A DAY OF SUN

Finally a day of sun and whole lot of fun. Grandpa and Grandma have made it in for a quick weekend visit and today we were all able to get out and enjoy some fresh air. The kids enjoyed playing in the front yard, riding bikes and a special trip to the park just with the Grandparents. Brayden was up for his t-ball practice today even though he has been under the weather much of this week. Becca is constantly telling me that she wants Grandma to help her and loves the extra attention. Andrea is just her silly self.

Grandma brought stick on earrings for the girls-they love to wear them and talk about them.

I think Brayden did in the rest of our wiffle balls today-time for a new batch.

T-Ball practice was much better this week. No dead battery and everyone was able to run around. Becca enjoyed playing with a bubble machine, Andrea helped cheer Brayden on.

And I wonder why the kids get sick???

Becca told us that she can now play Baseball, because she knows how to play. This was after she ran the bases with Grandpa-complete with pink cowgirl boots.

This was Brayden today, this smile was so refreshing to see, seeing as through-out the entire week he seemed to be battling some sort of stomach bug.

Chapel

Yesterday Brayden's K4 class lead Chapel for their Elementary classes. I really didn't know exactly what he was going to do seeing as he would never give me an answer but I did know he had been working on it for a good week or so. We all arrived at school on time, fully dressed and fed-always makes for a crazy morning, it is one thing getting one ready but all of us is another matter. It still is just the best to be sitting in the auditorium and watch Brayden come in and then seeing him get a huge grin on his face when he sees Ron and I. After singing a couple praise songs we all sat down and his class walked up onto the stage. Before I had time to get the camera out next thing I hear is Brayden at the microphone saying, "Hello, my name is Brayden and welcome to Chapel" I was so surprised and proud, and also pretty glad I didn't know he had to speak due to the fact I would have been more nervous.
His class did great and lead everyone in the different pledges to the flag and bible. They ended in singing a song for everyone. Definitely special and getting to sit with all three kids for the silly KidMo video was just great no matter how goofy the movie.
GREAT JOB BRAYDEN!

Backyard Visitor

I am getting a little worried about what's in our backyard or neighbors. This guy has been hanging around the past couple of weeks. Even though I have seen him before he still surprises me when I open the shades and find him sitting on our fence ready to pounce!

Peirced Ears

Yesterday we were driving in the car and Becca was in her chatting mode. I was half listening when I hear her say a couple of time to me "My ears hurt all day, mommy my ears hurt all day" I didn't know what she was talking about so I asked her to explain. She told me that her ears hurt all day thinking about earrings. I thought this was very funny because we never talk about getting out ears pierced and rarely does she even notice if I have earrings in. I told her that she didn't need to get her ears pierced if she didn't want to-which came as a big relief to her. This just goes to show you never know what the kids are thinking, or going to say or what they notice around them.
Andrea on the other hand I am sure wouldn't mind having earrings-she is forever touching mine. Although she is also my little girl who wants to play ice hockey and any other rough or extreme Olympic sport she has seen this week on TV-"I do that mommy" has been her favorite commentary while watching.

THE WEEKEND

http://picasaweb.google.com/dmulder/BridgerDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCL6PiamSkLfAhAE&feat=directlink

It really is amazing how time goes by even when the thought of three days without Ron sounds endless. The kids and I really have had a fun time, mainly because they are easily entertained-THANK GOODNESS. Yes, the whining, the mess, the fighting, the "no time for myself can overtake me at times but these are the moments I chose to remember. From reading books, enduring games of candy land and memory and lots of free play, which always included lots of free hugs and tickles the kids truly didn't seem to mind staying at home much of this weekend. One trip to the grocery store I did cave to the toy isle. Funny how a two dollar toy can be so entertaining for each kids-worth every penny!
The kids and I did miss Ron a bunch and are definitely ready to have him home, we are not complete without him! Andrea helped set the dinner table last night and made a big fuss about not having enough forks, she ran to the drawer and was insistent on setting a place for daddy. Anyway, it was again another rainy day so we decided to bake a cake....the plane better not be delayed because I don't know how long I can keep the kids out of the frosting!

