It is mid/late September and it is HOT out! My phone says is 88 and feels like 91 right now. Poor kids and teachers in school! It was so cold at the beginning of this month and we managed to get through it without turning the heat on, now I'm trying to stand strong and not turn the A/C on, but I don't think I'm going to make it... I challenged myself to see if we could make it all the way through September without using either the heat or A/C, but this is just ridiculous.
We've had a good start to the school year. The kids are almost done with their third week already! Caleb and Logan have had no problem jumping right in, and seem to really like their new teacher, Miss Griess. Levi seems to be doing fine, he's just a little more shy and reserved than his older brothers. I've been walking him in on the days he goes, and today I told him I wanted him to go ahead and get in ahead of me and that I would check on him, but that did not go over well. He knows exactly where to go and what to do, he just likes the security of having me there. I think once he gets set and into the day he's totally fine. Levi stays home on Tuesday's and Friday's, and that has been really good. It's good for both of us to have some one-on-one time (when Jackson's napping), besides just having a break from school is good when you're 5 years old, I think. :) We have just a little bit of homework to do on the days he's home, and the very first time didn't go so well (yet again re-affirming why I don't homeschool) but since then it has gone much better.
Jackson does miss his big brothers some, but does fine without them. I hear a lot about "Wuvi" (Levi, which is what he calls all three of them...), especially right after we drop them off. And, he's very happy and excited when we pick them up in the afternoon. I also hear "Daddy" and "Hi cows Papa" A LOT. Thankfully we visit Mike at work a few times a week (where he gets spoiled rotten by Mr. Pete), and we do usually see cows on our way to and from school. I'm sure he would be thrilled if we saw Papa more often. :) The days we go to get groceries are not Jackson's favorite, he doesn't have enough patience to make it through both Aldi and Meijer in a good mood. But, we're working on it! He's going to have to get used to running errands with me, he's got a few years of it to go! Jackson has adjusted his naptime to the school schedule very well. Thank you, Lord! I tried really hard not to worry about it ahead of time, because what good does that do? But, it was hard not to wonder how it was going to go. Last year the school schedule was hard with him and then he did so well over the summer. He's been going down for his nap way earlier and still fitting in a nice, long nap before we have to pick up the other boys from school. It's great!
Our church's Wednesday night program started last week and Caleb, Logan, and Levi are going. This week the Bible study I go to started, and next week volleyball will start (I'm just playing in a church league once a week). Mike signed up to be a part of the our new men's ministry at church, and that will be on Thursday evenings. And just like that we're busy! I dislike having a crazy schedule so I think that's enough commitments for now, but hopefully these are all good things that we find to be beneficial.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
the end
Well, that's it. Summer's over. It's done. Today I'll send three of my babies off to school!
We had a great finish to summer break. Last week we had a Back to School Night where the kids could bring in all their books and supplies, meet teachers, play with their friends, and we could get the info and paperwork we need for the upcoming year. It was CRA-ZY. It's so exciting to see what God is doing at our tiny, little school. Enrollment is up again this year and it feels like we're just about bursting at the seams of our building. It should be interesting at drop-off this morning on the first day. :)
On Wednesday last week we had my niece and nephew, and a friend from school over for the day. Both their mom's are teachers and needed to be at work. :) I tried to mentally prepare for a day of chaos, but it really went pretty well! It seemed like all the kids played nicely together, and thankfully it was good weather so we weren't stuck in the house for the whole day. Although, they spent quite a bit of their time working on a massive fort in the basement.
Thursday I was able to do my first batch of salsa for the year. This is a big deal around here! Last year I canned just over 30 pint jars of salsa, and we ran out sometime in the Spring. So, I'm hoping to do much more this year... Making salsa involves a lot of chopping, but it is so worth it when we pop open a jar in the middle of winter.
Saturday was our last trip to the cottage for the summer! Wah-wah-wah. We really lived it up. I tried skiing for the first time in 20 years - it only took me a few tries to get up! And, now for the last couple days I've hardly been able to walk. Ha! It was fun and I'm so glad I got up the nerve to try. Logan tried again, but was unable to get up. I hope he's not too discouraged and will try again next summer. I went for a tube ride with Logan and Levi and had a blast. Caleb went tubing a time or two, and Caleb and Levi went for a fun waverunner ride with Uncle Harold (speed is the name of the game...). Of course Mike went skiing and showed everybody up with his skills. :) Jackson had fun again playing around in the water. He's a little TOO brave, gotta keep an eye on him! It's so much fun to see, and I hope he doesn't lose that desire to be in the water. We had such a great summer at the cottage, and love all the memories we've been able to make. More and more I appreciate all the family time together.
I've got little boys waking up for their first day of school, time to get to work!
We had a great finish to summer break. Last week we had a Back to School Night where the kids could bring in all their books and supplies, meet teachers, play with their friends, and we could get the info and paperwork we need for the upcoming year. It was CRA-ZY. It's so exciting to see what God is doing at our tiny, little school. Enrollment is up again this year and it feels like we're just about bursting at the seams of our building. It should be interesting at drop-off this morning on the first day. :)
On Wednesday last week we had my niece and nephew, and a friend from school over for the day. Both their mom's are teachers and needed to be at work. :) I tried to mentally prepare for a day of chaos, but it really went pretty well! It seemed like all the kids played nicely together, and thankfully it was good weather so we weren't stuck in the house for the whole day. Although, they spent quite a bit of their time working on a massive fort in the basement.
