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Three...  three years... I'm just kind of at a loss!  My cousin and his wife welcomed a baby boy into the world yesterday and as I sat greeting him today I was just in awe of the changes that have happened in the last three years.  While he does still like to be cradled and sang to occasionally (he crawls into my arms and asks be to sing "baby" - which is Baby Mine from Dumbo), Jax is far more kid than baby these days! 

Jax started a Children's Day Out program this year to get him accustomed to school.  It was a difficult first couple of weeks, but since then he has embraced school with open arms!  He loves it.  He is excited to go and can't wait for me to give him a "big hug and get back in the car" when we get there.  I hope he always loves school so much!  He's made friends and comes home telling me about playing with Katie, Nick, Colin and Cooper (I just love the way he says Cooper - it's so darned cute).  He comes home with pockets full of rocks and is excited to see Ms. Emby (Emily) and Ms. Beff (Beth) in the mornings.

I knew Jax would change dramatically once he started school, but I couldn't be more pleased with most of the changes that have happened!  His separation anxiety has all but disappeared.  Where as I had to spend a day preparing him for an evening away from me before and then sneak out the door unless I wanted to leave the sitter with a screaming mess, now I can tell him bye and he gives me a big hug and a kiss and then pretty much kicks me out the door.  It's wonderful knowing he's as happy as we are to get Mom and Dad out of the house!

He's picked up a few less desirable things at school, too, but for the most part we've squashed them with a good discussion.  One day he decided to mimic the kids making trouble at school.  While they were getting reprimanded he'd repeat the action that got them in trouble, but his teachers said he'd stop when asked to - he was just testing to see what reaction would happen if he did what the troublemakers were doing.  That only happened once and when we talked about how important it is to listen to and obey teachers and Mama and Daddy, he reminded me how important it is to listen to Jax.  Ha!  But that was the last we heard of that! 

Since we have a full day planned tomorrow I'm posting his birthday post early.  I'll put birthday and party pics up later. 

Lets see... we last left you in September...

Playing on a sculpture in Salina after the parade

Real men ride pink ponies

Meeting our new friend David (Jax loves babies)

Taking a load off at my SHHS 15 year class reunion

Checking out Papa's new toy car

In early October Tim & Peg came down to visit and we went to the apple orchard.  It was chillier than we anticipated, but we had a great time, got some great pictures, and some delicious apples!  Jax LOVED picking and eating them as he went!  I have no idea how many he ate while we were there but he was eating pretty continuously!

Who doesn't love a pirate hat?

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Checking out the sheep at the zoo with Ava

Hippo tamer

The pumpkin patch was kind of a flop this year, but he had fun running through the bales of straw

He ended up choosing 3 tiny little pumpkin gourds that he could carry around.

Sharing apple cider donuts with dad - the highlight of the pumpkin patch.

Helping Nana decorate Aunt Tara's birthday cake!

This was a great moment!  He's going to hate me one day for it, but holy cow is it cute!!!

Helping Mom make apple butter with all of our orchard apples

First quick spin in a booster seat... I'm a big boy now! (1 short drive was all we took in a booster)

Wolverine getting ready to trick or treat!

football party fun with Ava & Lily

Our friend Adam came into town to cheer on the Royals in the World Series.  He and Jax had batting practice before game 2.

Jax's World Series swag - he's got room to grow.

Uncle Dustin and Adam spent the night - Jax had a blast playing with these BIG kids!

We took a family vacation to Omaha for a weekend and visited Durham Museum, which has a big train exhibit.  Jax LOVED it! 

A little R & R in the hotel

Little Tourist

The Omaha Zoo was great, too! The aquarium was our favorite!

This boy LOVES his Blue Belle!

Helping Daddy put up Christmas lights

My little Royal

Aunt Tara has the BIGGEST teddy bear to nap with!

a couple of knuckleheads...

Hide & seek!

Christmas is so exciting this year - I love it!

Jax's class - All but his bff Katie!  They are Pirates and have mustaches!

Family pics again this year.  

Sharing a seat to watch Jon & Jen open baby shower gifts

Hug!... followed by wrestling every time.

Pestinger brothers with Big Tom's three knuckleheads.

Thanksgiving Michaelsen family pic

With Aunt Bre & Brad

Love Aunt Bre!

When we got home from Thanksgiving we got the Christmas tree up and decorated and the new Polar Express train set up around it while Jax napped.  When he woke up he was in awe...

I love this one!