So much to be THANKFUL for....

Lots to update on. What a great Thanksgiving week we had. We have so much to be thankful for. I can't even begin to to mention how blessed we are.

We started our Thanksgiving week out with a big meal on Sunday, November 23rd, with my family. Mom made a delicious meal, we watched some football, the boys played the Wii, and the guys played some cards. Connor and Jacob are hilarious boxing each other. All we heard about for awhile was the Wii- thanks Grandma and Grandpa! ;)



Thursday morning we headed to Eau Claire and Connor and I met up with Angie, Carter, and Audrey at the Community Table where we volunteered and helped serve the Thanksgiving meal. The kids helped make place mats and brought the trays of food to the people sitting down. Connor even made the news. It was a great experience and I'm glad Connor got to do it.
The rest of Thursday and Friday we spent with Nana Barb and Angie, Carter, and Audrey. Matt, Angie, and Barb even woke up early on Friday to hit some of the deals shopping. The kids played so great together. Connor and Carter are so much alike, and Audrey and Jacob hit it off this time. Jacob loved playing with Audrey's doll and doing hair. Before we left Matt had to make sure they did some rough housing becuase of all the "girly play". We were sad when it was time to leave. We were having a hard time getting everyone to smile in the picture with Nana and all the grandkids so Matt was behind me dancing (slapping his behind) and singing "We like to move it, move it". It worked!


Friday afternoon we headed over to Papa John and Yaya's. They also have a Wii and Connor was so excited. We played it quite a bit. We were playing golf and it was Matt's turn. He had to take a few extra swings and Connor says, "It's no fair, daddy gets to have more turns than me!" We all got a chuckle out of that and had to remind him that it's not good if have a lot of turns in golf, you want to have fewer swings - the lower your score the better. Needless to say Connor wo, he's quite the Wii golfer.
Matt brought home a book called "Koko the Monkey lost in Bangkok" and Connor loves to read it to everyone. He read it to Carter and it was the first thing he did when we got to Papa John and Yaya's. Papa John asked Connor if he had ever tried coconut. Connor told him no, so later that night they bought a coconut and had quite an adventure. You can see the pictures.
Friday night we went to Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls. They light up this park and have little scenes set up. It's beautiful! They also have this little story book area where you can drive by and read Frosty the Snowman and Twas the Night before Christmas. We all took turns reading a page, even Connor. He did amazing and was so proud of himself!
Saturday we went to Pleasant Valley Tree Farm and saw Santa and Mrs. Claus, a live Nativity, and picked out our tree (quite the adventure driving home with it on the top of our van).
We then tried to go to Madagascar 2, but they sold out right before we got to the booth. We headed back to Papa John and Yaya's house and hung out before we headed home.

We had such a great time and it was wonderful seeing everyone!

This morning we went to church where we lit the first Advent candle. Jacob and Nolan normally stay in the nursery during mass and Connor has Sunday school. However, this morning there was no Sunday school and we wanted Jacob and Nolan to come up to light the candle with us. We lit the candle at the beginning of mass, but trying to keep Nolan occupied and quiet for that little bit of time was stressful!! ;) Matt took them down to the nursery right after we lit the candle. Normally Matt comes and joins us in the pew all by himself, however this morning I see Jacob with this HUGE grin on his face holding Matt's hand to join us in the pew. He was determined to come up with daddy and join us. He even let us know, along with the rest of the congregation, that he was a "big, big, BIG, boy". He did a great job, and we'll see what he wants to do next Sunday!

We put up the tree today. A usual 1-2 hour project turned into a 6 hour project. I think anything that could go wrong did. It's a big tree so we had a hard time getting it to stay in the stand and we couldn't get it straight. After we had the lights hung and we were ready to plug them in we noticed that the wrong end was left, so we had to unwrap them all and reconnect them. After the decorations were put up, we moved the tree into the corner, but couldn't get it to stay straight, and we found a big crack in the base. We had to take the tree out of the base and lean it against wall while Matt went shopping for a new base. He went to Lowe's and they didn't have anything, so good ol' Fleet Farm provided. We finally got it into the stand, got it straight, and got all of the ornaments that fell off back on. The boys had a fun time decorating it and climbing the ladder to reach up high. It's the best looking tree ever - or at least we're telling ourselves that because of what a pain, I mean "joy" it was to put up! ;) We will be talking about this tree decorating for a long time.

Conferences

We had Connor's conference last night. We've been giving Connor a hard time the last few days telling him we were pretty worried about all of the bad things she was going to tell us. He just laughed. Last night before we went he said to me, " I know she's going to say good things mom because I remember all of the times that she and Ms. Karen told me good job in school, and it's a lot!"

Can I brag just a little bit? Very proud.....as all parents are.

We got to conferences and Ms. Jane goes through his folder. The whole time she told us stories about him. She put the report card at the bottom of his folder and said, "We don't need to go over any of this (the stuff on the report card), you already know all of it and he's doing excellent". We loved hearing all of the stories. We've heard about Hillary from Connor many times, but Ms. Jane told us even more about them. I guess they are great friends and are very competitive. They both spent the whole class time creating their conferences folder while everyone else quickly did their folder and then went and played. Ms. Jane said she wishes she would have video taped it because they started at different tables while everyone was doing it and were talking to each other, and then as the other kids finished and went to play, before Ms. Jane knew it Hillary was right next to Connor and they were totally feeding off each other.

