You know you're old when....

You meet your friend at the grocery store and grocery shop together for a girls night out! Sounds dorky, but it was really nice! We shared tips, meal ideas, and bagged eachother's groceries! Thanks Becky for a fun night!

Is it a choo choo or a tutu?

It was about 6:50am and Benjamin was playing with a Thomas train in our bedroom as Brent and I were getting dressed. He was yelling, "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo....Choo, Choo...Choo, Choo!"

Madelyn must have heard this from her crib and began yelling and crying, "I want choo, choo! I want choo, choo!" I go into her room and she is pointing at her hooks in her room with the tutus hanging on them. "I want choo choo (tutu)!" Apparently, she must have thought Benjamin was playing with her tutus vs. his choo choo train!

So...I proceed to give her a tutu and put it on her. Benjamin then says, "Madelyn you are so beautiful. You are as beautiful as a principal! Madelyn the principal!"

What a crack up! Had to share this story with Mr. Cwayna :)

Hoffmaster Harvest Weekend

We had SOOO much for camping at Hoffmaster this weekend with family and friends! Check out the great pics!

Poor Pootie!

Madelyn has had a tough week. Strep throat over the weekend and then last night she fell in the bathtub and basically shattered her other front tooth. Mind you, the first front tooth is already chipped from a fall in the bathtub. It was a bloody scene! The tooth is broken in pieces and part is also broken off. We had Scott (our dentist friend) come over to take a look at it. He said there's nothing you can do, but to wait for it to fall out. I'm glad she decided to do this right before Halloween because her smile will soon be similar to a jack-o-lantern. I would post a pic, but it's so awful I'll spare everyone the sight!

bedtime prayers

Benny and I were laying in bed saying his prayers.....

Us: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die...."

Benny: "Mommy! Why do you say that?"

Me: "Say what?"

Benny: "Why do you say 'if I should die'?"

Me: "That just means that if something happened to us and we died, God would take care of us up in Heaven."

Benny: "But then will he bring us back home?"

School days...

Everyone says how it's so sad when your kids are off to school, so I expected (knowing myself) I would be teary eyed at the drop off. I was quite the opposite, actually. Maybe it's because his preschool classroom is literally right around the corner from my classroom! It was so exciting to send Benjamin off to school. He was such a good boy and so proud! It is going to be awesome having my kids at Ross Park with me during their elementary years. I am blessed...

Summer is done, but here are my pics!!!

So I am finally realizing that summer is over....I am back into school full swing and even Benjamin started school today (post to come soon!) Time to show you some of our favorite summer memories. We spent a TON of time camping, swimming, campfires, beaches, and more. Here are some of my faves!

Here are the kids with Spencer and Cooper in the Freeman's pool. Isn't this the coolest picture ever with the rays of sunshine coming down?

Ludington State Park

Silver Creek Campground in Silver Lake, MI

River Ridge Campground with the Wahlbergs!

Lindsay and Brian's wedding in Frankenmuth, MI. What a fun night!

Benjamin's first movie...Toy Story 3 with Spencer!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Warren!

potty problems...

We've been holding off on potty training Benjamin because we felt like he wasn't ready. He was showing no signs of being ready and our pediatrician kept reassuring us that boys don't potty train until between 3 and 4. Well, he turned 3 in June and starts preschool in Sept (IF HE IS TRAINED)! I decided that it was time. Plus, Madelyn is showing many signs of being ready, so I decided I would do both together. Why not? Get it all done at once and be done with diapers!

Well, here is how my journey has gone since I started 1 week ago...Please don't read on if you are grossed out by bodily functions. Sorry if I've crossed the line, but this has been my life!

Prior to Day 1: read the book How to Potty Train your Child in 3 Days, purchased the potty treats and the Cheerios to aim at, had both kids pick out more new fun undies, purchased Big Boy and Big Girl drinks (choc milk, green Hi-C, strawberry milk, some crazy expensive juice in batman and strawberry shortcake cups). Sidenote--I don't normally buy these things, but I read that you have to get your kids to drink a lot, so I thought if I had fun, new drinks they would be excited to drink all day.

