On Thursday we found the training wheels for Tyson's old bike and got it all ready for Jori to try out. She has been happily riding her little princess tricycle for the past couple years, but I have been in a mood to declutter the garage, so the trike had to go! Thankfully Jori picked up on riding her "big girl bike" right away.
Again, just ignore my yammering and enjoy watching our girl.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Leapin' Lizards!
We do not actually having "Leapin' Lizards", but that sounds so much better than "Leapin' Frogs", which is what we do have! After a one year break, the tiny tree frogs are back, covering our street, hopping across our driveway and coming into (and then dying in) our garage. We are not sure what exactly brings them, but they are here just the same.They are just so tiny, yet so hard to miss with our van tires! Oh well, soon it will rain and wash away their little remains.
Just look at them leap!
Here is a video so you can see the froggies in action. Just ignore my annoying narrative.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
King Solomon-wise guy or not so much?
Tonight we read the story of King Solomon's wisdom. If you are unfamiliar with this story here is a brief summary. Two women and two babies live together. One morning the mom's wake up and one baby is dead. Both claim to be the mom of the living baby. They go to King Solomon to have him settle the dispute. He says "Cut the baby in two". Mom #1 says "Great idea" Mom #2 says "Let the baby live, give him to mom #1". So, who's the real mom? (It's mom #2, in case you didn't know.)
I asked Tyson if he thought this was a wise way to figure out who the baby belonged to. He said "No", so I asked him what he would have done. He thought for a bit, then he pointed his finger to the moms in the picture and proceeded to do "Eeny Meeny Miney Mo".
And that was that.
(Please forgive any grammar mistakes, especially any missing or misplaced apostrophes. The grammar police is gone for the night, so it is what it is.)
I asked Tyson if he thought this was a wise way to figure out who the baby belonged to. He said "No", so I asked him what he would have done. He thought for a bit, then he pointed his finger to the moms in the picture and proceeded to do "Eeny Meeny Miney Mo".
And that was that.
(Please forgive any grammar mistakes, especially any missing or misplaced apostrophes. The grammar police is gone for the night, so it is what it is.)
First Day of Summer
We just had such a fun filled day, full of little adventures. Darin has to head out of town for work tonight, so we headed to Holland to say goodbye to him around 11. We hung out at Nuvar (did I ever mention that he isn't at Innotec anymore??) for about 1/2 hour talking, letting the kids run outside, and finally saying good-bye. I decided to stay away from home for as long as possible as I knew it was going to be a long night without Daddy to tire out the kids!
First we headed to The Hive, a consignment store WITH a play area for the kids. They stayed entertained the whole time I shopped, which ended up being well over an hour. After trying on 9 different tops, I came home with the following:
First we headed to The Hive, a consignment store WITH a play area for the kids. They stayed entertained the whole time I shopped, which ended up being well over an hour. After trying on 9 different tops, I came home with the following:
Plain blue top. The sleeves have elastic, which isn't my favorite, but for $3 I can handle it.
I love the color of this top and remember trying it on in a store. I was not willing to buy it at the time because it made me look like I was pregnant, but for $2, I can live with the curious stares (and no, I am NOT).
This was a little bit of a daring, or maybe dumb purchase. It is a dress with pockets, but it is knit, so it kind of clings. I worry that it will cling to my not so firm back end, but in my mind it looked so cute for a night out, so I decided to go for it. Can I wear navy-ish blue with brown sandals?? How about a jean jacket? What about a gold "coin" necklace? For $8, I'll try it out. Don't mind the white spots on the dress, they are just particles of dust that I stirred up!
This was a little bit of a daring, or maybe dumb purchase. It is a dress with pockets, but it is knit, so it kind of clings. I worry that it will cling to my not so firm back end, but in my mind it looked so cute for a night out, so I decided to go for it. Can I wear navy-ish blue with brown sandals?? How about a jean jacket? What about a gold "coin" necklace? For $8, I'll try it out. Don't mind the white spots on the dress, they are just particles of dust that I stirred up!
So that was my shopping fun. Then I took the kids to the Salvation Army where I used to work. I had left a message for my friend Michelle that Special K was coming to sort food. That was one of our clients and apparently it gave Michelle a little scare when she received the message. Ha ha. I know, you had to be there. Anyways, the kids emptied a few boxes of tuna onto a shelf and then got into some games in the "pantry" and I got to chat with Michelle for a few minutes. Good times, good memories.
