Birthdays Part I

Well, it's been a long while, but I was inspired tonight by reading Sadie's blog....so, here's a 'new' update...

We celebrated Robyn's 8th birthday today with a snow day and festivities throughout the day. Really, it was simple things during the day that she enjoyed...making 'dirt cake' with Mom, playing cars with her brothers, playing the Wii, making pizza dough, reading a book, snow fort with brothers, etc. It was special to have the whole day all together. It was also special to just focus on her. This year we've declared it 'birthday week' for whoever's birthday it is....that has made it nice this week. With four kids, it's good to have time to devote to just one. We are going to Naked Plates soon - she, Seth, and I...to pick out and paint a piece of pottery and then they glaze it. We went there at Christmas when Katelyn was in MI and N, R, K, and I loved it. Robyn drinks out of her cup almost every day. :)

We are thankful to have a sweet girl. There have been times recently where an attitude pops up in her or glimpses of 'teenage'ness (not a word) show, and that makes me frustrated and sad. I am praying for her to keep a sweet spirit. She really is a kind, gentle, happy girl. We have realized how much she enjoys having things to look forward to (the apple doesn't fall to far...) She is doing so well reading and is having a few friends over on Saturday to go sledding and have cake together. The older the kids get, the more I realize how important prayer is!! It has been great teaching in the same school she attends this year - we say goodbye at the start of the day and she is in my room at the end of the day! (the days I'm at school) She heads right to the snack closet - for being petite, she has food on the mind a lot! Tonight we enjoyed homemade pizza, breadsticks from BC in Sparta, tossed salad (K, R, R) / oranges (N, S, A), and dirt cake. We are celebrating her birthday and Mrs. Biggs' birthday in music class tomorrow at school. I think we will write a little poem as a class to chant to Mrs. Biggs before she comes in. Did you know chanting is an important part of music / preparing to sing?

We also get to watch our nieces Allyson and Taylor play basketball tomorrow night vs. Algoma Christian (just up the road). I am proud of how well they are doing and am looking forward to watching them! Nathan asked recently, "How come we always watch girls play basketball and not the boys?" Well, KC girls are currently undefeated....and our nieces play.....and well, we'll have to catch a boys game sometime. :)

Anyone still reading this? Writing is therapeutic...blogging seems more personal than FB? Maybe? Enjoy the freshness and beauty of the snow!

Sayings

The kids say things that take me off guard sometimes...they're very cute, insightful, or at times just odd.

Setting:

Tuesday morning, 7:15 a.m.

First day of the second semester. Kids have had a 3 1/2 day weekend.

Robyn - 1st grade.

N, R, S at island eating breakfast. Mom sitting at table eating breakfast. Mom feeling a touch nervous about the new semester - lots of new kids, needing to set a good tone in the class and get things going in the right direction, etc.

Robyn, in a sweet, thoughtful voice:

"Mom?"

"Yes, honey?"

"I've been thinking."

"Oh? What have you been thinking about?"

"I've been thinking ... [pause] ... I'm just ready to be done with school."

Oh dear. It's a LONG ways until 12th grade! I didn't bring that up! I said, "Oh, sis, you love Mrs. Vanderlaan and I bet you'll have a great day today. Sometimes it's hard - for me, too - to get back in the swing of things after a break." That seemed to help her, and off she went to finish her morning routine.

And, of course, she had a fine day! I relayed the conversation to my 10th graders, and one of them said, "Don't tell her it just gets 'boringer' when you get older!" "Umm - what was that? More boring?" "Yeah - that's what I meant."

Have your kids said anything funny lately?

Wanderings

Dad's B-day party - with the piano recitalists.

Sunset on vacation. Wow.

Father's Day at home - kids made him a poster

Beachin' it on vacation

That Father Son Campout was a blast! Seth fell asleep before the bus left the campground. :)

Curls and more curls. So cute.

We celebrated Ken's birthday in June with an overnight at the Shack in Jugville. Beautiful, quiet, peaceful = perfect!

He's a charmer...

