3RD Annual 4th of July Vacation-Silver Lake

Tyler choose these gummy fist instead of ice cream. They were so cute but I couldn't believe he passed up ice cream!


We rented new movies so Tyler was all about sitting and watching TV while it rained.



WE did it...probably the first time ever...we left home on time and without a hitch! I told Dan I would like to leave by 11:00 so to leave by 11:45. We pulled out of McDonalds parking lot with our lunch in hand at 11:55! Amazing.
We arrived in Silver Lake around 3:00. It has been great so far. Tyler was absolutely a crazy person when he saw the sand dunes and all the four wheelers, go carts, dune buggies, and dirt bikes. He is such his fathers son. Dan is going crazy that we decided to not bring the three wheeler. I have a feeling in the next few days Dan and Tyler will be on the dunes in a four wheeler or buggy...I would bet money on it.
I have to comment on the feeling I had driving into Silver Lake with my two kids and wonderful husband. Tyler was so excited and talking non-stop. I was so happy I was in tears. This place brings back such great memories, I am so greatful to my parents and grandparents! I hope my children will have those same great memories.
We didn't do much today...we even had a frozen pizza for dinner. It rained for about 1/2 hour around dinner so no grillin'
Sam went to bed at 8:00. Tyler and Dan went for a bike ride and now they are laying in Tylers bed watching Scooby Doo. I am sitting in the lounge, its the only place you can get wi-fi.
I will try to do this pariodically...for you and for our memory journal!
Miss you....Don't have time to grammer check...sorry!

Pizza and Play!

Went to Kristi's today to visit. My children miss Caysee, Ellise, and Cole so much. I brought over pizza and then we headed outside. I am so upset that I forgot my camera. The kids had a blast playing on the slip and slide. If you could have saw Tyler in just his monkey underpants running around and sliding. It was so darn cute. Both kids left exhausted!

For all those people who say "how could you bring your kids to daycare" they obviously don't know kristi! She is a blessing to our family. Tyler has been going to her since he was 3 months old and Samantha went at a week. She is not only our daycare provider but my friend. We love her and the whole darn Burk family...Jay the breadman, and Grandma Joe!
The only thing I feel guilty about, is that they are stuck with me all summer!

Girls have what?

I am not sure this is something I should blog....but it is so funny I can't pass up the opportunity to share. Tyler can be upset with me someday! It was late last night and Tyler was playing the I don't want to go to bed game. When he had to go to the bathroom...this is our conversation when he was done.

Tyler: MOMMY (he screams from the bathroom)
Mom: I'm comming
Tyler: What is in here? Are there balls in here? (use your imagination, remember he just finished going to the bathroom)
Mom: Yeah, kind of.
Tyler: What are they for? Do you have them?
Mom: No Mamma doesn't have them, thats what makes you a boy.
Tyler: What do girls have?
Mom: speechless, I just stood there trying to not laugh and to come up with a fast easy answer.
Tyler: I know....girls have wrinkles!

Finally Done!

HERE IT IS MOM...DONE!


When I was pregnant for Tyler I bought (and my mom) the cutest ever Pottery Barn lambie nursery bedroom set. It was unisex in hopes that someday I could use it again. It was me being smart and trying to save me (and my mom..hahaha) money. Well, Sam came and we used it for a bit...but after seeing it for two years, it was time for a change.
My little girl got "girl" stuff! The crib and queen size bedding match so my parents still have a place to sleep when they came to visit.


The butterfly mirrors were only on backorder from pottery barn for three months!

GiGi is 95!

Saturday was Gigi's (My great grandma's) 95th birthday party. Can you believe that my children have a Great-Great-Grandma? My children were angels. Tyler brought his bike and Sam just ran around after him. Gigi enjoys seeing them so much, its just too bad I live so far away.
When your watching the slide show, click on the small circles and they will get larger!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Before we left for the party I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a few pictures of my beautiful baby girl! And what a fantastic picture of Sam and Grandma!

Me the kids and a pronto pup!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The kids and I went to Grand Haven for the weekend to visit Grandma and Grandpa Dingy. Thursday night the boys (Uncle Shaun, Grandpa and Tyler) went for a Dingy ride and then for ice cream. While the ladies (Grandma, Aunt Manda, Rosanne, Sam and I) went to get me fitted for the fabulous bridesmaid dress and for my moms mother of the groom dress. It was a nice evening except for the fact Sam was a bear! She was teething and extremely whiney and did a lot of crying!

Friday morning the kids and I headed downtown to do the tourist thing. We caught the trolley at Temptations at 11:00. Tyler loved the ride but of course asked why the whole time. I try to have patience with all his questions since he is so excited to learn everything, but it was exhausting. Sam fell asleep 1/2 way through the ride.

