Our First Campfire

My husband loves campfires. From the time we met, the greatest summer evenings were spent drinking a beer/Mt. Dew, staring at the lake, and playing with fire. I think it was that reason (plus the two jobs/kids that kept him from the lake as often as he'd like) that he decided to build us our own fire pit. He's been hoping we could get the kids to bed and head out to stare at fire for several weeks now. It simply hasn't worked out that way ... usually because we both have to get up in the morning. Well, tonight we decided to have an outdoor dinner. We had extra helping hands for supper (Bri Bri), so it made it that much more possible to try an outside dinner with the babies. When Steve got home, he grilled up some brats. I set the inside kitchenette table with strawberries, blueberries, chips, buns and condiments. We had some raspberry lemonade and all the goodies for S'mores. We were set. Kayleigh and Bri played with the Mickey Mouse ball in the backyard, blew some bubbles, and ate some Cheez-Its (mostly Kayleigh ate the Cheez-its and Bri taught her some soccer tricks). It was a little chaotic, especially since when it came time to roasting marshmallows, but we had a fun evening. Note: S'Mores proved just too "ucky" for Kayleigh ... she basically had two or three licks of the marshmallow and that was it for her. But she liked all of the ingredients, but none of them all put together.

Here's a few highlights from our first campfire

[caption id="attachment_530" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Cheez-Its, Bubbles, and Big Sis Bri ... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_531" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benjamin chillin' by the girls"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_532" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Playing with Bri Bri"][/caption]

A Budding Babysitter ...

Benjamin woke up later (8:00 a.m. instead of the usual 7:30), at the same time as his sister. While this isn't my ideal morning (I prefer a staggered start to the day!), it did make both breakfasts finish at the same time, both diapers/clothing changes happen at the same time AND put them on schedule to take their noon naps around the same time. Normally, chaotic, but ... I had a plan. On Tuesdays, I try to get Steve coffee and drop it off at school. The other mornings I try, (lately, very unsuccessfully) to be awake and make his latte before he leaves for work. Anyway, since he left for work before 5:30 this morning, and has been super busy, we try not to be a distraction. Nevertheless, I found myself hankering for my Tuesday coffee shop purchase. I was immediately in a bit of a situation because it's very rare that the kids are on the same schedule and I can exercise. (Someone's usually napping, which doesn't lend itself to a bouncy jogging stroller) ... SOOO coffee or exercise, coffee or exercise ... BOTH. There's a Biggby just down West Main and with the back roads, we can hit it safely with a jogger. It's approximately 1.5 miles there and 1.5 miles back, WITH a park in between. PERFECT.

We set out, equipped with two freshly changed babies, two "blankies" (it was a little chilly this a.m.), two pacifiers, an extra snack and juice, and Mommy's phone (just in case). The first mile and a half went really well. Kayleigh talked to Benny, she helped him keep his paci in his mouth, and she shared her blanket with him (something that's VERY VERY rare). We got to the park and (this was my first concern) Kayleigh wanted to play. I told her, repeatedly, that we'd be back to play, we just had to get coffee first. OOPS ... Mommy's mistake. "Kayleigh coffee...???? Kayleigh want some too... coffee???" This would no longer be a cheap trip to Biggby. We made it to Biggby with very gracious other customers holding the door for my giant double jogger. I ordered my skinny, sugar free vanilla bean and asked for something iced with no caffeine and no sugar for Kayleigh. She was in her glory ...

Then, we started to unravel .. :)

Kayleigh tipped her "coffee" and it spilled all over her shirt. She refused to let me wipe it off with Ben's cloth because it was "an ucky cloth." So, we went back for napkins. We got to the park and Kayleigh, in her excitement, went straight down the slide into a giant puddle of rain water, soaking her pants. At this moment, Ben decided he was discontent in the stroller and wanted Mommy ... Up Ben comes, only to puke all over Mommy and himself ... Kayleigh informed me ever so politely that "Mommy ucky shirt!" I allowed her, for all the trouble we'd gone through, to slide a few more times in her soaking wet pants. Then, when I heard Benjamin doing is tell tale massive grunt, I put my foot down. Kayleigh came over with very few whimpers and graciously got into the stroller. "Mommy, Benny poopy." Yes, thanks, sweetheart; I got that. I laughed at myself as I packed up to leave with soy formula puke all down my shirt, a cranky, now poopy 3 month old, a toddler with soaking wet pants, an iced hot chocolate stained t-shirt and face, AND then she announces. "Kayleigh poopy too. Momma! Kayleigh poopy" (and proceeds to laugh continuously).

