September was a challenging month that I'm glad is almost over. We had a lot going on with no break until this past weekend. Between celery harvest going gangbusters and Mike's other commitments, I felt like a mostly single parent. I really, truly don't know how single parents, military spouses, or those with spouses that travel a lot do it. I am definitely not cut out to do this on my own. Three out of the five Tuesdays Mike had meetings (and October will be just as bad, maybe worse). That makes for a loooong day for both of us when he's off to work around 4am, goes straight to a meeting after work (maybe coming home for 15 minutes to shower), and doesn't get back until after the kids are in bed! Also, one of the weekends Mike was out of town visiting his brother, which was a good trip for him, just not ideal timing; and, another Saturday was his annual day to a U of M football game with his brother/stepbrothers/stepdad. Another good thing, but stinky timing with everything we've had going on. :)
But, FINALLY this past Saturday we had nothing "major" going on - Mike didn't have to be anywhere, and he was able to just do clean-up type of stuff around the house outside, didn't need to spend the day hauling dirt, leveling dirt, or doing some other big project where he couldn't help with the kids. It was such a breath of fresh air, and just what we needed to feel like we'll be able to survive until the end of harvest (there have been plenty of moments where we really didn't feel like we were going to make it). And, it was so good for the boys to have a day to spend with Mike doing guy stuff outside! I was able to meet up with a friend at a flea market for a bit (which was CRAZY - I think half of Michigan was there), and in the evening I had a photo session. In general I am not doing photography work, but I will take on special projects - this was for a recent young widow at our church who wanted some photos of her kids around their apartment complex before they move to Poland in a few months (where she is from and her family still is). It's heartbreaking.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
3 weeks
Three weeks of school done, and it's still going well! A couple mornings have been a little iffy with my slowpoke (Logan), but not TOO bad. We haven't been late yet. :) And, Caleb and Logan are still both very excited when I pick them up at the end of the day. They couldn't contain themselves earlier this week when they both had gotten moved up to "outstanding" on the behavior chart. Concerning behavior, yesterday Logan told me right away that he had been put in time-out during recess for sending rocks down the slide. (Something we've told them not to do when we saw them doing it at the open house...ahem...) He was fairly upset about it. If only this would be the worst school behavior problem we'll have to deal with over the next several years! Bahaha! Anyways, the way Logan handled this makes me think this probably really was the first bad behavior of the year, and I'm guessing that even if Caleb wasn't going to be as forthright with info on any of his bad behavior, we would probably hear about it from Logan. Benefit of twins! :)
They are excited every day, but Wednesday's are especially fun. That's when they have Music, Spanish, PE, etc. I hear a lot about Music and the teacher, Mrs. Silverthorne. They really want me to meet her. :) This week they got to play bells and they were telling me all about the proper way to ring them (like an ice cream scoop, you don't just shake them).
Certainly things aren't perfect, but I do think them spending time at school is improving their time at home. Caleb, Logan, and Levi play together nicer for longer periods of time. Levi doesn't seem to have any trouble transitioning between being home with just me to having them around. Levi and I enjoy our days that the other boys are at school. Sometimes we take it easy at home, snuggling on the couch and reading books; sometimes we have errands to run, which he does pretty well with (helps that for places I really need to focus it's easier for me to let him play with my phone - couldn't do that with all three as it would cause too many fights). He also does a good job helping me with some jobs around the house. We've also gotten to help Mike at work a couple times! On two different occasions now I've done a little packing, and Levi gets to hang out with Mike and be his helper. He does a really good job with that - actually sticking with a task and not being in the way or anything. Couldn't even consider doing that with Caleb and Logan, and I suppose next year at this time when I have an almost one-year-old it won't be all that doable either.
Just over 5 weeks until baby time! Slowly but surely getting ready here. Last week I got the playroom/nursery repainted. When we get closer we'll have to get the toys out of there and get it ready for the baby. This past Monday Mike's employees threw us a baby shower! It was so kind and generous of them. I'm a little bummed that the baby will be coming right after harvest, so we won't be able to show him/her off to them right away. :)
They are excited every day, but Wednesday's are especially fun. That's when they have Music, Spanish, PE, etc. I hear a lot about Music and the teacher, Mrs. Silverthorne. They really want me to meet her. :) This week they got to play bells and they were telling me all about the proper way to ring them (like an ice cream scoop, you don't just shake them).
