Last Thursday morning Mike got up and the house was rather chilly. Furnace needed a major fix. :( Thankfully it was fixable and we didn't have to replace the whole thing, but it wasn't a small fix. We limped along (found out the oven does a pretty decent job keeping the kitchen, dining room, and living room warm!) until Friday afternoon when it was able to be repaired.
Friday evening Mike and I went to the church council Christmas dinner. Nice dinner at a camp on Dumont Lake down in Allegan.
Sunday Mike was Deacon on duty again, so he missed out on a couple good Christmas services at church. In the morning was a music presentation which included the adult choir, youth choir, and children's choir, plus the orchestra. It was very nicely done. In the evening was a carol sing along with some special numbers.
With the holiday it was a nice short work week for Mike - woo hoo! We had a fun family day on Christmas Eve. Each of the boys had been given a gift card to Build-A-Bear, so we headed to the mall to do that. Caleb chose a Batman bear that he also got boots and rollerskates for. :) The bear's name is Sam. Logan chose Olaf (the snowman from Frozen, in case you've been in a cave for the last year...). He didn't get any clothes for Olaf because then he would melt. :) Levi chose a bulldog, and a little tent for him to live in. I believe his name is Rex. After that the boys had some playtime at the mall, and they still had to do a little shopping for each other. The night before I had taken Logan out to choose something for Levi. While Caleb and Logan were busy playing at the mall, Mike took Levi to get a present for Caleb, and after lunch I took Caleb to choose a present for Logan. The logistics of helping three boys shop for presents gets complicated! In the evening we let the boys open one present from us and their presents from each other. The present from us was The Lego Movie, so we watched that.
Christmas Day we had a nice family breakfast and had fun opening presents together. My boys spoiled me with lots of 'relaxing' gifts - slippers from Logan, cozy pants and robe from Mike, new coffee mug, and a bunch of candles. :) And, Caleb chose a pretty, sparkly bracelet that I can wear out on a date. :) In the evening we went to my parents just to hang out.
This morning we went to my parent's for breakfast as my sister and her family got into town last night - the boys needed no "warm up" time with their cousins. :) This evening is Mike's family party, and then we have a couple more parties coming up next week. Really hoping everyone holds up through it all this year! (Since the last couple years or so we've ended the holiday season by being sick.) I really don't need another scene like last year - Caleb puking in front of everyone at the Krol party....!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
weekend
We had a somewhat busy, but fun weekend. We are REALLY enjoying having Mike home from work on Friday's! Actually, this past Friday the boys and I had a playdate, while Mike and my dad talked over some things for our upcoming house project and did some farm work, but it was still nice that he wasn't at work. :) Friday evening we went as a family to our church's live nativity. It was great! I enjoyed running into an old school friend, the weather was great for walking through the nativity, and of course the boys enjoyed the cookies, hot chocolate, and crafts at the end.
Saturday was our annual cookie bake day at Mike's mom and stepdad's. Lots of work! Add that to Caleb bumping over on their wood floor a container of little balls for decorating cookies and we had quite the day. :) We cleaned up as best we could, but I'm sure they'll be finding those balls for awhile! I suggested we use them as a game at our family Christmas party - like whoever finds the most wins, or whoever finds one the furthest from the point of origin wins, etc. :) Despite all that it was a fun day with family!
That evening we ended up having a last minute get together with some friends. They had attended our church, but recently felt it was time to move on, so it was nice to have a chance to catch up with them. We stayed WAY too late, but the kids were playing so nice and it was great to actually have a conversation!
The next morning we all had to be up bright an early as Mike was Deacon on duty for the 8:30am service, and I had to be in nursery during that service. It was a little rough getting the boys up and going, but not TOO bad. I pretty much spent the afternoon in a haze as I wanted to just nap, but "quiet time" for the boys isn't exactly quiet, and Caleb was in the playroom playing the keyboard nice and loud. :)
In the evening we didn't have church due to the live nativity, so the boys and I just stayed home while Mike went in to count the morning offerings with the other Deacon on duty for the day.
And then, all of the sudden, the weekend's over! Seems so nice and long at the beginning, then it's all done so fast.