Then I called Rachel to see if she was still in Holland (we had talked earlier and I knew she was headed out that way). She was, so I took the kids to Dairy Queen for some ice cream, then we went to the outlet mall to wait for Rachel and her crew to arrive. While we were waiting, Jori spilled ice cream all over her legs and crocs. I cleaned her and she spilled again. And again. And I am pretty sure there was one more "again" too. Oh well. Then Rachel came with JJ, Reid and Auntie Becka. They had some bread, so we fed the ducks. JJ and Jori then tried kicking the ducks back into the water and played with duck poop while Tyson pushed Reid around in the stroller and told him stories. It was good fun.
After getting a tip from Rachel, we headed to the Zeeland McDonald's for customer appreciation day. They had free samples of their new frozen strawberry lemonade (yum!) and $1.99 Happy Meals and 10 piece nuggets. So we headed inside to the play land with our free samples, the kids played for about 45 minutes, then I bought them some food. The play area filled up with screaming kids (not mine for once!) and so we left around 5:30.
I heard two funny things today while we were out and about. One was from Tyson. While we were driving to the outlet mall I told him to try reading some signs on the buildings. He very excitedly told Jori "Sissy, I see Juh-Kuh Penney! It's Juh-Kuh Penney!" I did not laugh, but I did call Darin to tell him Tyson's version of JC Penney. The other funny thing was at McDonald's and it was said by a kid who must have been about 8 years old. He came back from the bathroom, walked up to his dad (who was there alone with 3 kids) and said "I just stepped in pee and my socks are all wet." I just couldn't keep myself from laughing. You should have seen the dad's face! It was so funny.
So, that was our day. The kids played outside for about 15 minutes, then they showered, got pj's on and have been watching a movie. When it's over it will be time for Bible Story, bathroom and bed. Here's to the beginning of a GREAT summer break!
Then I called Rachel to see if she was still in Holland (we had talked earlier and I knew she was headed out that way). She was, so I took the kids to Dairy Queen for some ice cream, then we went to the outlet mall to wait for Rachel and her crew to arrive. While we were waiting, Jori spilled ice cream all over her legs and crocs. I cleaned her and she spilled again. And again. And I am pretty sure there was one more "again" too. Oh well. Then Rachel came with JJ, Reid and Auntie Becka. They had some bread, so we fed the ducks. JJ and Jori then tried kicking the ducks back into the water and played with duck poop while Tyson pushed Reid around in the stroller and told him stories. It was good fun.
After getting a tip from Rachel, we headed to the Zeeland McDonald's for customer appreciation day. They had free samples of their new frozen strawberry lemonade (yum!) and $1.99 Happy Meals and 10 piece nuggets. So we headed inside to the play land with our free samples, the kids played for about 45 minutes, then I bought them some food. The play area filled up with screaming kids (not mine for once!) and so we left around 5:30.
I heard two funny things today while we were out and about. One was from Tyson. While we were driving to the outlet mall I told him to try reading some signs on the buildings. He very excitedly told Jori "Sissy, I see Juh-Kuh Penney! It's Juh-Kuh Penney!" I did not laugh, but I did call Darin to tell him Tyson's version of JC Penney. The other funny thing was at McDonald's and it was said by a kid who must have been about 8 years old. He came back from the bathroom, walked up to his dad (who was there alone with 3 kids) and said "I just stepped in pee and my socks are all wet." I just couldn't keep myself from laughing. You should have seen the dad's face! It was so funny.
So, that was our day. The kids played outside for about 15 minutes, then they showered, got pj's on and have been watching a movie. When it's over it will be time for Bible Story, bathroom and bed. Here's to the beginning of a GREAT summer break!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tyson's Last Day of Kindergarten
Today was Tyson's last day as a part time school goer. Next year he'll be in first grade, heading to school 5 days a week. Fsxzor the last 3 years I've been wishing and longing for Tyson to go to 5 full days of school. Now that it is almost here I find myself feeling sad and longing for my boy to stay little for just a bit longer.
Here are some pictures of Tyson's last day. The 2 kindergarten classes had a "tasty tidbit picnic" at lunch time. Each child was supposed to bring a favorite thing to share-enough for 10 other kids. My sweet boy chose batman fruit snacks. I must say I felt slightly embarrassed by his choice, worrying that the other moms would think I was a slacker, but another mom at Meijer helped me get over my insecurity and embrace Tyson's choice of food. Thank God for mother's who have been there!! The fruit snacks were a big hit and Tyson was so proud to tell the other kids that HE was the one who brought them.
