Kyle's First Razor

Saturday morning, I was researching the best way to teach a child how to ride a bike. One of the most prominant pieces of advice was having him use a Razor scooter so that he could get the feel of balancing on two wheels. I thought it was a great idea. So, we decided that we would pick one up when we were all at the mall later that afternoon. We were planning to get him one anyway, so this just sped up the purchase. When we returned home, Tracey put it together and Kyle took it for a spin. They started outside, but came in and used it in the basement because it was a little too cold. She said he was starting to get the hang of it, but needed more practice. Today, we played outside for several hours and he improved quickly. He loves it and he is already getting the feel for balancing on two wheels. In fact, I took the training wheels off his bike and he rode it down the grass slope a few times before he wanted to get back on the scooter. I think that he will be riding the two-wheeler before we know it. See below for the photos of Kyle on the scooter. Plus, you will see that Clara was enjoying her stroller as well!

Coopersville Carnival

When I picked Kyle up from daycare on Friday, he and his buddy, Noah, asked if Kyle could go to the carnival. I asked when it was and they informed me it started at 5:30pm, which was in 15 minutes! Since it was the end of the week and I was feeling a little tired, I was looking forward to a relaxing evening. Needless to say, I thought it would be fun for Kyle, so I took him to the carnival while Tracey stayed at home with Clara.

The carnival was at Coopersville East Elementary. I was suprised by how many families were there. I would guess that there were probably about 500-1000 people that filtered through there that evening. I say 500-1000, because the 50/50 drawing was for $500. Anyway, we bought tickets as soon as we got there so Kyle could play games. At the first event, we ran into Noah. They ended up participating in every event together. It was actually pretty fun to watch them have such a good time. I am glad we went.

Original Prints by Kyle

When I picked Kyle up from daycare today, one of his teachers made a point to tell me how talented Kyle was with drawing. It turns out that he drew three pictures of super heroes freehand and only from memory. Look at the pictures and see if you can tell who they are. Additionally, his buddy, Noah, let me know that Kyle drew Batman for him so that he could color it! Tracey and I are pretty amazed at his newly discovered talent.

Easter Photos

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, everyone! We had a great day today.

Craig and I awoke to Kyle running into our bedroom this morning, yelling "Mommy/Daddy, the Easter Bunny came and he left me a basket!" He was super excited . . . . it was adorable. Our family tradition is to leave Easter baskets in the kids bedrooms so they see them when they wake up. This has been a hit so far.

After waking up and going through the Easter baskets, we had pancakes for breakfast. For some reason, I decided to try making bunny shaped pancakes, and they actually turned out (see picture above). Craig made one too, but his looked like Mickey Mouse . . . . still cute, though. :) I thought the shapes might entice Clara to eat a pancake, but no luck there.

After breakfast, we had an Easter egg hunt inside our house. We do this every year. Basically, we fill plastic eggs with candy and hide them all over the house for the kids to find. Kyle and Clara both enjoyed doing this and really got into it this year. It was a lot of fun!

Another Easter activity we enjoy is coloring Easter eggs. Craig typically takes the lead on this project (I prefer making easter egg Jello Jigglers). Anyway, Craig and Kyle colored and decorated the eggs while Clara took a nap. I served as the event photographer, and got some cute photos.

Overall, it was a fun-filled, happy Easter for us here at home. We hope you all enjoyed the day, too.

Happy Birthday, Craig!

Craig's birthday was yesterday. He is 34 years old . . . . can you believe that!

We celebrated by getting a babysitter and going out for dinner. Craig chose the restaurant since it was his birthday, and we went to the Olive Garden in Muskegon. The Olive Garden is one of our favorite restaurants, although we have many favorites! We always have a nice meal there.

After dinner, we went to Barnes and Nobles so Craig could look for a book on Ironman nutrition, and then Target. We also went for dessert at Marble Slab Creamery, which is a LOT like Cold Stone Creamery. We were both in the mood for ice cream. We don't normally indulge in such yummy treats, but it was Craig's birthday, after all. :)

Happy birthday, Craig! :)

Week in Review

This past week was so busy, I didn't have much time to update our blog. So, this entry will serve as a "week in review."