Just remembered a couple other cute things the boys say. Levi calls cats, "kitty-ats". He frequently uses the word "actually", and with meaningful hand motions. There's also been a few times lately that he's been upset over being told not to do something, and he'll say to me, "I'm mad at you!" I sure hope he's not through with being my little sweetie pie! :)
Saturday was our annual cookie bake day at Mike's mom and stepdad's. Lots of work! Add that to Caleb bumping over on their wood floor a container of little balls for decorating cookies and we had quite the day. :) We cleaned up as best we could, but I'm sure they'll be finding those balls for awhile! I suggested we use them as a game at our family Christmas party - like whoever finds the most wins, or whoever finds one the furthest from the point of origin wins, etc. :) Despite all that it was a fun day with family!
That evening we ended up having a last minute get together with some friends. They had attended our church, but recently felt it was time to move on, so it was nice to have a chance to catch up with them. We stayed WAY too late, but the kids were playing so nice and it was great to actually have a conversation!
The next morning we all had to be up bright an early as Mike was Deacon on duty for the 8:30am service, and I had to be in nursery during that service. It was a little rough getting the boys up and going, but not TOO bad. I pretty much spent the afternoon in a haze as I wanted to just nap, but "quiet time" for the boys isn't exactly quiet, and Caleb was in the playroom playing the keyboard nice and loud. :)
In the evening we didn't have church due to the live nativity, so the boys and I just stayed home while Mike went in to count the morning offerings with the other Deacon on duty for the day.
And then, all of the sudden, the weekend's over! Seems so nice and long at the beginning, then it's all done so fast.
Just remembered a couple other cute things the boys say. Levi calls cats, "kitty-ats". He frequently uses the word "actually", and with meaningful hand motions. There's also been a few times lately that he's been upset over being told not to do something, and he'll say to me, "I'm mad at you!" I sure hope he's not through with being my little sweetie pie! :)
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
lots to say
As most of you know, my three boys each have PLENTY to say. (That certainly couldn't be from their genetics....hmmmmm???) I just wish I could record it all! I'm really trying to soak it up and enjoy the things they say now, because I know someday I'll miss the way they are now and I won't be able to remember how they said certain things and what they sounded like.
So anyways, one of my favorites that Levi says right now is "lasterday" when he's referring to something that happened in the past. He's also gotten into using his hands when he talks - yet another clear sign that he is most definitely Mike's son (not that there was any question!). ;)
I believe I've mentioned in the past that we often listen to The Phantom of the Opera while we're in the car. Incredible music that I have loved for years. The other day there was one point where I told the boys I had goosebumps from the music. A couple days later we were listening to Phantom again and Logan asked, "Mom, are you getting freckles??" Took a minute to figure out what he was asking about. :)
One of the boys' favorite evening pastimes is playing "Kid". This is where we pretend to be a family (pretty crazy, huh?), but our roles are all mixed up. Mike is "Kid", I am "Sister", Caleb is usually "Grandpa", Levi is "Dad" or "Mom", and I can't remember what role Logan is usually in. Love it. And they usually stick with it pretty good for awhile. When Levi is playing "Dad" he'll even talk about how he went to work in the celery, etc.
So anyways, one of my favorites that Levi says right now is "lasterday" when he's referring to something that happened in the past. He's also gotten into using his hands when he talks - yet another clear sign that he is most definitely Mike's son (not that there was any question!). ;)
I believe I've mentioned in the past that we often listen to The Phantom of the Opera while we're in the car. Incredible music that I have loved for years. The other day there was one point where I told the boys I had goosebumps from the music. A couple days later we were listening to Phantom again and Logan asked, "Mom, are you getting freckles??" Took a minute to figure out what he was asking about. :)
One of the boys' favorite evening pastimes is playing "Kid". This is where we pretend to be a family (pretty crazy, huh?), but our roles are all mixed up. Mike is "Kid", I am "Sister", Caleb is usually "Grandpa", Levi is "Dad" or "Mom", and I can't remember what role Logan is usually in. Love it. And they usually stick with it pretty good for awhile. When Levi is playing "Dad" he'll even talk about how he went to work in the celery, etc.
