Santa 2012

We did not have the most successful Santa experience this year. Abigail, Henry and Johanna were SO excited to see Santa. Johanna said she was going to sit on his lap, tell him she wants a skateboard for Christmas and give him a hug. Abby sat down. Henry sat down. Johanna sat down. Then ran. And cried. She was not amused. She warmed up a teeny tiny bit and would communicate with him from about 5-10 feet away, but that was about it. I think she still got in her request for a pink skateboard and helmet though. :)

Christmas Card 2011

Christmas Program

Abby and Henry had their school Christmas program on December 6. Their music teacher does a great job and really looks forward to this night! The kids had a great mix of secular and religious songs that they sang. They both did an awesome job and it was a really fun night!

Henry - 6 years old, Kindergarten
Abby - 8 years old, Third Grade

Abby and her friend, Annaleigh

Henry and his best friend, Elliot

Putting Up the Tree

Our tree went up Thanksgiving weekend. We had a stay-in-our-jammies kind of day and had fun decorating! Johanna got in on the action for a bit but was excited (and amazed) when she woke up from her nap to a completely decorated tree! Now time to get some presents wrapped for underneath...

Happy Birthday, Papa!

We were at a loss for what to get for Colin's dad for his birthday this year. He's been given every grill accessory known to man. He's been given enough books to read for years. He isn't into electronics or gizmos. So...what do you get for a man who has everything? Pictures! I took the kids to VanRaalte Farms and took pictures of them holding a "P" or "A." Then I had them printed at 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" and put them in a frame that held 4 pictures. It obviously spelled out Papa. The kids loved doing it and I think that Grandpa Papa liked it as well! Happy Birthday, Papa!

Halloween 2012

T
These are only a month (not even!) late. Whoo-hoo! Halloween was a fun night this year. Johanna was the cutest Lady Bug ever. She had a blast trick-or-treating and refused to take off the sunglasses or put her coat on. Seriously though...isn't she the cutest?Abigail wanted to be a snow princess this year. I was thrilled with that because it only involved buying a cape (which I got a great deal on by using a plum district deal)! She wore her new Christmas shoes which of course made me nervous but they stayed perfect. :)
Henry wanted to be Mario. This involved an ebay costume but it was worth it because he was so stinkin' cute! He's a perfect Mario! He wasn't into wearing the mustache though.

Apple Pictures...in late November :)

It's my blog and if I want to post apple picking pictures in late November then I will. :) We went to Crane's on September 12th with Haans, Anita, Bebe and Sylvie. I wasn't going to post these pictures because they are so old, but when I came across them the other day I decided they belong on the blog too. So...fresh from two months ago...apple/peach picking pictures...

Johanna

(Post Family Farm last week with Grandma Rita, Aunt Rebecca, Josh and Luke)

Johanna is just over 2 1/2 and growing up so fast! She's independent, but also our biggest snuggler. Each morning after we bring the kids to school we have a little time before I have to go to work. Both of us love spending some of that time snuggling on the couch watching a show or reading books. She spends her days with Grandma Rita or at Jean's house and really likes both. The best is when I ask her on Fridays "Who's house are you going to tomorrow?" and she gets a HUGE smile and says "Staying at Mommy's house!" It's an adjustment for me having a child in daycare each day and it's a little tough at times, but I know that she really loves it and is doing great.

Johanna's developmental skills are interesting to say the least. The girl doesn't know her colors. We've tried SO much and she just doesn't know them. We are honestly beginning to wonder about color blindness. However, she colors well beyond her years. She chooses the smallest things on a page and colors them, in the lines. It's crazy really. And she's our biggest athlete too. She can throw a ball like she's in Little League and can drop kick a soccer ball. That's all when she's not on her bike or scooter of course.

Johanna is such a love and watching her grow up is such a fun ride!

Change

Colin's fine with change.
I'm okay with change.
Abigail embraces change...if it's in her favor.
Henry hates change.
Johanna is loving change.

When I started my new job in July the transition went surprisingly well. The kids were okay with it because Colin was home with them most days while I was at work. I was still working at night waitressing so that wasn't any different for them. The days were filled with me working and the kids going to the cottage, playing with cousins and friends and enjoying every day.

When school started I also stopped being scheduled to work at night. I can still pick up shifts (and have picked up 1-2 every week so far) but the majority of my work is during the day. Abby and Henry are in school all day, every day. Our nights are short, filled with dinner, homework, some playtime, baths and prep for the next day.