Thursday I was able to do my first batch of salsa for the year. This is a big deal around here! Last year I canned just over 30 pint jars of salsa, and we ran out sometime in the Spring. So, I'm hoping to do much more this year... Making salsa involves a lot of chopping, but it is so worth it when we pop open a jar in the middle of winter.
Saturday was our last trip to the cottage for the summer! Wah-wah-wah. We really lived it up. I tried skiing for the first time in 20 years - it only took me a few tries to get up! And, now for the last couple days I've hardly been able to walk. Ha! It was fun and I'm so glad I got up the nerve to try. Logan tried again, but was unable to get up. I hope he's not too discouraged and will try again next summer. I went for a tube ride with Logan and Levi and had a blast. Caleb went tubing a time or two, and Caleb and Levi went for a fun waverunner ride with Uncle Harold (speed is the name of the game...). Of course Mike went skiing and showed everybody up with his skills. :) Jackson had fun again playing around in the water. He's a little TOO brave, gotta keep an eye on him! It's so much fun to see, and I hope he doesn't lose that desire to be in the water. We had such a great summer at the cottage, and love all the memories we've been able to make. More and more I appreciate all the family time together.
I've got little boys waking up for their first day of school, time to get to work!
Monday, August 28, 2017
winding down
Summer is winding down and I have mixed feelings about it. Summer Break went super fast, which I am a little sad about, but it will be good to get back to the school routine next week. We have had such a great summer, with lots of fun memories to look back on, but lately the boys have been bickering ALL. THE. TIME. and momma needs a break! The one major downside to school starting will be the effect it has on Jackson's naps. My marathon napper. (Still can't believe he has earned that title.)
We've had some more fun activities these last couple weeks. Playdates at the park with school friends, Caleb and Logan went to a friend's house for an afternoon, we've been to the cottage a couple times, last week we went to the community fair a couple times, and, of course, there was the solar eclipse!
The eclipse was SO COOL! Had travel been more feasible it would have been neat to be in the path of totality, however we were at 80-some percent here and that was still incredible to see. Certainly part of the enjoyment was seeing it myself, but I also got such a kick out of the kids enjoying it. Earlier before the eclipse the sky was fairly clear with some clouds, but right before it was going to begin the sky became quite overcast. We were quite disappointed, and I was doing my best to keep a good attitude (sometimes it's hard to be the adult in the group!). We hung around outside hoping things would clear up and after a bit when I checked I could see just a sliver of the moon covering the sun. The boys got their glasses on, and when they saw it, too, they were SO excited. "I can see it! I can see it! I can see it!!" Pure joy and wonder and God's Creation. We really enjoyed witnessing it over the next while, and thankfully it was right at naptime, so Jackson just slept through the whole thing. :) It was so strange how the lighting changed outside. Since it wasn't a full eclipse here it didn't get very dark, but there was a weird twilight-y type of cast to things. And, it really cooled off noticeably. We were also having fun keeping tabs with various members of my family and what the eclipse was like for them.
Of course we went to the fair last week. The boys only talk about it ALL YEAR. :) I took them Tuesday afternoon and we just stayed there until Mike was able to meet up with us after work. I was exhausted by the time we came home! Caleb, Logan, and Levi each got to do a bunch of different rides, and play a game or two. Caleb won four goldfish!! (Almost a week later, and we're down to two.) In the evening when Mike was there, Logan and Levi rode the ferris wheel with him. Caleb rode The Zipper with Mike and after loving it last year, he absolutely hated it this year. He came off in tears. I'm not sure what the difference was, but I'm fine with him not wanting to ride it! :) We went to the fair again later in the week as we hadn't had time to walk through the animal barns with Mike on Tuesday. Jackson loved the cows (he is obsessed with cows right now!). Caleb and Logan each got to sit on a horse! Levi could have, but changed his mind. :) (They were tall horses!)
On Saturday at the cottage Jackson was absolutely loving the water. The week before he had been getting pretty brave, and it was no different this week. I don't remember any of the other boys playing in the water at that age the way he was! It's fun, but also requires man-to-man defense for safety purposes. :) Logan attempted waterskiing a couple weeks ago (and did great, got up for a couple seconds one time), but wouldn't try this past Saturday. At this point he's saying he will try this coming weekend (the last time for the summer!).
Jackson keeps on coming up with new things to say. He had some super cranky days last week, I'm reeeeeeallly hoping it was just the little cold he had and not an introduction to the Terrible Two's. He loves cows and babies, various stuffed animals, wearing his bright blue rain boots, and being outside. He likes to be silly when I go to get him out of his crib (laying down again, acting like he wants to stay). He's like a little tornado going through the house, leaving a path of destruction. There is no "keeping things in order" with him around. He likes to look at books and insists on being picked up when I'm trying to work in the kitchen. He still hates diaper/clothing changes just like he always has. He looooooooves Daddy - we've done a few video calls now, which Jackson thoroughly enjoys, but he is NOT happy when the phone call is done. Jackson generally goes to bed very well again - I don't get snuggles, but at least he's not mad and he'll say "nigh-nigh".
