1 Chocolate Dessert + 4 Kids = 1 big mess!

Tonight we had Lily, Wyatt,and Kristin over for dinner. Kristin made a chocolate dessert that everyone enjoyed, especially the kids! They all had chocolate smeared all over their faces. Cody wasn't too bad but Lily and Megan were competing for the messiest face! They really enjoyed themselves and that's all that matters, that's what I told myself anyway!! After dinner we went outside to play with Lily and Wyatt. Megan and Cody always have fun playing with Lily and Wyatt. Wyatt was more daring then he's ever been here by going on the slide and swing with Lily! It was great listening to all the kids playing and giggling. No better way to end a nice evening with friends!

School Open House

Last night was the open house at Bauerwood. Cody and Scott went to bus orientation from 5:45 to 6:30 and then Megan and I joined him. Both Grandparents were also able to come and see the new teachers and classrooms! The kids had fun meeting their teacher and they both seem really nice. I am excited to get to know them better over the coming school year. I told them both that I'd love do as much volunteering as possible and they both said there would be plenty! I look forward to being involved in the schools.


Before the open house, we were quite busy. The kids and I went to the last park day with our friends. All summer we've been meeting at different parks to play with friends! It was so nice each week knowing we'd see them and I'd get some adult conversation. After the park we went to Holland State Park with Jessica and Katie, my nieces. Jessica drove us there and did really well! She just got her permit a month ago. It is funny to think about her driving when I remember babysitting her as an infant! We had a blast at the beach but the water was like swimming in ice! Cody of course had no problem jumping right in and swimming up to his neck. Brrr! We took a walk to the pier and I had fun trying to capture cute pics! I think some of them turned out pretty good.

1 more week!

I am having lots of mixed emotions this week. The kids have 1 more week until school starts. I am excited because that means getting back into routine again but I am also sad because it means my baby won't be home with me every day anymore. Cody is starting Kindergarten this year and I am having a hard time believing that he's old enough! It seems like yesterday that I had him and now he's beginning to read, writing and going to school. I am happy for him but sad for me. I also will miss Megan but she's been going to school long enough that I'm used to it. Last year was finally easier for me so I imagine it won't be that hard to let her go again this year. I am looking forward to some quiet time without Cody but preschool was 3 days a week and that was plenty for me! I'm sure I'll get used to it and I am looking forward to volunteering at the school more without having to entertain Cody while I'm doing it.

Anyway, enough whining about that, I wanted to share some pictures from a Blitz we had at church last night. We had hot dogs, a magician, and lots of fun outside activities. They had a couple blow up slides, one with an obstacle attached, a firetruck, and some other fun games. The kids were able to go on both slides, spray water out of the firetruck, and play some games. They had tons of fun.

Today we went and met Scott for lunch in East Grand Rapids. We ended up eating at Collen park along Reed's Lake. It was a beautiful spot for a picnic. We're trying to do things this week that we won't be able to do for a while. We at a bench that was hanging over the lake and there were ducks everywhere so I told the kids for once they didn't have to eat their crusts. They had so much fun feeding the ducks, they ended up feeding them most of their popcorn as well. As Megan said, we're not wasting food, we're feeding ducks!! They had lots of fun eating with Daddy. On the way home, they said their favorite part wasn't the duck but was eating with their Dad! I love that they adore him so much!

PS- Happy Birthday Lindsey! I hope you have a great day!!

Cody!

Ok, High School Musical 1 & 2 have been big this summer in our house! The only movies that my kids have watched all summer have been these and it's not that often. Following is the proof that Cody needs to watch something else though! Turn off my music to be able to hear the movies.




Here is the video from the movie, when watching it you'll notice they are in the kitchen, just like Cody set up in our basement. When he's banging on the wall, he is imitating the movie where they hit pots and pans!

If You Give a Mom a Muffin......

I was cleaning and found this poem I picked up from a playgroup. It gave me a smile so I thought I'd put it on here for all the moms out there!

