Friday, September 21, 2018

Can I try on your robe?

Our house has some unique temperature issues.  It gets really hot upstairs while remaining quite cool downstairs.  Each day in the summer we have to run the air so that we don't bake upstairs, but it makes for a chilly kitchen at times.  One day in late June I asked M if I could put on his robe to keep me warm.  The kids didn't think it would fit, but as it turns out, it did.  Who knew that a child's robe could transform into a 3/4 length wrap perfect for me to stay warm downstairs?  I think it is my first time to wear batman apparel!

Necessity, the mother of invention. 

Their first crop!

Our garden continues to produce tomatoes even now, well into September.  Back in late June, our first harvest was the first round of radishes.  

It is sort of hard to know which ones are ready to be picked!

T: Our first harvest of the year!

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Bike Race 2018

In late June our community opened its doors to host a very special bike race.  This race is actually one part of a ten day race.  Bikers race on a circuit over and over for a certain amount of time.  Amazingly, this year the race went past OUR house!  Since our street has a major hill they were working pretty hard each time they past our house! What a thrill!   Because there are so many categories,  the races run most of the day.  I walked the circuit many times throughout the day and watched races from many different places.  It was so much fun and addicting.  The downtown had a festival atmosphere, but instead of a smell of alcohol in the air there was a smell of protein bars and sunscreen.  It was such a special crowd of athletes and fans!  

We watched the final race at some of the key downhill curves which just happens to be at some of our good friend's house!  We witnessed a scary crash where a biker hit someone who was carelessly crossing the street.  It was quite a tragic sight to see.  

One of my highlights was early in the day during the kids races a boy who was about 12 years old was working hard up our hill and said to another competitor, "This is a very nice neighborhood."  That made me smile.  


The view from the front of our house. 

Heading down the hill with the church and our house in the background!

Really fast!

Bottom of the longest downhill (another church in the background on this one).

Where we viewed the final race. (You can see if bit of our church at the top of the hill)

Coming around the curve and heading down the hill!

Our neighbor S decided to take full advantage of the festival atmosphere.  Our kids helped a bit.

M and T: Business was good.  We sold out!

M decided he didn't want to watch that much of the bike race and went up to the top of a different hill where police were blocking off the road.

M: It was fun chatting with the police. 

 M stayed with his police friends for the entire race.  I bet he talked with them for two hours!  I am so thankful he has such a good relationship with the local officers.  They were very good to him and let him check out the car and even turn on the lights!

M: What a day!

M: I could get used to this!

M: These guys were great! 



Who sleeps here?

I am not sure if I have written about this previously on the blog, but 2018 has brought about some HUGE changes for our family in regards to sleeping arrangements.  In January M decided that he no longer needed me to sleep with him.  I moved into the office for the transition as it seemed I was still needed most nights.  I was sleeping on three crib mattresses and not getting super quality sleep.  After a few months of back and forth we instituted the dime policy.  The kids each get a dime each day at the end of the day.  If they come into our room in the night, need us to sleep with them, or come and wake us before 7:00am it costs them a dime.  This system has proved fabulous for our family!  We were having such success with it that we decided sometime in May or June (I think) that I should move back into "our bedroom" for the first time in eight years!  Brandon and I were both used to sleeping alone or with a small child vs. an adult so we knew that in order to sleep successfully we would need some modifications.  The best modification for us is having our own bedding.  This way if we toss and turn in the night we don't steal covers. After a month of adjusting to each other's sleep patterns I think we are able to sleep pretty normally now.   M got into a little rut where he was coming into our room frequently so I decided to start charging him two dimes and that has proved successful overall! 

Our bed was made by our daughter!  

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Adoptions Creates Buddies

The day after M's big trip to the amusement park we had our big adoption family night of connection and learning.  It is such a special night.  We were so thankful for everyone who was a part of it this year.  M LOVES seeing his buddies from the area.  He can't get enough of being with these friends.  I am so thankful for the area adoptive community and the way we love each other so well! 

M: I wish I could see Z every day!

M: If M and Z went to my school it would be amazing!

Amusement for two 8 year olds!

M got to go on a very special adventure with his BFF L for L's 8th Birthday!  L invited M to go with his family to an amusement park for the day!  M was a bit nervous because he didn't like fast rides, but decided to say yes to the invitation!  

Before getting picked up I snapped a picture both to celebrate the day and also to know what he was wearing should he get lost at the amusement park.  
M: I am super excited and a bit nervous. 

Two eight year old buddies and a super sweet little sister!

Both Eight!

Something amazing happened while they were there... M learned that he actually LOVES rides... all rides... even fast rides!  This was a life changing revelation.  I was getting texts with updates and was almost crying with joy.  I am so thankful that he had this chance to conquer his fears and had so much fun in the process!

Scrambler Success!

The Tilt-a-whirl!

He was able to go to a fair three times in August and enjoyed many more fast rides!

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

He really loves dogs!

M LOVES dogs.  Dogs love M! Dogs also love me.  I do not love dogs.  This combination creates some problems.  We visited a friend and learned of a creative solution.  The dog didn't bother me and M got some time in a safe zone with a special dog!  Both dog and human were very happy!  We are so thankful to have many good friends with dogs for M to love on and be loved by!
M: I could stay in the cage with Murphy all day!

Loose Tooth!

M really doesn't like having wiggly teeth.  Once it starts to wiggle he just can't think of anything else.  He is forever asking Brandon to pull it out.  This can be tricky, especially when you have a little helper who insists on being RIGHT THERE as you wiggle!  The tooth eventually came up, and in the end, M pulled it himself.  He has pulled out every loose tooth on his own.

T: Yep! It's wiggly!

Monday, September 17, 2018

Father's Day 2018

I think Brandon had a pretty good Father's Day.  Both of the kids made him cards and things at school!  He and the kids snuggled on the couch and watched "Dude Perfect" videos.  There was plenty of laughter and requests to watch it again. 

Father's Day was a warm day so we headed to an area pool to cool off.  We got a super pass this summer and made great use of it going to area pools for "free."  A super pass costs just $30 more than the one pool pass, but allows you to get into 4 area pools.  Some of the pools have warmer water and better slides etc.  I think I calculated that we saved only $120 with the Super Pass.  One could argue that we wouldn't have gone to the pool as much without the pass which would be correct, but either way, it was wonderful to have. 

M: I don't know how they do it. 

T: I love giving gifts!

T: Daddy liked it!

T: I made it just for him. 

M: I made Daddy something too!

No Hands! Upside Down!

Sometimes even a more cautious child will through caution to the wind and hang upside down with no hands!  I am proud of him for trying it and thankful that he enjoyed it.

M: This is a funny feeling!

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Flower Girl Prep

T was so excited to try on her flower girl dress for an upcoming wedding!!!  It was quite a project to order dresses and shoes online.  We had a tricky time getting matching things for her and cousin A, but in the end, it worked out perfectly. 

T: I love the heels and the open back!

Ready for Park!

After two summers of waiting to go to the summer park program it was FINALLY T's turn to go too!!!  Both kids had another wonderful summer at Park.  We continue to be so thankful for this program.  

The kids started Park on VBS week.  In theory, it was incredible.  They did outdoor VBS at the park, I brought them lunch, then they stayed for park.  Sadly, rain canceled their park time twice (I think).  After the first few weeks having some rain days, it seemed that they were never rained out in July!  This was great news!

While the kids were at Park I was preparing for the next day of VBS and then preparing for the adoption event.  

T: I feel very grown up today!

Saturday, September 15, 2018

T's Restaurant

During the week before the craziness, T got in one OT appointment.  Her first with Miss April.  As of yesterday we are now on to a new OT again, but this one told me she is going to stick with T.  Great news! 

After OT T really wanted to set up a restaurant in the waiting area.  She worked very hard to set it up and I was happy to take pictures of her master piece!
T: Welcome to my restaurant!

T: See how I organized everything? Do you love it? 

Sensory Modified Chores

Sometimes I have these awesome ideas about how to engage our children in chores around the house.  The idea and reality never match, but there is an effort made. 