I'm looking forward to having some extra time with Levi on the days he's home from school. I feel like he needs a little extra attention that's just really hard to fit in right now. Hopefully we'll be able to get into a good routine where everyone is getting enough sleep, and I think that will help, too. :)
We've had some more fun activities these last couple weeks. Playdates at the park with school friends, Caleb and Logan went to a friend's house for an afternoon, we've been to the cottage a couple times, last week we went to the community fair a couple times, and, of course, there was the solar eclipse!
The eclipse was SO COOL! Had travel been more feasible it would have been neat to be in the path of totality, however we were at 80-some percent here and that was still incredible to see. Certainly part of the enjoyment was seeing it myself, but I also got such a kick out of the kids enjoying it. Earlier before the eclipse the sky was fairly clear with some clouds, but right before it was going to begin the sky became quite overcast. We were quite disappointed, and I was doing my best to keep a good attitude (sometimes it's hard to be the adult in the group!). We hung around outside hoping things would clear up and after a bit when I checked I could see just a sliver of the moon covering the sun. The boys got their glasses on, and when they saw it, too, they were SO excited. "I can see it! I can see it! I can see it!!" Pure joy and wonder and God's Creation. We really enjoyed witnessing it over the next while, and thankfully it was right at naptime, so Jackson just slept through the whole thing. :) It was so strange how the lighting changed outside. Since it wasn't a full eclipse here it didn't get very dark, but there was a weird twilight-y type of cast to things. And, it really cooled off noticeably. We were also having fun keeping tabs with various members of my family and what the eclipse was like for them.
Of course we went to the fair last week. The boys only talk about it ALL YEAR. :) I took them Tuesday afternoon and we just stayed there until Mike was able to meet up with us after work. I was exhausted by the time we came home! Caleb, Logan, and Levi each got to do a bunch of different rides, and play a game or two. Caleb won four goldfish!! (Almost a week later, and we're down to two.) In the evening when Mike was there, Logan and Levi rode the ferris wheel with him. Caleb rode The Zipper with Mike and after loving it last year, he absolutely hated it this year. He came off in tears. I'm not sure what the difference was, but I'm fine with him not wanting to ride it! :) We went to the fair again later in the week as we hadn't had time to walk through the animal barns with Mike on Tuesday. Jackson loved the cows (he is obsessed with cows right now!). Caleb and Logan each got to sit on a horse! Levi could have, but changed his mind. :) (They were tall horses!)
On Saturday at the cottage Jackson was absolutely loving the water. The week before he had been getting pretty brave, and it was no different this week. I don't remember any of the other boys playing in the water at that age the way he was! It's fun, but also requires man-to-man defense for safety purposes. :) Logan attempted waterskiing a couple weeks ago (and did great, got up for a couple seconds one time), but wouldn't try this past Saturday. At this point he's saying he will try this coming weekend (the last time for the summer!).
Jackson keeps on coming up with new things to say. He had some super cranky days last week, I'm reeeeeeallly hoping it was just the little cold he had and not an introduction to the Terrible Two's. He loves cows and babies, various stuffed animals, wearing his bright blue rain boots, and being outside. He likes to be silly when I go to get him out of his crib (laying down again, acting like he wants to stay). He's like a little tornado going through the house, leaving a path of destruction. There is no "keeping things in order" with him around. He likes to look at books and insists on being picked up when I'm trying to work in the kitchen. He still hates diaper/clothing changes just like he always has. He looooooooves Daddy - we've done a few video calls now, which Jackson thoroughly enjoys, but he is NOT happy when the phone call is done. Jackson generally goes to bed very well again - I don't get snuggles, but at least he's not mad and he'll say "nigh-nigh".
I'm looking forward to having some extra time with Levi on the days he's home from school. I feel like he needs a little extra attention that's just really hard to fit in right now. Hopefully we'll be able to get into a good routine where everyone is getting enough sleep, and I think that will help, too. :)
Sunday, August 13, 2017
kindergarten
Levi went on his Kindergarten shopping day with Grandma a couple days ago! He's all set up with new clothes and supplies for school. Not a huge surprise, he picked out a John Deere backpack. :) I still need time to get ready for school. I have most of the supplies and books set, but I really need to go through their clothes and I VERY MUCH dislike that job. Having kids try stuff on, deciding what they really need....not fun. This has been a great summer, and going so fast! I can honestly say that I'm not desperate for school to begin (that is pretty huge). I'm starting to see the signs that maybe I'll be ready when the time comes, but I'm not yet wishing for summer to be over. :)
We've had lots of fun since the last time I was able to update the blog. Last week Caleb and Logan went to an Arts Camp at a local church. Levi went to a Vacation Bible School at another church. It was a little crazy getting everyone where they needed to be each morning, but they were both things we really wanted to do, so we made it work. Caleb and Logan loved Arts Camp! Caleb took Photography and Chalk Art classes; and Logan took Cooking and Grilling. They really enjoyed it and I'm so glad it worked out for them to go. Levi went to VBS at Jamestown, so it was in a familiar place (it's where I got to Bible Study), there were a few kids he knew, and my best friend always leads the Kindergarten class, so that helped, too. She did comment on how quiet he is, which is something that has really come on strong in the last year or so. I don't like overloading on organized activities, but something like this was a good fit for Levi to do something 'on his own' (i.e. without the safety net of his big brothers).