If you give a mom a muffin
She'll want a cup of coffee to gowith it
She'll pour herself some
The coffee will get spilled by her 3 year old
She'll wipe it up

Wiping up the floor, she'll find some dirty socks
She'll remember she has to do some laundry
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She'll trip over some snow boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan dinner for tonight.

She'll get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look in her cookbook (101 Things to Make With a Pound of Hamburger).
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She'll see the phone bill is due tomorrow.
She will look for checkbook.

The checkbook is in her purse that's being dumped by a 2 year old.
She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the 2 year old.
While she is changing the 2 year old, the phone will ring.
Her four year old will answer and hang up.

She remembers that she wants to phone a friend to come for coffee on Friday.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some.

And chances are....
If she has a cup of coffee....
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Enjoy!

Whitecaps & Tubing

On Friday, we went to the Whitecaps with Scott's work. It was a lot of fun! They rented out the Steak and Shake Deck for the game. On the way to the deck, there were Lansing Lugnuts warming up, when we walked past, the kids said hi to them. The manager then called us down by them and gave each kid a ball that they were practicing with! They were excited! We were able to watch the game from here as well as eat some dinner. They had unlimited food from 6:30-8. There was hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, chips, cookies, ice cream and pop. Our kids are now old enough that I did not have to walk them around to keep them entertained because they watched almost the whole game. I have no idea what went on, but the kids do! I always like Windemuller's summer parties because it means fun for the kids also!

On Saturday we went tubing and boating at Gun Lake. The kids ended up liking it but neither was thrilled with it. Megan started her first ride with Scott and was crying until we got in calmer waters. Cody started out with a big smile when he was with Scott then decided he was done. Cody went 4 or 5 times and Megan 2 very long rides with Scott! Cody went with Scott, me, and Dave(Scott's brother). On Cody's last ride with Dave, he ended up wiping out as James said! I am lucky that I didn't see it otherwise I would have freaked out! Cody went one way and Dave the other when they landed. Dave was able to swim to Cody and then stand up in the middle of Gun Lake. That is when I turned my head saw it and almost jumped off the boat to go get him! Everyone was amazed at how calm I was, I think it was because I didn't see it and knew his life jacket was on! The rest of the family went tubing, including Scott and I. I am so sore this morning I can hardly lift my arms up! It was lots of fun though!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Create and Share Crafts

God's Plans

Driving by a church the other day I saw this on the sign: God promised a safe landing but not an easy flight. I read that phrase and I have not been able to get it out of my head since. I think sometimes people, myself included, believe that because we've accepted Christ that our life will be smooth sailing from then on. I have personally experienced that that's not always the truth. The amazing thing of that is God wants us to then lean on Him and He will be there to pick up the pieces if we let Him. It's not the easiest thing to do but we will feel so much better if we do. That is one of the hardest things is letting God be there for you when you can't see Him or feel Him. You have to trust that He is there for you, which He always is!

Happy Birthday Grandma! & A Lost Tooth

Happy Birthday Mom! I am so thankful to have you for my mom! You have taught me lots of things that I have used when it comes to being a mom. I love how the kids get excited going to the Dr office because they know Grandma will be there and they can hug and kiss you when it's all done! I hope you have a great day!




Megan lost a tooth tonight! She lost others but not ones she should have. This was her first lost tooth in the front and she was so excited to lose it, she tried pulling it herself. Scott actually ended up pulling it out. I'm so glad he was home, those who know me well, know I would not have been able to do that on my own!


On a sad note, my brother's wife, Kathy, lost her mom tonight to Alzheimer's. Please pray for Kathy, her sisters, and her father, Les, as they start a new walk without their mom and wife. Thank you for your prayers.