They were doing puzzles one day where you don't get to see the picture after you start the puzzle and Hillary and Connor sat there doing them for over 40 minutes. Connor finished first (Ms. Jane said his was a little easier), and Hillary looked over at him with a sigh and a frustrated look that he finished first, so Connor went to go help her finish.

Connor was reading a turkey poem out loud for the class from one of the bulletin boards and Hillary was all impressed that he could read, and again frustrated that he could do it. Ms. Jane said the kids think it's the coolest that Connor can read to them. She said that he gets so involved with his projects and doesn't want to stop until he's done. She sometimes has to check in with him to make sure he had snack. She said she'll pat him on the shoulder and almost scare or startle him because he's so involved in what he is doing.

She just went on and on about Hillary and Connor. It was so cute and we're so glad he found a great friend.

We heard from a friend of Hillary's parents that Hillary was saying that Connor is her favorite person to play with. When she was asked who the smartest in her class was, Hillary quickly and proudly said, "Connor and me!".

Ms. Jane said he is a joy to have in class, has a love for learning, and she really enjoys him. We joked with her that if she is going to be teaching for awhile yet, she should take advantage of Connor because the next two Ginskey's will give her a run for her money and not so sure about the love for learning part!!! We'll see. It did bring up conversations about how every kid is different, and whether it was the first, second, third child syndrome or just because. (It got me thinking about what we all did with Connor as he was growing up, and how that changes with the second, and the third because you're so busy and all your focus isn't on one child anymore. I got all of those emails about the first, second, third child and laughed while I was reading them, but now living through it all....it's funny how true it is. ;) I wish I could read that email again.

We need to get going with the flashcards, and the games....! j/k)

Twice this past week Connor forgot what something was called and made up his own word. He's so good with word association (It reminded me of the Ritz Bits being called Reeses Pieces).
He asked me where his "tweeter" car was and I couldn't figure out what he was talking about for awhile. It finally hit me, "Do you mean your hummer?"
"Yeah!"

Matt made us chocolate malts last night with supper and Connor told him, "Dad, you can make them in the "maker" ". Or the blender, whichever he wants! ;)

Matt started this game with Connor where we say a word and then have to come up with the different uses of the word. For example, I said ear and then said "I listen with my ear", and Connor said, "I took a bite of the ear of corn". He keeps amazing us.

Jacob's new thing is repeating everything we say. He also is into saying, "Ohhhh, man!".
He asks for a piece of candy and I say no, "Oh, man!" Anytime we say no to something we get the "Ohhh, man!"
We were playing with the legos yesterday and Jacob was building a big tower. Nolan would come running up and knock it down. Jacob would yell, "Ohhhhh, man!".

Jacob also is all about telling me his diaper is dry and that he's not a baby. "My no baby, my a big boy, mawwy (mommy)!" (He says my for me right now)

Nolan is busy trying to keep up. Jacob and Nolan are going to be TROUBLE............ it's already starting.

You get to choose who you marry?

Last night Connor and I were watching TV and there was a black man and a white woman dancing. Connor looks at me and says, "Those two can't be married" (not sure if he assumed that they were married because they were dancing or what).

"They're not married, they're only dancing, but why couldn't they be married?"

"Because their skin is different colors."

"That doesn't mean they can't be married, honey. You can marry anyone you want."

With this astonished look and big eyes,"You can choose who you marry?"

"Yeah, you get to choose who you marry. Someday when you get older, you'll get to marry someone. You marry someone who is your best friend, who you love, who you can laugh with, who you get along with, who you enjoy being with.....it can be anyone"

Silence.

And then this really shy look he gets as he gets closer to me and in my face. In a whisper, "Hilary is one of my best friends, mom." (Hilary is a girl in his class at preschool. She was in Connor's class last year also, and is one of the few that had to stay in preschool again because of their age. We hear about Hilary all of the time.)

"Maybe I'll marry Hilary someday!"

Daddy's home!

Matt is finally home! We were so excited to see him! The boys were wound up from the moment he stepped into the house until bath time. It is so good to have him home.
He brought some neat gifts back. My favorite was the little outfits for the boys. They kept them on all day!
Here are our little "nan hais" (boys) crawling all over "lao zi" (daddy).







Connor had to bring snack to school last week and when I asked him what he wanted to bring he said Reeses Pieces. I said no to that right away. He got upset and asked me why and I said "Because I'm not going to have you bring candy for snack at school".

"But mommy, those aren'' candy."

"Yes, they are."

End of discussion, and we ended up bringing animal crackers. When I picked him up from Mary's, he said snack was awesome. I was relieved.

Today I was bringing up some food from the basement to replenish the cupboards and all of a sudden Connor yells, "Those are what I wanted to bring to snack mommy!"

