Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the snowy plains. We spent the last few days in Owatonna with Grandma Phyllis. We had planned to also visit Spencer to over-indulge with the Buchholz side of the family- but thanks to a nasty weather system - we made it about 30 miles and ended up turning back. The roads were icy and visibility wasn't that great so we stayed in and stayed warm. (We couldn't even make it to the outlet mall - darned snow and ice!) Christmas Eve brought the Lewandowski's over and we had the annual meatball, cod, and green dessert dinner. The kids couldn't wait any longer - so the presents were next. We all took our spots and Allison, Jessica and Jakson took turns handing out gifts. I'll admit - Jakson's pile was fairly large - and I think he took his turn - every other turn (we were opening youngest to oldest).

Grandma Phyllis got Jakson a Vtech Computer (which is for kids) and he carried that thing around all night long. He getting better and it and once I read the instructions he might even do better. He might even be a better typist than I am. Jessica liked it too. We all had opened some (more) nice things and began the jammies runabout (Jakson likes to either get his pj's on and then take off running escaping my grasp - or he'll just take off sans jammies - usually in his undies and giggling non-stop), but not before Jakson got to leave Santa a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. It didn't take long for the excitement of the night to catch up with him. Us too. This morning brought a still sleepy call from Jakson room. He was ready to see if Santa had stopped and left anything for him. He was surprised to see that Santa had stopped by and filled his stocking with some more goodies. Candy, some Cars characters, $$ and a remote control car (ok - so "Santa" brought that for daddy too too). He also noticed that Santa had enjoyed the cookies he had left out (mmmm....gingersnaps). After some toy time, it was time to come home. The weatherman was predictng snow coming across I-90 and we did not want to get stuck driving thru it. Well - we did. From about Fairmont to Sioux Falls it snowed and the roads were hard to see. Luckily they weren't ice packed yet, but it does make for some tense driving conditions. Jakson and Aesa napped in the back seat (ah - those were the days) and we finally made it home to find about 4-6 inches of snow in the driveway.

I managed to get the snow cleared while Karla, Jakson and Aesa trucked around the neighborhood in the snow. Jakson like catching snowflakes on his tongue. He managed to help shovel some snow but decided it was going to more fun if he raced around the back yard. He also got to make his first snow angel.

Christmas part 1

Nana and Papa came up to celebrate Christmas with us this last weekend. We'll be in Minnesota over the holiday this year so it was a good time to get together. I made lasagna, we had pie and ice cream ,and of course, opened presents. Jakson was so excited he couldn't wait and help Karla disperse gifts - he wanted to open his, and everyone else's!

We managed to wrangle him enough to help hand out the gifts before we took turns opening them. Jakson got to take his turn after everyone, mainly because he had the most gifts. We all scored some pretty nice things. After we were all done - we let Jakson know Santa had a present he delivered early for him. His eyes got big as Karla rolled it into the room. Now our basement looks like a racetrack. He rides surprisingly well. Sidewalks beware when the ice thaws - he'll be zipping up and down the houses - menacing the neighborhood dogs and our neighbors.

Now - imagine...all full of pasta and pie, and ready to doze off for a nite-cap snooze. Next - imagine trying to find room on our couch to do all that. This is a typical scene in our house, whether it be Nana and Pap or Karla and I. Aesa usually makes her presence known, Jakson follows suit and we're left with the outskirts of our couch. More furniture is definitely in our future.

Ho...Ho...Ho...

Saturday we ventured to downtown Sioux Falls to visit Santa. We waited in line to see the jolly old fart, listening to all the kids tell Santa what they wanted. Transformers, Barbies, a bike.....all the normal xmas wishlist fodder that you'd expect. Then, it was Jakson's turn. He hadn't stopped talking the entire time we were waiting but sure enough - instant shy-guy as soon as he got his chance. He sheepishly walked up to Santa, got up on his lap and we hear Santa ask "What do you want Santa to bring you?". We thought - a bike, maybe some hot wheels - 'cause he put about everything on his list. The moment came and we hear..."a street". What?!?!!? Santa had to ask again, but without missing a beat - Jakson said "a street". Now don't get me wrong, your very own street would be kind of cool. But, not something I expect to hear from a 3 yr old. Santa played along and told Jakson he would see what he could do. I hope Santa has a lot of wrapping paper if he plans to deliver that in his bag of presents. (and maybe good health insurance 'cause I foresee a hernia hoisting that around)

The next Bob Villa

I think it become a regular Saturday event at Lowes....taking Jakson to build something neat with his new carpenter goggles and apron. He really has fun, and without sounding like the typical proud father - he has a lot more aptitude for the projects than some of the bigger kids! This week was a Snowman Greeting Card Holder. I still managed to keep all my fingers intact. We got lots of great comments from the people working there about how cute and talented he was working on his project. (ok - so I do sound like one of those parents.....) We can even use it since we just started getting xmas cards in the mail (and darn it - we haven't gotten ours out yet!)

Jakson gets a certificate of completion and a neat badge that we sew onto his apron. Maybe the next session we'll get to build bookends. At any rate - it's a great marketing ploy since any dad (and some moms) HAVE to walk around the store afterwards and drool over new power toys or home decorating goodies - I mean c'mon, we have to have some fun too!

Disney World Part 3

Wednesday was MGM day. It was really fascinating to see what goes into making movies. We got to see Disney Clubhouse, and Lightning McQueen and Jakson loved that. We trucked around looking at various movie themed attractions. Jakson met "Frozone" from the Incredibles. After a rough day, Jakson napped on the way back to Epcot. Papa, Karla and I wheeled Jakson around the park while we got his "Kidcot" mask stamped. I think Papa was a bit jealous that we didn't have a dual stroller so he could take a nap to!

After visiting numerous countries. we stopped off in Mexico for a bite to eat. Karla, Jakson and I went back to see the lighting of the castle at the Magic Kingdom. Very cool! I think everyone in Orlando was there. We escaped the anarchy and made it back to the house to start packing to go back to Charleston. We had a tasty feast on Thursday and went to see the Xmas light festival. The trip back to Sioux Falls was uneventful and we made it home to a cool, crisp Sioux Falls. Just in time to start putting up the tree.

Thanks Nana and Papa for the trip, and Jeff and Lora for putting up with us too.