Certainly things aren't perfect, but I do think them spending time at school is improving their time at home. Caleb, Logan, and Levi play together nicer for longer periods of time. Levi doesn't seem to have any trouble transitioning between being home with just me to having them around. Levi and I enjoy our days that the other boys are at school. Sometimes we take it easy at home, snuggling on the couch and reading books; sometimes we have errands to run, which he does pretty well with (helps that for places I really need to focus it's easier for me to let him play with my phone - couldn't do that with all three as it would cause too many fights). He also does a good job helping me with some jobs around the house. We've also gotten to help Mike at work a couple times! On two different occasions now I've done a little packing, and Levi gets to hang out with Mike and be his helper. He does a really good job with that - actually sticking with a task and not being in the way or anything. Couldn't even consider doing that with Caleb and Logan, and I suppose next year at this time when I have an almost one-year-old it won't be all that doable either.
Just over 5 weeks until baby time! Slowly but surely getting ready here. Last week I got the playroom/nursery repainted. When we get closer we'll have to get the toys out of there and get it ready for the baby. This past Monday Mike's employees threw us a baby shower! It was so kind and generous of them. I'm a little bummed that the baby will be coming right after harvest, so we won't be able to show him/her off to them right away. :)
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
krol's invade kindergarten
Our babies started Kindergarten yesterday! When did these babies turn into little boys?? Certainly I've been watching it happen, and in a lot of ways it's been a long, challenging 5 1/2 years (actually I would say 4 1/2, since the first year was not that bad). That saying, "The days are long, but the years are short" is so cliche, but so unbelievably true. We're embarking on a new phase in life, and it feels kinda strange. I'm a school mom now, not just a mom of littles. Despite the fact that there are people my age with high schoolers, I don't feel old enough to have kids in school. Ha!
We were all very excited for Caleb and Logan to start yesterday. We've been counting down the number of bedtimes until the first day, and we had no issues with them going in to their classroom yesterday (I didn't expect any). In fact, it went so well that it wasn't until I was out in the parking lot that I realized I didn't do a last hug and "I love you"! No tears on my part, but I actually did feel a little something at the back of my eyes. :)
The morning routine went fine, we'll see how it goes once the excitement wears off. Logan isn't exactly a morning person, so he's the one I'm a little worried about. I thought they'd be tired after school yesterday, but they didn't seem fazed at all, and still stayed up talking in their bedroom for a while after we put them to bed. Maybe it will catch up with them today!
We had time for "first day" pics - out on the porch since it was a rainy morning. When we got to school I did walk them in, but plan to just drop-off now. We went in, put their rain coats and back packs in their lockers, Nathan and Jason walked past and said "Good Morning" (for which my boys were happy about), then their teacher (Mrs. Knapp) was at their classroom door, they were excited to see her and give her a hug, and then they went into their room and that was it! Just like that! Levi and I went for donuts at Post Family Farm (Wonderful pumpkin donuts that they only sell in the fall - I decided this will be a great first day of school tradition even once all the kids are in school...), brought one to Mike, got groceries and then went home to enjoy the peace and quiet. Levi did make a few comments throughout the day, like, "I hope Caleb and Logan are having fun at school", "It's quiet here", and "Don't forget not to tell them we got donuts". Ha! He says he doesn't miss them, and he does fine on his own, but as soon as the boys got home yesterday he and Caleb went off to play and stayed busy for quite a while. We're not going anywhere today, so we'll see how a whole day at home on his own goes. :)
Caleb and Logan were so excited when I picked them up yesterday afternoon! (Which, it just worked out that pick-up was during a torrential downpour. Lovely. It had mostly died down by the time I got through the car line, but it just wasn't ideal weather for first day pick-up.) First thing I heard was that Caleb's "clip moved up" - this is their behavior chart in their classroom, and moving up is a good thing. :) Once we got home, Caleb was busy playing and Logan told me all sorts of stuff about their day. Sounds like things went really well and they enjoyed it - hope that keeps up!