In my hands I had some Ritz Bitz crackers. Oh......

I had to laugh and we had a talk about the difference between Reeses Pieces and Ritz Bitz. He knew that the last word had something to do with parts or pieces - bits. I don't think he will get those mixed up again.

Chuck E. Cheese

I asked Connor if he thought of our secret during pictures yesterday and he told me he didn't have to because the guy was funny and made him laugh!
(Don't tell Connor you know our secret because that wasn't nice of me to tell everyone our "secret". A secret's a secret....I just thought it was too cute to not share).

We met up with Uncle Natey last night at Chuck E. Cheese. We had a blast. Thank you uncle Natey!








We talked to daddy this morning, he was heading to bed. He hasn't been feeling well these past couple of days. We cannot wait for him to come home.

Jacob is obsessed lately with how he looks. He constantly combs his hair looking in the mirror, while the water is running and douses his hair with water. I've even caught him sticking his head under the faucet. He's always so proud as he comes running out of the bathroom. At least we know he'll be a pro at the comb over when he gets older! What a relief! ;)

Our little secret and dirt in his ears

Connor had his school pictures today. Last night we were talking and I asked him what he could think of while he was getting his picture taken to make him smile his best smile because I think he has such a great one. (He's in that fakey smile stage that kids go through when they're tired of always hearing, "Smile")
He started to giggle to himself and said, "Well....I can think of something but it's sort of naughty".
Oh, great I'm thinking to myself.....what could he be thinking of?
"What is it? You can tell me, Connor."
"Well, Jacob farting and then how he laughs after it (as he tries to mimic Jacob's deep throated chuckle)makes me laugh all of the time!"
I couldn't help but laugh myself, because it is pretty funny.
"Well, that's fine if you think that to yourself, but let's not tell anyone what you're thinking about. It will be our little secret!"
"Good idea mommy!", he says all excited about the secret we have.

I told him to keep it a secret because I didn't want the photographer, other students, or teachers knowing what I told him to think about. What I bad mom! However, I am now telling everyone who reads this blog, so now you can all think that I am a bad mom and everytime anyone sees his picture that's what they will think about!

My brother Mattey(and my mom)has been helping with taking Connor and his friend Jadden to school these past two weeks because Matt normally does it. It has been a huge help and relief knowing that he is doing it. I guess today Mattey had his hearing aids in the car and it's the first time the boys noticed them. They had no idea what they were or what their purpose was. I guess Connor actually told Mattey that this whole time he just thought Mattey had dirt in his ears. After talking briefly about them, Jadden yells from the back seat, "Did you get them at Wal-Mart?" Mattey had a good laugh the whole way home about that one!

5 more days....

Matt has 5 more days of his trip. He's been calling when he can (12-14 hour difference depending on where he has been), and sending pictures and updates. Here are a few of the pictures. Most of the day is at a trade show or working with a vendor, but he's able to do some site seeing in the evening. He started in Hong Kong and headed over to Bangkok (where he was with 3 other people). He is off to Shanghai now (all by himeself). We are counting down the days until he gets home!

We went to the park last night and a girl from Connor's class was there. They were going down the slide together and real loud she blurts out "Connor, am I your girlfriend?".
"NO!", Connor replied, very quickly.
"Well, how come you're playing with me then?", she asked.
"Well, your my friend, just not my girlfriend. I don't have a girlfriend. Just friends that are girls.".
"Oh, ok."

Doing what I gotta do

What a whirlwind of a day here at the Ginskeys.

First off, one week down and one more week to go until daddy gets home. Boy, are we counting!

I was so excited about "falling back" an hour last night, however all three of the boys decided that I didn't need any extra sleep and were up bright and early.

We went to church, Jacob and Nolan go to the nursery and normally Connor has Sunday School, but not today (I was buzzed three times to go down and change a poopy diaper, take Jacob into the bathroom to go potty, and change another poopy diaper). Then went to buy diapers and donuts because I promised the boys donuts after church. We were in the area, so Connor got a hair cut and normally when we're in the hair salon the other two boys tear the place apart, so we waited outside, sat on the sidewalk, and ate our donuts. I'm sure it was quite a site. Connor came out all done and ate his donut in the car, making a huge mess. We got home and the boys rode bike around in the garage while I vacuumed out the van. Luckily all the boys took a short nap today, so I was able to get a few things done around the house. However, when they woke up - they were crazy. All of the books came out of the bookshelf, they decided to take all of the cushions and pillows off the couch and jump, all of their cars were out of the boxes, and crayons were thrown all over. They were chasing around in circles and wrestling. It just wouldn't stop and they wouldn't settle down. Don't tell them this, but it was secretly funny how they would all feed off eachother's craziness and giggles. Nolan was extremely out of control at one point and wouldn't listen, so I put him in a time out. I got back out into the living room and Jacob asked me where Nolan was, I told him he was naughty and in a time out. Connor looks at me and says, "I know mom, sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do!"

What?!!!

Here are a few things we've done to the house. A couple of them Matt and I did, the mantle I just finished this weekend and my mom helped me with the big Family this weekend.