Boys of Summer

The day Matt has been waiting for finally came last week: Joe's first day of baseball. Every dad, especially those who have sons, and those who are fans, long for the day their kids start baseball. It was June 2003 when we had our first ultrasound and found out we were having a boy. When the ultrasound tech announced, "it's a boy!" I could visibly see Matt's excitement. The excitement was the promise of tee-ball, gloves, little league, bats, coaching, home runs, batting practice, stealing second, turning a double play, and one proud daddy in the stands.

Dear Joe & Jack,

You are lucky to have such a great baseball daddy. Daddy is not only a skilled player, he is a great coach as well. Daddy played catcher and 3rd base. I remember watching Daddy play for Post 15 when we were 16. I hope someday you'll get the pleasure of watching daddy swing for the fences, and use his powerful, upper body strength to easily hit one out of the ballpark. When we were in college at UNL, one summer Daddy coached 3 Babe Ruth teams. Due to the team age requirements, 2 of his teams were eligible to go to the city tournament. And not only did both teams qualify for the city tournament, both teams made it to the city championship! One of Daddy's teams won 2nd place, and the other finished in 1st place. Daddy has coached other teams, and his teams are always successful because he loves the game, understands the game and wants everyone to have fun. You are both lucky to have such a great Daddy! You may not know it or understand it right now, but Daddy is filled with such excitement when you throw the ball, swing the bat, and run around the bases.

Baseball means a lot of things to Daddy. I think it is the memory-triggering sights, sounds, smells, or possibly that shining moment when he visited Wrigley Field for the very first time. Baseball also means childhood friends Mitchell, Babs, Gaspar & sharing his passion of baseball with them. Daddy still points out the baseball field by Covell Lake where he hit his first home run. Baseball means treasures of childhood, Daddy's baseball cards and the fascination of his heroes like Ryne Sandberg. Baseball also means, Daddy's dad, Grandpa Ron, who endlessly cheered for Daddy, win or lose, good or bad. Daddy, just like his dad, is your biggest fan. Daddy will always cheer you on...and baseball will take on it's own meaning to each of you. And for you, Baseball will mean Daddy.

A Little Fun While Away For Business

My job takes me away from Amy and the boys every once and a while. Usually to warm, exotic places such as Bismarck, ND in early February and Casper, WY in mid April. This past week, I was in Newton, IA (lovely this time of year, I recommend it to anyone).

Besides finding a local municipal golf course in these towns I travel, it's rare I do anything else. However, Newton is only 25 miles away from Des Moines. Des Moines, IA, home of the Chicago Cubs Triple A team, the Iowa Cubs. The I-Cubs were playing the Memphis Redbirds and even though it was football weather, I took in the game.

I remember growing up when my Dad had to leave town for business, he would bring home the occasional surprise gift for my brother and I. I too, have brought Joe & Jack gifts in the past from some of the places I have traveled. This time it was easy for me. With summer basically in full swing, and Joe about ready to begin his first year of playing baseball, I knew that I had to bring the boys something from the I-Cubs game.

They both got their own I-Cubs shirt and Jack also received his first true Cubbie hat. Not the traditional Cubs hat, but Jack is not the traditonal little Cubbie himself either! Enjoy boys, I hope you enjoy your gifts from Daddy as much as I remember getting them from my Daddy.

What's That Sound? It's The Ice Cream Truck!

A few weeks ago, Amy and I were working outside and as soon as we came in to get lunch prepared Amy heard a sound. I'm not sure if it was all of the concerts I have attended or just my selective hearing but I didn't hear a thing. All of a sudden, she tells me to get Joe from the basement as she runs off to wake Jack up from his nap. When I ask why, she responds with, "The ice cream truck is coming down Edgewood!"

The Great American Ice Cream Truck

Amy runs to get Jack as if there is a fire in the house and I follow suit with Joe. The boys have no idea what's going on and to be honest, I really didn't either! But as we all go outside we are treated with the wonderful menu that is the ice cream truck! We order 4 treats from the local freezer on wheels and take them in to enjoy after lunch. Joe got SpongeBob SquarePants on a stick and Jack went with Dora The Explorer. Amy went with the Good Humor strawberry shortcake and I decided on the Klondike ChocoTaco. Thank you ice cream truck, the Jacobson house looks forward to seeing you many more times this summer.

Images of May

As Amy mentioned in her previous post, May has been a busy month for us. She supply you with the text version, I'm here to provide you with the images that made up our month of May.

The End of April Took Us To Las Vegas For A Wedding

Poolside At The Luxor

Fremont Street, "Old Vegas"

Even Though This Is A Lion In Front Of The MGM Grand, It Reminded Us Of Chance

See, He Could Be Out Front At The MGM Grand (Notice His Green Bandage He Recieved While At The Vet After Getting His Yearly Shots)

Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, CA

Back Of The Del

LaJolla, CA

Petco Park, San Diego, CA

Amy's Tulips From Our Backyard

Joe Enjoying The Fresh Flowers

My 33rd Birthday Cake. Jack Helped Blow Out The Candles.

What Happened to May?

We've been bad about keeping up with the blog. This month has been busy and exciting. Here is a list of our activities:

• Matt and I went to San Diego.
• Joe & Jack hosted Amy & Tyler (the saint-sitters) at our house for 3 days.
• Matt turned 33.
• Joe finished gymnastics.
• Jack started saying "bye-bye."
• We celebrated Mother's Day.
• Joe learned to button his jammies.
• The dogs received their annual shots and city licenses.
• Jack pooped in the bathtub.
• Jack & Jack played with our neighbor boy, Max.
• Matt and I re-landscaped our front yard.
• Joe got a hair cut.
• Joe & Jack had a playdate with Asher & Zander at McKennan Park.

This last weekend was Memorial Day weekend. And like every Memorial Day in South Dakota, it was cold & windy. We spent all of Saturday and Sunday outside. Matt's mom came over to our house on Saturday to watch/entertain/feed/supervise the boys while we worked in our yard. On Sunday the boys were entertained by playing with our neighbor, Max. Max turns 4 in June, so he & Joe ran back-n-forth from our house to Max's house, with little Jack trailing behind. It is great having another boy on our col-de-sac, but I already feel bad for Jack. I think he'll be the little brother that gets ditched by Joe & Max.

Joe buttoning his jammies.

Leonardo De Joe Joe

With spring finally here the boys have found enjoyment having fun outside. Joe has always been a fan of sidewalk chalk and little Jack-a-Roo has followed in his brothers footsteps with being able to make some pretty decent chalk lines on the concrete!

It seems as if Joe has an artistic side of him that is far more superior than his dad's ever was or can be. First Joe drew a picture of me and then drew Amy and himself on each side of of me.

The Artist At Work

The Masterpiece Is Complete. Joe, Daddy & Mommy

Buzzing Bee

As spring finally settles into South Dakota, the boys have been spending a lot of time outside. They like to pick up and gather sticks and pine cones. They like to climb on landscaping rocks and jump off. They like to touch the bright green leaves sprouting from the bushes and shrubs. To see the excitement in their eyes when they find a ladybug is truly wonderful.

While we enjoy spending time outside before all of the summer bugs, ants & mosquitoes invade, we have noticed one, cute, little bee that just won't leave us alone. He buzzes around the house in constant motion. We are trying to capture him, but have had no luck.

"Bee" on the look-out for this bee: