Family Vacation by Emmah (Day 3)

Santa came!!! He even left footprints with magic snow! It was so cool! He brought me my camera, and my brother got cars! We had a fun day......Grandpa Henkel and Aunt Mary came over too and we had a Yummy dinner!

Family Vacation (Day 2)

Today we went swimming.....swimming on Christmas Eve!! We made cookies and decorated them to leave them all out for Santa he them all and only left crumbs! Before bed we put out our reindeer feed so Santa could find our house. We had a busy, but fun day!

Family Vacation by Emmah (Day 1)

On the 1st day of vacation we rode on the airplane! Jake got to ride on the airplane with Mommy and Mimi. Jake was excited to ride the airplane! I rode the airplane with Dad. I liked to color on the airplane. Take off was my favorite!!

Mom here, they were so funny! They had an absolute blast and when we got close they thought it was fun they could see the houses below. Jake was a little restless.....goodthing we didn't drive!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Our schedule lately has been nuts! Trying to get all those last minute things done are ready before we head on vacation. Tonight we crossed something very large off our list.....we went to visit Santa!

It was very fun, and the kids enjoyed it, although Jake wasn't so sure at first! He has changed his list so many times, I hope that Santa gets him the right gifts this year! Good luck Santa! Emmah on the otherhand has stuck to her top two things that she wants, matching American Girl doll pajamas and a Hello Kitty camera (Santa may have gotten her a camera, but it isn't Hello Kitty, it had terrible reviews!)

Snowed In

Well, the last 2 days here have been snow days.....I feel like yesterday we were just practicing and today is the REAL thing. They predicted horrible weather to start around noon yesterday, let's just say by 10ish at night we started to see some snow! Oh well, we did get some much needed things done and enjoyed a family movie.

I have a new favorite, albeit a tear jerker in parts, UP! It was really cute, and the kids liked it too! We made a few stops and got some Christmas shopping done, although not all we were hoping for and even got some groceries to bake and keep stocked up. I do feel pretty accomplished after the two days, I finished up some block orders, printed some labels for shipping, baked (Yes, I said baked!), did some laundry (I figure if I keep caught up maybe it won't be so bad when we get back from vacation....fat chance!), did the dishes and had fun with some play-doh with the kids!

The kids are loving it, and for being locked up pretty much for 2 days are not fighting...I think I just jinxed myself......and are having fun with each other. Later we will do some Christmas cookies, but not as many as usual. Just some sugar cookies we can leave out for Santa in case he leaves some presents here....better safe then sorry!

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful

This year we have many things to be thankful for. We have food, clothing, and a roof over our head. We have also been given the opportunity to do a variety of things this year that have been such a wonderful blessing. We took our first official family vacation to Chicago, which we might have to make an annual event.

We spent Thanksgiving with the Bloemers family in Caledonia, and enjoyed a wonderful meal! It was great to spend time with family!

I also of course took part in some Black Friday shopping!! I don't get up early, there is nothing I need THAT BAD!! My friend and I have made it an annual tradition (my mom used to join us!) to go out and just have fun and get whatever deals we can. I did pretty good this year getting most of what I wanted, and only missing out on a couple of deals.

I hope that you and yours enjoyed a wonderful holiday!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Jake and his Two Wheeler

Today was a very momentous day in the Bloemers family. We were gone yesterday, and while we were gone (we went to the ND vs. Navy game and had a BLAST....GO NAVY!!) Jake learned a very important skill. He can now ride his bike without training wheels!

It was so fun to watch them both riding around today. He was very excited to show us! I can't believe how fast they are growing up.....does anyone know how to slow this down??? Meanwhile I hope you enjoy our new milestone!

Happy Haughting

Halloween is always fun. I mean who doesn't remember going out and asking strangers for candy, and coming home with a bucket full that mom and dad usually didn't let you eat much of! This year was no exception. We had some trouble choosing a costume, but once we settled it was great! Emmah decided hands down she wanted to be Dorothy and who am I to say no since it is one of my most favorite movies!! Jake on the other hand, went through about 10 before finally settling on a baseball player. He was so excited to get the jersey!

We had a really fun family day at home. We started off with a HUGE breakfast, which we had late in the morning. Then we played some games, Candyland, Memory, and the new favorite of the house Uno! After trick or treating we made our own pizza! All in all it was a jam packed day of fun!

Softball

I have been meaning to post this and just keep forgetting, so here you go! Emmah wanted to do a sports activity this fall, and since mom was too slow we missed out on soccer and so when there was an opportunity to play softball she was thrilled.

She did t-ball this summer, but this would be different this would be coach pitch. She was even more thrilled! Then it was more like how daddy plays...