Note: I started this post before they got up this morning, now they're dropped off and into their second day. Both of them were definitely dragging more this morning, things almost went bad with Logan, but thankfully we got out the door without major issues. :) This time I just dropped them off rather than walk them in, and once they got in the building before they turned to go down the hallway I saw them holding hands. Melt my heart! Levi is doing pretty well playing Legos on his own right now, we'll see how that keeps up. Yesterday at lunchtime felt especially odd - this summer when Caleb and Logan were at vbs Levi and I had a few mornings on our own, but I've never had a lunchtime with one child before, it was so strangely quiet and calm.
Oh yeah, just remembered something Levi said the other day. At church we had a fellowship time with lots of goodies - we let the boys have probably 3-4 cookies/treats. After going to Taco Bell for lunch we were headed to Meijer quick to get dog food (Mike doesn't want me handling the huge bag we get.), and of course check on the celery in the store. :) Anyways, when I take the boys there for groceries I usually get them a cookie (the bakery gives them free to kids), so Levi asked if he could get a cookie. When we told him 'no' he said he was going to let his kids have as many cookies as they want! Glad he's planning ahead on his parenting. :)
We were all very excited for Caleb and Logan to start yesterday. We've been counting down the number of bedtimes until the first day, and we had no issues with them going in to their classroom yesterday (I didn't expect any). In fact, it went so well that it wasn't until I was out in the parking lot that I realized I didn't do a last hug and "I love you"! No tears on my part, but I actually did feel a little something at the back of my eyes. :)
The morning routine went fine, we'll see how it goes once the excitement wears off. Logan isn't exactly a morning person, so he's the one I'm a little worried about. I thought they'd be tired after school yesterday, but they didn't seem fazed at all, and still stayed up talking in their bedroom for a while after we put them to bed. Maybe it will catch up with them today!
We had time for "first day" pics - out on the porch since it was a rainy morning. When we got to school I did walk them in, but plan to just drop-off now. We went in, put their rain coats and back packs in their lockers, Nathan and Jason walked past and said "Good Morning" (for which my boys were happy about), then their teacher (Mrs. Knapp) was at their classroom door, they were excited to see her and give her a hug, and then they went into their room and that was it! Just like that! Levi and I went for donuts at Post Family Farm (Wonderful pumpkin donuts that they only sell in the fall - I decided this will be a great first day of school tradition even once all the kids are in school...), brought one to Mike, got groceries and then went home to enjoy the peace and quiet. Levi did make a few comments throughout the day, like, "I hope Caleb and Logan are having fun at school", "It's quiet here", and "Don't forget not to tell them we got donuts". Ha! He says he doesn't miss them, and he does fine on his own, but as soon as the boys got home yesterday he and Caleb went off to play and stayed busy for quite a while. We're not going anywhere today, so we'll see how a whole day at home on his own goes. :)
Caleb and Logan were so excited when I picked them up yesterday afternoon! (Which, it just worked out that pick-up was during a torrential downpour. Lovely. It had mostly died down by the time I got through the car line, but it just wasn't ideal weather for first day pick-up.) First thing I heard was that Caleb's "clip moved up" - this is their behavior chart in their classroom, and moving up is a good thing. :) Once we got home, Caleb was busy playing and Logan told me all sorts of stuff about their day. Sounds like things went really well and they enjoyed it - hope that keeps up!
Note: I started this post before they got up this morning, now they're dropped off and into their second day. Both of them were definitely dragging more this morning, things almost went bad with Logan, but thankfully we got out the door without major issues. :) This time I just dropped them off rather than walk them in, and once they got in the building before they turned to go down the hallway I saw them holding hands. Melt my heart! Levi is doing pretty well playing Legos on his own right now, we'll see how that keeps up. Yesterday at lunchtime felt especially odd - this summer when Caleb and Logan were at vbs Levi and I had a few mornings on our own, but I've never had a lunchtime with one child before, it was so strangely quiet and calm.
