Bronners 2012

Most people know that Matt introduced me to this awesome store on our first trip to Michigian, 9 years ago. I still love wandering through it today as much as I did that very first time. I am also so very impressed with their customer service! Enjoy a couple of other pictures from Bronner’s today and check back tommorow for our awesome visit with Santa.

Huge Santa outside. This is becoming a traditional shot for us each time we visit

 

 

Random Thoughts Tuesday November 13th

  1. This weekend 3 out of 4 kids developed strep throat, only Kendall remains healthy. Zach also had an ear infection and Lily has a major eczema flare up.
  2. I have started working on assembling my Snow Village, I am putting it in my bedroom this year so the layout will be total new. I plan to have it finished before leaving for Michigan.
  3. We leave in a week. I still need to make reservations for Tuesday night. I am trying to accomplish one thing a day so that we don’t get overwhelmed this weekend. So far so good. I have gotten all the presents wrapped and the food is packed for the trip.
  4. Work is really slow this week but I am actually excited to have the extra time to spend on organizing for the trip and on my Snow Village.
  5. Lily got her first report card for 2nd grade last week, she has only one 2 on the whole thing the rest were 3.
  6. This coming Sunday at church, I am in charge of a Spaghetti dinner.
  7. I don’t really  have a seventh comment but thought it was a cool number to end on.

 

 

The End of an Era

Today is a day of excitement and delight in our house, it is also an occasion that I wonder would ever come.  What is it?

The removal of all baby items from our daily use! We have been struggling for about 6 months now with how to get rid of Zach’s pacifiers.  I finally decided about 2 weeks ago that I was not chase those stupid things all the way to Michigan. So I knew we had to take action now. On Tuesday, I cut the tip-off one paci and Matt cut the  end of the second one. Zach immediately said “This one is broken and threw it away.”  So we wait for a couple of days and this morning I cut the remaining paci tip again. At nap time, he took it in his mouth, pulled it out and said “It has a crack it in so I throw it away.”  That is the end. I am hoping that tonight is fairly easy or at worst by Sunday, he is used to going without them. Next on the baby item removal list was the small potty. Zach is completely potty trained, except for a pull up at night, but he continued to use the small potty over half the time.  This potty has been in the house for 5 years and no matter how much we clean it, still not shiny and new. So we decided to toss it! It currently is in the garbage bin at the street. This did not even draw attention. Finally, is the booster seat that we purchased for Zach, he has been complaining about it for several weeks not that he is a big boy and doesn’t want to sit in it. I have been telling him that when he really was a big boy with no paci, I would put it away.  I was good to my word and after cleaning his seat with a vacuum and wipes, Zach is truly a “big Boy.”

We have left babies and toddlers behind. I really like the idea of seasons of life, so now I am going to enjoy the season of Haley’s senior year along with having young children who are learning everyday without the hassle of pacifiers and little potties!

Wordless Wednesday -Family Photo

We had my whole family pictures made last Sunday. We decided after a couple of attempts at a studio in the past to try something new. A photographer came to their house and then we moved to my brothers for some. I am ending up posting 12 different shots this week with more next week. Leave a comment with your favorite!

Granny and Pawpaw
Married 43 years
Survived 2 teenagers/kids and enjoying 7 grandkids

Hanging Around

The Gang is all here!

Same trouble different view. Amazing that we got several good group shots!

A good family pictures YAY! YAY! YAY!

Could not resist that stair steps
Amanda 21, Haley 17, Lily 6, Kendall 4 and Zach3

I liked the look and feel of this in black and white. My own edit!

Zach and Pawpaw who is having more fun?

This is so a typically Zach… he didn’t want his picture made for about half of the time!

I just like this picture!

Fall Festival- Kids having fun

Everyone is trying to find the “treasure” hidden in the corn

Kendall LOVED this slide, I think she went down it 10 times but because of the sun I could not get a picture of her. Lily only like the slide, which means 5 or 8 times down!

Pumpkin Bowling… Kendall threw a strike!

Lily’s turn at pumpkin bowling

Face Painting was our first stop.

Lily chose a butterfly and Kendall got a crown! Zach watched, next we headed to the color hairspray. Lily ended up with purple streaks and Kendall with green hair.

 

Kendall in the Bounce House. Zach and Lily joined her on our second turn.

 

Zach’s favorite thing of the whole time was the “tractor” I even managed to get in this picture!

End of our Fall Festival Fun!

Crazy Busy Life

This week has been one of those weeks, the ones where I wonder how we ever do it or better yet is it ever going to stop. Monday, was so nice, home all day and evening as well. How could that be only 5 days ago. I honestly, don’t even remember what happened on Tuesday, maybe that was the one day, I exercised or something crazy like that. Wednesday, I had a parent meeting for cheerleading and everyone else had kick off for Kid’s Club at church. A side note is that I actually picked up Zach from the church and then didn’t make it home until 8:30. On Thursday, we had doctor and dentist appointments as well as a special cheer practice. Yesterday, between working and set up for Bible quizzing today, I didn’t get home until 8:30 again. Today, was an awesome day of Bible quizzing but I am exhausted.

The most exciting news of the week? Zach is actually on the growth charts now! He weighs 28lbs (25%) and is 35 inches tall (3%). We are just excited that he is on the chart!!!

Next week does look a bit slower as my work is slowing way down but I do need a short break and God is providing!

Zach’s 3rd Birthday

Zach requested a tractor cake. Matt ended up finishing at the last minute but it was still very good.

Everyone liked playing with Zach’s new tractor.

Zach had been waiting all day for everyone to sing “Happy Birthday to me” and then “I blow out the candles.”

LIly is offering her help!! She actually did help him blow out the candles after several attempts.

Left handed hockey sticks.. who could ask for anything more?

 

Random Tuesday Thoughts

  • School mornings have not been the problem around here. But school evenings are a whole different story. Zach has been so bad the last couple of evenings. I want to leave. I am hoping that once we get into a good routine he will settle down if not then I may just cry all evening too!
  • Speaking of school, the traffic at both the elementary and High Schools this year has been awful. To pick up from both school is taking Matt close to 2 hours. Part of the issue is that the Elementary school, is forcing everyone to sit in the car lane and pick up kids from the sidewalk.
  • On a positive school note, Lily has had 2 “gold” behavior days. This is the best she can do!! I hope it continues! Haley has spent time doing homework 2 nights in a row, this is a huge positive as well!
  • The goal for preschool this year is 3 days a week. Kendall is working on learning to write her last name as well as recognizing all the letters. Zach is definitely a lefty and working on recognizing colors and some letters as well.
  • We are continue to try and limit our grocery spending by eating food we have and  only purchasing things we are out of! The plan is to go to Costco on Thursday.
  • I am attempt to get my weight under control again. I have been counting calories today on an app. I did 30 minutes on the Will last night and will do another 30 tonight.