Monday
Last Monday, Clara and I started a Kindermusik Our Time class! If you are not familiar with Kindermusik, here is a description of the program:

Our Time encourages your child to uncover an engaging musical world while building confidence, self-control and communications skills. Singing, imitating sounds, rhyming and object identification foster language skills, while creative movement to various musical “moods” develops a sense of balance, timing and spatial awareness. Listening and turn-taking encourage blossoming social skills.

Our Time reflects the emotional foundations of school readiness and the latest research on music and early childhood development. Our Time is a unique opportunity for parent and child to interact and learn together in an unhurried and joyful manner.

I was a little nervous about starting this class, but Clara did very well. We sang songs, listened to music, played with musical instruments and met new friends. I am looking forward to our next class, and our time together. Clara loves music and dancing!

Tuesday
Tuesday was another busy day. After getting home from work, our builder (who we call "Curt the builder") came over to discuss our deck project. Craig has been working diligently on different sketches of what we want, and he has done a great job. I was very impressed with his work on this! Anyway, we are very excited about building our deck. We have gone two summers without one, so it is definitely time to add one to the house.

After Curt the builder left, Kyle and I went to Kindergarten Roundup. Okay, for all of you moms out that who have not yet experienced Kindergarten Roundup, here is a piece of advice - find out ahead of time if your child is supposed to come with you or not. I assumed that he should come with me (it is Kindergarten Roundup, right), and the program was really designed for parents. There were a few other kids there, but not very many! Fortunately, Kyle was very good and he sat through a 50 minute PowerPoint presentation. I was a nervous wreck the whole time though, because we were in the second row, behind ALL of the kindergarten teachers and the principal. Talk about not wanting to make a scene! Overall, the program was very informative and Kyle is excited about starting kindergarten in the fall.

Wednesday
Nothing too exciting happened on Wednesday. I had a hair appointment after work at Design 1. It was nice to have some "me" time and some girl talk with my hair stylist. :) Craig managed to squeeze in a late workout when I got home.

Thursday
Kyle had show-n-tell at Preschool on Thursday. He took in some ribbons from his fun runs this past summer. He is very proud of them. Kyle also had vision and hearing tests this week at Preschool, and he passed both of them. :)

Friday
TGIF! It was a busy week for us. We don't normally have so many evening activities as we did this past week. Oh well - at least the week went by fast. :)

Soccer Player

Kyle is gearing up for soccer. Last weekend, we went and bought most of his equipment. We are all very excited for the season to start!

Kyle and Clara: Out and About

Hello Again!

I finally feel like writing again. I am sure we are boring you all with our miserable week of illness, but it has really been bad! I went back to work on Thursday even though I shouldn't have. I was feeling guilty because I missed the day before plus I had to present to a group of 50 people, so I stuck it out. There were times that I was shaking at my desk because I was so cold. I managed to make it through the day and by the next morning, I was feeling pretty well. Tracey on the other hand, was not doing as well. She was over the flu, but still had bronchitis. Today, he doctor instructed her to go to ER for a chest X-Ray, which was normal. She at least was prescribed antibiotics, so she should begin to feel better soon. I am hopeful we will be at 100% sometime this coming week.

Kyle and Clara are doing very well. Clara is constantly walking around the house singing "Bah, Bah, Black Sheep...." and various other tunes. It is very cute. Kyle is keeping busy playing on the computer and with his monster trucks.

Last night, we watched Bee Movie. Kyle loved it and watched it again this morning. One cool thing we learned while watching the previews is that Madagascar II is coming out this November. We can't wait as we really enjoyed the first one. We own it and have watched it probably 15 times.

Training for Ironman was rough this week with all of the illness. Yesterday, I managed to get in a 5 mile run outside, which really hurt my lungs. Today, I rode my bike on the indoor trainer for 90 minutes. It felt good and I was able to finish watching American Gangster while doing it! I am supposed to run 12 tomorrow, but I may cut it back a little due to the reduced volume this week.

Monday, Clara and Tracey are going to Kindermusik. I think they will have a blast! We will fill you in on how it goes.

Tuesday, Curt the Builder is coming over to discuss our deck plans! We cannot wait! Finally, we are going to have a deck. We will certainly post pictures when it is underway. We are really excited.

Well, I think that catches you up on everything for the moment. I will write again soon.

Craig

Fever in the Morning!

Craig and I both woke up with fevers this morning. Mine was 101 degrees and Craig's was 103.3 degrees! Needless to say, we both stayed home from work. Yes, even Craig, who has only missed one day of work in the last ten years, stayed home. I don't think either one of us has ever been so sick!

