I heard the sad news today that Randy Paush, the Carnegie Mellon professor who became famous through his talk entitled, "The Last Lecture," lost his battle with pancreatic cancer today. I watched his lecture on You Tube (viewed now by 8+ million), read his book (both his speech and book were for his three young children when they are older - and have been following his health/life on his website. He was truly inspiring (rather humorous, too!) and was an outstanding example of how to truly LIVE life. If you haven't viewed it, it's really worth the watch: The Last Lecture and the book (by the same title) is well worth the read.
His story and personal blog: here
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tidbits
My latest edition of Good Housekeeping had some interesting facts:
- "Running a full dishwasher uses half the water and energy-or less-of washing the same dishes by hand. Another water saver: Don't rinse before loading." (are you compulsed to rinse before loading? I was, too, until I met my new dishwasher - no rinsing=squeaky clean and less water used!)
- "The more sodium kids consume, the more liquid they drink - too often, calorie-heavy soda that packs on pounds, researchers discovered. 'More than 50 percent of children's fluid intake is soft drinks.'" (!)
- "Since over 20 percent of kids' calories come from snacks, they should be a nutritious part of your child's diet." (our favorite healthy snack is a banana milkshake - bananas, ice cubes, milk, vanilla in blender-of course served with a straw).
- "The period from two to five is such a critical time in child development and you can really set good eating habits," says Deanna Pagnini, the author of the report. (this one was from a different article)
Interesting.
What do you do to help your kids and family be healthy?
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Rollin' and Campin'!
He's on the move! A couple of days ago the five of us watched eagerly as Aaron, with a great amount of effort, rolled from back to tummy! We all cheered for him and it was so cute to see him look up with a surprised look at first and then a big grin! I often call our boy "Happiness and Joy" - he is precious and his big smiles light a room.
Well! We made it through the camping excursion! Someone told me later I was brave for going. After a day Rhonda realized that camping = dirt, and that's the way it is! The last time we camped was in a tent when Nathan was one, and I had not remembered how much dirt there was!
And my question for you: Is it really camping when you can use your wireless internet from inside the pop-up camper? We could connect to the ranger station from our site on our laptop. We really didn't use it much - I promise! :) My brother, who enjoys rustic campgrounds with his young children (i.e. porta potties, no showers) called me a "Pampered Princess." I call him crazy.
I will share with you the email exchange my good friend, Melanie (mother of five) had:
Melanie: (written as I was preparing to go) "Did you know I went camping last spring and vowed not to do it again until Jacob is five years old? Think of it as working towards many wonderful happy memories for your children."
Rhonda: (written after we'd been camping for half a day) "Ken said this morning, “You let me know when it’s the part of camping that you like, ok?” We’re at the campground – I had FORGOTTEN how much mud/dirt there is – ewww! But I’m not going to stress out about it…I decided that I didn’t want my kids to remember camping as “mom stressed about the dirt."
And now a current update from me: "We had a great time and all enjoyed ourselves very much - from fun Jellystone activities for the kids to the awesome dune rides to reading a book to just being together." Will I go camping again? Happily - but I don't think tents and our family would get along. The pop-up was great, and I think we're going to head out again in August.
Highlights:
Robyn saying the day we got back, "Can we go camping again sometime?"
Seth's prayer the first day: "Thank you, God, for this happy day. I like camping!"
Tie-dying t-shirts with the kids. I'll have to get a picture of them for you.
The kiddie pool and big pool at the campground! All 3 do well on their own in the water - Nathan with no noodle, Robyn with one noodle, Seth with two noodles.
Finding a cove where Silver Lake meets Lake Michigan. The tidal basin had shallow water that we all played in.
NO Schedule! (well, except for being aware of what time it was so the kids could hit the various kids' activities!)
Watching Nathan ride all over on his bike (two wheels only)
Reading aloud Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux each day to the kids.
From Ken - sitting and reading The Hobbit
Eating sticky s'mores by the campfire - mmm!