I might have left the park discouraged from trying this again, except I over hear my little girl on the way home. "Benny, Mommy change diapers. We go home. Change it. Don't be sad. Here, paci. Mommy, Benny hat!! Benny Hat" (His hat had fallen off and she couldn't reach it.) I gave it to her and she did her best to put it back, give him his paci, get him nestled under their shared blanket (I didn't need to touch his blankie the whole trip because Big Sister had it under control). The rest of the way home, she sat a little straighter, watched brother a little closer, and said to me ... "Momma! Benny sleeping ... SHHHHH."

Ahhh ... I may have left this morning from the house with what I thought was a perfect plan. I may have had it foiled several times over, BUT I also got a Mommy moment to treasure forever ... My daughter learning how to care for others, especially the most important little friend she has right now ... her baby brother.

Waiting for sleep ...

I was blessed with really, really good sleeping babies (knock on wood). The newborn Kayleigh would get up 2 to 3 times a night on her worst nights, but by the time I went back to work (10 weeks), she was waking just once. Benjamin started making it all the way through the night around 5 weeks. At 3 months, he wakes for a middle of the night bottle MAYBE once a week. I know, it's insane. They've spoiled me. Kayleigh is still a girl who loves her sleep. She asks for naps and asks for bedtime. When she's short on sleep she is the crankiest toddler ever. BUT, when she gets her 7:30 bedtime, her 8:00 a.m. wake up call and a 2-3 hour nap in there ... wow! A dream come true. Today, since I'm blogging at 4:46 a.m., it was Benny's night to get up. He chose to wake up after we'd taken an evening trip to GR. His schedule was off (and has been for about 2 weeks now due to the fact he and his sister fall asleep for the night in the car about 3 days out of 7). AT any rate, we are now at my, honestly, favorite time of the day/night. Don't get me wrong, I'd MUCH rather be sleeping. BUT if I have to be awake, the time gap between when I place Benny down, relaxed, in his crib, until I check on him and find him soundly sleeping is easily my most productive time of the day. I know I can't bring myself to sleep until I'm sure he's out (what's the point of getting in and out of bed 100 times anyway), so I work. I will fold laundry, wash bottles, put away dishes from the dishwasher, straighten up the living room, pack up stuff for the next day ... and, of course, write a blog (if everything else is finished).

It's a little pathetic, but this time of the morning is THE ONLY time in the course of my day when a baby doesn't need me, my husband isn't awake, and there's nothing but chores and alone time. It's time for me to do exactly what I want. And, since my first choice of activity (sleeping) has been ruled out, I get to be productive.

Ahh well, since it's almost time for Benjamin's 15 minute check-in (and Steve has agreed to do the next half hour's worth of "waiting for sleep"), I'm going to get going. Here's to a productive, fun day at the Van Dyk house!

The Many Faces of Benjamin Steven ...

[caption id="attachment_516" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Mid-sentence"][/caption] Our little boy can be so mellow. He just enjoys being with people ... and that makes him easy to take places. However, when he is uncomfortable or distressed you have a VERY limited amount of time to correct the problem. As soon as he snaps, he snaps FULL FORCE! He, very early in life, found the upper register squeal. It is MOST effective in getting Mommy's immediate attention. He doesn't use it OFTEN, but he has learned that when he's had enough, it gets him results. It's not only the crying, though, Benjamin has VERY VERY vivid facial expressions. See here some of the faces we snapped in our picture taking frenzies.

[caption id="attachment_515" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Daddy is funny!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_517" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="You want to do WHAT??!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_518" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="I DON'T think that's happening"][/caption]

More often than not, we see Benjamin with his million dollar smile. This smile is accentuated by his single dimple! I never thought about it while pregnant, but it would stand to reason that at least one of our babies would inherit their father's single dimple. It's entirely appropriate that it's his namesake, Benjamin Steven. Here are both of my boys, happy together.

[caption id="attachment_519" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Happy with Daddy"][/caption]

Another day at the lake

Steve and Kevin went to the University of Michigan practice this past Saturday. So, to avoid being alone on the weekend, I took the kids out the lake for time with Grandpa and Grandma. The weather was supposed to be cloudy and rainy, but it turned out GORGEOUS. When we arrived, both kids had lunch and tried to nap (only Benjamin succeeded in his endeavor). Then, we all went to the beach. Kayleigh enjoyed chasing seagulls with Grandpa. Seagull Chasing with Gpa

Benjamin enjoyed another bottle with Grandma underneath the deck. After time in the sand, more time on the  beach playground, and some treats from the poolside snack shack, Kayleigh found a toy she never dreamed existed. A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse ball ... Yes, my daughter's two biggest loves merged together in one! The little boy to whom the ball belonged was gracious enough to share it with Kayleigh long enough for her to bring it to Mommy. "See Mommy!!! Mickey Mouse ball! Goofy, Daisy, Minnie, Mickey, Donald!!! Mickey Mouse BALL!!! Kayleigh take???" Grandma assured her that if she brought it back to the boy, she would go, immediately, to Meijers and buy one for Kayleigh. Kayleigh believed her, and we left IMMEDIATELY, to change and head to Meijers. All the way to the store, Kayleigh says, "Myyyy hers...get Mickey Mouse ball...Myyyy hers, get ball."

Here's the result

[caption id="attachment_509" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Holding her precious treasure"][/caption]

You can tell that she's seriously in love with this toy. In fact, after dinner, baths, and final diaper changes, we left to go pick up Daddy. When he was running seriously late, we stopped at Grandpa and Grandma Creswell's house (we had been at the trailer) to spend the night. Kayleigh REFUSED to go to bed, screaming and screaming and hollering until Daddy gave her the Mickey Mouse ball. She slept with it all night!

I'm pretty sure Grandma would say that was $3.99 well spent :).

Summer Reflections

Wow ... it's mid-August ... the time when I'm used to gearing up for school. Last August was the first fall that I didn't have to prepare for school at all. I had no Band Camp, no pre-season tennis workouts, no orientation preparations for incoming freshman, no dorm decorations or door signs to make, no courses to schedule, no plans to revise or classroom to prepare. I only had the dwindling summer evenings, the cooler weather coming, and my sweet baby daughter to get on a schedule. (I made it just 2 months last summer home with Kayleigh without a schedule ...) This summer seems largely the same only with two babies to keep on 'routine' and preparations to make for how to keep a very active toddler entertained. As I begin to think about what fall will look like at the Van Dyk house, I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the best this summer has given us. 2010 Top 10 Summer Highlights 1. Language Explosion in my tiny toddler who went from 50 some words to well over 200 and is almost always speaking in 3-5 word phrases. 2. Several great weeks/weekday trips to the Maranatha for fun with the Creswell Grandparents 3. Benjamin and Kayleigh learning to love each other despite their serious gap in development at the present moment 4.  Benjamin learned to smile, giggle, hold his head, and reach and grab objects (the latest most recently and he still surprises himself when his actions cause reactions: i.e. he grabs the little dog on his rocker and it plays a song, he hits the buttons on his exersaucer and a cow moos) 5. We had a fabulous day at the Meijer Gardens as a family and with Great Grandpa 6. Steve and the kids had several days at Slayton Lake with the Van Dyk Grandparents 7. We had a host of super fun playdates with Auntie Alaina and Ryan 8. A fun filled playdate with Carson Van Dyke 9. Got a fantastic new camera that makes capturing precious family moments incredibly fun. 10. Took a whirlwind - needs to be repeated when the kids are older - trip to Chicago and Shedds Aquarium

2010 Top 10 Lessons from summer 1. A baby pool is not a luxury - but a necessity (even if Mom and the 2 month old are the only ones "swimming") 2.  Schedules ARE NOT maintainable during the summer season -- park visits, long walks, time with grandparents, swimming, beaches, all can AND WILL interfere with naptime 3. Despite what "makes sense" a 10:00 a.m. nap will not replace the typical 1:00 p.m. nap no matter how long it is! 4. Window air conditioners, turned on BEFORE everyone's mood goes bad, really is better than saving an additional $2.00 per day in energy costs. 5. Vacations are way different and not nearly as relaxing with 2 kiddos, but they are, most definitely, way more entertaining. 6.  A window air until is picked up constantly on the voice activated setting of a baby monitor. Therefore, all night, you will hear/see the baby monitor going off (though it's 99% likely that it's NOT the baby). 7. Placing a sleeping baby on sheets that have been in a window a/c'd room without blankets for shielding will yield a no longer sleeping baby. 8. Candy works great as a last minute bribe to pry a toddler off of the beach for clean up/supper time without shrieking. 9.  When all else fails (constipation meds, extra napping, more food, less food, etc) Soy could help :) 10. Sigh ... summer is fantastic but it isn't meant to last forever. Enjoy the break in routine, and get excited when the routine returns.