Then we had to do pronto pups for lunch. Tyler actually ate the whole thing...with ketchup and mustard. We played in the grass and enjoyed the time just being the three of us.

Of course the afternoon had to wind up with ice cream from Temptations! Tyler had chocolate chocolate chip...Samantha ate 3 cones! I think they felt good on her poor mouth!

On the way home they were both asleep before we were to the highway (which is minutes down the road). The three of us all were tired and took a nap!

We ended the day with a jump in grandma and grandpa's pool and some Clover Bar pizza!

The only thing that would have made it better is if Daddy could have shared the day with us!

What a great afternoon.

Play Date

We had our playdate with Coutney, Cammy, and Cole today. They met us at our house and then we ventured to Kids Paradise in Paw Paw. We stopped and picked up Little Ceasars and had ourselves a picnic. The kids had a great time.

Everyway Different!

Everyday I say to someone that my two children are such opposites, and everyday I think it more and more. We never had to baby proof the house with Tyler. You tell Tyler no, he stopped. He never climbed up on chairs that were to big for him, he never put random objects in his mouth, he would never color on a wall or destroy anything. He wants to fix not break! Samantha has the devil in her, destroy and conquer! Everything goes in her mouth, you tell her no and she smiles and keeps going, and she is constantly climbing on, over and into things(such as the toilet). If she knows your watching it only makes her smile bigger!

Tyler isn't an emotional boy. He will cry if he is hurt but he gets up pretty fast. Sam on the other hand is a drama queen at ONE. You look at her wrong she cries, you tell her no she cries. Not just a regular cry but a cry that screams you just killed my dog. I don't know how many times a day we roll our eyes at her when she starts her show.

This morning I realized another difference. My summer mornings are not going to be the same as those in the past. In the past, Tyler would wake up about 7:30 and I could get him some milk and a blanket, we would curl up on the couch watch Disney for about and hour and I would get a bit more sleep. He loves TV! It has always occupied his mornings and before bed. He will sit for an hour if it interests him. Not Samzilla! She woke up this morning at 6:44 am and was ready to go. I gave her milk and put on cartoons and she wanted nothing but mommy to play! She doesn't even recognize the television as being on. No being lazy in the mornings...this is going to kill me!


I just love watching every difference unfold. Tyler is all boy, and will always be a MaMa's boy. He is going to have two feet on the ground and think before he acts. Samantha on the other hand is going fly by the seat of her pants and act on emotion (I don't know where she would get that from). She is going to do what she wants, how she wants to do it. I see many arguements between father and daughter. I also believe someone is going to very embarressed that I am her mother....yeah...can't wait!

Last Day...Sick Day!

Today was the last day for teachers (unless you choose to go in on Monday). Last year on this day, I went in to finish up grades and two hours later I got a phone call that my two week old daughter had been screaming since I had left. I felt horrible. I went in just for a day, knowing that it was a bit early to leave Sam...but what is one day. I ran out of school in tears feeling like a horrible parent. She of course recovered just fine and we had the rest of the summer to prepare for Kristi's in the fall.

Well, exactly a year later (today) I get a phone call at school that Sam is sick!
She is throwing up! Fabulous, I have a mess of a room, grades to finish and gossiping to do. Since I have a fabulous daycare lady she let us feel the day out. She didn't have a fever! Sam went down for a nap and slept for 5 hours, in turn gave me the day at school. Last year I bolted out of school in tears to rescue my daughter, this year I prayed I didn't have to leave. How things change!

Samantha was fine all evening. She took a nap around 5:00 which is abnormal but she never got sick again. She played and smiled all evening. I put her down at 9:00 and she cried for about 5 minutes...that is unusual for her. I went in there and couldn't believe my eyes. She had thrown up....great mom, I let my daughter scream in her own puke for 5 minutes. It was in the crib, on the wall, the floor and all the way on the spare bed. She couldn't even open up her eyes. I stripped her down wrapped her in a blanket and tried to figure out what to do next.

Tyler was laying on the living room floor with about 10 pillows and two blankets watching SpongeBob. I gave him an ice cream sandwich then Sam and I jumped in the shower. She almost fell asleep in there. I put a diaper on her wrapped her up in a bunch of baby blankets and laid her on the bed while I cleaned up the room. She just laid there. For all of you who know my daughter she doesn't lay anywhere. I just looked at her...and stared...she was absolutely angelic. Wrapped in blankets, sucking on a paci...and just laying there. Still! Quiet! Pretty!...but sick. I actually got to lay next to her and cuddle...I don't know if we have ever cuddled...might never again. She may not feel well and I might have had a mess to clean up but I got to cuddle with my rambunctious daughter.







Tyler fell asleep on the living room floor!



Tim Russert Sunday Morning Meet the Press
Passed away today.