Here are some pictures of Tyson's last day. The 2 kindergarten classes had a "tasty tidbit picnic" at lunch time. Each child was supposed to bring a favorite thing to share-enough for 10 other kids. My sweet boy chose batman fruit snacks. I must say I felt slightly embarrassed by his choice, worrying that the other moms would think I was a slacker, but another mom at Meijer helped me get over my insecurity and embrace Tyson's choice of food. Thank God for mother's who have been there!! The fruit snacks were a big hit and Tyson was so proud to tell the other kids that HE was the one who brought them.
Tyson loading up his plate
The 2 classes enjoying their tasty tidbits
Jori was SO very excited to be at Tyson's school. She said "Today is MY first day of school"
I LOVE seeing these 2 interact with each other. Tyson was so kind to his sissy today.
Coming back with seconds, or maybe even thirds : )
It started to rain, so the party moved inside. (Mom, here's the infamous root beer)
Jori was SO very excited to be at Tyson's school. She said "Today is MY first day of school"
I LOVE seeing these 2 interact with each other. Tyson was so kind to his sissy today.
Coming back with seconds, or maybe even thirds : )
It started to rain, so the party moved inside. (Mom, here's the infamous root beer)
Tyson and Mrs. Weiss
We are so thankful for the year that Tyson had at Park Elementary. We felt like he was known there and loved. We are so thankful for Mrs. Weiss and all the wonderful things that she taught Tyson and for what a fun teacher she was. Tyson will miss her and so will we!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Surfari Joe's
We had a very fun Memorial Weekend. On Saturday we drove to DeMotte, Indiana for the wedding of my friend Rachel's little brother. It was fun to be with good friends and share a part in this special day. Rachel's in-laws were kind enough to let us stay at their home for the night. Tyson and Jori LOVED it there. They had goats, chickens, geese and of course, Sparky the dog. Tyson milked a goat and both kids drank goats milk-Jori did it more as a way to keep up with her brother, but Tyson seemed to genuinely like it. We also picked fresh strawberries and enjoyed a big Sunday breakfast before heading out for the beginning of our adventure.
On our way back to Michigan, we stopped at the outlet mall in Michigan City. It was SO hot. Unbearably so. I couldn't believe how many people were out shopping. We didn't really need to be out, so after Darin found a couple shirts, we left. We went to IHOP for lunch and it was nice to not be in a rush. Just after 3, we pulled into Surfari Joe's in Watervliet, Michigan. Our original weekend plans had been to stay in Chicago and go to Lincoln Park Zoo and maybe one of the museums. Then we had decided to go to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, but after a lot of thought, we realized that our kids would be most excited to go to a water park and boy were we right!
We hadn't told them where we were going and when we pulled up to this hotel with water slides sticking out the side of it they were just giddy with delight. It was so fun to hear them clap and laugh. Then we went into the hotel and found out why it was called Surfari Joe's. The "Surf" part was obviously the water slides, but the "ari" part was because the owner had been on many hunting safari's in Africa and around the globe and had the mounted heads and even full bodies of so many crazy critters in the lobby. We loved it because we recognized so many of the animals from our time in South Africa, but if you are a big animal lover and anti-hunting, you would probably throw up a little because there were animal heads EVERYWHERE (not in the rooms, thankfully, because I would not have been a fan). I regret that I did not take pictures of the animals, but then again, that is not really my thing.
We had such a fun and relaxing weekend!
On our way back to Michigan, we stopped at the outlet mall in Michigan City. It was SO hot. Unbearably so. I couldn't believe how many people were out shopping. We didn't really need to be out, so after Darin found a couple shirts, we left. We went to IHOP for lunch and it was nice to not be in a rush. Just after 3, we pulled into Surfari Joe's in Watervliet, Michigan. Our original weekend plans had been to stay in Chicago and go to Lincoln Park Zoo and maybe one of the museums. Then we had decided to go to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, but after a lot of thought, we realized that our kids would be most excited to go to a water park and boy were we right!
