore throat.  He never wakes up in the middle of the night, so I knew something was wrong.  In the morning he was afebrile and didn't complain, so I sent him to school.  When he hopped off the bus yesterday, he commented that there were "shark teeth" stuck in the back of his throat.  Although we never learned this descriptor in PA school, I was certain that there was only one reason for those shark teeth:  Strep Throat.  I quickly called the clinic and was offered the last appointment "in fifteen minutes - please don't be late."  I rounded up the three kids and off we went.

After being interrogated by the nurse (Has he ever had strep throat?  no.  Is there anyone in the family with strep throat?  no.  Is there anyone at school with strep throat? no.  Did you know that the most common cause of a sore throat is from a virus and not a bacteria?  yes.), JP had a throat swab and a phone call several hours later confirmed the shark teeth.  Positive.  Strep Throat.  Antibiotics for ten days.  No school for at least 24 hours.  So long for the Perfect Attendance Award.  

Since the positive results didn't come in until after hours last night, I sent Ms. Jeffre to the Target pharmacy this morning to pick up JP's penicillin.  Despite her questioning, they incorrectly gave JP the pill form of this antibiotic to which it was recommend that she "smash the pill and mix with pudding."  To which she did, and to which JP then puked all over.  This prompted a second trip for Ms. Jeffre to the pharmacy (after a few phone calls on my behalf to determine where the error occurred).  While picking up the new liquid antibiotic, the Pharmacist came over to JP, apologized for the error, and asked if JP was thirsty.  After obtaining permission from Ms. Jeffre, the pharmacist walked JP over to the food court and bought him a slushy.  I guess this makes up for the inconvenience.

When I came home from work today - after two doses of antibiotics - JP looked great and had enough energy to bike The Neighborhood Loop.  I think he'll be okay. 

I just hope those shark teeth stay away from the rest of the family.

YUM YUM

The best part about Apple Orchards?

Making caramel apples!