Arizona

As if October wasn't busy enough, we decided to throw in a trip to Arizona at the beginning of November. We were so glad we made it out there even though it was a short trip. The kids had a great time starting with the plane ride. We were a bit worried about how Andrew would do but he entertained himself by making friends on the plane and saying "uh oh" every time someone went into the bathroom. We got to spend time with Aunt Jes, Uncle James, Hayden and Papa P!  Uncle James put the kids to work on his fire pit immediately and we even got the surprise of snow on our last morning there. We can't wait to see everyone again.

Jacob got right to work on Uncle James' fire pit.

Hayden and Rachel watching some TV

Fun in the bath!!

Can you see that Hayden doesn't look all that impressed with Andrew's cheesy grin? 

James has done an AMAZING job with his backyard. Nathan is already foaming at the mouth with what he can do with our backyard. Check out that fire pit!

We surprised Rachel and took her to get her ears pierced. She was a little nervous but did awesome! Now she really looks like a big girl. 

UNO!

The cold weather didn't phase us at all because we got to build a great fire and have smores every night!! What an awesome treat...thanks James and Jes!

This is what we woke up to Monday morning. Very exciting for everone. Here are Hayden and Andrew still in their "footy jammies"

Great snowman guys!

Hayden and her Daddy

Jacob and Hayden hit it off immediately. They were two peas in a pod. 

Halloween

Happy Halloween!!  At 47 degrees and raining, the weather didn't cooperate to well with us this year but we still had a spooktactular time! The kids could hardly wait to get into their costumes and freeze outside : ) The morning started out with Jacob's preschool Halloween parade. Is there anything cuter than 4 year olds in a parade? 

Argggghhhh Matey! 

Luckily Rachel is tracked out during Halloween so she got to see Jacob's parade as well

 Jacob and his classmates

Notice the "loafers"...he loves his "Daddy Loafers"

 On to Halloween...the pirate, witch, and spiderman are ready for action!

Hope you had a great Halloween as well!!

5 Little Pumpkins

It was time for our annual Cesarz Pumpkin Picking and Carving night! We've had a great time doing this every year and the kids seem to get more creative each time. It was a very cold day the day we went to pick so we weren't out there for very long but I think we got the best ones : )

 Brrrrr......it was a cold day

 I will say that Nathan looks a little TOO comfortable with that knife....

 Drew with his new big boy hair

Goofballs

NC State Fair

What a busy month October was. We love the Fall around here in the Cesarz house! It brings with it so many fun activities!!
First up....the NC State Fair.....good food, fun rides, and lots of interested things to see. The best part was Aunt Meg got to join us this year!! We think here favorite was the Kettle Corn....of course we didn't get to see the worlds biggest rat which may have been her favorite but we'll never know.

We all know Jacob LOVES a hot dog.....

Oh, and he also likes pretty blond girls....thank you Margaret for coming with us!!

Good think Rachel learned to milk a cow at her Kindergarten field trip last year....her skills were tested....

Cesarz Family minus baby Cesarz

Andrew's first ride

The Little Things.....

Our days get so busy and hectic. When I'm ready to pull my hair out, something little always brings me back to the joy these kids bring us. Just last night I went in to tuck Jacob into bed and there he was, fast asleep, hugging the his brand new "baseball" belt and socks. He was beyond excited and thankful to get such a small gift out of nowhere. I am so thankful for those times that make you slow down and appreciate the simplest of things.  The sweet bond between siblings.....or the excitement of climbing a really cool tree : )

Jazz Hands!

So we've always known that Rachel had some serious "moves" when it came to dancing. Apparently her teachers think so too! Rachel was chosen as "Dancer of the Month" at dance class. Only 5 are chosen out of 500 students! She was pretty excited since they gave us a yard sign and giant car magnet to show how proud we are. The verdict is still out on whether we'll continue dance classes after December but for now she's having a blast!

Deep Thoughts....by the Cesarz Kids

The kids have had some great thoughts lately that I had to get down before I forgot. We have had a lot of discussions about God and Faith with Rachel starting Faith Formation and Jacob at St. Andrew's. It's so fun to see their little minds working and taking so much in. I almost peed my pants when I had this conversation with Jacob...


Me: "Jacob, let's pray that daddy feels better soon"
Jacob: "Ok, and I pray that God gives me a round head"
Me: "What??!!"
Jacob: (eyes closed already) "Well, Andrew and Rachel have a round head and Rachel says mine is an oval and I want it round"
Me: "Well Jacob, God made you exactly how he wanted to...perfectly"
Jacob: "I just really hope I get a round head"

This was overheard while the kids were in the bathtub. Let me tell you , they were belting it out... to the tune of "The Lord is Kind and Merciful".....

