Grand Haven...2011

We had a busy but fun time this past week while the kids and I spent some time out at Grand Haven State park with Grandma Roedema and the cousins. Levi stayed one night in the "big trailer" with Grandma by himself and I spent the night with the kids and Grandma from Sunday night to Monday. Levi was so tired on Sunday night he fell asleep in the chair while drinking his chocolate milk. Maci on the other hand needed some help going down. She was a happy, awake little crazy girl till 10 pm on Sunday night..what a stinker and was up early 515 the next morning but still was not really crabby till later afternoon. Her front teeth are so close to coming in too her gums are swollen so that could have been part of the issue too.. But why would I push/fight  Levi for a nap when he was having so much fun during the day. He rode his bike, went on walks, played in the sand, went on the swings and had alot of fun with his cousins Katelyn and Alexa and of course Grandma. Monday was sunny and beautiful. Levi and I went on a early morning walk down the boardwalk, we went with Grandma to the park and to see the big train, we rode the trolley and spent more time playing in the sand. What a great time we had! We had an icecream cone in the afternoon and packed up around 330 and both kids were asleep before we left the campground. Ryan used his time at home to finsh up more Masters classes and do some other things on his check list.

I love the trolley ride!

Are you ready for icecream, Levi?!

We love our Grandma!

Don't take my picture Mama!

Little Blessings

This past Saturday when Levi was feeling better after a few sick days with strep we took a ride out to Grand Haven to play in the sand and have supper. It was 88 degrees here in Grand Rapids and was 68 when we got out to the beach. We thought it would be cooler but it was pretty cool there with a breeze. We usually stop at Culver's and have a burger. Levi remembers from last time how there was an antique car show in the parking lot and asked "where are all the cool cars?"..how does that boy remember those things. Last time we went they also had Halloween decorations up and he asked "if that scary man(statue) was going to be inside"..Maci did very good eating her burger and taking in all the action at the resturant. We then just rode to the beach and sat in the sand and the kids played. Maci loved crawling in the sand and feeling the breeze. We are thankful for our little ones and a night where we can go out, away from the routine of home and enjoy each other and the outside.

2011 Garden

I planted our garden again this year and tried some different veggies to grow.  New this year we have green onions and lettuce. We also have tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, snap peas, zucchini and peppers. So far everything looks like it is growing well except the peppers..they are really mini sized but it seems like the same thing happened last year. Every morning we go outside and water and check the progress...Levi likes to tell the bunnies and birds..."to stay away from my garden..don't eat it."

6/2/11- Levi Turns 3 Years Old

It's My Birthday...Finally! We had to explain the order of when his birthday was and now it was his turn.

Family Shot on Memorial Day

We celebrated Levi's 3rd birthday two times this year. The first party was on Memorial Day with the Koopmans side up at Half Moon Lake. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the sunshine and the water. Levi and Dadda went tubing with Collin and Uncle Dan. I went tubing with Mom K and was glad that I did not fall off when I felt the water.  When I asked Levi what kind of cake he wanted this year he said that he wanted an orange one and chocolate one.  It was orange and we had orange sherbet too. Levi got his big boy bike and his helmet, a new sleeping bag and a  Handy Manny backpack. He has the sleeping bag on the floor in his bedroom and likes to crawl way inside of it. The bike is a balance bike info here at Strider Bikes. Of course, it is also orange. Grandma K also made him a special photo book with ABC's.  On Wednesday, the night before his birthday Levi was screaming in his bed and Ryan went to find him covered in puke, all over his face and ears, chest and pillows. He was shaking and had a fever of 103. Over the next day, he had a continued fever and sore throat and not drinking or eating much. No fun to spend sick on your birthday. We had to cancel our zoo date with friends. I took him to the Dr after I looked in his throat and saw the "spots", strep throat. He was put on an antibiotic and the 2nd birthday party with the Roedema side was postponed one day till he felt better. So on Sunday, we had the Roedema side over for brownies, snacks and icecream. Levi was feeling much better and could not get enough of his presents.."next one" was what he said. He got a John Deere tractor, coloring books, CARs chair and cars, Lego dump truck and a sprinkler. On the night of his birthday, Levi also told me after his bath that he did not want to wear a diaper to bed...so with underwear since and no accidents in the night. He comes and wakes us up at night to go...but that is ok. No more diapers for him! Yeah! Other things that Levi has been up to are expressing his independence by spending time in the "chair", time out. He is biting, hitting and yelling saying NO! We have been taking away his toys and that usually shapes him up pretty fast. Beside speaking English and Spanish, Levi has started making up his own language, called "oka". Ryan and I know a few basic words and Maci seems to understand some.:) He loves talking in "oka" and then seeing how Ryan and I ask him "what?" and then he explains what he said. He also loves going to the park, reading books, playing with his lawnmower and his friends next door and riding his bike.

The Annual Motorcycle Picture and Levi's new bike!

                                           We love you Levi and the big boy you are growing up to be.

5/25/11- Maci 9 Months Old

Maci, What are you doing?

Today is Maci's 9 month birthday. Ryan said last night that with Levi milestones/time seemed to go so slow and with Maci it is flying by. Maci is an awesome little eater. She is eating all big people food now and some night eats more than her brother. She is a good napper and when she is home with me a Mama's girl. She is very predictable with her naps and eating which is good.  We just have to lay her down with her paci and blankie and she is set.I really do not remember that with Levi. She smiles and babbles alot. The other night I swore I heard her say" all done" and then the next day "hot" when she tried to take my coffee. But who knows. She can pull herself up and plop her self back down. She loves to bang her hands on the screen door and the front door. I have eternally given up on trying to keep the fingerprints away..some days I just laugh..o well. We sure love our Maci Jean and think this summer will be fun with all the new things that she will encounter and explore.



Finally Sometime Outside!



Helping Dadda!




Levi had to have his own rake and red hat like Dadda.



Little

  Miss Maci Jean loving the sunshine and playing in the sandbox. She did eat some sand but after the first few "bites" had enough. She also loves to sit in her stroller and eat..snacks like golfish crackers and "puffs" and watch Levi and Dadda in the yard.

It is weird how the old is becoming new again. Line drying is coming back as far as energy savings. It is also a great way to dry my cloth diapers and the sun is a natural stain remover. I got this online and Ryan made a cement bucket pole thing in the ground for support. So far so good. We just need more sunny days. Levi seems to love to help with this too which gets us up and moving in the morning. I remember my mom line drying..but where is the line now? Who knows. Here is a summary of the cost saving comeback.

Debates also arise about having clothes lines in neighborhoods. Hopefully I do not get in trouble for this.

Find that article from The Wall Street Journal here

We will see how this all goes. Just another way to try something new!

One Reason Why We Recycle....