2010 Things to Get Excited for in the Fall 1. More growth from both Benjamin and Kayleigh 2. Women's Ministries Bible Study during the day (with nursery for both kids!) 3. Benjamin learning to nap for longer than 30 minutes at consistent times! 4. Kayleigh's 2nd birthday 5. More playdates with more babies (VanDyke's new baby, hopefully the Texers will want to as well!, and of COURSE my amazing nephew and his mommmy, even perhaps adding a few dates with Suzanne and Thomas!!). 6.  Cool mornings and very cool evenings for great walks/runs in the double jogger 7. Fun fall activities like: Apple picking, pumpkin carving, football games (probably just on tv I doubt we're braving anything live!), visits to the farms, jumping in the leaves, etc. 8. A trip to Mackinac with the extended Van Dyk family 9. Steve's 30th Birthday!!!! 10.  More fun pictures, stories, and family times together.

Here's a fun comparison (I love that I can start doing this):

[caption id="attachment_502" align="alignleft" width="269" caption="Kayleigh, 3 months in February of 2009"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_503" align="alignright" width="276" caption="Benjamin, 3 months in August 2010"][/caption]

Monkey See, Monkey Do

I knew that there comes an age, in a young child's life, where they copy EVERYTHING. I always knew that when that phase hit, we had to overanalyze each action knowing it could be repeated publicly. I never understood the magnitude of the repetition. Kayleigh is in this phase right now. In fact, she's so far in it, that being out of Mom's sight is a catastrophic issue. Case and point: We were walking to the park last night, using the double jogger (THANKS MOM!!! and good work Benjamin on holding that head so I can!). Daddy was pushing, and I was walking beside. Every minute or so, "See Mommy! See Mommy!" She had to have the visor pulled back or speed adjusted just so she could make sure Mommy was still there. In addition to being constantly close so she can mimic actions, she listens intently to conversations, even when you don't think she is. I was relating a story to a friend, and I mentioned a name. Let's say, "Sarah ..." Kayleigh heard the name, knew she had an Aunt Sarah, and went off asking for "Aunt Sarah." I wasn't looking at her, wasn't even aware she was in the vicinity, but her attention to Mommy's speech is EVER present!

I'll take a chance to embarrass Steve now ... He's meticulous about cleaning out his ears. He does it EVERY morning. Kayleigh has seen him do this countless times (since she insists on being with people everywhere they go). So, it made me laugh out loud (though it was no surprise) when she came waddling out of the bathroom doing this yesterday morning -->

[caption id="attachment_498" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Our Little Copycat"][/caption]

It sort of makes you overanalyze every step you take ... I love the parallels this draws for me spiritually. Examining each action so as not to be a stumbling block to others. Thanks baby girl for reminding Mommy of the importance of constant self-reflection.

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa!

Great Grandpa turned 80 years old this Spring. Kayleigh gave him a trip to the Meijer Gardens with her as a birthday present. She was gracious enough to say that her baby brother (yet to be born) could tag along as well. We had planned to take Grandpa with the family in June. BUT, one thing led to another and it was the middle of August before we found a date that worked. The forecast was gloomy for Saturday (and it was certainly hot!) but the rain held off and we had a really, really fun (and very exhausting day). Steve and I enjoyed watching Kayleigh just LOVE the gardens. All the way from stopping to "touch" every "flower" to allowing her the freedom to walk/run/jump without being worried that she'd get hit by a car, or lost from our sight. She enjoyed it too. She also enjoyed asking Great Grandpa to carry as often as she could. I don't think he minded too much.

Here are some picture highlights:

[caption id="attachment_489" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Learning about the water pump"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_490" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Walking and talking with Great Grandpa"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_491" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Doing the bean bag toss"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_492" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Running with my Daddy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_493" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Playing in the fountains"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_494" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benny and Mommy came too"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_495" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="I think it was a Happy Birthday"][/caption]

The full gallery of Steve's pictures from the day can be seen at: http://vandyks.name/pictures/index.php/Meijer-Gardens

3 month surprise!