"The Lord is Kind of Kissable".

This after Rachel's first Faith Formation......
Rachel: "Mom, did you know that angels are all around us, they even sleep next to us"
And after a few moments of thought she decided....
"I wonder if God talks to them on Walkie Talkies...."

St. Andrew's Preschool Days

Here he is in front of his "Horse Class" sign

So excited!!

Oh the time has finally come for our Jacob to head off to preschool. It was a L-O-N-G wait this summer I can tell you. Jacob was beside himself as the day approached and walked confidently into the classroom without looking back! We are thrilled that he has taken such pride in it. FINALLY he gets to be "like" Rachel : ). I'll admit it was a little bittersweet. Jacob has been my little man by my side for 4 years. But I think we were both ready for a little break from each other!!

Big News!

Most of you know by now but for those that don't we wanted to let everyone know we are adding a team member to our family. Little Cesarz #4 is due in February! We are all extremely excited.....me especially now that I can hold food down and keep my eyes open. That always helps when you have 3 other kids : ). Rachel and Jacob are hoping for a girl and although we have never found out the gender stay tuned because I think we are going to this time we will!

Carolina Beach

Ahhhh we can almost taste fall (almost). It's still 90 degrees but the mornings are cooling down, school is in session, and summer is coming to a close. Since Rachel has a break in August we decided to take our first Team Cesarz beach trip. Just Nathan, the kids, and I. We had a wonderful time at Carolina Beach. We rented a cute little one bedroom second row from the beach. The kids had a ball between the beach and the pool. We visited the Aquarium and the NC Battleship. Nathan and I.....well we were EXHAUSTED!  Let's just say I'm glad we didn't buy beach chairs because we didn't sit down!!! Beach + 3 kids= No sleep for mommy and daddy : ) Andrew loved to be up at 4:30 every morning so Nathan and I saw a lot of the area driving around Carolina Beach! In all honestly we wouldn't change our first trip at all but we were very happy to be back in our beds at home. : )

It was great to see the personalities of the kids as soon as we got to the beach! Rachel back and forth in the surf, Andrew fearless right into the waves, and Jacob stayed in the sand because "there was just so much water".

Andrew loved when the waves would surprise him

Rachel loved finding seashells!

 The Gals

Jacob "surfing"

"Whoa, dad, I think I found dinner!"

Battleship North Carolina was a real treat. when it began construction in 1937 was the first American battleship to be built in 16 years. It participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific during WWII! Rachel and Jacob really enjoyed touring this. Mommy and Andrew stayed behind because we were worried that Andrew might end up overboard!

The Many Colors of Jacob

I have to say that one of the best parts of my day is to see what outfit Jacob comes down the stairs in. Mind you, he dresses himself and that is one less I have to, so as long as it's weather appropriate, I tell him how nice he looks and go on with my day. Most days he is in some sort of Red Sox or Patriots uniform but sometimes he decides to branch out. For instance....

I call this the Rain Boots Bandit....

 

Or this....must be business casual at the office today heh Jake?





Whatever the outfit, be assured that Jacob marches to the beat of his own fashion drummer.

1st Grade

 Yesterday was the first day of first grade for Rachel. Even though she only got a short break she was very excited to be back! We're excited to see what the year brings for her. Hopefully a few front teeth as she seemed to have lost hers somewhere : )

Kindergarten Program

I can't believe it's here already but Kindergarten is nearing it's end. Rachel has amazed us with how she has come out of her shell. She changed from the moment she stepped on the bus all by herself. It was a year full of changes. Moving, school, homework, new friends, but she adjusted beautifully. At the beginning of the year Rachel's teacher had to really work with her to speak up and have confidence in herself. By the end, she was leading math centers with her ideas and not afraid to answer a question. It's been awesome to see!! Way to go Rachel!! We are so proud of you!!

Here is a little video of the End of Year Kindergarten Program. Rachel is front and center. They are singing "I Like it Here". They must be reassuring parents just in case : )

TBall Season Wraps Up



Notice something missing?

Well, TBall season wrapped up last weekend. It was a great one and Rachel had a ton of fun. So much that she'll be back next year. They step it up in 1st grade with "machine pitch" so it should be interesting!! Jacob will play in the Pre-K division so stay tuned for some awesome skills!

Jacob is ready too!





A natural of course : )



Rachel receiving her medal from Coach Chip