Day 1: informed kids that they were a Big Boy and Big Girl. We made a huge event of taking out all their diapers and bagging them up for our friend Cooper. Then the madness started! Lots of drinking, lots of peeing EVERYWHERE, lots of trips to the washer, lots of sweating (by me), and an entire day in and out of the bathroom!!! So, after Madelyn threw a tantrum at 12:30 I was at my wits end and put her in a diaper and to bed. I was done training her. Decided to focus on one at a time.

Day 2: Went okay, but had a few accidents. Major accident all over kitchen floor and then after I changed him and scrubbed the floor he did it all over again! I decided to keep pluggin along!

Day 3: Pooped on the potty!! Woo hoo! Got a big bowl of ice cream! Went to Fazoli's for lunch and he demanded on bring that potty seat with him! Probably one of the most embarrassing moments I've had when he carries it in and sets it right up on the table!

Day 4: Pooped in pants at daycare, but did okay.

Day 5 and 6: Weekend went pretty well. However, he did pee all over the floor and myself at Buffalo Wild Wings because he still sits and I had to hold onto him. That was refreshing...

Day 7: Decided to try standing and went well! By golly, I've think we've trained him. He even wanted to go potty today in the woods at my nephew's baseball game!

Now I'll just have to work on our little Madelyn!

SUMMA!!

It's been a while, but I have so much I want to post! I have so many pictures to add, but tonight is not the night. Be warned though...they will be coming soon!

Can I just tell you how happy I am that summer is finally here?! Some people say that teachers only like their jobs because of June, July, and August. Although I do love my job, I also love being home with my kiddos as well! I always say that being a teacher is probably the best full time job one could have. It makes all those trips to school to work on weekends and nights and work from home a little more worth it when summer comes here. One of these years, I am going to keep a log of how many hours I work during the school year and compare that to someone who works full time year round. Although, school is not in session I do have many school projects planned to work on! That's the joy of being a teacher...the work is never done because there is always more you can do for your students to be successful. So...no harassing me this summer about not working. I may have a lot more free to time to play with my kids and a little relaxation, but my work is never finished! (in fact, I'm taking a class this week on teaching reading)...

I hope you all can enjoy your summers as well!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today we celebrated Mother's Day! It's the day when you're supposed to sit back and enjoy people waiting on you and telling you what a wonderful mother you are. In our Adult Bible Fellowship Class this morning all the guys had to tell something they were thankful for about their wives. It was pretty cool to hear this.... However, today I feel like I am the blessed one. I LOVE my family so much and I am happy to be the mother of this amazing little group of people! God has blessed my with the perfect family to "mother"!
PS-- I am also SOOOO blessed to have the most amazing mom, mother-in-law, and Grandma! These ladies have certainly paved the way for me and I pray to follow in their footsteps!

Teddy Spaghetti's!!!

You want some really good food? Teddy Spaghetti's on Heights-Ravenna Rd. is awesome! Our first time there and we all loved it! They probably won't want us back because we left it much messier than when we got there!

where does he get it?

Stubborn=Benjamin

Okay, there is stubborn and then there is an entire new level of stubborness (is that a word) and that would be my almost 3 year old!

Let me set the story...Brent out of town for the weekend, no nap yesterday or today, an hour past lunch, and we're at O'Charley's with my mom and sister and niece and Madelyn. 3 adults and 3 kids 2 and under. At least the teams were even. I ordered 2 cups of oranges to get the kids started because they were hungry and cranky. Benjamin gets his and starts SHOVING handfuls or mandarin oranges in his mouth and mushing them at the same time to make orange juice. It was the stickiest mess.

First step: I ask him to eat them one at a time while I'm wiping up OJ from his face, arms, table, and chair. He didn't get the message and continues on.
Second step: I ask him again to eat them one at a time while I'm cleaning the OJ. Still hasn't gotten that message.
Third Step: I take away the mandarins and tell him that he can have them back if he eats one at a time. His reaction is a scream and says NO.
Fourth Step: I hand him a spoon and tell him to eat his oranges with a spoon. He grabs the spoon out of my hand and CHUCKS it across the restaurant!

Nice. Real nice.

He must get his stubborness from Daddy.

too busy to camp? i think not!