I decided that M could do some vacuuming.  Sadly it is pretty hard for him to comfortably hold onto the handle and keep the suction on the ground... he needs a few more inches of height to do this easily, so it has become something that gets added on as a consequence more than a chore haha. 

He is a sensory avoider, so head protection is a must. 

M: This is NOT an easy job!

My little sensory seeker loves to be all wrapped up in the little shop vac.  She loves to clean things out, though there is some quality control issues.
T: It is a vacuum necklace!

Friday, September 14, 2018

The Deer Whisperer

The morning after the cousins left we were in the front room and noticed a sweet doe across the street.  T very quietly opened the door, went outside and stepped closer and closer to the deer.  She was talking sweetly to it.  Interestingly the deer moved bit closer to her too.  When she came in the house she waved good-bye and blew it a kiss!  What a sweet girl! 

T: Hi Deer. 

T: I won't hurt you. 

T: You can be my friend. 

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Cousins and Grands Summer Kickoff trip!


  Brandon's parents came up with our niece and nephew for a few days at the start of summer vacation. This was the first time A and A came up without their parents also coming too.  I think things went quite well.  I know it was a lot more work for Tom and Judy.  They arrived on a Sunday after bedtime so they headed straight to the hotel.

Monday was a good day filled with time biking, playing in the basement, playing at the park, playing in the yard, grilling out, and then going to a Y waterpark!  So much fun in one day.

Early in the day the kids biked to a park with Brandon and Tom.  

M: I like to push and jump on. 

M: Not TOO fast Grandpa Tom. 

An important meeting!

Meeting new friends and carrying scrap wood... summer at its best!

After the bike ride they played at home inside and outside.



T: A really likes our platform swing. 

T: Big A can really jump off of our outside swings!

M: A and I love wrestling. 

T: A and I love Magnatiles. 

In the afternoon Tom and Brandon took the boys on a biking adventure to Culvers.  It was pretty much all uphill on the way there so morale was low, but they made it!

The bikers!

While the guys were biking and I was home cooking, Judy took the girls to get their nails done.  They were so sweet.

T: I felt very grown up!

Once everyone was home we had tasty grilled food!

The food filled the grill!

There must have been at least a bit or rain, because after dinner we spotted this lovely rainbow.

We love catching rainbows over the Lake. 

After dinner Tom and Judy took the kids to a Y waterpark.  Everyone had a great time!

T: We loved the lazy river with Grandpa. 

M: We liked it too, but it was a little bit slow. 

Ready for the lily pads!

T: I remembered how to do them.  

T: I loved all the fountains!

After a trip to the waterpark, the girls went to the hotel and the boys came to our house.  So much fun to have a sleepover with cousins!!!!

T: I brought lots of blankets and animals and cozy stuff. 
Tuesday morning began with a photoshoot for the girls.  They love posing for the camera.


T: We were models. 

T: Silly models!

T: Best friend models!

The kids played at home.
FOUR on the swing... I don't think this will end well. 

Books and cuddles. 

Monopoly Empire!!  

The kids went to a magic show at the library at some point.  I got very sick Monday night so Tuesday was blurred.


As I said above, four on the platform swing isn't the safest idea.  The swing actually had too much weight and fell down.  

Two girls got bumps on the head after the swing drop. 

Tuesday night the girls slept at our house and the boys slept at the hotel.

M: We were a little bit tired!


Wednesday was the day they headed home.  I actually woke up feeling much much better.  All the kids were swimming at the hotel and I walked over and watched them for a bit.  They ended their time here flying M's brand new drone.  Sadly, within a couple of minutes of starting M hit a power line and the drone broke. The good news is Brandon's parents took it home with them and fixed it for later in the summer fun!  

Lots of jumping in!

All at the same time!


Four great kids!  One strong and amazing grandpa!

Getting ready to fly the drone. 

Starting off!

Successfully flying!

About to hit the power line...

We are so thankful that we had this visit!  We hope we can do it again and again.  Our kids really love their cousins!  So many precious memories!