Coast Guard Run

This past weekend Tracey and Kyle participated in the Coast Guard 10K run and one mile fun run, respectively. Tracey's race started at 9am while Kyle's started at 9:30am, so we all piled in the car at about 7:45am to make it in time for packet pick-up. When we arrived, it was super busy due to all of the Coast Guard Festival activities, including the 5K, which started at 8am. So, Clara and I dropped Tracey and Kyle off at the start/finish and planned to meet back up with them before the races. While searching for a parking spot, we somehow ended up on the 5K course and were forced to stop behind about 5 other cars due to the police blocking traffic for the race. After sitting there for about 10 minutes, I realized that they were going to keep us there until the race was complete, thus missing Tracey's start. So, I jumped out and ran up to the policeman and explained our situation. Fortunately, he understood and let me go around everyone and park at the city beach, which was about 1 mile from where Tracey and Kyle were at. After parking, Clara got in the stroller and we were off. Since there were no good routes available, we joined the 5K race where we were cruising through the field finally meeting up with Tracey and Kyle about 15 minutes before the start! Whew.

As for the races, Tracey's 10K course was changed this year and was much more challenging. It included two of the steepest hills that I have ever run on. Given the heat and those hills, I was glad it was her running and not me. Despite the difficulty, she raced well and had an outstanding time of 56:54. As usual, Kyle was the loudest fan in the crowd when he saw his mommy! It was clear that he was very proud of her - as were Clara and I too.

While Tracey was running her race, Kyle ran in the one mile fun run. We weren't sure how he would do with the longer distance (he had only run a 1/2 mile before), but we were anxious to find out. At 9:30, the horn sounded and we were off, Kyle up front and Clara and I following behind with the stroller. About 1 minute into the run, Clara was crying, so we had to stop - Kyle kept going. We were stopped for about 45 seconds and then took off as fast as possible to catch back up with Kyle. He was going so fast, that it took us to about the last 200-300 yards before we caught back up. He was near the front of the pack and looking strong. He finished in about 8 minutes! That is pretty darn fast for a 5-year old! We were all very proud of him too. Notice the picture my friend took of him. You will see Kyle booking it and Clara and I right behind him. Also notice the "big kid" that Kyle was beating.

Messy Play

See the messy child in the picture? That will be Clara soon . . . . . very soon.

The folks at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital told us yesterday that Clara has oral aversions and sensory aversions. In other words, she has reluctance or refusal to feeding and eating. She also has reluctance or refusal to touching foods and objects. She will need feeding therapy three times a week for the next three months.

In the meantime, we are to supposed to start having "messy play" at home with her. What is messy play? "Messy play" can involve sand, water, clay, mud (yes, mud!), playdough, glues, paints, soaps, shaving cream and other interesting materials. Different textures and consistencies will help her get used to different sensations and get a "feel" for hands and fingers.

This weekend I will be going shopping for some messy play supplies. Does anyone want to come over and play with us? :)

Ice Cream

The french vanilla ice cream that Craig and Kyle made recently was DELICIOUS! It didn't last long in this house, either. I think I see a Kitchen Aid ice cream attachment in our future (maybe). :)

Play Date

This afternoon, Grandma Kat and Trever came over for a visit/play date. The kids had fun playing together. They would line up at one end of the house until somebody yelled, "ready, set, go!" Then they would all take off, run around the kitchen island, and run back to where they started. This went on for quite a while, until the grown ups said it was time to settle down and take a nap. Below are some pictures of them playing together. There are also some pics of them scooting on the floor and piling up on top of each other. No worries, though . . . . . . they were well supervised. :)

A First in the James-Heer Family!

This weekend I saw something in my kitchen I have never seem before, and don't know that I will ever see again . . . . . Craig was using my Kitchen Aid stand mixer! Yes, this would be the same stand mixer that Craig says is clearly mine, not his. This is when I knew I had to run and grab the camera (ha, ha). :) I guess it was okay for him to use it because it is somewhat of a gadget, and Craig is definitely a gadget guy. So, what prompted him to use my mixer? Ice cream, of course! Apparently, our neighbor Joe (who is also Craig's new biking buddy), loaned us his special attachment for making ice cream. How this came about, I'm not quite sure, but Craig and Kyle decided to make a batch of ice cream. They made french vanilla and we will try it later tonight. I'll let you know how it turns out. See photos below for this rare moment. :)

Date Night

Saturday night was our monthly date night. Craig and I had a nice evening out. We went to dinner at the Sardine Room in Muskegon, then to Barnes and Nobles afterwards to look for some new books. We were only gone for a few hours, but it gave us a much needed break and the opportunity for adult conversation. I know I've said this before, but I think every couple should have a date night every once in a while. It is good for the heart and soul.