The garden seems to be doing fairly well. The cucumbers produced very well, so with all of ours combined with those that Mike and the boys gleaned a couple weeks ago, I have canned A LOT of pickles. My boys love 'em! The zucchini plants are doing well, I have some peppers coming, and most of the tomato plants are looking pretty good.
Last weekend at the cottage Levi, Logan, and myself went kneeboarding, and it was so awesome! Mike did it, too, of course, but that's no big deal. ;) He did it to show how easy it is, and then Levi agreed to go. He did great!! I didn't have my phone with me on the boat because I didn't expect all that to happen, so after he went and Logan said he wanted to go, I got my phone to get a few pictures, then Levi agreed to go again so I could document it! Logan fell after awhile because we had to go through some pretty good sized waves (actually, he stayed on longer through the waves than I expected). And, Levi needs to work on his 'dismount'.
Yesterday morning I went kayaking with a group of women from church, and it was so great! We went down the Grand River from Grand River Park to Eastmanville. It was a beautiful morning and an enjoyable time hanging out with the other women. We saw a bald eagle! It seemed like we ended up against the wind a fair bit, and my arms and shoulders are quite sore now.
It was pretty funny the other night - I think it was the first time big brothers actually got frustrated with Jackson. They were trying to build things with Duplos in the living room (Caleb a farm, Logan some sort of building, and Levi had celery wagons behind his tractor), and Jackson was messing it up. I heard "Jackson!!" on more than one occasion. Of course, at the time I was trying to cut corn off the cob for freezing, and if there wasn't a problem in the living room Jackson was grabbing at my leg wanting to be held, so that simple job took me probably 5x as long as it needed to (par for the course).
Jackson is talking more and more. I don't have a good list of all the words he's saying, but I just heard him say "thank you", and he says that A LOT. He is my most polite child! When he says "Awwwww" when hugging a stuffed animal or seeing a picture of a cat or a baby, I think I might melt. "Belly" is another one of his favorites (sounds like "bye") - he says it while pulling up his shirt. The other day in front of some friends he tried to pull up my shirt while saying "belly". Ummmm, no. Ha! He has said "moo" for a long time, but now he actually says "cow". There are a number of things he says that aren't real discernable, but I know what he's saying (I love that) - like "fi" for pacifier, and I don't even know how to say what he says for "trash" (he loves putting things in the trash). He also says "outside" a lot. There are so many things I wish I could remember...
We've got poison ivy like the plague around here. I started with it a few weeks ago and just can't seem to get over it. The main areas I started with have cleared up, but I keep having new bumps and itchy spots popping up and I'm about to lose my mind. Logan must have got into some at the beginning of the week because he has ended up with it - mostly on his face, but a few bumps elsewhere. Levi has a few spots on his leg that are looking like poison ivy. JUST GO AWAY! I'm not going to let it keep me from enjoying the rest of our summer, though, so take that, poison ivy! :)
We've had lots of fun since the last time I was able to update the blog. Last week Caleb and Logan went to an Arts Camp at a local church. Levi went to a Vacation Bible School at another church. It was a little crazy getting everyone where they needed to be each morning, but they were both things we really wanted to do, so we made it work. Caleb and Logan loved Arts Camp! Caleb took Photography and Chalk Art classes; and Logan took Cooking and Grilling. They really enjoyed it and I'm so glad it worked out for them to go. Levi went to VBS at Jamestown, so it was in a familiar place (it's where I got to Bible Study), there were a few kids he knew, and my best friend always leads the Kindergarten class, so that helped, too. She did comment on how quiet he is, which is something that has really come on strong in the last year or so. I don't like overloading on organized activities, but something like this was a good fit for Levi to do something 'on his own' (i.e. without the safety net of his big brothers).
The garden seems to be doing fairly well. The cucumbers produced very well, so with all of ours combined with those that Mike and the boys gleaned a couple weeks ago, I have canned A LOT of pickles. My boys love 'em! The zucchini plants are doing well, I have some peppers coming, and most of the tomato plants are looking pretty good.
Last weekend at the cottage Levi, Logan, and myself went kneeboarding, and it was so awesome! Mike did it, too, of course, but that's no big deal. ;) He did it to show how easy it is, and then Levi agreed to go. He did great!! I didn't have my phone with me on the boat because I didn't expect all that to happen, so after he went and Logan said he wanted to go, I got my phone to get a few pictures, then Levi agreed to go again so I could document it! Logan fell after awhile because we had to go through some pretty good sized waves (actually, he stayed on longer through the waves than I expected). And, Levi needs to work on his 'dismount'.
Yesterday morning I went kayaking with a group of women from church, and it was so great! We went down the Grand River from Grand River Park to Eastmanville. It was a beautiful morning and an enjoyable time hanging out with the other women. We saw a bald eagle! It seemed like we ended up against the wind a fair bit, and my arms and shoulders are quite sore now.
