Blessing of the 3 Year Olds

Yesterday at our church, Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, the 3 year olds were all Blessed by the congregation and Pastors. When the children are 3 their Congregational Godparent's relinguish their responsibilities to the Congregation and Sunday school program. I remember last year watching this and thinking Noah would be up there the next year. I was quite certain he would not behave. Well, despite being a little noisy waiting in line to go into the church, he was a perfect angel! No nose picking, running around, or talking. (He's on the left side of the above pictures, in the yellow and brown outfit.) When the entire congregation raised their arms as a part of the Blessing, he decided to join in as well. What cooperation! It seems like just yesterday when he was about 3 months old and up their getting Baptized. I still see clear as day Pastor Johnson holding our pudgy Noah up in the air for all the congregation to see and welcome. We are thankful every day for having found Zion.

Crazy Bike Rider!

Someone caught on quick! The HotWheels bike was purchased off Craigslists back in late June. Noah was thrilled and would jump on, with no clue how to pedal it. At some point after he learned to pedal his trike, he became afraid to sit on his bike for fear of tipping over. Well, the other day when a big group of neighborhood kids were over on their bikes, Noah decided he wanted on HIS bike too. After a couple practice runs to learn about the brakes and such, he's pedaling fast around the whole neighborhood as if he'd been doing it all summer. We're going to have to bike with him in order to keep up! I think we'll soon head to one of the local parks that has bike trails.

Poor Tigger

Poor ole Tigger snuck out an open sliding glass door Tuesday night, into the rain. He disappeared for almost 2 full days before returning home. He's an expert hider, so we figure a heavy downpour caught him off gaurd, and he took cover. But with Coyotes in the field behind us, we were quite worried.

He was very thirsty, hungry, and tired. But after about 24 hours he was back to normal. His latest new place to hangout is in Noah's room...

Welcome home Tiggs, we missed you!

Growing Through the Years

2005
2006
2007
2008

The pictures say it all.

More from Apple Jack Orchards

Forth Annual Visit to Apple Jack Orchards

We made our annual trek out to Delano, MN for a visit to Apple Jack Orchards. Each year just gets more fun for Noah, and us as well! Of course we always have to start off our visit with a picture at the "How Tall This Fall" sign. Considering his first visit was when he was just over 4 weeks old and he slept through the picture, and the second visit was when he was just over a year and trying to dash off, this year was far easier. Without a doubt his highlight was the tractor pulled wagon ride through the orchard. A close second was the pony ride Nana & Papa took him on...his first! Of course a person runs out of energy after a while and needs to load up on the yummy apple treats they have there. Noah seems to like the apple donuts best, while mommy prefers the apple dumplings!

Noah's First Day of Pre-School

Oh what a Happy Day for Noah! Noah was looking forward to preschool all summer long and the day has arrived. Mommy was nervous and excited, as well, as she laid out his clothes and got his book bag ready to go the night before. Noah is going to Zion Preschool in Anoka (where we are church members). The preschool has been organised for 40 years and is very well thought of in the community. This is a very traditional preschool, where the children go from 1-3 days a week, for a couple hours each session, unlike the daycare "preschools" that have a couple hours of curriculum and then play the rest of the day. Noah will attend twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, so he can still be at home with mommy for the most part (we strongly believe in the value of being at home and raising our child, and are fortunate enough to be able to do so, with some temporary sacrifices to Kristin's career and some extra money.)

Before the start of school, Noah had met his teachers a few times and was very excited to see them again. Noah has 17 other friends in his class. He knows at least 2 of them: Emily Pipp Daughter of Ben and Elizabeth and Ingrid Norquist daughter of Dr and Amy Norquist.

Noah got ready and was really excited to go....when he got to school he went right into the class without even saying bye to mommy. Kristin and Amy looked at each other and said "well I guess we are going to go....bye have fun." But Noah was off and excited to be in his element.
At bed time we asked him what the best part of the day was and he said it was "being with his friends."

Noah has quite the calender set up for him this year. Monday ECFE class, Tues and Thursday Preschool, Sunday he has Sunday School, Wed he goes to the YMCA when Kristin goes to Yoga, and Monday and Thursday nights he goes to the YMCA when Daddy goes to exercise class. Most Friday's Nana comes to "play," and give Kristin a break. Don't forget play group and his many friends that he and mommy get together with often. Noah is a busy boy and he loves his busy schedule. Later this fall/winter, just in time for the cold weather to keep him inside most of the day, he will take a tumbling class and start up with swimming lessons again.

Look a Weeping Willow!!!

Noah, who is starting pre-school Tomorrow has already begun his lessons in another field of Dendrology; that is the study of trees.

Noah likes to look at all types of trees. Pine trees, oak trees but his favorite is that of the Weeping Willow. Seems that there are quite a few in the state as well as one across the street from Nana and Papa Harrold. Daddy remembers spending hours in a weeping willow at his Grandma Dobmeyers farm.

A typical observation goes like this.

"What kind of tree is that Dad? Is that a weeping willow?"

"Yes it is"

"Dad, is it crying?"

"Yes Noah it is crying"

"awww, I am sorry that the tree is crying" Why is the tree crying?"

Noah can spot a weeping willow like he can John Deere Tractors. They seem to be everywhere!

A visit to the Dentist

Noah Went to the Dentist Today! and like his father he had No Cavities!!!!

Noah was the best little boy they have have in a long time. HE did awesome for a three year old!! He had his teeth cleaned, flossed and X-Rays and a fluoride painting done. He loved to have his mouth squirted with the water and have the water sucked out.

They had items on a board in the office with their sugar content next to them. Did you know a pack of raisins has 9 teaspoons of sugar and a can of Pop has 12?

Expert pedaler!

Noah is a great example of why newer, fancier, and more expensive is not always better. He's had several wonderful and pricey trikes that were difficult to pedal and frustrated him to no end. Until one day at a garage sale when he hopped on an old $5 trike and pedaled off. These days we have to have him wear a helmet since he goes so fast and crazy we fear a head injury. He thinks it's great to get one wheel off the ground...calling them wheelies. He's very proud of himself, and has quickly gotten so much stronger he can even drive the thing on our thick grass...off roading it as he says. Nana and Papa Harrold had given him a play MN license plate with his name on it a while back. Once this trike became his pride possession, we attached his license plate to it. Of course now he thinks the license plate on the van says Mommy, and the one on the truck, Daddy.

John Deere at the State Fair

Of course a day at the State Fair would not be complete for Noah without a visit to Machinery Hill, especially John Deere!

MN State Fair

Noah visited the State Fair for the second year in a row, this year with his friend PJ. While his favorites from last year remained the same, he enjoyed a great deal more this year. Besides the Little Hands Farm in these pictures, John Deere was a hit, the Birthing Center and the Space Needle.

Let's get the party started

Noah and I were invited to his friend Evelyn's third birthday party. The kids were all playing nicely outside when Noah decided to step up the action a bit by getting into the sprinkler. It was not long before the other boys there, PJ and Gabriel, joined in the fun!

NowThen Threshing Show

This was Noah's second year enjoying the Threshing show in a small town near us, called NowThen. We went with some great friends from church, and their 2 daughters. Emily, the youngest, will be in Noah's preschool class this year.