Christmas 2017

Christmas arrived with excitement at our house once again. Before we headed off to church on Christmas eve, we spread reindeer food in the back yard. Jeremiah checked on the NOAA Santa tracker a few times. We enjoyed church and then returned home for dinner and the boys opened a few gifts. They received new slippers to wear on Christmas eve. Then, they prepped cookies and milk for Santa. 

Levi met Santa at the Blue Star restaurant.

 Santa found our house and the boys woke to full stockings and gifts under the tree. Jeremiah was thrilled that Minecraft for Wii was in his stocking. Andrew found Mario Maker in his stocking. Santa brought Levi a truck and trailer for hauling his cows.

After we blew through gifts and had some breakfast, we loaded up to go to Grandma and Grandpa Todd's house. The blessing of many gifts continued. We all enjoyed time with aunts, uncles, cousins and Grandma and Grandpa. There was still some snow on the ground, allowing for some sledding in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard and at the park.

After a few days in Lena, we ventured toward home via Brookfield Zoo. Grandma and Grandpa Todd, Kinsley, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Matt, Aunt Caitlin and Clara joined us for a few hours at the zoo, including seeing the zoo lights.

Boys at the zoo.

Tis the Season

December brought many activities as we entered the holiday season. We started with Jeremiah and Andrew riding in the Fisher holiday parade on the 4-H float. Levi joined his friends from daycare on a float.

Jeremiah and Andrew both performed at the school Christmas program. All three boys were in the church Christmas program. Levi was a sheep. Andrew was a wiseman. Jeremiah was Joseph. Levi also had programs at preschool and daycare.

Levi's preschool program

Jeremiah and Andrew's 4-H club made packages to deliver to first responders. The boys enjoyed visiting the local fire station to deliver a few of the packages.

Giving packages to Sangamon Valley Fire Dept.

We made time for our annual Christmas light viewing trip, made cutout Christmas cookies and watched some of our favorite specials.

Merry Thankmas!

With G&G Schnitzler planning to be in Costa Rica for Christmas, we opted for a Thankmas celebration with that side of the family. But first, we had a lovely Wednesday evening Thanksgiving with the Todds.

We ventured to Ann & Tim's house to see G&G Todd, aunts, uncles and cousins. We officially had our first "kid's table" on that side of the family. Kinsley and Levi were fun little tablemates. After donning pjs, we drove from Channahon to G&G Schnitzler's house. This allowed for parade watching and help with meal prep on Thanksgiving day.

Late afternoon brought our meal, presents, and hours of playing games.

Levi was extremely excited about his grain truck from Kyle. Andrew got a football from Sheila and Branden AND Harlem Globetrotter tickets. Jeremiah's nativity continued to grow and he also received Globetrotter tickets.

Jeremiah putting his Christmas ball on the tree. 

Andrew received new Legos from Grandma & Grandpa.

Levi with his grain truck from Kyle.

 We spent Friday and part of Saturday enjoying more family time. Then, we ventured back to Lena to spend a little time with G&G Todd and aunt Carrie there.

It wasn't long and we were driving back towards home.

Jeremiah hits double digits!

Jeremiah hit the ten year mark on November 8 and hosted a few friends for a sleepover the following weekend. They occupied themselves with a nerf gun war, video games and attempting to make each other barf playing Beanboozled. This was a gift from one of Jeremiah's friends. His friends also shared football cards, a new video game, and a glow-in-the-dark football.

He specifically requested powered sugar brownies as his birthday cake. He took banana chocolate chip muffins to school.

Grandparents and other family blessed him with money, Harry Potter movies, the Cursed Child book, clothes, Rock 'em Sock 'Em robots (with Andrew), Legos, and tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters. 

Andrew rolls into being 7!

Andrew chose a roller skating party for his 7th birthday party. He had a handful of friends, Aunt Carrie, Grandma Schnitzler, Aunt Ann, Uncle Tim, Kinsley, and the Rademakers on hand to celebrate. Andrew and his classmates had some experience with roller skating, having skated in PE class. They also enjoyed some video game tokens and Andrew had a chance in a ticket booth. 

He was gifted legos, a suspend game, gift cards, cash, a nerf-gun bazooka from Uncle Tim, and a Chicago Blackhawks t-shirt from a friend. From mom, dad and his brothers, he got a "Give A.... book", a Cardinals sweatshirt, and Legos. It should be remembered that Andrew wore his new Cardinals sweatshirt to school the day after the Cubs won the 2016 World Series. 

On Halloween night, Andrew requested wings and pizza from Pizza Roma. It was followed with a birthday cookie cake.

More fall we can't forget!

There were a few more bits of fall we can't forget. 

Mommy joined Jeremiah on a field trip to the Forest Preserve near Penfield. It was a beautiful day. In addition to hearing from conservation staff, we enjoyed a hike through the woods. 

We helped the St. Louis Cardinals finish off their season at the last game in early October. It was a Cardinals win and a great time. Before the game, Jeremiah was selected for an ice cream eating contest that was broadcast on the screens inside the stadium. 

Andrew celebrated a huge milestone the day before his 7th birthday. Earlier in the year, he decided he wanted to start taking Holy Communion. After a meeting with Pastor Tom, he was able to participate in this sacrament. Grandma Schnitzler and Aunt Carrie were there to see him experience this special day.

