Too long

After two long months of sickness overshadowing our family (including strep throat for three times in less than a year), we are all finally feeling better and looking forward to spring! Recently, we had to change Olivia and Ethan's doctor. We are so glad we did. Her nose healed up within 3 days of being on the treatment that he prescribed.

It has been too long since I have blogged. Facebook has kept me from doing the things I should. Olivia and Ethan, the lights of my life, are growing and changing at warp speeds and I should record more of what they say and do. For example, Ethan so sweetly and innocently said today, "When I grow up, I be Santa." Olivia tried to explain, "That's a good idea Buddy, but there's only one Santa." I whispered to her that we would explain that when he gets older, for right now let's just let him believe he can be Santa when he grows up. So stinkin cute.

We are getting ready to go to Disney World in one week. The suitcase is out and bathing suits are piled up...My Aunt Cheryl, whom the kids call Sasha, gave them each $20 to spend in the shops...I have been praying fervently for our protection and safety as we travel, checking the weather...Scott has been working hard as everyone he works with wants to get jobs done before we leave. I don't know who is more excited us or the kids! I have only been to Disney World once, that was in 2002and during that one visit Scott and I got engaged in England at Epcot. So there are happy memories from that time and so many more wonderful memories to make this time as we travel there again with our 2 kids. Boy, life changes quickly.

Here are some pictures of Valentine's Day that I forgot to post and a playdate with Olivia's friend from school, Ellie, and her little sister Natalie.

Valentine's Day

So much love. Olivia loves holidays. From Mommy and Daddy the lovebugs got stickers, a coloring book, and candy. Olivia wanted to dress up for her school Valentine's Day party and looked so adorable. Her hair is just beautiful - so long, so straight, and such a gorgeous color - I just had to take a picture of it. Ethan looked so handsome in his red polo. From the picture of the three of us, you can see why I am rarely in pictures - the two of them just can't seem to smile when I'm not behind the camera. Would be nice to have a good picture of all of us but that is virtually impossible at these ages. Olivia still has a very red nose in these pictures.

What a Wednesday!

Tuesday was a spectacular day of warm temps, thawing snow, and smiles everywhere you looked! After no January thaw, the 60 degree temperature was a complete blessing. On Wednesday, Scott stayed home due to the steady rainfall and we had a fun day. Olivia and Ethan had received Valentine's Day cards from Sasha (my Aunt Cheryl). She had written them amazing letters that Scott and I love to read just as much as the kids love to listen to them. They are truly "keepers" and will go into their scrapbooks. Sasha had also enclosed gift certificates for Target! The kids were so thrilled because we were just there the other day and they were eyeing a few toys. So we all went to Target (the kids brought their gift cards and some money from their piggy banks) and the kids picked out a new toy. Olivia chose a stuffed animal (a pink poodle) that came with a puppy coat and carrying case and Ethan bought his "new computer." They both are so exciteed! Ethan won't go anywhere without that computer.



















So after Target we went to Chuck E. Cheese. Here are some pictures of the kids with their favorite things to do there and one thing Ethan discovered he doesn't like so much...

So long January

Happy days are here again! After 3 weeks of sickness, including stomach flu and strep throat, we are all feeling much better now. Sweet Olivia has had the worst of it and just recently her nose is starting to clear up a bit. Here is a picture of sicker days...













One day when the kids were still kind of sick, they made their way to our 3 season porch (brrr) and took a ride on Bubbles the horse.















After so many days inside, we ventured out this weekend and went sledding at Nana's. The kids were so adventurous and daring! We had a blast! Check out Scott "snowboarding" on a sled.

Being sick is just not fun, but swimming is!

Boy, have our kids had a streak of illnesses. Ethan starting throwing up on Wednesday early morning, about 1am. I ended up sleeping in Olivia's bed and Olivia took my spot upstairs. After a long day, he seemed a lot better by Wednesday late afternoon. Olivia has had a runny nose all week, and with that runny nose has come dried skin around the nose and a lot of soreness. The poor kid can't figure out how to blow her nose yet so it is all very messy. (I have done A LOT of laundry this week.)

Both kids seemed on the up swing Thursday so we went to Chuck E. Cheese's for Parker's 5th birthday party. The kids had so much fun and stayed up past their bedtime. They loved it! And, truth be told, Scott and I really liked being able to sleep in a little bit the next morning. Olivia and Ethan are such early birds, I wonder where they get that from?

Saturday we went to the YMCA downtown with a group/program from Coopersville public schools early education programs. We were in the pool the entire time! Ethan kept letting out these screams of excitement every few minutes! It was so adorable. Olivia really enjoyed seeing some of her classmates outside of school. Swimming in the winter is so much fun! Scott and I were right in the thick of it, in fact, I think if the slide was open Scott would have gone on it. The kids were exhausted and sleepy last night.

Unfortunately, they were both not feeling well, again. Ethan threw up a little bit, enough to wash the sheets, and Olivia is just plain miserable with that runny nose and chapped skin. I hope they are both well soon, everyone around here needs a full night's sleep with no interruptions.

Baby it's cold outside

How we stay warm and have fun in subzero temps:
playdates with cousins
GR Children's Museum
coloring
painting
playdough
movie time
playing dress up
playing camping out in the living room
planning our vacation to Florida
baking cookies and bread
computer time
Here are some pictures:

Margaret Rose

While others spend this time of year contemplating New Year's resolutions, planning their future year endeavors, and adding to their to do lists I will now and always take this time of year to relish the memories of times gone by with my mom. It was last year on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2007)morning that I woke to frenzied phone messages and the returned calls telling me the heart breaking news that my mom had died earlier in the morning of a stroke. It still doesn't seem like it is real, and yet I fear forgetting...her voice, her laugh, moments in time... Watching videos or that beautiful montage of photos set to the theme song from "Somewhere in Time" (my mom's favorite) that my dear friend Amie made I am not able to do yet, so I play the moments back in my mind and heart. In order not to forget, I will remember.

"Let this New Year be the beginning of a new life in each of us...Let all blessed old things stay, but let the clutter of our heads and hearts be removed, that new inspirations and new affections may come in and gladden our lives."
~ Chester Burge Emerson


So happy new year, new inspirations and new affections to you all!