Well because we live in Michigan and strangly enough it was a cold fall, they didn't get many games in. There were rained out twice. They had one week of just practice and then played games against each other. It was more to teach them some techniques and work to develop skills. A great opportunity if you ask me. She LOVED every minute of this. She is now more excited then ever to play this summer. I love that she loves it even if she isn't the best player she always goes out to have fun and play ball!

Pumpkins

This weekend we went out and purchased our pumpkins. Since Toby left today for 2 weeks, this also meant that we would have to carve them too!! Now carving isn't so bad, but neither kid has any desire to touch the inside of the pumpkin, they just like to pick out the face and see the finished product!!

So first we got our pumpkins.....

Then we carefully cleaned them out.....I say we meaning Toby and I!!


Don't let these fool you they were just for pictures, they each stuck their hands in ONCE!!


Then daddy carved them and made them beautiful! The kids designed the faces, so they are all theirs. I can't wait to see them all lit up. I will add a picture when we do!!!

Field Trip

On Thursday Jake got to take his very first field trip. This was a momentous occastion on so many levels. Firstly he got to ride on a gigantic bus, just like his sister. Although we were a little disappointed when it wasn't the same number. This was HUGE, they all looked so small and were so excited they could hardly sit down during the whole ride there!

Our trip was to the pumpkin patch. This too was very exciting seeing Jake himself had never been, we have gone to get pumpkins, but not at the actual patch before. They took a hayride and the driver was nice to give them various bits of information along the way, at their level so they understood. It was quite educational for all, including this mom who didn't know some of that stuff!!

They all got to pick out a pumpkin, and 2 gourds. Tough choices but we did finally decide on what one we wanted. However the highlight of the entire trip would have been the fact that Jake got to sit on the tractor and pretend to drive. He even told his teacher he was driving them back! It was a really fun trip and Jake couldn't wait to share what he got with Dad and Emmah!

Apple Picking

This past Sunday we took the kids and headed to Cranes Apple Orchard. It is a favorite fall activity. Some of the fun is picking the apples, sampling some of the different kinds of apples they have, and of course.....the cider and doughnuts!!

We picked rather quickly after deciding what kind. The kids just kept throwing apples into the bags, it got a little crazy for a minute or two! Once we had all of our apples we headed to pay. Then we of course had to get a little snack. The weather was a little chilly and the kids didn't really want to sit outside (neither did mom and dad!!) so we got some to bring home and enjoy. All in all it was a great time. I look forward to it every year, it is definitely a memory I have of doing with my mom.

Birthday Party

As some of you may know we have had a very windy couple of days! In fact Tuesday night was incredibly windy, that it knocked over some trees, and some people lost power. We were lucky that we didn' t have any issues with this!! However, our daycare provider was not so lucky :(

She insisted that she would still take the kids, and were having lunch brought in, and she also has a fire place in the living room to help keep the house warm. (The kids don't play there so it's not a safety issue, which is nice!) She also had LOTS of candles to light the house since they get there before the sun is up! Well after spending half the day there, Jake was delighted to tell Toby "Cindy's house was just like a birthday party!!" Tob asked "Why?" Jake replied "Because she had candles all over!!"

You just gotta love that kid!!

Fire Truck Parade

On Saturday we took the kids to the annual Fire Truck Parade in downtown Holland. We have gone the past couple of years and really enjoyed it. It's nice because the kids are able to see new and old style fire trucks, see fireman close-up and even try on their gear. (Although this year due to the weather we didn't do that!) The kids really enjoy it, and it's nice cause they do not use the sirens, which Emmah doesn't like at all!

Two Wheelin

Well apparently Emmah's gym teacher has quite an impact on her and her decisions, because he told them NO TRAINING WHEELS!! So she was very sure that she needed to learn how to ride without them. Tonight was the night. I had taken Jake to a Dr's appointment, only to come home to them in the front yard.....and Emmah was showing off her stuff.

I have to say learning some things doesn't take her long when she is determined, and with this once she set her mind to it she had it!! We are still working on some details, like completely started ourselves, and a classier dismount, but overall she has GOT IT!!

It brought back a lot of memories for me.....this is where I learned, in that same yard. I love that my kids will have these memories to share with their kids and it so incredible for me to share my stories with them. Like learning to ride and my dad letting me ride right into the fence (Thanks Dad!!) Emmah will have hers, she hit the telephone pole, but at least she laughed and will laugh when she shares this story with her kids someday. Days like today make me realize that her guardian angel (Memah) is watching and was cheering and laughing along with us.....

You're It!!

Sometimes in this crazy, busy life I don't think we take the time to realize the small things. Well yesterday I was reminded of one of those things. Tag......who didn't love it when they were a kid especially when you could play with an adult?

Last night while waiting for Emmah to finish up at GEMS, Jake and I went to the car. I figuredd he could find a toy in there to play with or just run around in the field. He ran a little, and proceeded to tell me that we needed to play tag....and we did!!