Fortunately, we both managed to get doctor appointments at 11:00 today. I was tested for strep, which came back negative, and the flu, which came back positive. My doctor called it the Tammy flu, which is that really awful flu strand that is going around this year. I asked her if she has seen many cases and she said yes, but I was the only person she has seen who also had a flu shot (I get one every year). She said there have been some breakthrough cases, and apparently, I am one of them. She prescribed me some meds, and they are beginning to work. I asked about returning to work, and she said I should stay home today and tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be back to work on Friday.

Craig's diagnosis was a sinus infection, although I think he might have the flu, too. He is still running a fever tonight of 101.5 degrees. They prescribed him an antibiotic, but advised him to wait until tomorrow to take it, and only if he wasn't feeling better. Considering his fever tonight, I encouraged him to start taking it right away, which he did.

Kyle and Clara are both healthy and will hopefully, stay that way. This afternoon, before they came home from daycare, I stripped all our beds, and washed everyone's sheets, towels and blankets. Craig and I opened up all the windows in the house to let some fresh air in, and I wiped down every knob and drawer handle in the house with Lysol wipes. We also wiped down our cell phones, remote controls, baby monitor, baby gate, and other items we routinely touch. Tomorrow, I plan to wipe down door knobs and light switches. I am determined to kill any and all germs that might be lurking in our house!

This has been the worst cold and flu season for us, ever. I am so ready for spring!

Wellness Update

Clara and Kyle are well.

Tracey and I are not.

We need rest.

We'll write more soon.

Who's Ready for Monster Jam?

For the second year in a row, Kyle and I went to Monster Jam at the Van Andel Arena! We had a super time! Kyle is a big fan of the sport. He has collected over 15 Hot Wheels Monster Jam trucks and watches the events on the Speed channel whenever he can. Our seats were outstanding and we were able to get up close to his favorite truck and driver (Maximum Destruction - Tom Meents). See the pictures before and during the event. On the way home we decided to end the great afternoon by picking up a few Shamrock Shakes!

Girl Scout Cookies

Our Girl Scout cookies arrived this week! Does anybody else out there enjoy Girl Scout cookies like we do? This year we ordered three boxes - one Thin Mints, one Caramel deLites, and one Peanut Butter Patties. Every year, it seems like someone from either my workplace or Craig's workplace brings in an order form on behalf of their daughter, and we are always happy to oblige. Maybe it is because Girl Scout cookies are available just once a year, which makes them so special . . . . . . or maybe it is because I used to be a Girl Scout and can remember going door to door selling them. Whatever the reason, my favorite kind are the Caramel deLites and Craig enjoys the Thin Mints. I think this is my mom's favorite kind, too. I can remember her buying the Thin Mints when I was a kid and freezing them. Have you ever done that? They are very yummy that way.

So, I am curious to know . . . . . what is your favorite Girl Scout cookie? Take our poll (located on the right hand side of our blog) and let us know what you think! We've been wanting to try this option out and I think this is the perfect opportunity. Plus, who doesn't enjoy Girl Scout cookies? :)

Clara's Dr. Appointment

Clara went to the doctor today. I was anxious to take her because she ran a high fever most of last night. When we put her to bed, she did not have a fever, but by the time we checked on her before we went to bed, it was 104.4 degrees! Thank goodness her body reacts well to motrin, which always bring her fevers down. We set our alarm clock multiple times during the night so we could get up and check on her. I always worry so much about her when she gets a high fever. Anyway, she woke up with a 99/100 temperature this morning, but it was back up to 102.2 by the time we arrived at the doctors office. Our pediatrician checked her ears and surprisingly, there were fine. She also tested Clara for possible strep throat and the results were negative. Her diagnosis was a virus, which is just simply going around right now. Our doctor said the fever could last for as long as five days. So, it looks like we will be staying close to home this weekend and trying to get her better.

One last thing about her doctor appointment - Clara weighed in at 19 pounds, which was an increase of one pound from her last weight check. She is still not on the weight or height charts, but she is progressing just as Kyle did at her age.