It was pretty funny the other night - I think it was the first time big brothers actually got frustrated with Jackson. They were trying to build things with Duplos in the living room (Caleb a farm, Logan some sort of building, and Levi had celery wagons behind his tractor), and Jackson was messing it up. I heard "Jackson!!" on more than one occasion. Of course, at the time I was trying to cut corn off the cob for freezing, and if there wasn't a problem in the living room Jackson was grabbing at my leg wanting to be held, so that simple job took me probably 5x as long as it needed to (par for the course).
Jackson is talking more and more. I don't have a good list of all the words he's saying, but I just heard him say "thank you", and he says that A LOT. He is my most polite child! When he says "Awwwww" when hugging a stuffed animal or seeing a picture of a cat or a baby, I think I might melt. "Belly" is another one of his favorites (sounds like "bye") - he says it while pulling up his shirt. The other day in front of some friends he tried to pull up my shirt while saying "belly". Ummmm, no. Ha! He has said "moo" for a long time, but now he actually says "cow". There are a number of things he says that aren't real discernable, but I know what he's saying (I love that) - like "fi" for pacifier, and I don't even know how to say what he says for "trash" (he loves putting things in the trash). He also says "outside" a lot. There are so many things I wish I could remember...
We've got poison ivy like the plague around here. I started with it a few weeks ago and just can't seem to get over it. The main areas I started with have cleared up, but I keep having new bumps and itchy spots popping up and I'm about to lose my mind. Logan must have got into some at the beginning of the week because he has ended up with it - mostly on his face, but a few bumps elsewhere. Levi has a few spots on his leg that are looking like poison ivy. JUST GO AWAY! I'm not going to let it keep me from enjoying the rest of our summer, though, so take that, poison ivy! :)
Monday, July 24, 2017
2/3
We're approximately two-thirds of the way through summer break and, of course, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Slow down! We really are enjoying summer. As school was finishing up in the spring I was dreading summer a little bit, but so far it's great. (Ask me again in a few weeks... Last year August was the biggest struggle.)
Since my last post we've been to Harold and Kara's cottage a couple more times, and my aunt's cottage one Saturday as well. At her cottage we (Logan, Mike, and myself) had a blast jumping off the diving board. Caleb was SO close to doing it, but then decided not to. :( We were able to hang out with Tom, Tera, Luke, and Jude a couple more times before they headed home to Kenya. All the boys have so much fun playing together, I love it. A couple weeks ago Caleb and Levi went to our school's soccer camp. There were a couple hot days, and they (especially Levi) were worn out by the end of the week, but I think they enjoyed it. Last week Levi was able to go to a friend's birthday party, and I think it was a good experience for him. He needs to do more things where he's on his own without his big brothers to boss him around. :) Also last week I had a school playdate here. I've been wanting to get together with some school families over the summer, and this worked out really nice. About 7 other moms showed up, a whole bunch of kids, and we had a nice time chatting while the kids just ran around outside or down in the basement.
Jackson is just too much fun right now. He's talking like crazy - Emmy, Roxy, doggy, woof-woof, ball, moo, thank you, more, please, down, all done, Mommy, Daddy, Papa, trash (he likes to put things in the trash - he takes care of his own diapers!), awwww (when he's hugging a stuffed animal or when he sees a kitten in a book). I'm sure there's a few more I'm forgetting, and I wish I could catch it all on camera because of course he sounds so cute. Jackson really seems to enjoy hanging out in his crib when he wakes up in the morning or after his nap. Sometimes when he wakes up in the afternoon I'll let him play for a while before I even go in his room, and then when I do he still doesn't want to get out of his crib, so I just leave him in there for a while yet!
I need to be domesticated and start canning pickles today. Our garden had a bunch ready, and Mike took the older boys to glean pickles from a friend (like we did last year). At least it's cooled off a bit today so it won't be so hot in the kitchen!
Since my last post we've been to Harold and Kara's cottage a couple more times, and my aunt's cottage one Saturday as well. At her cottage we (Logan, Mike, and myself) had a blast jumping off the diving board. Caleb was SO close to doing it, but then decided not to. :( We were able to hang out with Tom, Tera, Luke, and Jude a couple more times before they headed home to Kenya. All the boys have so much fun playing together, I love it. A couple weeks ago Caleb and Levi went to our school's soccer camp. There were a couple hot days, and they (especially Levi) were worn out by the end of the week, but I think they enjoyed it. Last week Levi was able to go to a friend's birthday party, and I think it was a good experience for him. He needs to do more things where he's on his own without his big brothers to boss him around. :) Also last week I had a school playdate here. I've been wanting to get together with some school families over the summer, and this worked out really nice. About 7 other moms showed up, a whole bunch of kids, and we had a nice time chatting while the kids just ran around outside or down in the basement.
Jackson is just too much fun right now. He's talking like crazy - Emmy, Roxy, doggy, woof-woof, ball, moo, thank you, more, please, down, all done, Mommy, Daddy, Papa, trash (he likes to put things in the trash - he takes care of his own diapers!), awwww (when he's hugging a stuffed animal or when he sees a kitten in a book). I'm sure there's a few more I'm forgetting, and I wish I could catch it all on camera because of course he sounds so cute. Jackson really seems to enjoy hanging out in his crib when he wakes up in the morning or after his nap. Sometimes when he wakes up in the afternoon I'll let him play for a while before I even go in his room, and then when I do he still doesn't want to get out of his crib, so I just leave him in there for a while yet!