We hadn't told them where we were going and when we pulled up to this hotel with water slides sticking out the side of it they were just giddy with delight. It was so fun to hear them clap and laugh. Then we went into the hotel and found out why it was called Surfari Joe's. The "Surf" part was obviously the water slides, but the "ari" part was because the owner had been on many hunting safari's in Africa and around the globe and had the mounted heads and even full bodies of so many crazy critters in the lobby. We loved it because we recognized so many of the animals from our time in South Africa, but if you are a big animal lover and anti-hunting, you would probably throw up a little because there were animal heads EVERYWHERE (not in the rooms, thankfully, because I would not have been a fan). I regret that I did not take pictures of the animals, but then again, that is not really my thing.
Here is the kiddie area
Tyson and Jori hugging it out in the lazy river
Jori floating away down the river
This place was the perfect size for our kids. We could see them from pretty much wherever we were sitting. There were at least 5 lifeguards around at all times, which was great. Our kids were too short to go on the big water slides by themselves and I felt confident that A: the lifeguard up top wouldn't let them go down the slide and B: if the lifeguard did let them down, it would only be with a life jacket on and another lifeguard would be at the bottom of the slide. There was one slide that you went down with an inner tube and they could both go on that slide if were were in the tube with them.
As you can see from these videos, they both loved being in the lazy river with their floaties on. They looked so funny bobbing around in the water and Darin and I didn't have to be right there holding on to them. It was great.
Tyson and Jori hugging it out in the lazy river
Jori floating away down the river
This place was the perfect size for our kids. We could see them from pretty much wherever we were sitting. There were at least 5 lifeguards around at all times, which was great. Our kids were too short to go on the big water slides by themselves and I felt confident that A: the lifeguard up top wouldn't let them go down the slide and B: if the lifeguard did let them down, it would only be with a life jacket on and another lifeguard would be at the bottom of the slide. There was one slide that you went down with an inner tube and they could both go on that slide if were were in the tube with them.
As you can see from these videos, they both loved being in the lazy river with their floaties on. They looked so funny bobbing around in the water and Darin and I didn't have to be right there holding on to them. It was great.
We had such a fun and relaxing weekend!
Tyson's MRI
On Wednesday morning, Tyson and I headed to the hospital for his MRI. The doctor had called in a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine to keep Tyson from being so wiggly. I was warned that I would probably have to carry him around because he'd be SO tired. Ha ha. He did yawn a couple times, but that was about it.
We found a little play area in the waiting room. Here I am getting a "thumbs up" from my boy.
Here's my sweet, sleepy boy waiting for his hospital bracelet.
We found a little play area in the waiting room. Here I am getting a "thumbs up" from my boy.
In the waiting room by the MRI
This was actually taken AFTER the MRI was done. Another thumbs up!
Tyson did so well during the whole procedure. I ended up standing right next to him so I could hold his hand or touch his shoulder. I am glad I could be in there with him as he did not like how loud it was. My ear plugs kept popping out and by the time we got home, I had a terrible headache! He was so cooperative and he laid as still as a little boy with lots of energy could have possibly laid. He did have a few wiggly moments and some itches he just had to scratch, but I was so proud of him.
This morning I called the doctor's office to get the results. The good news is that there wasn't any tearing. There was some swelling around his knee, but nothing that our doctor was too concerned about. We are supposed to continue "conservative care". Do you know what "conservative care" is? No, me either, so I wasn't sure how I could continue something I didn't even know I was supposed to be doing. Basically we should be icing the knee, giving ibuprofen, using an ace bandage or brace to stabilize the knee and just try to keep Tyson from doing too much. We've done the ibuprofen, but honestly no one had said to do the other stuff and it seems like you always are told to be more cautious with how much treatment you give a person, so I've been waiting for some direction from a medical professional.
We are truly thankful that there doesn't appear to be anything seriously wrong with Tyson's knee. For now we will be keeping an eye on it and praying that it doesn't get worse!
This morning I called the doctor's office to get the results. The good news is that there wasn't any tearing. There was some swelling around his knee, but nothing that our doctor was too concerned about. We are supposed to continue "conservative care". Do you know what "conservative care" is? No, me either, so I wasn't sure how I could continue something I didn't even know I was supposed to be doing. Basically we should be icing the knee, giving ibuprofen, using an ace bandage or brace to stabilize the knee and just try to keep Tyson from doing too much. We've done the ibuprofen, but honestly no one had said to do the other stuff and it seems like you always are told to be more cautious with how much treatment you give a person, so I've been waiting for some direction from a medical professional.
We are truly thankful that there doesn't appear to be anything seriously wrong with Tyson's knee. For now we will be keeping an eye on it and praying that it doesn't get worse!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)