First Week of Summer

We have had a very busy week. Summer always keeps me busy, but I love it. We have already gone to the Binder Park Zoo, Ramona Park Beach, Blake went to Lego camp with a buddy (had two sleepovers as well), Madison went to Camp Grandma and I even managed to get to the gym a few times. I just signed up for Half Marathon #3 in Grand Rapids. We are off to Lake Michigan today while Brett is gone fishing for the weekend.

Last day of Kindergarten and second grade. I was a little sad that morning. It is hard to see your kids keep growing up right in front of your eyes. I still think of them as my babies, but I might have to change that thought soon.

Caitlin just woke up right before we were walking out the door. She wanted to match Madison and pose just like her. She still has her crazy bed head.
Madison - last day of kindergarten. Look out first grade!
Blake - last day of second grade. He goes to the Later Elem Building next year.

The last two years we have had these Intex pools. They have been great. I feel like it is holding us over for the REAL pool to be put in, but I am probably just dreaming. We have had to buy a new one every year though. I keep telling Brett that each year, it gets more and more like the real thing. The first year, a mouse got into it and ate it. The top ring deflated and let all the water out this year. Our new one has such a fancy decking around it.

They can play so nice together at times.

This is our current one. Brett is almost done with a railing around the four foot drop-off. Caitlin and I love sitting up there with just our feet in the pool. The water is still freezing and the two little fish in the pool are crazy!!!!

Lots of Hard Work = Beautiful

Ten minutes into mulching, Brett ran over a sundial that I had in the flowerbed and popped a tire on the tractor. After several calls and running to different stores, we finally got it fixed. Yes, that just seems to be our luck at times. Back to work... We laid 15 yards of mulch in the flower beds, play structure, fire pit and down the trail in the woods. We are so happy to be done. Both Brett and I got very sunburned.

These shrubs were growing out of control. I tried to pull the two big evergreen type ones out, but they weren't budging, so on to plan B. I pulled out a few other plants and small shrubs and Brett went to town trimming. It looks so much better.
The kids love all the new mulch under their play structure. Our girls love to swing down here.
Trail in the back woods.
Our big project last summer was making a clearing in the woods and digging out a fire pit. This summer, I had to clean up the area, place 5 yards of top soil (I never knew how heavy that is), plant grass and 6 burning bushes. The grass came in great and we can't wait to make some s'mores by the fire.
I have worked so hard on making this new flowerbed on top of the hill in the backyard. I had to dig out stumps, kill poison ivy, spread soil, and pull out tons of weeds. I love my finished product. I plan on keep adding to this flower bed. I want to continue it all along the edge of the woods. I planted butterfly bushes, lilac bushes, two low shrubs, and lots of other transplanted plants from other parts of the yard.
Two new trees
50 yards of a split rail fence and a TON of poison Ivy. I have sprayed it all and then plan to work down there more at the end of the summer. I want to plant flowers back in the corner.

I really love my new chairs and table. Last year we had plastic ones that kept blowing over. This year Brett surprised me with these heavy duty wood ones!

Since Brett had some time off work, we were able to take both vehicles in for detailing. Brett is very picky about his vehicles. As long as I have gas, I don't really care too much. It is all about hauling kids easiest... AND yes, my truck is very messy because of that. I must say that it looks amazing. At least until Madison dumped over her smoothie the other day on the carpet:( SHHHHH - Brett doesn't know about that one. Right away, Madison said, "Oh no, Daddy is going to be MAD"! I do appreciate him always taking care of my truck for me.

Tractor Fun

The girls were in their night gowns...

Mr. Serious



Brett and I love our house!!!! It is definitely our dream home. We love finding new projects that we can do to make it more wonderful. Mulching is not our favorite thing to do, but it always looks amazing after new mulch is laid. I am so thankful for our neighbors who let us use their tractor this year. Brett and the kids loved the tractor.

Brett had three days off of work. Actually he was taking an at-home CME course. It was great to have him home. Blake and Madison were still in school and we were able to go out to breakfast and shop with just little Caitlin. Of course we ended up buying a new 27 inch screen mac computer. Brett and I both love computers and couldn't resist the urge. We waited a long time before switching to a Mac. It has taken a little getting used to, but love it.

Caitlin Turns FOUR

After Caitlin went to two parties at Sugar and Spice, all she wanted was to have her party there. Madison and her have been practicing "Party in the USA". They really wanted to dance to that song because Caitlin did that at her other party.

We had 9 girls total at the party. Shannon brought Ava and Gracie over the night before and we had a great girls sleep over. They were so excited.

From the moment that we stepped foot into the store, the girls were having a blast. Madison and Gracie decided to be pop stars. Caitlin had her mind set on the blue princess dress.

After hair, nails, eyeshadow and costumes, the girls put on a fashion show for us. They were so cute. They each took a turn and walked up on stage a struck a pose. The first time, they were a little shy, but by the third time, they were posing it up. They then danced to "Party in the USA".

We decorated cupcakes, sang happy birthday and then opened up presents. Caitlin got her first BIG American Girl doll from her Grandma. She was so excited. She named her Star. Star has been sleeping on Caitlin's trundle bed every night.

Blake and Brett stopped by the party for a few minutes to see the girls all dressed up. Blake was so cute. He sat in a chair and played his DS almost the whole time. He did join in with a cupcake (one with white frosting).