YUMMY

I don't think anyone will have any reason to ask why I took her clothes off. Kristi sent a popsicle home with Tyler and Sam last week. I gave Tyler his in the car and did fine...but thankfully I waited to give Ms. Samzilla hers until I got her home and undressed.




A red popsicle mixed with bad ecsema...looks great!



Look at those big ole' legs...and the cutes feet ever!
Thanks Kris!

Another year done, and more minds brightened!

As we sign year books, say goodbye to those who graduate and see you next year to our kids that will be returning, the end of the year is always a time to reminisce. We as a school started this year off with a great loss and seem to be ending it with another. But in between we have had a great year full of excitement, learning and laughs. I work in the greatest school in the world, with the greatest staff ever, and the best kids around. I work with people that I am proud to say are my some of my closest freinds. People that influence me and encourage me not only to be a better educator but a better person. My friends at MAA are so special to me. We as a staff are all here for the same purpose and all have a common goal, to make our kids lives better with education and love. But with our quest to brighten the lives of the next generation and with the celebrations of successes also comes some heartache. As a school, staff and friends we climb all the mountains together, leaning on eachother through the emotional ups and downs!

I have prided myself in the fact that I truely believe I am a good role model to my students, not just as a teacher but also a parent. I surround myself with great friends and the best family and a wonderful husband. I have learned from mistakes and grown from my decisions.
Thank you to you all who make me chase my dreams, motivate me to do new things and inspire me to be a better human being!
I love you all!
To another great year finished! 2007-2008

Tyler is Extra Special

This is a conversation Tyler and I had, while laying in bed, about his ear tag. Which I guess he never new he had.

Tyler: Mom, what is this pokey thing
Mom: That is an ear tag, it makes you extra special
Tyler: I don't want to be special.

Pause, and he plays with it for a minute.

Tyler: Where did it come from?
Mom: You were born with it.
Tyler: I was born? Whats born? Can I not be born with it again?

It was so cute. Someday it will be removed, only because kids will be cruel. But I love Tylers ear tag. I wish everyone's differences could be recognized as making them extra special!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

What a great afternoon for a party. After a night of storms and driving to the lake with trees down everywhere it turned out to be beautiful day. We got the pavillion out at lake for the day. The sun was shining (a bit windy) and the kids were fabulous.


I don't have much to say besides a day with friends and family always makes us realize how blessed we are. Sam recieved beautiful gifts along with fun toys and a ton of money. The presents were for Sam but Tyler loved opening them and really enjoys playing with them. Poor Sam has know idea what its like to have her "own" toys, she always has to share with her big brother.


I know some of our friends and family drove quite awhile to celebrate Samantha's special day with us and we want you all to know it is so appreciated. The pictures make us smile along with all the memories that will last a lifetime.

I was disappointed with one thing! My daughter was too neat with the cake! I remember Tyler not wanting his hands dirty so he dug in with his face. I thought for sure she would go nuts and make a mess...nope!

Sam's Birthday Tea Party

Kristi bought Samantha a tea party set (Beauty and the Beast)for her birthday today. Tyler couldn't wait to show Baby how to have a tea party. It was absolutely adorable. Being all boy, I love watching Tyler in these special moments when he tries to show Sam how to do "girly" stuff. They are so cute when they play. Tyler loved it being Sams birthday, she of course had no idea what was going on. The tea set kept them busy for quite awhile...Thanks Kristi...we all love you!

Memorial Day at the Farm

Tyler is all boy! Just like his daddy. He loves going to Grandma and Grandpa Cows to see the tractors. The loud noice and the big tires don't bother him a bit! The bigger the better! He wants to climb up and go. The entire time telling you how to do it. I joke that he is going to be a teacher someday...because he will teach you anything you want to know! He explains everything he does and why he is doing it in great detail. He will tell you how to start the tractor, how to drive the tractor and what way you need to go.

Samantha, my little dare devil, was into the cows. My little monster jumped out of my arms and went running for them. If I would have let her I think she would have ran up and touched one...I think the cows would have freaked before that would happen. She is definately a free spirit. She just wants to run and play. Not a care in the world! I hope she keeps that forever...or until she is 16!
A great afternoon! There is nothing like spending the holiday with family and playing outside. Everyone was happy and tired by the end of the day.

ALMOST ONE!

This blog entry is more to Sam than to anyone....
I can't believe she is one. She has grown so much in the past couple months...of course still no teeth and little to no hair! She is such a joy to be around. She watches every move her brother makes and you can tell she just wants his full attention. Even if it means taking whatever it is he is playing with. This morning Tyler, Sam and I layed in bed at the camper and she kept kissing Tyler and laughing so hard. That baby belly laugh. It was a great memory to see the two of them loving eachother up.
I love you Samantha Dianne...and can't wait to see what this next year brings...love Mom.