Okay, so perhaps the title is a bit of an exaggeration, but Benjamin's 3 month birthday is on Monday. In all of the busy-ness of summer, adjusting life with two children, and Steve's contract work, I just can't believe that it's been 3 months already. It slapped me in the face yesterday when I was downloading some pictures from the camera. I organize by months and Benjamin's 1-3 month folder is getting full. So, it's time to start a new one ... I just couldn't believe he's creeping out of the "newborn" age and headed into infancy. He impresses me everyday with his laughter ... oh so much laughter (usually right after he wakes up in the morning ... he's a morning person like Mommy). He is constantly interested in new things. His favorite lately is a blanket spread out on the ground outside so he can look at the sky, the bugs, the grass ... and feel the humid breezes. He LOVES his outside time, which is just great with his big sister who can't get enough either. Benny always wants to practice his head holding and his new skills ... If he's not sitting in his Bumbo or on mom's lap, watching sister, he's not happy.

Yesterday, though, I had two moments that just made me tear up ... like for real want to cry at the beauty of it all ...

(1). Benjamin had JUST discovered the exersaucer (with a towel behind him for support). He was sitting in it, reveling in his awesome-ness when Big Sister came along. I have to watch her more closely because she's going through some separation issues right now and you never know what she'll do. So, I peered around the corner of the laundry closet, ready and waiting. Kayleigh walked up, patted her brother's head and said: "Good boy Buddy. See this .... ROAAARRRR ... Lion. Push button .. (pushes button and lion roars)." Benjamin giggles. Kayleigh, encouraged by his giggles tries again, "Buddy, push button (grabs his hand and tries to make him push button). It's okay ... Kayleigh do it .... (pushes kitty button). KITTY Benny, MMEEEOOWWW!" This went on until all of the animal buttons had been pushed. She worked her way around the exersaucer, introducing him to all of her old toys and showing him what to do. Benny couldn't take his EYES off her ... there was admiration, pride (at his own ability to keep up), and love that I didn't know could exist at this stage. I had to use the towels I was folding to wipe away the tears that fell ... Thank you, Jesus for my loving children.

[caption id="attachment_483" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="So Proud."][/caption]

(2). After Ben's second nap, I needed to bring the diapers in off of the line. So, as described above, I set the baby on a blanket and let Kayleigh and Andre explore the backyard. Kayleigh ran around for about 2 minutes and then decided she was bored. She had brought out 3 books and laid down next to her brother. She began reading "Mr. Brown can Moo" .. Something like this: "Benny, cow MOO MOO. You do it ... (pause to wait) ... It's okay. Kayleigh do it. MOOO MOOO." and on it went through all of the noises in the book. Every once in a while when Benny would whimper or coo, Kayleigh would turn (and like I do when I tuck her in) rub his face with her hand ... gently. She'd say, "Ohh Benny. No sad ... No sad ..." And he's smile, and stop ...  UNBELIEVABLE. I love my babies :) ...

And if all of that just wasn't enough, listening to Kayleigh try to potty train her baby doll (using exactly the same words Mommy does with her) was just too much. Even after the baby doll landed in the toilet water, the desire in my little one to care for others warmed my heart. Sigh. .. they were both temperamental yesterday, but somehow it was all worth it ...

Thanks Jesus for the chance to see it all, daily ... They are truly gifts straight from your hand. Ohh yeah, and remind me of this day when they are 13 and 14.5 and fighting like cats and dogs.

The week of playdates ...

We had a busy weekend with the kids home with a sitter on Friday and at the lake with Grandpa and Grandma Van Dyk on Saturday. We had a playdate on Tuesday with Kelly and Carson VanDyke (and soon to be little baby boy VanDyke), and we had our usual Thursday date with Auntie Alaina and Ryan. We didn't get any pictures from the playdate with Auntie (the three of them slept for 45 minutes AT THE SAME TIME!!) so we were enjoying the peace. BUT I have a few fun ones from playdate with Carson. We started out all together in the pool ... (Benny taking his second great nap of the day inside!)

And Carson continued playing in the pool ...

Kayleigh explored "other" interests (her tolerance for "swimming" lasts about 30 seconds)

Then we went inside for a special M&M cookie snack that Kelly brought

Thanks Carson for a fun afternoon!