I need to be domesticated and start canning pickles today. Our garden had a bunch ready, and Mike took the older boys to glean pickles from a friend (like we did last year). At least it's cooled off a bit today so it won't be so hot in the kitchen!
Monday, July 10, 2017
kids
Caleb: Getting more independent, which is good, we just need to help him figure out what's an appropriate level of independence at this age. He wants to go off and be on his own at times when that might not be the safest choice. He's been challenging me more when I tell him to do something (especially when we're in front of other people), but he's still such a sweetheart inside. He acts big and tough with certain things, but other times is still scared. Like at the cottage, he's getting a little big for his britches and getting cocky while out on the tube behind the boat. If the lake hadn't been so busy when they were tubing, I'd be all for dumping him off the tube. :) So, he's brave on the tube, but he won't try anything else behind the boat. He'll jump off the pontoon boat in the middle of the lake, but he's too scared to jump off the raft by the cottage. On the 4th we went to some kids games in the park at the lake, and he had no problem jumping in and participating with the games.
Logan: He is more reserved and not as bold as Caleb. He's so curious, with lots and lots of questions. He is very observant, and seems to especially enjoy science - whether it be facts about the planets or investigating a strange bug. He loves swimming at the cottage, and spends as much time as he can underwater. This past weekend he started opening his eyes underwater and was pretty excited about what he could see. He has no problem jumping off the raft, and will go tubing. I tried to convince him the other day that he'd be good at wake surfing because he's pretty coordinated, but he's just not ready yet. :) One of my biggest challenges with him, and has been for awhile, is how he likes to take everything I say so literally, and use it against me later. I always have to think through what I'm saying to him, and it can be exhausting.
Levi: My farmer. He loves playing with trucks and tractors, and he jumps at opportunities to help with jobs outside. He's good at taking initiative on things - like helping to unload the van after we get back from the cottage without being asked. He'll ask if he can help in the garden. He mostly has no problem keeping up with the big guys, he'll maybe just get tired a little quicker and it shows in his behavior. One of the recent times when we were on our way home from the cottage (and Caleb and Logan were riding with Mike), I said something to Levi about missing him because we're so busy having fun when were there. And he said, "Yeah, that's why I come find you sometimes." Melt! He has really been improving with his swimming. He'll keep his lifejacket on most of the time, but this last time he was getting brave and taking it off some to try swimming like that. He'll swim out to the raft, but he won't jump off. He'll go tubing as well. Don't make him mad, though. If he's upset you'll get quite a look, and good luck getting him to say anything.
Jackson: He has all of the sudden over the last couple weeks gotten into looking at books. So fun! He's especially good at making noises for cow and tractor, and saying "ball" when he sees one. Last week he said "nigh nigh" for the first time and I thought my heart might melt. However, for most naps and bedtimes lately he's been angry about being put down. I'd mucher rather have some snuggles than screaming. :( He's also angry pretty much every time I have to change him. Lots of kicking and screaming. Good times. But when he's playing and happy (and I'm not trying to get anything else done), he's so much fun! He's saying "More, please" (aloud and in sign language) all the time asking for stuff, so the trick is trying to figure out what he's asking for. He also says "All done" a lot (he says it like "da dun"). Also lately, he LOVES babies and giving hugs. Last week when we were at our friend's house, they have a life-size baby doll, and he was enjoying picking it up, holding it, and hugging it. Now since then we've been around a few other REAL babies, and he reaches up wanting to hold them. When given the chance he gives hugs, and it's pretty much one of the cutest things ever. He's been upset at each nursery drop-off the last several times, but is fine within a few minutes. Phew. He also gets upset at times when he gets to see Mike for just a few minutes - like if we visit him at work and then have to leave, or when Mike gets home from work and then has to do something else after holding him for a minute. He has been doing so well on the summer schedule, sleeping in and doing 3-4 hour naps. Woo-hoo!
Love my boys and the uniqueness they bring to the family. There are plenty of challenges, but for the most part I love the crazy we've got going on here, and wouldn't have it any other way. :)
Logan: He is more reserved and not as bold as Caleb. He's so curious, with lots and lots of questions. He is very observant, and seems to especially enjoy science - whether it be facts about the planets or investigating a strange bug. He loves swimming at the cottage, and spends as much time as he can underwater. This past weekend he started opening his eyes underwater and was pretty excited about what he could see. He has no problem jumping off the raft, and will go tubing. I tried to convince him the other day that he'd be good at wake surfing because he's pretty coordinated, but he's just not ready yet. :) One of my biggest challenges with him, and has been for awhile, is how he likes to take everything I say so literally, and use it against me later. I always have to think through what I'm saying to him, and it can be exhausting.
Levi: My farmer. He loves playing with trucks and tractors, and he jumps at opportunities to help with jobs outside. He's good at taking initiative on things - like helping to unload the van after we get back from the cottage without being asked. He'll ask if he can help in the garden. He mostly has no problem keeping up with the big guys, he'll maybe just get tired a little quicker and it shows in his behavior. One of the recent times when we were on our way home from the cottage (and Caleb and Logan were riding with Mike), I said something to Levi about missing him because we're so busy having fun when were there. And he said, "Yeah, that's why I come find you sometimes." Melt! He has really been improving with his swimming. He'll keep his lifejacket on most of the time, but this last time he was getting brave and taking it off some to try swimming like that. He'll swim out to the raft, but he won't jump off. He'll go tubing as well. Don't make him mad, though. If he's upset you'll get quite a look, and good luck getting him to say anything.