Thank you to Grandma Connie for coming over and watching the kids for us. Thank you also for the yummy cupcakes. :)

Critter Barn

Yesterday morning, while Craig was riding his bike 100 miles, the kids and I went to the Critter Barn in Zeeland. The Critter Barn is a petting zoo offering hands-on education about barn yard animals. Grandma Kat invited us to meet her and Trever there. We also met Uncle Cam, Payton and Taylor there as well. The kids had a great time! They saw just about every barn yard animal you can imagine, including cats, baby chicks, bunnies, goats, chickens, turkeys, and a horse, just to name a few. Some of the highlights were gathering eggs in the hen house, feeding the baby cows, and watching the goats get milked. Taking care of all those animals is a lot of work! Thank you Grandma Kat, for inviting us to see the animals. It was a great way to spend the morning.

50 Days...100 Miles

In 50 days, I will be participating in Ironman Wisconsin. I am looking forward to it, although after today's 100 mile ride, I am nervous about running a marathon (26.2 miles) after swimming 2.4 miles, then riding 112 miles. I definitely need a few more rides at that distance.

Today was the Holland Hundred, a century ride that started and finished in Holland and toured the west coast down to about South Haven. We went through the big cities of Douglas, Saugatuck, Fennville, Ganges, and many others. It was a lot of fun despite the 3 hours of rain. Overall, the ride took just over 5 hours! And yes, my butt is sore! I think I will take tomorrow off.

Strolling Through the Neighborhood

Look what showed up in our cul de sac yesterday.


Yes, that would be a deer at the end of our driveway. I think he was lost and looking for directions.

Then, this morning . . . . . the first thing I saw in our back yard was a mommy dear and her two fawns. They were hanging out in our back yard, but took off before I could snap a picture.

We love our neighborhood. It's a subdivision, but we sometimes feel like we live in the country. For us, it's the best of both worlds.

Good thing it's not deer hunting season, huh?

Flat Kyle

Kyle has continued to impress us with his art. Last week Thursday, we received a call from the Early Childhood Director at Coopersville to let us know his Flat Stanley was going to be on TV! As such, we Tivo'd it. Check it out! We are so proud of him! By the way, this is his second response to Flat Kyle. About a month ago, he sent one to Tony Stewart and received a letter back from Tony's staff to let him know that Flat Kyle had spent the day in the shop! He also received some cool promo stuff from Tony Stewart too.

John Ball Park Zoo

This morning we took the kids to John Ball Park Zoo in Grand Rapids. It was a great time to go because there was hardly anyone there, the weather was cool, and the animals were very active. Usually when we go to the zoo it is very hot and the animals are sleeping. Anyway, we had a great time. Kyle's favorite animal was the tiger, and Clara liked the turtles and fish. As usual, Clara (our timid one) was afraid of the bigger animals, such as the tiger and mountain lions. She didn't even like my favorite animal of the day - the tamarins, which look like baby monkeys. Oh well, at least I was there to protect her. I think Craig's favorite animal was the camel because he and Kyle got to go on a camel ride. Overall, it was a great morning and we left the zoo just as it started to get busy and hot.

Another Fun Cookout

This past Sunday, my parents invited us over for a cookout at their house. Aunt Susan, Uncle Dave, Reilly and Addie were there as well. It was a beautiful day for a cookout. We ate outside on their deck, and then afterwards, the kids played on a slip-n-slide that Aunt Susan brought with her. This was Kyle's first time on a slip-n-slide, but he knew right what to do. It was fun to watch all the kids play in the water . . . . . . I think they had a great time. Then, Grandma Connie took us all for a ride in her and Grandpa Bill's new motor home. That thing is huge, but she knew just how to drive it. Way to go, Grandma!

Thank you Grandpa Bill and Grandma Connie for having us over. We had a great afternoon. :)

Independence Day - Cookout

The fourth of July was a fun day for us! It was packed full of activities, which is why it's taken us so long to report on everything we did. This posting will conclude our holiday celebrations . . . . . . . . .at least for the 4th.

After the parade, Aunt Susan, Uncle Dave, Reilly and Addie came over for a cookout. The kids also swam in the pool and played with our beach ball sprinkler. See photos below for our fun in the sun. :)