In general we've concluded that my little girl needs to learn, quickly, how to "toughen up" a bit. We thought she was a pretty rough and tumble kid, but she doesn't hold a candle to Ryan or Carson. She can usually be found, at any time during these playdates, running from the boys (who both follow her around) and hopping into Mommy's lap. Get used to it, peanut ... your brother will be on the move soon and then you'll never get any peace! .... Poor, sweet girl :) ...

Shopping with a Family

I think that every new parent approaching toddler-hood wonders if his/her child will stage the frightening tantrum that the entire grocery store hears. I know that I've been thinking about that lately, especially since our baby girl is experimenting with deliberate defiance. Kayleigh has been napping and sleeping poorly; as a result, she is overtired and very impatient. I know her brain chemistry is changing rapidly, making her unable to control some of these changes ... but the defiance, she can control ... and we're actively working on that. Nevertheless, I find it amusing that no matter how she's behaving prior to our shopping trip, what I get at the store is anybody's guess. It could be this:

[caption id="attachment_469" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Happy at the Store"][/caption]

OR it could be THIS:

[caption id="attachment_470" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Tired at the Store"][/caption]

Yesterday, after "sleeping" through most of the grocery store visit, we looked outside and saw a torrential downpour. I was carrying Benjamin in the Baby Bjorn (facing out, so he was exposed to the elements), and Kayleigh was riding in the cart. She saw the rain and immediately woke up. She was so excited to get wet. The thunder was clapping all around, and we saw at least three lightning flashes while we were walking to the car. My sleepy daughter was IN HER GLORY! She was so excited ... I heard, "OOOOHHH RAIN!!!! and THUNDER BOOM BOOM! SEE thunder!" After we got in the car (soaking wet, despite a stranger's kind attempts to shelter the babies with her umbrella), Kayleigh looked all over for the thunder. As soon as we got home she RAN to the lower windows and parked it, watching the rain fall. I was grateful for a chance to put away the groceries without her usual, "Want some of THAT! ... OOOH Want some of THAT! ... Momma .. some of that!!!" She was so engrossed in her "rain watching" that she never even saw me coming to take her photo. Notice the drenched hair and clothing ... :)

[caption id="attachment_471" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Watching it Rain"][/caption]

Ahh well, all in the day's "work." I do love my life - despite it's challenges sometimes.

Wordless Wednesday

Back in the "Routine"

After two days off of fantastic vacation (spending them with my husband, my family, and our might as well be  a family "compound" friends), I'm back into the typical routine. Although it's 9:26 and Benjamin is down for his usual 45 minute special, Kayleigh requested a nap as well. She had a great time at the lake this weekend, but I know she's tired out. So, I think she's going to have a 2 nap day to help her catch up on sleep. Since its raining, sticky and gross, I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about letting my kids have a "sleep in" kind of day. Here are a few photos from the kids at Grandpa and Grandma Van Dyk's cottage. (We weren't there to take pics this weekend, so these are from the week before when they were there with Daddy) It's easy to see why today needs to be a "sleep in" kind of day! It's busy at the lake!

[caption id="attachment_457" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Swinging Away"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_458" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Sliding away"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_459" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Chillin' with Grandpa V"][/caption]

Kudos to Daddy for taking some great pictures with our new DSLR camera. I'm a HUGE fan!!! Clear pictures, quickly captured, excellent action photos :) I'm a happy mommy who can't wait to make the year in review DVD for our family Christmas celebration! I'll have some amazing photos to use, now!

Best Buds

My mom has a picture of Dan and I at about 3 and 4.5 sitting in laundry baskets watching Sesame Street. It was  cute little tradition at my mom's house right before nap time. We don't watch Sesame Street, but we do have our traditions. After Kayleigh wakes up at about 8:30, she eats her breakfast and then watches one (maybe two) episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Ben usually needs to go down for a nap at about 9:00 a.m. So he relaxes with us "watching" an episode. With the addition of Ben's Bumbo, the two can sit together and watch their episode. Here's my family moment from a few days ago: [caption id="attachment_453" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="From the front"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_454" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="From the back"][/caption]

