Daddy's hat

After Anna got on the bus, I found the boys fighting over Mike's Hudsonville hat. To stop the fighting, I told them I had to take pictures of each of them for daddy with the hat on...I think it worked out, don't you?

Playing in harmony....

It rarely happens in this house, that all three kids are doing the samething...and doing it quietly! They were all playing nice with playdough. It was heavenly, even Mike got to experience it. His comment, "this is pretty nice!"

Our Princess at Bedtime too!

AnnaJoy had a princess birthday party to attend today. Daddy dropped her off and picked her back up, he claims it was pretty girly! Each little girl that went came home with a jewlery box with tiara and ring...and lip gloss that Sunday morning Luke used ALL over his face and head........had to change just as we were leaving for church! Good ol' kids! (sorry I got side tracked). Anna decided that after baths she needed to have a picture of her looking like a princess before bed...here you have it!

Race For The Cure...

Luke and I walked in the Race for the Cure 5K this morning with my friend Deb and her family members (who were walking to remember Deb's mom). I also met up with my buddy, Amber for a quick pic towards the end of the walk. The crowd was huge, it was great to see so many out to support fighting breast cancer.

Do you need a nap?

After going to the gym, I always turn on Dora for Luke (or whoever is home) to watch while I shower. I came downstairs to find this...I think he may have been tired!

We Got Spirit!

I didn't video much of it, but this was all the girls favorite cheer!

Our Little Hudsonville Cheerleader!

This has been a very eagerly anticipated night for AnnaJoy! She was so excited to be a cheerleader again! This year she was a bit more timid, but I think that is because she didn't find anyone that she knew to tag along with and the cheerleader that was helping her along to her spot had to...be a cheerleader, so was unable to stand and hold her hand the whole time! She came out of her shell at times, but mostly stood quietly and did the motions! (must be more like her daddy as I am (obviously) a loud mouth!!!! This was also Luke's first football game! I think we brought him once last year and once when he was tiny, but this is the first year he actually was interested in the game! The boys and I left at half time (as did Aunt Noelle and Calli Jo). Everyone else is still at the game cheering on their teams!

More Game photos!

AWANA night!!

Wednesday nights are a big deal in our house now that all three kids can go to class! Luke is in Puggles, Jake is in Cubbies and Anna is in Sparks. They love it!

The ALL Girl Bathroom is Finished!!!!

Anna's bathroom in completely done and ready for use. She took a bath down there last night and now has her toothbrush down there. (Although I prefer everything to be done upstairs so I don't have 2 floors to deal with when trying to get kids ready) I think we will let the excitement wear off then I am hoping to talk her into having some stuff back upstairs! But she is soooo happy to have a girly bathroom!

Where were you when the world stopped turning???

I was at work 7 years ago, working day shift in the Neonatal. I went on a run to pick up a baby from Saint Mary's after the towers had been hit. It was terrifying to hear. The ambulance driver told us as we were driving of another hit. Terror in the US, our safe home. Mike was at school, they came over the speaker and told everyone to turn on the television. Silence in a placed filled with high school kids. I remember thanking God that we didn't have kids (Mike said he did too). Little did we know that we were already expecting our first child. And to think there are many that have to remember loss from that terrible day. I pray for them especially today.

Mr. Independent!

Can you even tell he is ready to go to school, alone!?





Jake didn't fall asleep until after 9:30 last night due to his anticipation of today! He was up at normal time. He saw daddy leaving and said, "Where you going Daddy?" Daddy answered "to school bud" Jake about burst and said, "I'm going to school TOO!" Mike said "yup, but not yet". Jake bowed his head in disappointment, not time yet!!! Finally, we got Anna on the bus and we were on our way! In honor of Patriots Day I had the kids in Flag shirts today, so he was excited to show off his shirt too! He raced to school and didn't really look back, aside from when I had to peel his brother from the room, kicking and screaming! AUGH! His teacher is Mrs. Victory and Jake is pretty excited to learn from her!
Since dropping Jake off, Luke has been whiney and moaning "Jake" everywhere we have gone! It is pretty sad, and he has been crying too! Oh I can't wait to do this for another, what? 8 months!!! AUGH! P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEANOR!!!!

I'm a Preschooler!

Jake has his "pseudo" first day of preschool today. We leave in just a little while. Today is just a "warm up" day. I have to stay with him and it is only 30 minutes long. Now, for some children that is what they need, but when I told Jake I had to stay and he wouldn't be "learning" today...he got upset and said (all pouty like) I don't want to go to school then! I don't need you there! I can't believe that so far both of my kids in school are so fearless! I remember a lady in purple taking me to Kindergarten at Buchanan Elementary, leaving my mom to go home and I cried! (sad that I still remember that and I was 4 years old!) We will have "official" first day of school photos on Thursday!

She's Home!

We waited for 20 minutes for her bus, as they didn't give us an arrival time. (last year it was 3:48pm, so I went out there at 3:50 thinking that since they added 5 minutes to the day that I should be pretty close, right?) 4:10!!!!



Needless to say, we were ALL very HOT while waiting for her (it was 94 degrees out today). The big kid in the photos is Cody, he has a brother that was getting off the bus for the first time and he couldn't wait to see him...all my kids love Cody (he is in 6th grade this year so we don't see him at the bus stop anymore!). Anna had gymnastics this evening, and WOW it was probably 110 degrees in that building, NO JOKE! Mike's only comment to that is, "can't be as bad as my room". Pretty sad when he has to teach kids in a room that is that hot! Anna's doing great in gymnastics, behind everyone in her group, but they assure me that she will catch up! Right now her instructor told us to work on straight arms and hand stands. She didn't get discouraged, but I was feeling bad for her, as all the little girls in her group can do quite a bit more than her, she still has fun!!

Anna's First Day of Kindergarten!

I didn't think I would be as nervous this year, as we are veterans, however, I was a bit sad to say goodbye to AnnaJoy. She was up before the rest of us and ready to go! (too bad daddy doesn't have the same feelings that she does!). Here she is: Little Miss Independent!!

Here Comes the Bus!!

Anna has the same bus number this year and even the same bus stop (our house). Luke's reaction was classic and I am sad that I didn't have enough hands to also video tape as he squealed and screamed "BUS MOMMY!". Anna's bus driver said, "I won't forget her this year" and made Anna pose for a photo on the bus steps. (for those of you confused about the bus drivers comment, go back to last September's posts about school to see!) The boys were screaming "BYE ANNA" and waving like mad!!!