The gorgeous mixture of azure sky, sugar sand dunes, Lake MI views, and going up, down, and all around the sand dunes with our fun driver, "Weazy," on the Dune Rides.
Driving through beautiful Pentwater, with its picturesque boats and calm waters, on the way home.
Eating a tasty meal at Bob Evans on the way home. I sure like their food - especially after eating campground food for a week!
Will post pics soon.
Well! We made it through the camping excursion! Someone told me later I was brave for going. After a day Rhonda realized that camping = dirt, and that's the way it is! The last time we camped was in a tent when Nathan was one, and I had not remembered how much dirt there was!
And my question for you: Is it really camping when you can use your wireless internet from inside the pop-up camper? We could connect to the ranger station from our site on our laptop. We really didn't use it much - I promise! :) My brother, who enjoys rustic campgrounds with his young children (i.e. porta potties, no showers) called me a "Pampered Princess." I call him crazy.
I will share with you the email exchange my good friend, Melanie (mother of five) had:
Melanie: (written as I was preparing to go) "Did you know I went camping last spring and vowed not to do it again until Jacob is five years old? Think of it as working towards many wonderful happy memories for your children."
Rhonda: (written after we'd been camping for half a day) "Ken said this morning, “You let me know when it’s the part of camping that you like, ok?” We’re at the campground – I had FORGOTTEN how much mud/dirt there is – ewww! But I’m not going to stress out about it…I decided that I didn’t want my kids to remember camping as “mom stressed about the dirt."
And now a current update from me: "We had a great time and all enjoyed ourselves very much - from fun Jellystone activities for the kids to the awesome dune rides to reading a book to just being together." Will I go camping again? Happily - but I don't think tents and our family would get along. The pop-up was great, and I think we're going to head out again in August.
Highlights:
Robyn saying the day we got back, "Can we go camping again sometime?"
Seth's prayer the first day: "Thank you, God, for this happy day. I like camping!"
Tie-dying t-shirts with the kids. I'll have to get a picture of them for you.
The kiddie pool and big pool at the campground! All 3 do well on their own in the water - Nathan with no noodle, Robyn with one noodle, Seth with two noodles.
Finding a cove where Silver Lake meets Lake Michigan. The tidal basin had shallow water that we all played in.
NO Schedule! (well, except for being aware of what time it was so the kids could hit the various kids' activities!)
Watching Nathan ride all over on his bike (two wheels only)
Reading aloud Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux each day to the kids.
From Ken - sitting and reading The Hobbit
Eating sticky s'mores by the campfire - mmm!
The gorgeous mixture of azure sky, sugar sand dunes, Lake MI views, and going up, down, and all around the sand dunes with our fun driver, "Weazy," on the Dune Rides.
Driving through beautiful Pentwater, with its picturesque boats and calm waters, on the way home.
Eating a tasty meal at Bob Evans on the way home. I sure like their food - especially after eating campground food for a week!
Will post pics soon.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Summer Snapshots -
Aaron - almost 4 months - such big blue eyes he has!
We sure like each other!
Snoozin' in my Hawaiian garb...
A typical Aaron look - he loves to grin!
Backyard camping
I got CHOCOLATE for my birthday!
Opening a birthday presentMore pics to come after our week of camping!
How long does it take the Vanderwests...
...to pack for 4-5 days of camping? Quite a while!! We're getting organized to head up to Silver Lake Monday-Friday. I remember my mom-in-law (mother of six) saying, "Camping - all the work of home with none of the conveniences!" :) She has a valid point! But, we're really looking forward to some time away - just hangin' out with each other. The kids are very excited - have been counting the number of 'sleeps' for a couple of weeks now. We had a great 4th up north at the cabin - we were with our parents and the Panaggios are back in town from Peru (kids ages 14-21) - our kids adore their older cousins. It was great to be with some other family from out of state, too - such nice people! (uncles, aunts, etc.)
Back to packing - Yogi Bear here we come! If you think of anything we must remember, let me know!
Back to packing - Yogi Bear here we come! If you think of anything we must remember, let me know!
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