Pumpkin Carving Time

Monday we carved our pumpkin for Halloween. This year Jakob was a little more interested in helping. Last year he didn't like the smell and George had to do most of the scooping. George drew the face and Jakob did most of the scooping.

Jakob also helped design the pumpkin at his preschool. They chose triangles for the eyes, a round nose and two teeth for the mouth. He said they all got to get a scoop of "guts" out. They could do it with their hand or a spoon. He picked a spoon.

He is so excited for tomorrow and a chance to dress-up and Trick-or-Treat. He will be a spider again this year. We will be painting his hair black this time instead of the hat he wore last year. Just to make it a little different.

Jakob is 5 !!!

Saturday was Jakob's big day. He turned FIVE!!! He had lots of family and friends around to help him celebrate. We had Tutu, Grandma Betty and PaPa in town Friday through Sunday. Jakob requested donuts for his birthday breakfast. After breakfast the presents started with some of the family gifts. He was overjoyed with all of his gifts. He had always wanted everything he got.

We planned a gymnastics party at Novack's in Dumfries (where he takes gymnastics) at 3 PM. He had 10 guests and their parents for an hour and a half of great fun. They swung on ropes, bounced on trampolines, jumped in pits and flew like Peter Pan. The cake was a fire engine and his theme was the same. He was even dressed in red.

That evening we had a family dinner and even more gifts. What more could a five-year-old ask for. He was on top of the world and passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow that night.

George and I are so proud of how he has grown and love watching him learn. He is perfect for us and we feel so blessed he is in our lives. What a wonderful gift God has given us.

Riding the Rails

Last weekend we headed to Strasburg, PA to ride the rails. Our trip was wonderful. We drove up on Friday afternoon and stayed through Sunday afternoon. Our Saturday was packed with a trip to Cherry Crest Farm and the Strasburg Rail Road Station. Jakob rode his first horse, slid down a mountain in a burlap sack and jumped on a GIANT beach ball while we were at the farm. We also found two perfect pumpkins and some popping corn. At the rail road we rode in an open air car on a steam engine through Amish Country. It was an exciting trip with a beautiful view. On Sunday we toured their train museum and headed home. When Jakob was asked what the best part of the weekend was his reply was - "The trip!" It was all wonderful.

Jeapordy Jakob Style

We get a kick out of the confusion of vocabulary words used by Jakob. We made a list of the words he confuses or makes-up. A friend of ours had the idea use her sons words in the form of the gameshow Jeopardy. Here are Jakob's:

1. These are the flotation devices used to separate shallow water from deeper water in a swimming pool.

What are boobies.

2. These are people who act or move slow.

What are slow folk.

3. These are the spaces designated for people with disabilities.

What are handy dandy spaces.

4. This is low lying clouds that may interfere with one's vision.

What is frog.

5. This is how you get rid of the toys you are to old fo or no longer use.

What is eBay.

6. These are days long ago.

What are older days.

Camping

George decided he and Jakob should go camping sometime soon. They bought a tent, 2 sleeping bags, and soft mats to sleep on. Jakob wasn't sure if he would like camping and George thought maybe a trial run would be good. Tonight Jakob and George set up the tent on the screened in porch and are sleeping peacefully under the stars (kind of). Jakob was sooooo excited.

Do you know what you need to go camping? According to Jakob you need "Taggie", Nemo, "Roar" (his first Build A Bear), music and glow in the dark rocks. These will keep you safe.

Tomorrow will be waffles, apples and juice. (In the kitchen of course)

Sweet dreams!

A new way for the Virginia Hanssons to keep in touch

What fun this will be. A friend of ours sent us her blog and I loved it so much I wanted one of our own. We will be posting happenings and pictures for all to see. I am so excited. (Can you tell?) Let me know what you think. Don't tell me all the mistakes in spelling, grammer or any of that English stuff though :o)

Let's see what happens.