Colin's days are filled with kindergarteners, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and eighth graders. Then an 8, 6 and 2 year old at night. He's still working 2 shifts a week at the Grille too.

Busy, busy.

Abby was SO excited for school. She got the teacher she wanted and lots of friends in her class. The first two weeks went great.

Henry was a little apprehensive, but also excited for school and the newness of a new school, teacher and class. The first two weeks went great.

Week three is a little more challenging.

Abby's stuttering is the worst it's been. She's more aware of it than ever. She has told us how some kids tease her, roll their eyes when she tries to talk or say "Just talk" to her when she struggles. She's trying to find her place among her friends. She's often the third wheel. That hasn't been a problem until this year but it's more difficult now. Her anxiety is high right now. She constantly needs to know where I am, when I'm working, etc. Bedtime is a bitch, no other way to say it. It's always been terrible with Abby, but it's awful now. Most nights end in yelling (by Colin or me), crying (by Abby or me) and anger (from Colin and me).

Henry tried so hard to hold back tears this morning. School is just "so long" for him. He likes his class and teacher but feels like just one of the masses in his big class. He needs security and when he goes out for recess without a teacher it's tough for him. He needs security and when he doesn't see YoYo or Dad at school it's tough for him. We're encouraging friendships and he's played with Elliot, Angel, James and Emma along with cousin Sylvie of course. His anxiety is up, but still manageable. I bribed him for the remainder of the week. No tears = a trip to the Peanut Store on Saturday.

Johanna's loving life. She spends her time each week at "Shrama Rita's" house and at Auntie Jean's house. She loves it, especially gettin so much attention from Grandma. She's spent time playing with "her buddy Josh" too. They need to work on the playing and sharing instead of the pestering and fighting. She's made the transition beautifully and for that I'm thankful.

Transition has never been as tough for this Mulder family as it's been this year. We're still in the midst of it and trying to enjoy, embrace and like it. We will...one day at a time.

Moving Private

I've been thinking for a year of making this blog private because sometimes there are things that I just don't want posted out for anyone to read. When my friend also turned her blog private not too long ago it got me thinking about it again.

So...in the near future it will be going private. If anyone still reads it and wants to still have access, just let me know and I'll send you an invite.

This will happen in the next couple of days.

Thanks.

First Day of School 2011

Another "First Day of School" is under our belt. Crazy to think that, with preschool, this is the sixth "first day of school" for Abigail and the fourth for Henry. This is the first year that both kids are in the same school and that will be so nice for me! They are also super excited this year because Colin's placement is at the high school in the morning and then at the kids' school the rest of the day! Yes, the kids get to have their dad for Art this year. AND...I get to have their dad take them home each day. Yeah! Today was a success for the kids and they came home telling me how great their days were. Here's hoping the rest of the year is just as great for them!Henry with his teacher, Mrs. Fuentes on "Meet the Teacher Night" last week.

Abigail was SO excited to get Mrs. Coon as a teacher this year!

I think I told them to say something here. :) Abby all set for third grade, Henry ready for Kindergarten and Johanna ready to go to Grandma's house. All three were EXCITED!

THIRD grade. THIRD grade. THIRD grade. Maybe I'll believe it if I keep saying it!

Henry is ALL SET for Kindergarten! All day, every day kindergarten might wear him
out but he's so excited to be at a new school and meet new friends!

Aren't they cute? And about the same height too!

One last picture by his locker before school started.

The Wedding of Ali and Ryan August 20, 2011

On August 20 we were blessed to be able to share with Ali and Ryan the joy of their marriage. They are so in love with each other and just a perfect couple together. They had a "simple beach wedding" at the cottage. The day started out rainy and it looked very iffy for an outdoor ceremony but about 30 minutes before the ceremony was to start the sky cleared and the day became perfect! The wedding was beautiful and the reception under the tent was a blast. Congratulations, Ali and Ryan!The newlyweds in the back of Dr. Martin's vintage truck. Check out Ali's awesome shoes!

Miss Thing hanging out by the truck taking a break.
Henry and Bebe said they had their own wedding and also got married that night.
Abby loving being a flower girl yet again. She's holding Ali's bouquet here and thought she was hot stuff.

Mr. Ring Bearer. He took his job VERY seriously!
Ali and all of the kiddos from the wedding.
Even my niece Maya was able to come from Boston! So nice to see Brett, Luna and Maya again!


Miss Thing on the dance floor.