Caitlin had 4 great celebrations this year. We had cake in St louis with Emily and Eyvind, went to Chuck E. Cheese, Ariel cake at home and then "friends party" at Sugar and Spice. She definitely felt special.

Feisty Fours!

Caitlin has been a little angel since the day she was born. I could count on one hand how many times she has gotten in trouble. Everyone always comments on her sweet personality. She has never caused us a problem. NOW that she is four - look out. The past two weeks has been filled with tears, tantrums, and time outs. What happened to my sweet girl???? I am hoping that it is just a phase. I don't know if I can take another FEISTY kid. I must say, her feistiness is not nearly as bad as other children, but definitely NAUGHTY for her. BUT then look at this sweet face...

Good Ol' St. Louis

The kids and I took our first road trip together to St. Louis. It is about a 7 hour drive. I did it last year with my mom and knew where a great stop was half way. Brett bought the kids a few new dvd's and DS games and we were off. I listened to my music and the kids had their head phones on. Blake played his DS about 90% of the way. We stopped half way at a McDonalds play land. They ran around for half an hour and then we were on our way. They were amazing!!!!!! I still can't believe that they are all grown up now. I didn't even have to yell or count for anyone.

We stayed at my sisters house and my other sister from Denver flew in with her daughter. It was a cousin reunion. We of course can't go to St. Louis without visiting the zoo and Grant's Farm. We also went swimming, played on the slip and slide, had a bonfire, celebrated Caitlin's 4th birthday, played games, went out to dinner (they experienced my children at a restaurant-we only went that one time!!!), played at a park and enjoyed our time together.

The swimming pool was amazing. It was a HOT day and we were so excited to go. Madison and her cousin saw the diving boards right away and asked about going on them. After asking a lifeguard a few questions, we found out that you had to pass a swim test, get a green band in order to jump off of them. The swim test was swimming without stopping ALL the way across the pool. It was an official OLYMPIC lap. I right away told Madison that it was too far for her - I know, "horrible mother". She looked up at me with these determined eyes and said that she would practice. She came back a little later and said that she was ready. So off we went to the lifeguard stand. Madison and her cousin did it. I was beaming for her. I still can't believe that she did it. I was so proud. As soon as they got their bands, they were off to the diving boards. I gave them some quick advice and they were jumping off. They even went off the high dive. As soon as Blake saw that, he said that he wanted to do it. I told him about the DREADED swim test. He was just as confident as Madison. I must say, I was a little more nervous for him. I didn't want him feeling bad about it if he couldn't do it. He made it!!!!! I was just as proud again. He quickly went to the diving boards and jumped off.

The drive home was a little tougher because we were all tired. About two hours away, I was exhausted. I turned up some Hannah Montana and we had a dance party going down the road. The kids loved it and it wole me up enough to make it the rest of the way home. We dropped off our bags, went to the bathroom and then met Brett at Chuck E. Cheese because it was Caitlin's real birthday and she really wanted to go. Someday, I hope these kids realize how much a love them. The last thing I wanted to do after driving 7 hours hours was go to Chuck E. Cheese.

Cookie Dough

I am so drawn to helping animals!!!!! We have not had the best luck with our animal encounters though. This one has a good ending :)

A few weeks ago on a rainy afternoon, I heard a very unfamiliar QUACKING coming from our back yard. I looked out and saw a white duck wandering around by the kids playset. I decide to just continue on my errands and not say a word to the girls. After about 30 minutes, I told the girls that there was a duck in the backyard. Madison quickly put her shoes on and headed out back with me. When we got out there, we noticed that the duck was very friendly. However, when he turned around we could see blook dripping down his side. Madison got very worried and was telling me to help him. I told her that there was nothing that I could do. She got very angry at me and ran into the house and was crying on my bed under the covers. YET AGAIN, I was worried about my decision to tell them about the duck. We decided to go out and give it some bread and water. The duck walked up to out basement doorwall and layed down. I told Madison that we should let him rest.

As soon as Blake got off the bus, Madison told him about the duck. All three kids ran to the backyard. They named him, Cookie Dough. Blake decided that we should make a home/shelter for him. The blood had stopped and Cookie Dough was very sociable to us. It followed the kids around and quacked for some time. They thought it was great. I kept telling them that we can't keep it. I was worried about what Brett was going to say.

As soon as Brett came through the door, they told him that we had a duck on our porch. Brett just gave me a look... He immediately said, "We can't keep it". The kids showed it to Daddy!!!!! Brett just kept shaking his head at me. He thought that we were all too attached to Cookie Dough already. We played with the duck for the rest of the night.

At 5am the next morning, Caitlin woke me up to ask me if Cookie Dough was still there. I walked out to check. As soon as I told her, "YES", she jumped up and down clapping her hands. It was the cutest thing, even at 5am.

The kids were telling everyone about the duck. The next afternoon, we gave the duck a little shower. It loved getting hosed off.

Long story short, Brett walked the duck back into the woods, and the duck was gone. After tears, the kids were off to bed. I must say I was a little upset at Brett as well.

Two days later, after giving up hope of Cookie Doughs return, we heard quacking from next door while waiting for the school bus in the morning. Cookie Dough was back!!!! Thankfully at the neighbor's house this time. I told the kids that Cookie Dough had to stay there, but we could visit him. Brett was very happy with that decision. After our return from St. Louis, Cookie Dough was really gone. Not quite sure what happened, but I am sure that it was a happy ending!!!!!





Blake took great care of Cookie Dough.

Look at Caitlin's face, she was having a great time.