The church goin' dudes...Seth selected the hat to wear with his Sundy' best.

Wanderings of the mind, in random order:

• Is anyone else (especially you with children) amazed at how fast your kitchen/dining room floor needs to be swept? The broom and I spend time together often and every time I am truly amazed how much 'stuff' I sweep up. So glad I don't have carpet in my wood floor areas!
• Walfield Park (Alpine/8 Mile) is such a great place. Go there if you haven't. We spent time today having a picnic in the spacious pavilion - which overlooks the nice playground - then romped around the play area. They have creative play equipment and lots of trees around, which creates a pleasant breeze. There's also a nature trail, but we didn't tackle that today. I think my friend Carolyn used to walk her dog on the nature trail area.
• Women from KCBC - we have nine people signed up for the IKEA trip on August 15 - we need to fill the bus a lot more than that! I've never been there, but have heard it's a 'destination all it's own!' Hoping I can go on the 15th for a Mom's Day Away. Sign up if you're interested. :)
• The 'big boys' (i.e. Ken, Nathan, Seth) had a ball at the Father/Son Campout last Thurs - Sat. They camped near Silver Lake and had a ball...when they got home they were dirty, tuckered, and glowing about their trip. Seth said, "I told Daddy that this was the BEST trip I've ever been on!" Nathan liked the wiffleball and sand dunes. They both liked hangin' out with Dad and other kids. How cool that Ken is so involved with the kids and they love it! There were 40 Dads and sons total. Thanks, Doug, for coordinating all the food - that's a BIG job for all those big eaters! Nathan especially liked the bacon and sausage. (something he doesn't get a ton of at home :)
• And while the boys were away, the Girls Played! Oh, and Aaron, too - he came along happily for the ride. I asked Robyn what was something she wanted to make with Mom and she chose Peanut Butter Kiss cookies. We had a tea party (once Aaron was in BED - he and tea parties do NOT go together!) We headed to Muskegon on Friday afternoon and did the noble and tiring task of getting their pictures taken (individually) at JC Penneys. The photos turned out great; the time it takes is always long and laborious. I wanted an update for the big frames in our stairwell. Check 'em out if you're over sometime! After that we met Grandpa Richards for dinner, a playground in Spring Lake, the Imagination Station in Grand Haven, and the musical fountain! Wow - a full and fun evening. It was enjoyable watching Grandpa interact with Aaron and Robyn - he always gets involved playing and having fun with the kids when we're with him, which they and we all love. Thanks, Granpda, for a fun night! By Sat afternoon we were ready to be a complete family again.
• Aaron enjoys handing his plate to you from his high chair when he's finished eating - OR wants more food. He gave big smiles to the photographer at the studio - for about 6 shots, then was DONE. Robyn smiled sweetly the entire time and asked me the next day if she could go get her pictures taken again. Amy, can you help me out here?
• Robyn is looking forward to getting her glasses soon. We had a screening done recently at a kids' event we were at, and the results indicated we should get her checked out. Sure enough, the glasses will really help her - not only in vision, but in helping both eyes work together well. I am SO glad I went on my intuition and got her checked that night - the dr expressed that they will help her a great deal. And in first grade, lots of things are happening academically that I wouldn't want her to struggle to see things. She asked me the next day if her glasses had come in yet!
• VBS is here!!! Our church is trying it in the evenings this year, after always hosting it in the mornings. The Vanderwest kids have been looking forward to VBS all summer. Day one went smoothly, lots of kids came, and all enjoyed Bible Study Outback, G’Day Café, Recreation Rock, Craft Crossings, the Opera House, and their fearless leaders: Crocodile Kendee, Wallaby Weeks, Billabong Bandicoot (aka Pastor Josh), & Kickin’ Koala Bair (Brian Bair – standin’ in for Pastor Derek)!! I'm helping with registration, the kitchen crew, and whatever the director (Crocodile Kendee) needs.
• Having our first Michigan corn on the cob tonight! Yum! Going to pick blueberries Thursday morning with the kids. The Fisher girls are coming over on Friday, which we always enjoy.
• The kids are currently playing their about 26th game of Uno Attack in the last week. Thank you to whichever family member gave this to us for Christmas!
• There's something about 'old' or long-time friends that is so special. My dear friend from growing up, Kristen (or "Buddy," as my brothers called her), now lives in Indianapolis with her husband and step-daughter. They came for a visit to MI and came over for dinner last week. It was so good to chat and catch up....the phrase "A friend is somehow who knows all about you and loves you anyway" comes to mind with my 'long-time' friends...and there's something soothing about them knowing your history and you knowing theirs, etc. We agreed we needed to catch up more often! She is sweet and kind and now helping her mom who has Alzheimer's - very hard, especially as Kristen is just 35 and an only child.
• We found wild blackberries and raspberries in our woods! Yum! The kids enjoy finding ripe berries. I checked to make sure there was no poison ivy in that area...ugh! Ken has had it 3 times this summer....yuck. Poor guy. Last time steriods took care of it, because his eye was swelling shut. :( We (that's the collective "we") are trying to eradicate it from our woods, but it is TENACIOUS stuff and "evil," as Ken says. Ugh.
• We had a fun birthday party for my Dad and all pitched in to purchase a cell phone for him! Six days later, after he read both manuals, he was ready to turn the phone on and make and receive calls. Woo Hoo! It was exciting the first time I couldn't reach him at home and called him on his phone and he answered! I think he'll like it - or at least his kids and friends will....
• Tonight we are having Michigan corn-on-the-cob for the first time tonight! Aren't all the fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables wonderful?! We are blessed! In the summers, my Mom often made veggies and fruits meals - all different types of recipes, and always tasty.
• It is now 4:30 and I need to have the crew to church by 5:30. Thanks for reading this meandering post