Monday, December 8, 2014
quick sick
Caleb and Logan have both been 'blessed' with some quick moving stomach bug. Sometime during the night last Wednesday, Caleb threw up (from the top bunk, down the ladder, onto the floor...) and of course we didn't find out about it until the next morning. Mike and I were supposed to go to Grandpa Wesseling's funeral, but I stayed home with the kids so that Mike could go. Caleb did throw up one more time (We were upstairs in Levi's room and I saw it coming, so I quick got him in the hallway so it landed on hard floor instead of carpet - whew!), but after that he was fine.
Things were good for a couple days and I thought we were in the clear! However, Saturday afternoon we went to the Tiemeyer Christmas party in Charlotte, and when we were almost home Logan threw up in the van. (I was in the truck because we had picked Mike up there on the way to the party.) He got sick a few more times that evening, but then got a good night's sleep and was fine in the morning. After much consideration, Mike took Caleb and Logan to Sunday School for rehearsal because the Christmas program was in the evening and we had all been very much looking forward to it.
I'm keeping a close eye on Levi!
So, yeah, last night was the church Christmas program! A much anticipated event in our household (mostly by Mike and I, the unabashedly proud parents). This was Levi's first program. Mike's been coaching him for weeks to say, "Hi, Dad!" from up on stage, and we've been encouraging him to sing, but he was as stoic as ever up there. Partway through he spotted us and gave us a smile, and he did ring his bell when the time came, but otherwise did not make a peep! Oh well, could have been worse... :) The 2's and 3's were definitely not a very lively group this year.
Caleb and Logan on the other hand... First, their class was sitting on benches at the very front waiting for their turn in the program. When Levi's class came walking in Caleb was waving to Levi and MADE SURE Levi saw him - as in, stood up, leaned over the bench in front of him, and waved and waved right in Levi's face. Really wish I had gotten a shot of that. Then when it was their turn, they went up on the steps and everything was good. Well, I could tell right away that Caleb and the boy next to him should not have been allowed to be next to each other, but both Caleb and Logan were standing nice and singing. We got a few waves and smiles. Partway through, Caleb had an issue with his tie. It was not on anymore, and at one point he turned around so a teacher could try and put it back on. She was not successful, so, he took his tie and clipped it to his chest pocket for the rest of their songs. There were a few chuckles over that one. :) We were worried about Logan for a minute because he was standing there looking blank, but all was well.
Things were good for a couple days and I thought we were in the clear! However, Saturday afternoon we went to the Tiemeyer Christmas party in Charlotte, and when we were almost home Logan threw up in the van. (I was in the truck because we had picked Mike up there on the way to the party.) He got sick a few more times that evening, but then got a good night's sleep and was fine in the morning. After much consideration, Mike took Caleb and Logan to Sunday School for rehearsal because the Christmas program was in the evening and we had all been very much looking forward to it.
I'm keeping a close eye on Levi!
So, yeah, last night was the church Christmas program! A much anticipated event in our household (mostly by Mike and I, the unabashedly proud parents). This was Levi's first program. Mike's been coaching him for weeks to say, "Hi, Dad!" from up on stage, and we've been encouraging him to sing, but he was as stoic as ever up there. Partway through he spotted us and gave us a smile, and he did ring his bell when the time came, but otherwise did not make a peep! Oh well, could have been worse... :) The 2's and 3's were definitely not a very lively group this year.
Caleb and Logan on the other hand... First, their class was sitting on benches at the very front waiting for their turn in the program. When Levi's class came walking in Caleb was waving to Levi and MADE SURE Levi saw him - as in, stood up, leaned over the bench in front of him, and waved and waved right in Levi's face. Really wish I had gotten a shot of that. Then when it was their turn, they went up on the steps and everything was good. Well, I could tell right away that Caleb and the boy next to him should not have been allowed to be next to each other, but both Caleb and Logan were standing nice and singing. We got a few waves and smiles. Partway through, Caleb had an issue with his tie. It was not on anymore, and at one point he turned around so a teacher could try and put it back on. She was not successful, so, he took his tie and clipped it to his chest pocket for the rest of their songs. There were a few chuckles over that one. :) We were worried about Logan for a minute because he was standing there looking blank, but all was well.