And what would fall for our family be without Illini football. We didn't make it to all the games this year, but we had a blast at the ones we did attend.

Levi at the Homecoming game. 

It's Halloween, It's Halloween!

For a variety of reasons (including birthday festivities), Halloween is always a fun time at our house. With church, school, and town festivities, all on different days, the costumes received plenty of mileage this year. All three boys offered up unique carving requests, and Daddy, once again, carved Andrew's age in the back of his pumpkin.
Their costume choices certainly reflected their own personal interests this year, as well. Jeremiah was Harry Potter, Andrew was an inflatable Baymax (which required some extra engineering from Mom and Dad). Levi dressed as a farmer, just like Papa. His costume even included a K&D Cattle hat.
Levi also enjoyed a Halloween-day trip to the Reindeer Ranch with his Tiger Cubs daycare class. It was a very mild Halloween, resulting in many trick-or-treaters to our house.

And then there was fall!

Another digest post here. It wasn't long and the older boys were back to school and Levi was starting two days per week at This Little Light of Mine.

 
Andrew has a first year teacher, Miss Brown. His classroom has a super-hero theme, which was right up his alley. He was the "Super Student" after just a few weeks of class. He took a special snack one day, completed a poster about himself, had a letter from Mom and Dad and wore a cape for a day.
The first quarter of first grade features a Western unit. Mom joined Andrew for the 1st grade square dance. Unfortunately he missed out on the rodeo because his tummy was upset that day.

Jeremiah's teacher is Mrs. Sievers. He is enjoying learning from her and she seems to appreciate trying to challenge him. He selected pink for the color of his recorder, a 4th grade musical tradition.

Andrew returned to the soccer field and learned that U-8 soccer is a bit different than U-6. Jeremiah played football for the second year. John was one of his coaches this year. He ticked off some pretty nice runs.

Levi made his first trip to the dentist this fall. He did a great job for his teeth cleaning. The big highlight for him was the hygenist gifting him two blue exam gloves, which he proceeded to wear out of the office, to the store and at home for several hours. He has since obtained several more pairs from other venues.

Summer - 6 months post events!

Mom has been more than remiss in updating the boys' blog. However, one of her New Year's resolutions is to make time for herself each week. This blog is one of the things Mommy considers spending time on something she enjoys.

So, here's a quick recap post to kick-off the returned commitment to The "Baby" Todd Blog.

Summer saw a full slate of activities, including Andrew and Jeremiah both playing baseball, two trips to Long Lake (one over the 4th and our first-ever trip with just mom, dad and the boys in August). a few fairs, Jeremiah's first 4-H fair as a member, Levi swimming like a fish, hosting a Peverly family reunion, and Mom and Dad doing our best to keep up with it all.

Levi stays busy with friends during his brothers' games.

Jeremiah won the questions portion of the state livestock judging contest.

Birthday Fun!

Family and friends joined us for Levi's Good Dinosaur 3rd birthday party. The kids went on a dino dig for treats and played outside after it warmed up a bit. We enjoyed a few laughs when Mommy accidentally used trick candles. Levi was confused!

Levi received many fun and useful gifts. Grandma and Grandpa Todd gave him car pieces for his magnetic tiles, garden tools and socks. Aunt Carrie gave him a new sprinkler and big bubble wand. Leona's family also made sure he had big bubble wands. Grandma and Grandpa Schnitzler gave him some money to spend. Aunt Sandra & Uncle Roger sent him shopping to Kohl's for summer clothes. Cohen's family gave him playdoh and bubbles. Aunt Ann and Uncle Tim gave him a new hat, some swim clothes and playdoh. Uncle Matt and Aunt Caitlin picked out some new shoes for him. The Rademakers gave him some rides on the mall carousel and McD's gift cards. The Kuipers also gave him McDs gift cards. His friend Sammy gave him a walking Arlo dinosaur. Kyle sent a new bubble blower...just in time as Levi's other one died. Mommy and Daddy gave Levi an Arlo shirt, new sandals and a book. His brothers gave him his own Frozen CD and Jeremiah found a Cookie Monster toy at a nearby garage sale that he knew would be just perfect for Levi.

Kindergarten in the books!

Andrew wrapped a great year of Kindergarten.

On Friday, May 13, his class hosted a special program to share what they have learned with parents, family and friends. Mrs. Sparks picked out a few special sayings for Andrew. One of his during the alphabet was "Z is for first grade ZEST. Look out! Here we come!" It was perfect for Andrew.

 Mrs. Sparks was retiring this year so the kids conspired to make a blanket for her.

Mommy was able to help with Andrew's end-of-year field trip to the local forest preserve. The kids rotated through several stations of activities. Mommy was assigned to the nature scavenger hunt area. We all enjoyed a picnic lunch.

Mommy and Andrew at the forest preserve.

Before the year was out, Andrew helped his class create a special Mothers' Day recipe book. On the Friday that it was being sent home, Mommy received a note that the teacher and aide would like me to stop by their room for a chat. It turned out that the teachers wanted to see Mommy's face as she read Andrew's recipe that was included in the book. We will laugh for quite some time about "Mommy's Special Red Drink".