RV

May!

It's May - fun, sun, and activities!

*We have a graduate on our hands! Robyn graduates from kindergarten tomorrow and is awfully excited. We have been hearing renditions of patriotic songs for the past weeks and it will be nice to hear the whole class. I am taking a personal day and we're having our grandparents over for lunch afterwards. Her menu choice? Pizza, of course! She just ran upstairs (5:15 pm) to set out her special dress for tomorrow. She is so sweet and cute.

*I was told by Mrs. Rich (Nathan's teacher) that she has seen him blossom so much this year and how fun that's been to see. She said, "I had to ask him to stop talking recently and it surprised the whole class, including Nathan and myself!" Haha. He has a field day and carnival time next week with his class.

*Aaron's current favorite spot to climb? The CENTER of the kitchen table. Sigh. Each time he is reprimanded, taken down, and I think he seems to be understanding more...He loves charging around the house and makes us smile a lot.

*We sure love our woods! I have been planting some flowers and they look pretty next to the woods. However, I am NOT loving the amount of BUGS!! They are BUGGING me! Tiny gnats to famished mosquitoes-ugh! Also, Ken and my allergies are going bonkers - currently taking two Clarinex a day, instead of my normal one.

*Seth is reading all of his Cubbies verses to me from the past year - recognizes some of the words and says the whole verse. Isn't that awesome?! AWANA is a great program. Ken and I had such good experiences in AWANA as children (perhaps 80% of the verses I know are from memorizing them in AWANA). How cool that all three kids passed their books this year - Nathan earned a Sparky award for all three years!! Passing from one generation to another - exactly like the Bible commands us.

*Just found out that my good friend Cathy, from college, will be coming to West MI for a visit this summer! Melanie, Cathy, and I are planning a girls day together - haven't seen Cathy since 1997-way too long! Her brother just relocated to Holland, MI, for a job (YES - someone COMING to MI for a job! :) and she's visiting him. She's lived in TX and FL for many years.

Stop by soon for pics of our new grad. :)

Cutie Pies

I went online tonight to check out the Eagle Report, Kent City Schools' monthly newsletter to the community. What a happy surprise to see two familiar, darling faces smiling at me from my screen! Isn't that fun?! The caption underneath is great, too, and true for our kiddos!