 |
| Logan doing the motions. |
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
FIVE
Somehow, I blinked, and now I have two five-year-olds!! On November 29 we celebrated Caleb and Logan's fifth birthday. We hosted a big family party at my parent's house, and I think they loved having cousins from both sides together in one place. Logan was helping introduce Alyssa and Heidi (they've been together at a couple things before, but it's been awhile), and said something like, "These are my two best girlfriends!" :)
We had tacos for supper, then Mike had a treasure hunt for the kids up in the hay loft. After they were finished with that, they came in for cake and ice cream. Then, finally, it was present time. :) Caleb and Logan got LOTS of Legos and they are really enjoying them! I knew they were each getting a bucket of Legos from Grandma and Grandpa VanBeek, but unknowingly, the aunts and uncles all gave some Legos as well. :) At one point when planning the party I had considered doing a Lego theme, I didn't, but I guess it kinda turned out that way anyways! I have high hopes that the Legos will be something they enjoy for years to come.
The only mishap (that I know of) was when Caleb got his fingers pinched in a door. Mike was asking Caleb about it at the end of the night and he claims he was the one shutting the door...so, he pinched his own fingers?! Not quite sure how that happened, I may need to ask him to do a re-enactment. Anyways, I hear the boys scream all the time, but this was a scream that was different than normal and you knew something was actually wrong. :( Wasn't sure what I was going to see when he came in the room, but thankfully there was just some broken skin on one finger and the other had a big dent in it - no bones sticking out and no major amounts of blood. Good thing we had a doctor in the house, though! :) The injury slowed him down for a little bit, but not too bad.
For quite a while now Caleb and Logan have been practicing headstands and handstands and Mike kept telling them he wanted them to do it for their party - Logan seems especially agile with this kind of stuff, Caleb seems more like a Steenwyk... :) Anyways, Caleb didn't want to perform, but Logan did and after a few tries he nailed an awesome handstand! Held it for probably 5 seconds.
Also, afterwards Mike and I noted how well Levi did kind of fending for himself throughout the evening. :) I know I saw other people helping him from time to time (thank you!), but he didn't seem to mind that Mike and I were quite preoccupied most of the time.
I am going to try and do an interview with each of the boys soon. Because, of course, I sit down to write something about them and what they're up to now at 5-years-old and my mind goes blank...
We had tacos for supper, then Mike had a treasure hunt for the kids up in the hay loft. After they were finished with that, they came in for cake and ice cream. Then, finally, it was present time. :) Caleb and Logan got LOTS of Legos and they are really enjoying them! I knew they were each getting a bucket of Legos from Grandma and Grandpa VanBeek, but unknowingly, the aunts and uncles all gave some Legos as well. :) At one point when planning the party I had considered doing a Lego theme, I didn't, but I guess it kinda turned out that way anyways! I have high hopes that the Legos will be something they enjoy for years to come.
The only mishap (that I know of) was when Caleb got his fingers pinched in a door. Mike was asking Caleb about it at the end of the night and he claims he was the one shutting the door...so, he pinched his own fingers?! Not quite sure how that happened, I may need to ask him to do a re-enactment. Anyways, I hear the boys scream all the time, but this was a scream that was different than normal and you knew something was actually wrong. :( Wasn't sure what I was going to see when he came in the room, but thankfully there was just some broken skin on one finger and the other had a big dent in it - no bones sticking out and no major amounts of blood. Good thing we had a doctor in the house, though! :) The injury slowed him down for a little bit, but not too bad.
For quite a while now Caleb and Logan have been practicing headstands and handstands and Mike kept telling them he wanted them to do it for their party - Logan seems especially agile with this kind of stuff, Caleb seems more like a Steenwyk... :) Anyways, Caleb didn't want to perform, but Logan did and after a few tries he nailed an awesome handstand! Held it for probably 5 seconds.
Also, afterwards Mike and I noted how well Levi did kind of fending for himself throughout the evening. :) I know I saw other people helping him from time to time (thank you!), but he didn't seem to mind that Mike and I were quite preoccupied most of the time.
I am going to try and do an interview with each of the boys soon. Because, of course, I sit down to write something about them and what they're up to now at 5-years-old and my mind goes blank...
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