Monday, November 28, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
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...
Friday, October 21, 2011
Johanna
(Post Family Farm last week with Grandma Rita, Aunt Rebecca, Josh and Luke)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!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)