(And yes, I did read much of the newsletter, too. :)

Click here.

P.S. Jasmine is Robyn's "bestest" friend.

Uninspired

Not much to say (unusual, I know)...but thought I should check in.

Robyn got a ticket this week. I was concerned when I heard this. Come to find out a 'ticket' is a good thing in elementary! When teachers/staff "catch" the students doing good things, being kind, etc., they give 'tickets' out. Robyn's name was called over the loudspeaker out of the basket that had all the kindergartners' tickets as this month's winner!! She got to choose her prize - she chose a soft, brown, medium-sized Curious George monkey. Not too small, not too big...just right for my girl. She was cute when I picked her up after school. She told Ken and Nathan, "Don't tell Mom what's in my backpack!" When we got home, she grinned, slowly opened her backpack, held George out to me and said, "Look!" I asked her why she had received it and she responded because she got tickets. Figuring it was an incentive and a positive thing, I asked how she had received the tickets. Her response? "I don't know, but I like George." Ahhhhh.

Of course her older brother knew how and why people earned tickets. "Like if you straighten the boots without being asked or are kind or helpful to someone, that's how you get tickets." I asked him if he cheered when Robyn's name was called. He said, "Well, not exactly, but I was happy for her!" I love to see my children getting along, watching out and rooting for each other!

We were happy, too, and now George is safely tucked in her arms each night. Tonight she said she wanted to get rid of one of the dolls at the end of her bed "because I have George now and I need a place to put him during the day." The Fisher girls were fresh on our minds, as they had played here this evening, so I asked Robyn if she would like to give her doll to Emma. (I'd noticed that Emma had carried this doll around tonight) Robyn's response? "No, I'd like to sell the doll to her." Hmmmm . . . obviously I've talked about selling things at garage sales with her.....

I hope Emma, age 3, receives an allowance. Maybe I'll slip her some money.

Fall Tidbits

Thoughts from the Homefront:

• Wow, have the standards changed! Aaron and I were in the kitchen this afternoon and he discovered that exciting kitchen "toy" - the dog's water! Of course it was immediately turned over (thankfully only 1/4 full). My response? I ran for the towel and when I came back, watched him happily patting and slapping the floor and having a grand time with the water. My next response? Let him enjoy himself as I sat and watched him soak himself and listened to him 'chatter' away.


• New fitness workout routine discovered! If you're in need of a varied, active, interesting fitness routine, I suggest . . . volunteering in a kindergarten classroom! I did this for 1.5 hours this morning in Robyn's classroom and it was a happening place. They were doing learning labs, including art, science, math, writing, ABC, and muscle strength labs. They do one lab each time it is learning lab time. Robyn was assigned to art lab today and she cut out a white pumpkin and then tore small parts of green (stem) and orange (pumpkin) paper and glued them on her paper. She enjoyed it and did a nice job. I asked Mrs. Taylor if I could call her if I needed a workout and could come volunteer. :) She had everything so organized and the children knew what they were to do. It was eye-opening what a range of student abilities are present in kindergarten. The best part of the volunteering (I'm scheduled once per month) was Robyn's quiet smiles whenever ours eyes caught each other during my time there. She's been asking when I get to come to her class. It was fun to give her a little hug when I was near her and to sit next to her at lunchtime in the lunch room. She has adjusted to the schedule of kindergarten and often tells us interesting things Mrs. T. taught them. She rather adores Mrs. T., which I think is a special thing for a little girl and her first year in school.


• Bought a bushel of 'seconds' - Courtland & Paula Red varieties. Borrowed a strainer (is that what it's called?) and plan to make & freeze applesauce. My Grandma Richards made a wonderful chunky applesauce, which I made last year. I loved it, but Nathan told me he preferred the 'smooth kind' so we'll try that this year.