Jackson: He has all of the sudden over the last couple weeks gotten into looking at books. So fun! He's especially good at making noises for cow and tractor, and saying "ball" when he sees one. Last week he said "nigh nigh" for the first time and I thought my heart might melt. However, for most naps and bedtimes lately he's been angry about being put down. I'd mucher rather have some snuggles than screaming. :( He's also angry pretty much every time I have to change him. Lots of kicking and screaming. Good times. But when he's playing and happy (and I'm not trying to get anything else done), he's so much fun! He's saying "More, please" (aloud and in sign language) all the time asking for stuff, so the trick is trying to figure out what he's asking for. He also says "All done" a lot (he says it like "da dun"). Also lately, he LOVES babies and giving hugs. Last week when we were at our friend's house, they have a life-size baby doll, and he was enjoying picking it up, holding it, and hugging it. Now since then we've been around a few other REAL babies, and he reaches up wanting to hold them. When given the chance he gives hugs, and it's pretty much one of the cutest things ever. He's been upset at each nursery drop-off the last several times, but is fine within a few minutes. Phew. He also gets upset at times when he gets to see Mike for just a few minutes - like if we visit him at work and then have to leave, or when Mike gets home from work and then has to do something else after holding him for a minute. He has been doing so well on the summer schedule, sleeping in and doing 3-4 hour naps. Woo-hoo!
Love my boys and the uniqueness they bring to the family. There are plenty of challenges, but for the most part I love the crazy we've got going on here, and wouldn't have it any other way. :)
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
summer fun
I have so much to catch up on! We've been doing so many fun things lately, and we're all wiped out, but I wouldn't trade a thing.
I'll pick up where I think I left off last time. My sister was still in town with her youngest, and the boys had so much fun hanging out. On that Monday morning, they hung out at my sister-in-law's while my mom, sister, myself and Jackson went to Countryside Greenhouse. We're so used to having plenty of greenhouse options around here, but my sister has nothing like it where she lives, so it's pretty cool to go to a place like Countryside and wander around. Unfortunately, she was going to be flying home, so she wasn't able to get anything other than a couple seed packets. :) That afternoon my mom stayed with Jackson while he napped and my sister, sister-in-law, and myself took the kids mini-golfing. It's about as much fun as you might imagine it would be with a bunch of 7-10 year olds.... :) And then that night we went over to my parents to give the kids a chance to get some farm play time in. What could be better than making memories with your cousins, running around your grandparents farm, playing in the hay loft, walking in the corn field, and spraying each other with the hose?? I sure hope my kids cherish all these moments.
The next day was the last day of the summer Bible study I went to. It was so great to have a summer study to attend. Now to figure out what to do for the rest of the summer before the fall study begins! In the evening was the Zeeland Zoom 5k race. So, even at the ripe old age of 37, I make impulsive, foolish decisions. Caleb has been wanting to participate for a couple years now and it just hasn't happened. Just a few weeks ago my dad said something to Caleb about the race, he wanted to do it, and I figured being a young, energetic child he didn't need much time to prepare. I wasn't real comfortable with him doing it just with my dad, so I went ahead and signed up, too. Yeah. I haven't run at all in years and now I signed up for a 5k that was less than 3 weeks away... In case you're not familiar with running, that is not enough time to train. Caleb ended up not being up for the 5k, so he did the 1 mile "Little Zoomers" race and loved it. Given that I only fit in 4 runs before the race and they were VERY slow, I would have been happy to finish the race in 40 minutes. I completely surprised myself by running the whole way without stopping to walk at all, and finishing in 35 minutes! Obviously that's nothing stellar compared to other people, but personally I was thrilled! I wore my "I hate running" shirt for the race and felt like I was getting some dirty looks. Apparently not everyone has a sense of humor?? My dad finished just ahead of me, and got 2nd place in his age group - out of two people. :) It was a fun night, I felt great, and I may just try to keep up this running thing a little bit. We'll see - heading into Mike's busy season makes that a little more difficult.
On Wednesday the kids and I were able to go to a friend's house to swim. It wasn't the warmest weather, but that doesn't stop the kids, they had lots of fun swimming then playing on their playset.
Thursday was our first day just spent at home in so long! It was wonderful. I loved all the stuff we'd been doing, but it was good to have a little break.
Friday I got the kids packed up and headed to the cottage just after lunch. It was not fun getting everything packed by myself, but we survived. Soooooo thankful that Jackson naps well there. I had the afternoon to recover while he napped and the other boys played. Mike's brother and his wife who are in town from Kenya were also there and it was great to have the time with them. Mike made it up in the evening after work and we spent the night there. My favorite is being there early in the morning and sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee while everything is so quiet and calm. Later on Saturday was a family reunion with the Krol/VanBeek's plus Mike's mom's side of the family, the Sjoerdsma's. We had a beautiful day, and it's fun to see everyone, but there are so many people it's hard to connect with everyone! Oh yeah, it was our 13th anniversary, too, but we didn't really have a chance to celebrate at all. Maybe we'll have a date night soon...