High School Musical & a Block Party

Today was another fun & busy day. We started the weekend with our niece Betsy spending the night on Friday. My kids love having little ones over so this was a lot of fun for them. They get along with Betsy, Lily and Wyatt so well it ALMOST makes me want another one. Then I remember the joy of being pregnant and waking up with a newborn and I'm done wishing that!
This afternoon we dropped off Betsy and went two different ways. Megan and I went with my mom to see High School Musical(the original) at Civic Theater while Cody and Scott went to the block party for our neighborhood. The musical was really cute and got all those songs in my head! Megan seemed to really enjoy herself but I think what she really liked was the 1 on 1 time she got from us!
While we were at the show, Cody and Scott were in a bike parade around the neighborhood followed by food and fun with all the neighbors around here. There was a volunteer fireman who was able to get a truck and park it in front of his house. For the second time this summer, Cody was able to shoot water from a fire hose. He told me that is the reason he wants to be a firefighter, so he can use a fire hose!! The fireman has a hydrant in his yard that he opened up and let the kids play in. Megan and I were back at this point so both kids had a ball running through all that water! It was nice to see and meet some new people from the neighborhood. I even ran into someone I went to middle school with! Enjoy the pictures from the party!

Happy Birthday Megan!

It is hard to believe that Megan turned 8 this morning at 2:42 AM! I look back on the past 8 years with awe. I don't even know what to write I'm so speechless. It just doesn't seem like it's been 8 years since she was born! Megan has turned out to be a sweet child that loves everyone. She gives hugs and kisses anytime she sees you. Megan is a great big sister! They have their days but this summer they have been great playmates! Megan also will care for Cody like a protector when we are places, it's hilarious to watch. She is a great helper in other ways also. She'll play with babies that are here, she does chores when asked and is always next to you asking what can she do! One of my favorite memories is when Megan was 18 months old if you asked her to come, she would reply, I busy now!! It makes me laugh just thinking about it! I made a slide show below that's like a scrapbook of her past 8 years. It is funny to look back on how chubby she used to be! Look at her cheeks in the early years! Also notice the curly hair that went away when she was between 4 and 5. ****Any comments left for Megan I'll print and put in her scrapbook!

Megan's Favorite Things:
Favorite Colors: Pink, Purple and Yellow
Favorite Food: Chicken
Favorite Snack: Apple Salad
Grade in School (2008-2009 school year): 3rd Grade
Favorite Subject: Reading
Favorite Princess: Cinderella
Favorite Thing To Do: Color
Favorite Restaurant: Carlos O` Kelly's
What she wants to be when she grows up: Vet and Mommy

Life with Cody

Anyone who has ever spent 5 minutes with Cody knows that it's never dull when he's around. Today when Scott got home from work, I took Cody out shopping to get Megan's birthday party. He was bouncing off walls he was so excited because he loves me. That was his reason for wanting to go with me. I get him buckled in his car seat and then ask where he wants to go shop, thinking Target or the mall. He looks at me and says, is Linen and Things still open? I laughed and then said yes but they don't have toys there. He then tells me he wants to go to Costco- he loves their samples(or staples as he calls them)! I finally tell him he can choose Target, Meijer's or the Mall. Cody chose Target because he didn't want to have to up the escalator at the mall, he's still afraid he'll fall down it again! Anyway just a little picture of what daily life is like with Cody!

Party Time!

Megan is starting the week of parties! Today is her party with friends at Strikers in Jenison. It is a mini-golf place that we're going to. I made a cake to look like the Cinderella she wore to Disney. We'll have this party today and then tomorrow we'll celebrate Megan, Sara, and Allison's birthday here! The following Sunday is Megan and my Mom's party. Both kids always have 3 parties plus whatever we do to celebrate on their actual day! Can you say spoiled? I wouldn't have it any other way though! Keep watching for Megan's birthday post. I am scanning pictures from birth to now for a slide show! It's been fun looking at how she's grown in the last 8 years. That is so scary to write 8 years old, I don't know where they have gone! The party was a blast! There were 9 kids total including Megan and Cody. They all had fun mini-golfing and with the pinata. Megan pulled the string to open it on the first try. Scott has spent time last night hot gluing the other strings on only to have Megan be the only one to try! The slide show below is from the party today!