The Vole Report

Since my last post regarding the voles being back, I did a couple of things. First, I called in the professionals to get a quote for extermination. When I received the ridiculously expensive estimate back I determined that I was going to have to do this myself. So, I performed more investigation. It seems that the damage is contained to a very small portion of my yard and flower bed. They have caused minimal damage in the grass as they chewed little runways in an area of about 15x15. I think it will just fill back in on its own. Also, they have completely eaten an entire Pacific Blue Juniper, but have not touched anything else. So, I think I can handle it. Last night I researched how to destroy them and learned that I would have to do a three pronged approach.

1. Preventative - I have to get rid of their hideout. This will be easy as Clara and I noticed a couple of them go in and out of their little hole under a boulder and beneath some ornamental grass that I should have cut back last year.

2. Chemical - Since I know where they live, they are getting the gas.

3. Physical - Snap traps!

I know Cam will respond back saying that they are cute and cuddly, but he obviously doesn't have them around his yard. If he wants, I will use a live trap and bring them over to his yard to serve as his pet! ;)

I am planning to declare war this weekend and will keep you posted. I will be victorious in this war.

Wellness Update

Here is a quick wellness update on our family. Kyle started out the week with a pretty nasty cold and all of its usual symptoms. He seems to be getting better, slowly but surely - thank goodness. Craig sounded pretty horrible too, but also seems to be doing better now. I think it may have something to do with all of his workouts, lack of sleep, etc.! Clara and I have both been healthy until today. She woke up with a a fever of 101 degrees. Fortunately, Craig was able to stay home with her and give her lots of TLC. Her fever came down after some motrin, but went back up to 103.3 by late afternoon. I think she may be getting another ear infection. We have a doctor appointment scheduled for tomorrow. She was also exposed to strep throat this week at daycare, so we shall see.

The original reason for Clara's doctor appointment tomorrow is for her three month weight check. Clara is not on the weight or height charts anymore, so her pediatrician has us come in every three months to make sure she is progressing. So far, she seems to be following in Kyle's footsteps with her growth. Our pediatrician also ordered some bloodwork to be done on Clara (just like we did for Kyle early on) and that came back normal. On a positive note, Clara is already bigger than Kyle was at two years of age, and her two year birthday is not until June. Kyle was only 19 pounds at two, and Clara is already 20 pounds, so that is a good sign. We'll find out tomorrow where she stands, officially.

Craig just got home from the YMCA, so I will sign off for now. I will encourage him to give some updates on our vole situation. He is determined to "get them" and it is quite amusing! :)

Kyle at Preschool

Here is a recent picture of Kyle at preschool. Check out the picture he drew of Craig and I. :)

Wellness

Something is going around in our house. Kyle has not been well for the past few days as he has been suffering from a low-grade fever, cough, and runny nose. And, I (Craig) am starting to sound like I may have something in the works. I am hopeful that we can get rid of it before this weekend as Kyle and I have tickets to Monster Jam!!!

That is all I have to say about that.

The Vole Is Back!

Tonight I learned that the Vole is back! This winter he has torn up a good chunk of my lawn and even feasted on one of my Pacific Blue Junipers. Last year, I spent many hours outside hunting him down and thought I had taken care of him for good. I was wrong. When I was outside investigating the damage I had a feeling that I was being watched by him. I felt as though he was laughing at me. Little does he know that I have decided to call in the professionals. No more will I be outside for hours waiting for him to show his head. Nor will I be spending countless dollars on useless bait and smoke bombs. I mean business and will not rest until he is gone. Until then, I have to wait while the little varmin continues to wreck everything in his sights. I will keep you posted.

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

Check out this video of Clara dancing. It is very cute.

Busy Day

Today was a busy day for us. The day went something like this:

• Kyle got a haircut first thing this morning. While we were out, we washed the car and dropped off some clothes for repair.
• Kyle and I returned home to pick-up Tracey and Clara for a trip to get Kyle's and Clara's blood drawn for some tests. When we arrived at the hospital, we learned that Kyle was supposed to be fasting. Needless to say, only Clara had her blood drawn. And, as you can imagine, it was an exciting event.
• Following the hospital visit, it was off to Panera Bread for lunch and then Target for some clothes shopping for the kids.
• Finally, we arrived at home where I rode my bike for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Yes, my butt hurts! While riding, Clara took a nap for some of it, then played with Kyle and Tracey for the remainder of the time.
• Lastly, we just put the kids down for bed! Ahhhhhh....time to relax!