Racing in the Backyard

Gideon and I went out and played in the backyard for a long time yesterday (okay, so like 20 minutes or so). We ran from house to garage and back again MANY times. Finally, I thought of getting some video of him running. Enjoy.

Marching Band

Thanks to Friday night high school football, my son has turned into an absolute freak for marching bands. The kid is willing to go anywhere where there is going to be a marching band. We went to two Labor Day parades... he loved them. We've now gone to a high school football each of the last 4 or 5 Fridays. He almost breaks down when the band leaves after half time.

This past weekend we went out to the Orion (IL) football game. The game and atmosphere is much more laid back than here in the Cities. So while the band was warming up I walked him down to where they were and walked within about 4 feet of them. He was in heaven.

After half time he asked if they were coming back to play. Upon hearing that they weren't he asked if they were at home getting ready for bed. Then he went through his nighttime routine and asked if they were doing the same (brushing teeth? read story? pray? say the peace?).

Tonight Gideon decided to use his PVC pipe (the one normally used to act out the part of Moses) as a flag (I'm assuming he got this from watching Caitlin-from-church at the Rock Island game a few weeks ag0). He was absolutely hilarious tonight. He was probably playing "marching band" for about 15 to 20 minutes. Here goes.

Gideon Interview with Papa

Gideon and the Ladies

For the last 8 years, I've been attending most of the Moline Maroons football games on Friday nights. Though I've had very few kids from my ministry play, many of the kids either go to the game, are in the band, cheerleaders, or dance team. Tonight Moline played rival Rock Island. We went to watch a young lady named Caitlin, who is in our ministry and who is in the color guard for Rocky. We also went to see a young man who is nominally involved with Catalyst who plays trombone for Rocky, and a young lady who is a cheerleader for Moline. We also see one of my youth elders who is works for one of our local tv stations each Friday as he is part of the high school football Highlight Zone team. We also see kids from Catalyst who just go to the game to "watch the game," and hang with friends. Tonight Anna and Hannah sat with us the entire game. Gideon absolutely loved it! He loves Anna and Hannah (Hannah does childcare for us on Monday night during our couples Bible study at the church). Both of the ladies come to our home each Thursday as part of our Dinner at the T's and The Following Bible study. As we saw many people from church at the game, Gideon was pretty jacked all night! Here are just two of the pictures from tonight's game.

Gideon and Anna messing around.
Hannah W, Gideon T, and Anna B hanging out at the game together!

Revisionist History: Moses and Pharaoh's Daughter

Little Moses bursts his head out of the basket, with his eyes trying to get acclimated to the sun.
Where am I? And what is all this stuff inside the basket with me?
I need to stand up and get a good look at my bearings. Hey who's that over there? And why are all those ladies watching her? Why are they talking amongst themselves and looking at me?
I'm normally a bit bashful. I wonder, can I ask that lady for some help? Get up the courage to ask, get up the courage to ask, get up the courage to..... AWESOME, those ladies are coming this way! Thank you LORD.

*Hope you enjoyed Gideon's little revisionist story of Moses, in his own actions.

Here's What Happens When Consistency Isn't Consistent

Each day when Gideon wakes up from his nap, he has one chore to do. He gets to feed his best buddy Solomon. Everyday he feeds Solomon, either Kathee or I are right there to make sure his chore gets finished and done correctly. However, today I was in the kitchen talking with Kathee about some things Gideon didn't need to hear about, when it sounded like rain in the living room. So we both snuck into the living room to catch Gideon in the action. He was dumping Solomon's food all over the floor. Solomon seemed to enjoy it as he went right to town eating off the floor. Gideon seemed to enjoy it as he was giggling like crazy. He didn't get into trouble as it really is a pretty big job for such a little boy (who needs adult supervision and encouragement as he carries out his daily chore). Enjoy the pictures, we sure enjoyed seeing it in person.

Gideon with Uncle Zach

A few weeks ago we had to head to Chicago to pick up a document for Gideon from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Department office. We stayed with my younger brother Zach. Believe it or not, Gideon thinks Unko Zach is AWESOME!!!
(although Gideon's face doesn't show how much he loves his Unko Zach. Oh yeah, that's Zach's attempt at a funny face, as he knew Gideon was squirming).

Gideon on the Way Home From St Louis (in August)

Gideon has CRASHED. It appears George is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Our Stay at Covenant Theological Seminary

We stayed on campus overnight in St Louis while I met with the head of admissions, visited a 3 hour course on the Psalms and Wisdom Literature, and other things that are involved in a campus visit.

More from Magic House in St Louis

Two of Craig and Melanie's kids at The Magic House in early August.
Gideon chilling at the water feature.

I think Gideon and I know about the same amount regarding vehicles. As you can see, he's VERY interested.
Gideon in the baby room in The Magic. I hope he treats Baby Hope a bit better when she joins the family.

Gideon at the Magic House in St Louis

In early August the family headed to St Louis to visit Covenant Theological Seminary and to visit my best friend from my childhood church. During the stay, Craig's wife Melanie, who I also grew up with at Third Presbyterian Church in Dubuque, took us to the Magic House. This was a fantastic children's museum. Here are some pictures of Gideon's great day with the DeMeester kids.

My Becky Thatcher

I remember going to Hannibal as a boy. Not only do I not really remember Becky Thatcher, but I know I must not have understood why Tom was taken by her. Oh, how good it is to grow old (especially growing old with the one you consider to be "the essence of all that is charming in womanhood).
This was the part I thought was cool as a kid. For some reason, however, I remember this area of Hannibal, being much larger when I was a boy.

Hannibal, MO

In early August, Kathee, Gideon, and I went to St Louis, MO, to look at Covenant Theological Seminary, to visit the campus and see about the possibilities of starting seminary (from a distance and then one day moving on fulltime). On the way home, we stopped in Hannibal, MO, Mecca for Tom Sawyer, Huckelberry Finn, Mark Twain, etc. Here are some pictures from our stopover on the way home.

The two of us before the Tom and Huck monument.
Gideon pushing (and Papa slyly steering) down the street in Hannibal, MO.

Gideon's New Bed

It's official: He's not a baby anymore, he's all boy, everyone! Oh yeah, the frame is from Kathee's family and is very high, so Gideon needs a step stool to get in to bed. I wonder how loud the thump will be today when he falls out the first time.

Here he is showing up "Georgey, his blanket, and his new bed!

Not sure if he's more excited about the new bed or George. Either way, we had to have a talk about not wearing shoes in bed. Now, to have the discussion with his mother about not wearing socks in bed.

Gideon's Last Day in the Crib

Gideon received a new bed today. So as a sort of rite of passage, I had Gideon help me take down the crib and bring in the bed and put it together. We have been prompting him all week that he was going to be getting a bed on Friday. He seemed great with it.

He was really excited to move the crib out of his room. Now I hope he's just as excited to SLEEP in his bed.

"Gideon, is this heavy?" "No Papa, light."

Gideon and His Buddy Asher

Bowling

Gideon's First Skinned Knee

Gideon got this when he took a digger on the sidewalk. He didn't cry much, but thought it was pretty cool when I told him that's what happens to big boys a lot.