Let the T-Ball Season Begin

Finally, Sat arrived and Brayden could start his t-ball season. He has been asking about it most of the week, ever since he found out what team he was going to be on this year. Too bad it was terrible weather and Ron is out of town. I was shocked that practice was not cancelled-we were the only team out on the fields. Brayden had a blast, one of his class mates from school turned out to be on his team making him a whole lot more comfortable out on the field with a friend. The team seems to be pretty into things this year seeing as they practiced for the full hour and a half in the drizzling rain. No problem for Brayden, he got to play kick ball, batting practice and many fun games with running and catching grounders-perfect for all the energy he has.
On a motherly note this morning was not my best, it seems as though everyone else had it together and I was just barely making it this morning. I had both girls with me and really didn't want them out in the rain so I left them in the car with a video. Turned out it had a scratch which I didn't discover until I checked on the girls only to find them both distraught in their car seats.-not a good feeling. I also didn't realize the time, basically practice was over lunch and I was one of the few moms with no food...and whining kids asking over and over where their snack was. To top off the outing I discovered the car had a dead battery when I went to start it back up-what a mess I just wanted to back home! I don't think I will ever be one of those moms who as all their kids in matching clothes, with bows (Andrea came in her snow boots this am) and manages to have a perfectly clean house, and has time to be crafty!

THE SEASON FOR SKIING

So, the kids and I are home watching skiing while Ron is out taking it all in with my brother David for the weekend. The kids had lots of fun watching the super-G tonight, although I cringe seeing some of the crashes. Hopefully Ron is not trying anything too crazy-unlike someone else I know!

http://picasaweb.google.com/dmulder/BridgerDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCL6PiamSkLfAhAE&feat=directlink

We miss you Daddy-BE SAFE!

Silly Girl

Tonight Andrea was feeling a little under the weather. She was laying on my lap and told me her belly hurt. I rubbed it a little and was going to give her a little snuggle when she pulled away and prompty pulled up her dress showing me her belly. Then she proceeded to do the belly roll. I asked what she was doing. She informed me it was the baby moving and that was making her belly hurt. She says some of the silliest things, basically whatever comes in her head I think she speaks.
She also told a friend today when he got in the car that she had a baby sister. I told her she was the baby sister and she told me-"No, I have a baby sister who is in your belly!"

SAD TEARS

A couple days ago Becca was having issues at night and ended up throwing up all over one of her toy animals. Becca has had two animals that she is totally attached to, one being a black bear we call blackie...who has been lost, and found many times over the years and a little pink pig call pinkie-who is old and filthy but unwashable. It just so happened that she missed the bowl and managed to cover pinkie in her throw-up mess. Now when it comes to evenings I am about done with parenting, funny how things seem to pick up in the evenings just when my patience is about gone, so cleaning up a nasty bed did not put me in the greatest of moods. One thing about me is that when I get tired and sick of things I just DUMP....consequently pinkie and blanket just got dumped. There was no way I was going to deal with that nasty mess. I should have thought of my little girls tender heart before making pinkie's permanent home the garbage.
In the days following she has asked many times about pinkie and I had thankfully been able to skirt the issue, as long as blackie was still around things were okay. Ron kept asking me when I was going to tell her, I kept putting it off. Yesterday as we were driving home from the library just the girls, she once again asked is a sad voice-where is pinkie??? So, I decided to tell her-well, a little nicer than saying he was dumped. Yes, he was in animal heaven much happier because he was all clean and healthy. I think Becca's heart was broken, she cried the entire way home, big sad tears. Then when we got to the house after unloading I couldn't find her, after calling for her I hear a little voice, from the couch where she is all curled up with Blackie. Now she is crying for Blackie because as she informs me, he has no more friends. What an ordeal! I am praying Blackie can hold on a little longer.

HOTEL FUN

Last night we decided since both Ron and Brayden had a day off of their normal routine that we would do something a little special. We ended up taking the kids to a hotel that has a little kiddie park/pool. I had taken the kids last year and they had had a blast, so seeing as the list of things to do is pretty limited with this crazy cold dreary weather (I know I am from MI but it is wearing on me) we decided to take Ron and have some fun.
The kids has so much fun. It is amazing how much difference a year makes. It was fun last year but a lot of work, seeing as both the older two were not very strong in the water and the pool was on the verge of being too deep and then trying to keep Andrea a float....fun but lots of work. This year was great. The older two could fend for themselves and just loved climbing on the Lilly pads, jumping in, no fear. Andrea had lots of fun as long as she stayed warm, thankfully the hot tub wasn't too hot and was a great place for her to play.
We let the kids stay up super late, seeing as when we checked in they informed us the pool wasn't going to be open the next day-disapointing to say the least! Even sleeping has made an improvement. I actually woke up this morning in the same bed I went to sleep in and was pleasantly surprised to still have the bed to just myself and Ron....no little kido's. Anyway it was a fun time especially as Ron took all three late in the evening and I could just lay around and watch the Olympics!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Happy Valentines Day to all our family and friends, where ever you might be. We love everyone of you and regardless of how often we get to see each other, your love is felt year round. We only hope you feel as loved and as special as each one of you make us feel! No family shot this year, just not worth the hassle but each child has been celebrating all week and the little goofy grins they all get when thinking about what to make and who to give them to have just been too cute.