Anniversary Tribute - Part 2

Steve and I spent a long time being just friends. Since our first meeting, we intentionally scheduled our classes at the same time. I even signed up for a field placement at Zeeland Christian because I knew I'd have an "in" with the principal :). (I'm not sure Steve even knows I did that on purpose ... but I knew full well what I was doing). For almost an entire year, we worked on class projects, went running (well, I tried to keep up with him), even went to a formal together ... all as a way of just hanging out and getting to know each other. Steve asked repeatedly (as did many of my roommates/friends) if this was going anywhere. He had broken up with his girlfriend mid-way through my junior year, his senior year. I wasn't ready to label us though, even though I was well aware that what we were doing was, in fact, dating. I was holding staunchly to my commitment NOT to be in a relationship when I left to counsel middle schoolers at Spring Hill that summer. I had spent the last 2 summers on Hope's campus doing research/educational grants and I wanted a "typical" college job. I felt a relationship would keep me from that "typical" experience. About 3 weeks before I left, Tulip Time to be exact, I gave in. I didn't want to leave for the summer with no commitment from Steve. :) I was afraid he wouldn't be there when I came home. Plus, he'd been so extremely patient and kind and sweet, I couldn't see ANY camp guy I met being even close to comparable. So, we went on our first OFFICIAL date to Via Maria after watching his sister's Dutch Dance. The next morning we resumed, as usual, working in our 4th floor office at the library ... this time as boyfriend and girlfriend instead of just "colleagues."

I mark that date as significant because, to me, it marked the moment I knew I was ready to marry Steve. I know that sounds a little backwards ... not dating until you're sure you're going to marry him. But I'd gotten to know him enough (and dated enough of the other kind) to know that he had what I wanted/needed in a spouse. So, I made the decision that he was the one for me ... :) I knew he felt the same (otherwise why in the world would he have spent at least a year, some might argue a year and half, pursuing this relationship).

I wish I could say that the next half of the relationship was marked with patience on my part (since he had been so incredibly patient with me). BUT, it wasn't ... once I knew what I wanted, I was going to push to make it "official."

Anniversary week - part 1

Steve and I will celebrate 6 years of marriage on August 7th. As I was running this morning, I was reflecting on all that God has blessed us with in that short time. I thought it'd be sort of fun to write down some of my memories from our relationship (and it's interesting phases) in order to look back on them at our 10 year or 20 year anniversary (or maybe even our 35th ... which my parents just celebrated on August 1!). So today, I'd like to reflect on first impressions :) ... I've never asked Steve when/what his first impression of me was ... perhaps he'll comment on that. Here's mine of him:

It was a snowy, dreary morning in early January. I was a sophomore at the greatest college on the planet :), taking my second course towards my Education certificate. I always took the earliest classes so I could schedule time to work at my 3 on campus jobs, and fill in the free hours with my extra-curriculars. At any rate, I had spent my Christmas vacation breaking up with my boyfriend of a year and a half and was not super excited to be back on campus where I'd see him and our mutual friends countless times.  Nevertheless, I was in class, seated with 3 other girls from my dorm, when I noticed another guy sitting all by himself. He had a 2-liter of Mountain Dew on his desk, a laptop in front of him, was wearing a shirt and tie (!!!), and was reading some internet article while pushing back his right eye ... (anyone who has seen my husband at work has probably seen this pose COUNTLESS TIMES) Judgmentally, I wrote him off as a total nerd, but I was curious as to WHY he was all dressed up and WHAT in the world he was doing with a Mt. Dew 2 Liter. At 8:30 a.m., was a 16 oz coffee not sufficient????

When it came time to introduce ourselves and explain what we did over Christmas break, "nerdy kid" told the class he drove to Wisconsin in an insanely short amount of time, bought cheese ($50 worth) and drove back. That was enough for me; I didn't really wonder why he was sitting alone anymore. That was pretty much the extent of our relationship until ...

Our professor asked us to sign up (online) for a particular type of exceptional student ... (POHI, a label I'm not sure they even use anymore, Autistic, Gifted, etc) We had to explain our reasoning, and the first 4 people with the clearest rationale would research that group and present it. I chose autism because, a friend of mine, at that time, had a brother who was autistic. I was interested in finding out more about him and his situation. Low and behold, the second person to sign up, immediately after me, was ... Mt. Dew kid ... sweet. I knew this was going to be an interesting project ...