We came home Saturday night, had Sunday to go to recover, go to church, and prepare for the coming week; and then Monday I headed back up to the cottage with the kids for the 4th of July. Thankfully packing went much better that time and wasn't as stressful. The packing would be fine, we don't need THAT much stuff, but when there's a toddler running around that just makes things a tad more difficult. We had a fun afternoon hanging out, and Mike came after work again. This time he made a splash with his entrance. :) Came right down the dock in his work clothes, boots and everything, and jumped in the lake! It was another beautiful evening, and at around 10pm were the fireworks. They put on a pretty good show there! Tuesday I was pretty tired, and could definitely see it in the kids' eyes as well. We had a fun day, though, got home and to bed on time last night, and it's after 8am and the house is still quiet! I feel bad for Mike having to go to work. :( I guess I'm at work, too, and have a lot to catch up on after being gone, but at least I didn't have to get up quite as early as he did.
I'll pick up where I think I left off last time. My sister was still in town with her youngest, and the boys had so much fun hanging out. On that Monday morning, they hung out at my sister-in-law's while my mom, sister, myself and Jackson went to Countryside Greenhouse. We're so used to having plenty of greenhouse options around here, but my sister has nothing like it where she lives, so it's pretty cool to go to a place like Countryside and wander around. Unfortunately, she was going to be flying home, so she wasn't able to get anything other than a couple seed packets. :) That afternoon my mom stayed with Jackson while he napped and my sister, sister-in-law, and myself took the kids mini-golfing. It's about as much fun as you might imagine it would be with a bunch of 7-10 year olds.... :) And then that night we went over to my parents to give the kids a chance to get some farm play time in. What could be better than making memories with your cousins, running around your grandparents farm, playing in the hay loft, walking in the corn field, and spraying each other with the hose?? I sure hope my kids cherish all these moments.
The next day was the last day of the summer Bible study I went to. It was so great to have a summer study to attend. Now to figure out what to do for the rest of the summer before the fall study begins! In the evening was the Zeeland Zoom 5k race. So, even at the ripe old age of 37, I make impulsive, foolish decisions. Caleb has been wanting to participate for a couple years now and it just hasn't happened. Just a few weeks ago my dad said something to Caleb about the race, he wanted to do it, and I figured being a young, energetic child he didn't need much time to prepare. I wasn't real comfortable with him doing it just with my dad, so I went ahead and signed up, too. Yeah. I haven't run at all in years and now I signed up for a 5k that was less than 3 weeks away... In case you're not familiar with running, that is not enough time to train. Caleb ended up not being up for the 5k, so he did the 1 mile "Little Zoomers" race and loved it. Given that I only fit in 4 runs before the race and they were VERY slow, I would have been happy to finish the race in 40 minutes. I completely surprised myself by running the whole way without stopping to walk at all, and finishing in 35 minutes! Obviously that's nothing stellar compared to other people, but personally I was thrilled! I wore my "I hate running" shirt for the race and felt like I was getting some dirty looks. Apparently not everyone has a sense of humor?? My dad finished just ahead of me, and got 2nd place in his age group - out of two people. :) It was a fun night, I felt great, and I may just try to keep up this running thing a little bit. We'll see - heading into Mike's busy season makes that a little more difficult.
On Wednesday the kids and I were able to go to a friend's house to swim. It wasn't the warmest weather, but that doesn't stop the kids, they had lots of fun swimming then playing on their playset.
Thursday was our first day just spent at home in so long! It was wonderful. I loved all the stuff we'd been doing, but it was good to have a little break.
Friday I got the kids packed up and headed to the cottage just after lunch. It was not fun getting everything packed by myself, but we survived. Soooooo thankful that Jackson naps well there. I had the afternoon to recover while he napped and the other boys played. Mike's brother and his wife who are in town from Kenya were also there and it was great to have the time with them. Mike made it up in the evening after work and we spent the night there. My favorite is being there early in the morning and sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee while everything is so quiet and calm. Later on Saturday was a family reunion with the Krol/VanBeek's plus Mike's mom's side of the family, the Sjoerdsma's. We had a beautiful day, and it's fun to see everyone, but there are so many people it's hard to connect with everyone! Oh yeah, it was our 13th anniversary, too, but we didn't really have a chance to celebrate at all. Maybe we'll have a date night soon...
We came home Saturday night, had Sunday to go to recover, go to church, and prepare for the coming week; and then Monday I headed back up to the cottage with the kids for the 4th of July. Thankfully packing went much better that time and wasn't as stressful. The packing would be fine, we don't need THAT much stuff, but when there's a toddler running around that just makes things a tad more difficult. We had a fun afternoon hanging out, and Mike came after work again. This time he made a splash with his entrance. :) Came right down the dock in his work clothes, boots and everything, and jumped in the lake! It was another beautiful evening, and at around 10pm were the fireworks. They put on a pretty good show there! Tuesday I was pretty tired, and could definitely see it in the kids' eyes as well. We had a fun day, though, got home and to bed on time last night, and it's after 8am and the house is still quiet! I feel bad for Mike having to go to work. :( I guess I'm at work, too, and have a lot to catch up on after being gone, but at least I didn't have to get up quite as early as he did.
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