Reversing Roles

While watching MSU basketball today, Gerrit loves to play on his own hoop. I think he looks at what the guys are doing on TV and then tries to do it himself (he tries to hang on the rim, but gets in trouble when caught - Fisher Price just isn't as strong as a breakaway hoop!). He offered me a chance to shoot today as well which I thought was kind of him. I took a few shots from a seated position on the couch and missed them all. Soon Gerrit took it upon himself to show ME how to make a basket (granted, he was 2 feet from the hoop!). How thoughtful of him to teach his mommy how to shoot a basketball.

Moments before I received my coaching lesson I had to take his band aid off his thumb. It was getting in the way of his shooting!

The Rock

This am while watching Sports Center (after eating his oatmeal), Gerrit said to Adam:

"Throw me the ROCK, dad!"

Watch out - if Gerrit throws his butt into your legs and elbows you - that is because Adam was working on 'boxing out' last night!

A Special Visitor

Z-town was lucky enough to have a special 'sighting' of Santa tonight. We were lucky enough to remember he was going to stop by the library after dinner so we hustled over there to get a quick glimpse of the man.

Before we left, I changed Gerrit's shirt so it would make for a better photo when he went to say hi to Santa. Adam didn't understand why because he knew Gerrit would not go near the guy!

And Adam was right! Maybe next year?

Shaving

We don't know why, but Gerrit calls shoveling 'shaving' and he loves to 'shave'! The shovel he is holding was one I had when I was a kid that my parents gave to us this fall. He would be outside all day holding on to his shovel if we would let him. He tried to shovel the snow (which was on the grass) this weekend. We shoveled after daycare today - I should correct myself and say I shoveled and he watched holding his! It was no wonder he was cold and we were able to go inside - he wasn't doing anything!

Kissmas Time

Gerrit loves to play with the ornaments - unfortunately some have paid their dues because of it. I'm hoping we can make it the rest of the season without anymore needing to be 'retired'. Our tree all trimmed and full of lights. Yes, the star touches the ceiling - couldn't have picked a more perfect height this year! My favorite - the nativity set that Gerrit loves to look at and see baby Jesus (and of course the angle with a basketball).

Gerrit-isms

A few pictures to show you what Gerrit is like these days...

I don't know where he learned to clean the floors or why he shows interest in it because I surely have not been on my knees cleaning it!

If you look closely, you'll see Gerrit tackling the laundry

His 'ramp' for his cars - very clever!

Days After the Blizzard

We are settling in after all of the shoveling from this past week's big storm. It was the single largest snowfall we've yet to experience in Minnesota. It's been quite a transition from the mild weather we had a couple weeks ago.Gerrit's blood is still thickening as after 10 minutes outside he proclamied in a low voice "daddy I'm cold," to which I asked if he wanted to go inside and he responded "yep." As Caryn mentioned, the theater district made a new acquisition. The old snow blower lasted 26 years and served us well. We are very fortunate to have some great neighbors that have taken care of us with hand-me-down snow blowers and a lawn mower. I'll be happy to blow out the entire block with this new toy! Gerrit was fairly impressed as well.