It was great fun, pysching him out and retagging him and of course letting him get away and tricking him back for a sneaky tag! It didn't last long, but it was just fun acting like a kid and just playing. It is these times that we need to savor, remember and enjoy, because in not to long those days of tag will be over.

The craziness continues!! We have been so busy lately so I apologize for not posting sooner!!

Emmah is loving 1st grade and all the fun things they are learning. She is becoming quite responsible. I am so proud of her! She got to go to Cranes Apple Orchard with her class this week and had so much fun! They did some stories with apples and math too. To finish up on Friday they made applesauce, which she thought was a BLAST!! (However she didn't like the taste of it!!) Next week she will start coach pitch softball, she is super excited about this, and I will be sure to post some pics!!

Jake is fully enjoying preschool and wants to go pretty much everyday! He is doing great and seems to have adjusted well to no napping, although towards the end of the week, he gets a little crabby! He is LOVING soccer and just can't get enough. We are going to have to find something for him to do when it is done in a couple weeks. On days he doesn't have school he does miss his sister though, so it is kinda cute.

I have been crazy busy with my blocks!! I did a craft show this past weekend, and think that it went pretty well. I am looking to do a couple more in the next couple months as well. It took a lot of prep work and now I have learned a lot about how to set up and what to make and have on hand. I am enjoying work and keeping myself busy with that as well. Many of the teachers are allowing me to take on some responsibility of planning and that is fun, without being overwhelming.

Toby is working hard and enjoying all his fall sports!! College football is a favorite and with Michigan being 3-0 it makes it even better. He may be heading to Nebraska for work, which could throw our schedule into complete crazy, but we'll see we haven't heard anything so far.

Tackling in soccer??

How do you tell a 4 year old there is no tackling in soccer?? Well let me tell you since we just found out!! Last night Jake had his first taste of soccer, which he has been dying to play since Emmah played last fall. He was so excited, a little bummed he couldn't wear the cleats, but he would get over that as long as he got to wear the shin guards!

They practice for 30 mins before the game and then play a 3 on 3 game that lasts about 30 mins. For practice they worked on learning to dribble, not touch the ball with your hands (which Jake isn't doing to well with either!), and shooting in the goal. Just some basics I mean they are only 4!

Jake did great for practice, had lots of fun and was really pumped for the game. When the game started he was all about it and headed for the ball. Well another player on his team is pretty good and ended up with the ball a lot. Jake would have non of that so instead of teamwork, he turned to tackling!! We were pretty sure we were going to have the first 4 year old to earn a red card! It was very funny to watch, but we know have had to remind him that there isn't tackling in soccer and that it isn't nice. Papa even had to step in to remind him of this. I am really looking forward to the rest of the season!!

Time Flies!

Can it really be that my baby is in preschool already?? Well yesterday was his first official preschool, although he wanted to go the orientation the day before all by himself! It was definetly harder for mom then it was for him, he was so excited he skipped all the way into class, and then could have cared less if I was there to say bye or not!

It was really kinda bittersweet.....I am so proud of him and all the new things he is learning. And I can't wait for him to learn more. I know he is in good hands and will just love school and the fun that is in store for him, but then there is still that part of me that is having to let go of my baby knowing that I will never have this moment again.

What has this last week taught me you ask?? Come on ask?? Well I have learned that these moment are precious and to just enjoy every minute of them! That I can't stop them from growing so instead of trying to keep them little enjoy the growths they are making, the new things they are learning, the milestones, to take LOTS of pictures, and to just LOVE them with all my heart! I often thought my mom was overprotective, I now understand exactly how she must have felt watching me grow. So I will learn from her and have my moments, but enjoy them as well and be faithful in the wonderful children I am raising. I know she is as proud of them as I am and is watching over them from above. This revelation that they have a special guardian angel has definetly brought me at least a little peace with their growing up.

First Day of School

Well it is with any yearly tradition the first day of school rolls around and with that come many hopes, dreams, excitement, anxiety, and for this mom TEARS!!

Today Emmah started 1st grade! I can hardly believe she is that old already and turning into a very interesting young lady, hey we all have our quirks right?? Today she seemed so old, so grown up, and ready for the year ahead. I know that she will learn so many new things, experience new things, and bring many new ideas to the table, but a small part of me (OK OK a large part of me!) can't help but be a little sad that my baby is growing up. I am so proud of her and can't wait to hear the tales of First grade, I am sure she will have many to share! But in my own little moment today is a day this mom, needs her mom. Because I am sure that today is a day that she would have been proud, and then wiped MY tears, and eased my nerves. Don't mistake my tears, I couldn't be more excited for Emmah. The year that lies ahead is full adventure, and loads of learning all of which will send her on her way to be, well whatever she wants.