Oh yeah, just remembered something Levi said the other day. At church we had a fellowship time with lots of goodies - we let the boys have probably 3-4 cookies/treats. After going to Taco Bell for lunch we were headed to Meijer quick to get dog food (Mike doesn't want me handling the huge bag we get.), and of course check on the celery in the store. :) Anyways, when I take the boys there for groceries I usually get them a cookie (the bakery gives them free to kids), so Levi asked if he could get a cookie. When we told him 'no' he said he was going to let his kids have as many cookies as they want! Glad he's planning ahead on his parenting. :)
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
ticking
9 weeks to baby! And, our calendar is fairly full, so it's probably going to go fairly fast. I do have more I need/want to do to prepare, might be hard to fit in! I'm not totally freaking out yet (just a little bit). Yesterday was my 30 week check-up. I haven't gained any weight in the last two weeks (yay!), but I am measuring 32 weeks (hmmm....). Please, please, please let this baby be in the single digits! Looking back at my records, at 30 weeks with Caleb and Logan I was 10 pounds heavier than I am now, and 7 pounds heavier with Levi. I've been feeling like I'm not as large and uncomfortable this time as I was with Levi, but I thought maybe I was only remembering the very end with him and that I'm just not to that point with this one yet. But looking at the numbers, I must legitimately feel better with this one! Over the last week or so it's been getting a little harder to get comfortable in bed at night, but not that bad, I really can't complain. Here and there the heartburn is a problem, but nothing like I had with Caleb and Logan. I had been suspicious that the baby was transverse (which doesn't really matter since I'm having a c-section, but it's still nice to know) based on what I was feeling, and the doctor confirmed that. Junior's head is on my right side (I often feel something bigger pushing out over there), and on my left side I know it's something smaller pushing out (whether it's hands, knees, or feet I don't know).
Last week was the Hudsonville Community Fair, something the boys look forward to all year long. I managed to take them by myself Tuesday afternoon to do some of the smaller rides (so thankful it was cooler weather!), and then we went back in the evening so Mike could ride the ferris wheel with them. They did really well and had fun choosing rides! There were a couple that they all three did together, a couple Caleb and Logan did together, and then a couple that Levi did on his own (what a big boy!). We shared elephant ears, got balloons, did face painting (Levi still refuses), and saw some of the animals. When we went back in the evening with Mike, after they rode the ferris wheel we walked through more of the animal barns (I totally got spray peed on by a rabbit...really gross...).
Last Wednesday our sidewalks were poured!!! So wonderful! It's great having sidewalks again, and so far I'm happy with the new design (I'd better be). Then the next day our driveway was resurfaced. SO. MUCH. BETTER. Things are on track to feeling normal again, having grass (hopefully this fall) will go a long ways towards that.
This past weekend was our annual canoe trip. The morning of it was rainy and yucky, but the weather was great while we were on the river! The boys had a great weekend at Uncle Eric and Aunt Lea Anne's playing with Boden and Heidi.
I spent time today going through Caleb and Logan's school supplies making sure they have everything and putting their names on their stuff. One more week!! We have summer weather again this week, so I took them to the splash pad this morning for a bit - gotta do that stuff while we can!
Last week was the Hudsonville Community Fair, something the boys look forward to all year long. I managed to take them by myself Tuesday afternoon to do some of the smaller rides (so thankful it was cooler weather!), and then we went back in the evening so Mike could ride the ferris wheel with them. They did really well and had fun choosing rides! There were a couple that they all three did together, a couple Caleb and Logan did together, and then a couple that Levi did on his own (what a big boy!). We shared elephant ears, got balloons, did face painting (Levi still refuses), and saw some of the animals. When we went back in the evening with Mike, after they rode the ferris wheel we walked through more of the animal barns (I totally got spray peed on by a rabbit...really gross...).
Last Wednesday our sidewalks were poured!!! So wonderful! It's great having sidewalks again, and so far I'm happy with the new design (I'd better be). Then the next day our driveway was resurfaced. SO. MUCH. BETTER. Things are on track to feeling normal again, having grass (hopefully this fall) will go a long ways towards that.
This past weekend was our annual canoe trip. The morning of it was rainy and yucky, but the weather was great while we were on the river! The boys had a great weekend at Uncle Eric and Aunt Lea Anne's playing with Boden and Heidi.
I spent time today going through Caleb and Logan's school supplies making sure they have everything and putting their names on their stuff. One more week!! We have summer weather again this week, so I took them to the splash pad this morning for a bit - gotta do that stuff while we can!
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