• We were able to go on a date Saturday and saw the new movie Fireproof. We knew it featured Kirk Cameron (ooh - a heart-throb of mine during my adolescent years!) and that it was a Christian movie. We weren't sure what to expect as far as the quality of the movie...and we were pleasantly surprised. It had an engaging story line, believable characters, moments of humor in a serious plot, and shared God's love and message clearly. The actors weren't professionals, and that was obvious in spots, but all in all it was impacting - for a marriage in any state, whether strong or suffering - and I highly recommend seeing it. Apparently, even though it is a 'low-budget' film, it has had very high ratings among theatre-goers! Both Ken & I and the couple we went with were touched by the movie's themes. I think anyone who has ever been through troubled times during any relationship can relate to this storyline....I know we all did. Go check it out if you have the chance! It will make you smile, cry (at one poignant spot toward the end of the movie, you could hear sniffling all over our theatre), and think about your relationships with those around you....the real deal.


• Ahh - the weather has been gorgeous here in Kent City/West MI this past week! Love the warm temps and the vibrant fall colors, which seemed to have popped the past few days! Whether driving up our driveway or standing on the deck looking out at the woods, the fall foliage surrounding our home is stunning to me. I can't believe we have so many trees around us - so pretty! We took a family walk on Sunday to our favorite Howard Christiansen Nature Center and wow - the smell of fall was pervasive, the paths crackled with our footsteps, and we were all reminded of what a Master Artist God is.


• Cubbies is Wednesday night - Seth LOVES attending and is proud that he remembers his verse each week. Last week on the 3 mile route to church, he repeated his verse over and over again. Mom: "Seth, do you think you could stop repeating it, please?" "But I don't want to forget it!" Do you know how many times a 3 year old can repeat John 3:33 in 3 miles? Approximately 17. :) And then I thought more about his words - he kept repeating because he didn't want to forget God's Word and Promises. Hmmm - from the mouths of babes.

Ken reminded me that he thinks people enjoy reading short blog entries. Is that true for you? I responded that since my readers weren't my students, they could choose whether to read or not. Being concise is not a skill I possess, but one I should work on...

Enjoy God's artistry today! :)

There She Goes...

We're ready to roll!!They sure like each other...Nathan's been telling her lots of the good things about school lately & they were eager to go this morning.
. . . not just a walkin' down the street, because we don't live down from the school any longer. Instead, she, Daddy, and Nathan piled into the truck this morning, and she headed off to kindergarten. She was excited and cute, with her big smile, jean skirt with polka dots (aren't polka dots on little girls the cutest thing?!) and bright pink shirt with a flower on the front. She is a sweet girl. Lord, please keep her sweet and help her teacher, classmates, and others to be kind to her. Keep her safe - emotionally and physically. Help her cultivate a love of learning! Please keep her heart tender and loving. Maximize the positive influences and minimize the negative. May she show others she loves You! Above all, please help her learning and interactions mold her into a godly little girl and young lady. Thank you for Mrs. Taylor, her nurturing, Christian teacher.

My mother's heart is happy for her (she has been looking forward to this for some time) as well as a bit wistful & sad. There's something about seeing your little girl head off into the big world that catches in the throat.

(I know this is blurry, but so "Robyn" -)

I wrote all the above this morning; now I write the following (10 pm):

She was happy when she left; she was happy afterwards! Big smiles & hugs, joy oozing out of her, and wow what a difference in how much she shares! Things from strategies how Mrs. Taylor gets their attention (a clapping repetition they repeat) to how they sit (criss-cross-applesauce) to where she puts her lunch bag to how hot it was at recess "so we had quiet time afterwards - but not rest time, Mom" (i.e. no sleeping)! Very cute to hear it all and Ken smiled as he knows I crave to hear from Nathan what's happening but he's a boy of fewer words. My heart is grateful and light for her now and I know she is in our Father's Hands! At dinner we asked everyone to share something they liked about their day. Robyn: "Recess and lunch!" Nathan: "Lunch and Recess." "Math, too." and Seth: "Playing at Mrs. Rivard's." Seth was sad to see his sister and brother head off to school and I'm glad he had something fun to do, too.

Here's to a great first day! Let's remember to pray for our kids & grandkids who are in school.