Wait til Thursday when I have to leave Jake at preschool! Can anyone say therapy???

Things I love

1. My husband, he is wonderful even if I don't tell him very often! He can read me like a book and knows just what to do.
2. My kids, they may drive me crazy somedays, but there are definetly days when I would go crazy without them!
3. My family, I have a great extended family, very loving, caring, and fun!
4. Babies, love them even if they stay up all night!
5. The sound of rain, it so peaceful, and a good thunderstorm is also enjoyable!
6. My job! I love who I work with and what I am doing, it is so rewarding!
7. My friends, I have some pretty awesome friends who are always there when ever you need them, and always keep the good times rolling!
8. My mom, she was an incredible woman and I am trying to be half the mom she was, but the sewing and cooking skills seem to be non-exsistent....
9. God, he has blessed me with so many things and for that I am thankful.

BUZZZZZ!

So far this week has been crazy, we have gone from one thing to another! Well tonight would be no different. The kids played outside in the pool, and the yard and enjoyed the beautiful weather we have been having, and I actually got something done!!

Then Jake got in trouble, I know surprising! So to time out he must go, while there he fell asleep, which with his "NO NAPPING" thing going on happens a lot. So after Tob got home Emmah and I headed to Target to grab a couple of things, on the way home I decided since it was late to pick up pizza for dinner. We arrive home and Emmah heads in, leaving me with 2 pizzas, some breadsticks, 2 bags from Target, and a roll of wrapping paper. Kinda funny to watch me try and balance my way in, well I get closer to the garage and Tob says to hurry up, there are angry bees.

While mowing the lawn he figures he must of hit something and angered them, and when he turned around Jake was sitting down swatting something at his legs. As he looked closer there were bees and a lot of them. All in all Jake got stung about 1o times. We went to prime care, he started swelling slightly and reacts to other bugs, and we weren't taking any chances. He is on some meds for the next couple days, and will now be toting his own epipen just to be safe. The Dr. said since this was his first time being stung the next time he could have a bigger reaction. Let's all hope he doesn't!

Needless to say we had dinner at 9, and the kids didn't get to bed til about 10, who thinks tomorrow is going to be a good day???

Pool Time

How to change a tire.

To start our week off on a fun note, Tob stopped in the morning to get himself a water on his way to work (this is really early!) Well anyway, about 8ish I get a call from him asking me to call someone to change a tire. Apparently when pulling out of the gas station he heard a noise and then quickly realized that his tire was flat! And when I say flat I mean flat.

So later in the morning the kids and I met a tow truck driver at the car to change the tire, the exciting part of that is that Jake was explaining to the driver how to change the tire correctly (which he has never seen done, except on Cars!) Who knew my son had a hidden tire changing talent! So if you ask the kids what the best part of the day was, they will tell you that they got to get out of the car and watch them change the tire. I guess if we are ever bored, I will just find a tow truck and let the kids watch them work!

Black & White

The last and final challenge for My Life in Pictures was to choose a black and white photo.

The one I chose for this again was from our trip to Chicago....I got quite a few good ones that weekend. It is of my kids watching the fireworks out the window of the taxi we were riding in. We go stuck in MAJOR traffic on our way back and missed most of them, but the kids didn't mind a bit!!

Something to be Proud of...

Here is the next challege My Life in Pictures.....I wasn't sure what to do for this one, I have already used my kids, but I am very proud of them. They are great! I am proud of my mom for the fight, the confidence, and positive attitude she put forth the last year of her life. She never gave up...

But I think that what I am most proud of more recently is my decision to go out on a limb and start a small business. I started a couple months ago making handcrafted building blocks. My business is called Bloem & Grow. Here is an example...

Out and About

Well today the challenge at My Life In Pictures is Out and About. At first I wasn't sure where to go with this one, but then it came to me. We have been out and about all summer. Going to this and that, and everything in between.

This is a picture from our trip to Chicago. It is one of many, but one of the few where the you truly see my kids love for there daddy!! It had already been a long day, and my husband (bless his heart) wanted so badly to go to ESPN Zone for dinner. Well let's just say after going to the Sears Tower, it was about 8 blocks away......

We started walking and ended up carrying both our kids between the 2 of us. But this was where they started walking on their own for a little ways. It is so simple but says so much. I just love it and plan to blow it up and frame it for the wall.

Favorites!

I have decided even though I am day late that I will join in the fun. Well for this My Life In Pictures: Challenge 2 we have to pick a favorite......who has one favorite. Not me for sure!! I have so many and especially in the summer I have many more!! I guess my most favorite thing is my kids!! I know kinda lame, but without even knowing it they have helped me cope with losing my mom. They made it okay to cry, and be sad, and okay to be happy, and feel the joy of the moment!

I hope that you will join the challenge fun too!!