After a week of working (with two other group members), I began to realize that first impressions aren't always correct. Mt. Dew kid (Steve) was working part time at a computing firm, hence the attire at class every day and the need for caffeine. He was the son of an elementary school principal, so he was very well informed about school and had plenty of resources at his disposal (aka teachers who would let us use their classrooms and kids for projects). He was fun-loving and high energy (even without the Mt. Dew), and he was committed to doing his best ... I could respect that. We both shared an affinity for promising more than we KNEW we could deliver, and we managed to get ourselves into many binds that way. ... We always worked them out, though ... and through that, forged a pretty amazing FRIENDSHIP. Yes, FRIENDSHIP ... he was in a long term relationship at this point, and I wanted nothing to do with dating. So ... our story began as friends. :)

Benny holds his head

We started bringing out the Bumbo for Kayleigh to use when she was a few days over her 3 month mark. (I have a picture of her in the Bumbo with her Valentine's cards). Yesterday, Benjamin was doing such a good job with his head, that I thought I'd give it a try. Little did I know that (though I probably should have suspected) that my little man would want to sit all day long. His head is not nearly strong enough for that .. he's good for about 10 minutes at a time and then he needs a break. BUT he's not content to simply lay on the floor anymore. He wants to be held up, or sat up. He LOVES this new skill. I snapped a few of him, looking all proud. [caption id="attachment_442" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Hoping Big Sister will notice how cool I am!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_443" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Focusing hard on my balance"][/caption]

And JUST in case, I wasn't paying attention to her before, Kayleigh decided that I needed to remember her too. Since Benny got all these pictures taken of him because he sat in the Bumbo, Kayleigh did the same, and promptly said, "Momma? Picture? CHEESE!!"

[caption id="attachment_444" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Reminding Mommy that she's still a baby too!"][/caption]

"More Dideo"

Kayleigh loves herself. I mean, really, really loves herself. She loves seeing herself in pictures, but she ESPECIALLY love seeing herself on video. Whenever I'm sitting around doing nothing (or so she perceives it to be), she asks, "Momma, Dideo???" When I don't immediately respond by grabbing my iPhone, she will specify the video, "Momma, K slide dideo?" or "K sand ... K sand dideo." If she gets really desperate, she will grab my phone herself and attempt to find the videos. (She hasn't mastered that yet). If you're ever around my little one, and you happen to want to take video ... be sure you have the capability to show her afterwards. She will perform just about any trick for the camera, but she MUST be able to see it immediately. What would she have done in MY day and age when NO screens were affixed to video cameras ... :) hahahah Don't answer that, I know ... I know ... :) Anyway, here's "K Slide...." for your viewing pleasure. Kayleigh Slide at Maranatha

And by way of accountability - my first week of 10K training synopsis: 2 days on elliptical at 30 and 35 minutes respectively 1 - 3 mile run 1600 situps/bicycles/leg lifts/crunches 3 days off for serious recovery :) Total weight loss: 0 lbs.

Cousin-friends

In keeping with embarrassing people we love (see "we miss our big Sis"), I thought I'd continue with a few other people who have really come to mean a great deal to my kids. Auntie Alaina and Cousin Ryan have been weekly playdates since Ryan was ... ohhh maybe about 3 months old. So, Ben's age, probably ... The kids have quite a bit of space between them for these playdates to really be about "playing" for them. (At least right now). As soon as Ryan starts walking (I'm guessing 1 month more, tops!), they will be totally about the kids playing together. BUT they've been an amazing reprieve from the lack of adult conversation the stay at home mommy gets on an average day. Alaina has become a GOOD friend, and someone I know I can trust and count on. Plus, I love being able to watch my nephew grow up with his cousins. I pray they'll stay close and that God will turn them into fast friends! Kayleigh has been saying Ryan's name since about ... oh ... April. But, she's been a little slower with Auntie. Just last week, my heart smiled because, without being prompted, she walked up to Alaina, said, "Auntie ... come help!" And she led Alaina over to the big exercise ball in the corner. I want my kids to love their family and feel comfortable asking them for help, so this made my heart smile :). Thanks Auntie Alaina for loving my kids so much :) ...

Here's a few photos (in addition to the one posted on 'Speechless Saturday') from the last playdate. Thanks to Auntie Alaina for sending them our way.

[caption id="attachment_433" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Ruling the "roost" as the eldest cousin"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_434" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="I'm the baby ... at least for now ... "][/caption]

Thanks Auntie Alaina and Ryan for all of the fun! See you Thursday; I think it's time to swim again! :)

Speechless Saturday (we're short on time...)

[caption id="attachment_429" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Cousins ... "][/caption]