I am finally at home having a little relaxation time after our "Maiden Voyage" with the camper all the way to Hoffmaster State Park! We were so excited for the weekend and to get camping again, but I think that we tried to do way too much in one weekend. I'm happy that we did enjoy a couple great campfires, 2 trips to the park, some good walks, t-ball games, and a lot of laughter because it was a jammed packed weekend! We didn't get there until 6 on Friday night. Then I volunteered yesterday morning for a Relay for Life event and then church this morning and then Brent cooked at church this afternoon while I took the kids to Grand Rapids to see the kids! Brent and I both agreed that we'll be better off waiting until I'm done with work and we don't have any other plans. And next time we'll leave the county of Muskegon! Maybe that will help too!

The pics above.... our family at the campfire and Madelyn after her tubby! Brent couldn't find the brush!

Camping time is HERE!

My sister, brother-in-law, and niece are on a cruise ship right now enjoying all the luxuries! I'm a bit jealous of them, but happy to be in Michigan because we are GOING CAMPING this weekend! Yes, our maiden voyage with the camper all the way out to Hoffmaster State Park! It felt so great to load up the camper last night. It smelled like camping! I love to camp and be outside and so do the kids. I love that our family does this. It's the best family time and so great to be in the nature. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather. Right now we're looking at a lot of rain in the forecast.

One quick little Benjamin quote before I sign out....

Benjamin: "We're going to Grandma and Grandpa's house and I'm going to check on Grandpa. I'm going to blow is ouwie all away!"

So sweet!

Thankful Tuesday....

1-Thankful my father-in-law is okay after passing out at a restaurant and being rushed to the hospital by ambulance on Saturday and spending the entire weekend there. Apparently it was just a crazy side effect to his medication.

2-Thankful that God gives me the endurance and patience to get through the stressful days at work and come home to my little babies who need just as much love and patients as my students do.

3- Thankful for my husband who is such a great father and husband. He is so awesome with the kids and I couldn't ask for a better partner!

4- Thankful for my God!!! He is amazing and loves me for the imperfect person that I am!

5- Thankful that it's 11:30pm and I get to go to bed now!

2 LiTtLe MoNkEyS jUmPiNg On ThE bEd!!

Spring Break '10!

Today I felt like I was in high school when all the kids were leaving for Florida or Mexico or the Keys or a cruise and I was the only one sticking around here! I really don't care....it wouldn't bother me if it didn't feel like EVERYONE around me is leaving! Oh well...have fun you spring breakers! Be safe and don't get too crazy like I did on my college spring break in Panama City! We will be here watching over Ski-Town!

A few of our planned highlights for this week are:
-Haircuts
-labwork
-trip to library
-parks
-a few small house projects
-bike and stroller rides
-time to enjoy NOT WORKING! (maybe I'll read a book?)
-mini-vacation to Traverse City
-Easter Sunday!!!
-I've even debated going and getting spray tanned...that way I can at least look like I've enjoyed some warm weather and beach!

Here's to Spring Break '10! I'm not in Key West, but I do have the greatest little munchkins and husband to share it with!!! Praise God for that!

adding ing onto his words!

Quotes of the week...

Benjamin: "Mommy, what are you doing?"
Me: "I'm writing the papers, so you can go to school when you get to be a big boy!"
Benjamin: "Yeah. When I'm done two-ing, I will go to school!"

Benjamin in car today: "When it's done colding, it will be sunny out and we can ride bikes!"

A day at the beach in March?!

We live about 2 minutes away from Lake Harbor park and NEVER go! Well, yesterday we decided to get out of the house, so we headed over to the park. It was beautiful...cold, but still great! Here are a few pics. The kids had a wonderful time! Check out the picture of ice on the rocks! It's too bad that we live in such a beautiful area and don't enjoy it as much as we should, but we are going to try and do these things more often!

I'm BACK!!!

Nope! I haven't given up on blogging forever! There was a good reason that I haven't touched this blog in the last 1 1/2 years. I just needed some time to reflect! Ha!
I'm glad that I didn't cancel my blog completely because I do want to keep up with it. However, like everything else in my life, I try to do everything and then do a crappy job at it vs. doing a few things and doing those things well. Such is my personality I suppose!
I've added a great pic of my kids I took one morning before work. They were snuggling on the couch before we headed off to daycare. I promise I'll be back again before 2012!