WITH LOTS OF LOVE, THE HAVEMAN FAMILY

FUN WITH VALENTINES

It has been a fun week for myself and the kids-lots of fun things to make and fun packages to open. Thanks to Grandma the kids had a blast tonight opening their valentine package-they just love getting things with their names! I wish I had the video handy but as usual I was unable to locate it...typical, I really do need to clean the computer room.

The kids had so much fun reading/looking at their valentines. Each ones expression was so sincere-such a fun age to watch.
Brayden was pretty excited that his pants had pockets....and that he gets to wear his shirt to school tomorrow.

Becca was the quiet one, but loved her valentines...and the chocolate-can you tell?
It was a fun bedtime tonight-all new books.

Andrea was SOOOOOO excited, she could hardly wait for Ron to pull something out of the package with her name on it.

Thanks Grandma, and Grandpa-we had a ton of fun!

closet fun

This is what the girls love to do in the morning. The end result is a closet in a state of disaster!

Old Routine

These past two days Brayden has been under the weather and so he has been home instead of at school. I have to say that I always thought it was nice being able to send him off for the day but these past couple days have been pretty nice. I didn't have to make lunches, didn't have to have the girls take early naps. We had our nice relaxing mornings instead of the mad rush out the door then realizing it was only 9am and we had half our morning chores done. I think it was nice just to be able to do our own thing and not have to worry about anyone else's schedule....I also think Brayden just enjoyed the fact that the only work he needed to do was valentines.
I am praying he is better just for the fact that our whole house smells likes Vick's from the night time vaporizer.

TOO MUCH OF SOMETHING GOOD=PROBLEMS

I have heard myself tell the kids many times, don't eat too much or drink so much you are going to get sick. Well, this weekend my words actually rang true for them....maybe they will learn. First I decided to splurge and make a fruit salad this weekend, I think we were all sick of apples and oranges. Needless to say the kids loved it, so did I, so we ate a TON of fruit. In the back of my head I had a little voice telling me to stop Andrea, seeing as she is barely potty trained and I didn't want to set myself up for another accident. I decided to ignore that voice and let the kids enjoy. Well, we decided to take the kids to a pool for a quick swim laterthat evening. The kids had a blast, I watched from the sidelines wondering why I just didn't stay home. But then I was reminded why mommy is around. Brayden all of a sudden was out of the pool with a horrible look on his face-"I HAVE TO GO POOPY'S"-which you know just echo's in the pool. Now it is me running my five year old to the potty (and I was worried about my two year old) all the while he was yelling "I CAN'T HOLD IT" and he was right-WHAT A MESS, I would rather deal with a diaper than a wet swimsuit accident. It was then I realized why I was along-to clean up the mess (sorry to the other family in the bathroom).
Then tonight we had a little party with the kids. Ron took them to pick up some food and they all picked out candy. I decided not to be the monitor tonight and it was a free for all, including a crazy round of twister....completed with ice-cream for bed time snack. Once again, I ignored that motherly voice to limit the sugar but....guess who vomited in her bed. Andrea, who I think ate a whole package of sweetish fish unloaded her stomach just after I had gotten her all tucked in. Funny thing was instead of crying and being upset the silly girl sat and just giggled when I washed her down-I think she was delirious.
That was definitely enough messes for me, I though I had left my mess cleaning days behind when I left the hospital. So much for ignoring that little motherly voice. Back to moderation and healthy living!

SHE DID IT!!

FINALLY!!! Today was the first day in two weeks that I did not have to change Andrea's panties, pants or throw her in the shower. Not only did she accomplish this at home but she survived a trip to the store, library and a ride to school. I have no clue what tomorrow will bring but I am going to enjoy this moment for what it is, a big step forward for my growing two year old.
(funny how my sense of accomplishments have changed over the years)

My own dose of reality came tonight when I realized Ron's heart rate strap needed little adjusting when I put it on!