It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas....

The boys visiting Santa at Mother Earth Gardens. This year Soren asked for a microphone with a stand. Santa was quick to reply that he could just make his own megaphone with a piece of cardboard. To bad Santa's quick wit was lost on Soren. Sevi, not knowing what to make of any of this Santa stuff, asked for a table.

Sevi decorating the tree. This look of his truly captures his devilish nature that day. I spent most of the day steering him away from the breakables and preventing him from knocking over the tree.

Soren loved every part of the decorating this year. Since we didn't have a tree in England last year, this year was the year it really left an impression on him.

Soren chatting with Mrs Claus at the Macy's Santa breakfast.

Gramma Anne with Soren and the reindeer balloon at the Santa breakfast.

The annual gingerbread event with Gramma Anne (aka Gramma Cookie).

Gingerbread rolling and decorating.

Gingerbread eating!

The problem with an iPhone household

The other morning the two boys woke extra early, so Randy and I sleepily asked them to go and play by themselves until we fully woke up. It was far to quiet for their usual banter, so I went to check on them. I finally found them in the dark, nestled among shoes and bags on the landing to the basement. Each one had grabbed Randy's and my iPhone and were happily involved with their own activities, so much so that they didn't even notice when I took the second picture with the flash. 

Snow

Minneapolis had it's first snow about two weeks ago. It was the perfect, beautiful yet fluffy snow to get out and create a snowman, eat fresh (clean!) snow and even get onto a set of ski's.

Sevi using the snow markers on the snowman.

Soren enjoying the snowfall with his snowflake face paint.

Sevi eating what was supposed to be the snowman's head.

Sevi and his first time on XC Ski's - what great form he has!

Our proud Kindergartner operating as the class leader and crossing guard, you could't have a happier child. This pretty much sums up how much Soren loves his school. We certainly had a tough beginning, but Soren is sailing high. We had a glowing conference with his teacher last week, confirming for us that Soren is in the perfect Kindergarten community. We have noticed how much the responsive classroom philosophy has played such a positive role in Soren's daily life, and we are thankful for his teacher Mr. Jeremy and the New City Community.

Kindergarten Picture Day Treasures

Here we all are in our Kindergarten years!

Andrea: 1975, Soren: 2012, Randy: 1966

Happy 3 years Sevi!

Mr 3 Year Old

Mr Eat, Mr Serious, Mr Independent, Mr Personality - so many hats you have worn this past year while moving through your life as a two year old. You are a beautiful child with a kind soul that puts a smile on everyone's face. Oh how deeply you are loved by us all. Happy Birthday our dear Sevi!

Happy Birthday Song to Sevi from Soren

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Playgroup Birthdays

At Sevi's playgroup this morning our wonderful hostess Nicole put on a birthday celebration to honor her daughter Vivian turning 2 and Sevi turning 3. Sevi wasn't so sure about what to do with his candle's, so Vivian lent him a helping hand and a powerful breath. Thanks Stephanie for sharing these great pictures.

Dad & Kids Annual Camp Out 2012

The Greatest Camping Dad's are now on year 4 for their annual camping trip. They were back at Baker Park again this past September (I know, I am behind on this post).  Sevi finally made the cut and joined the big kids, with ages ranging from 12-2.  Again they had amazing weather and thanks to Paul Owen for continuing to document the weekend activities.

Peace and Halloween

Photo's courtesy of King Studio

Sevi the Hippie 

Soren the Astronaut with Sevi the Hippie

Happy Fall Pumpkin Harvest

Kindergarten Hopes and Dreams

Grandpa Rupert would be so proud to know his grandson is  so interested in evolution.

BMX Trails

Our friends, the Malmquists, introduced the boys to a little BMX biking trail out in Maple Plain over the weekend.  As expected, Sevi took off like a pro and it just made us laugh to watch his little legs work so hard to ride the trail. Soren worked hard to keep up with Sevi and Grayer, but decided the playground was more his style of adventure. I can only imagine that the bug has been planted in Sevi and we will be hitting the trails again before the snow flies. Who am I kidding that snow will stop him though on his bike. I wouldn't be surprised if his sport of calling ends up being Downhill Snowbiking!

Annual Dodge Nature Center Photo Shoot

We spent last weekend camping at Dodge Nature Center and took advantage of the 80 degree weather for some pics of the boys hiking the trails.

Randy and I finally decided to join the rest of the Apple hipster crowd and get on board with some new iphone's. The best part of these new phones: access to Instagram. 

The Kindergarten Roller-coaster

School continues to be a bit of a roller-coaster ride for Soren. Last week he went from wanting me to home school him to ending the week shouting with joy how much he loves school. The best part for us is seeing how proud he is of his work that he is doing. So far he say's that he loves math, reading and art. He did tell me that he and two of his friends had to sit in the "Take a Break" chair during art class last week! This week they start their bi-weekly music class with MacPhail, so hopefully that will help continue his enthusiasm for school for this week

Soren under his name writing in the hallway

A close up of his full name. I think this is the first time he has ever even seen his last name spelled out. The teacher had the kids cut up their name and put it back together like a puzzle. You can see that he got the second "W" mixed up and upside down at the end. Soren figured out that he has the longest last name in his whole class.

Kindergarten Check In

Reality of life as a Kindergartner has sunk in fast in Soren's world, and it is not what he expected. The bliss of it all wore off after three days, and it has turned into a negative part of his life right now. We try to check in with a daily "What was the best/worst part of your day" question. Yesterday his response was "My worst part of the day was going to school and the best part was coming home".  Having to follow classroom rules, routines and expectations for over 6 hours I know is a challenge and in his world is NOT fun. Hang in there Soren, the fun will come.

I took this picture of Soren with a paper negative pinhole camera over the weekend. I thought his expression represented well his feelings about his new Kindergarten life.