Our bestest friends

Words can't describe how special these kiddos and their mom are to us.  They are the SWEETEST and most fun loving kids - we ADORE them all!  Amanda watches the kids on Tuesday's while I work at the office, and her and the 3 DeHoog kids schlep it up our driveway with coffee in hand faithfully every week.  Would you believe that we've made it through an entire tax season with NEITHER of us cancelling because of sick kids!  God is GOOD!  I love that Wyatt wakes up on Tuesdays and asks if "my auntie manda and my vince are comin today?  YESSSSSS!"  I must admit that the shock of our kids not tackling me at the door when I get home has worn off... Amanda usually has them all so preoccupied with something that they hardly notice I am home (or that I've been gone????")  Now, I am sure that things can't all be smelling like roses all the time - okay - I KNOW they can't - she's watching to 8 month olds!  Anyway...  they might have their moments but I never hear about them, and I am so grateful for that.  I also don't worry for a minute while I am gone.  There have been so many funny stories, I'll try to remember some of my favorites:

1. Amanda says, "We've had a casualty, we can't find Wyatt's glasses."  Me, "I had them with me, they needed new nose pads."  Wyatt, turning towards Amanda, "Oh yeah, I forgot."  
2. Wyatt's report, "Vince was crabby.  Then I was crabby.  No, we were not crabby it was Grace."  
3. Addison had some "markings" all over her face.  Apparently her and Vince got to rolling around on the floor together, and she got a bit scratched.  Wayne told me, "They weren't fighting mom, it was more of a love and laughter kind of scratching happening."  :-)

THANK YOU DEHOOG's, we love you and think the world of you!

PS - There is going to be a cement truck pouring concrete here on Tuesday!!!

)

I am giving him this one.

Ever the practical child, Wayne has not for a MOMENT been fooled into thinking that Santa, the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny were real.  Not that we've tried that hard to convince him.  But for some reason the little green man celebrated in March caught his attention.  He was ADAMANT that we build a trap to attract and catch him, and so we did.  Do we believe in luck?  No way!  We believe in the sovereign plan of God.  But I also don't think a little fun can hurt anything.  So...  while Wayne was sleeping, the "little bugger" fell in his trap and somehow got back out.  Wayne found his coins taken and the trap empty.  Shoot!  Maybe next year!

Pioneer Pride Award Winner

In the fullness of our days, apparently I forgot to tell Wayne the he was getting an award.  He knew I was coming to his assembly, but did not know it was because he was getting an award.  He was so surprised when they called his name!!!  Last year I was nervous going to his assembly, not knowing how early to show up, and I thought I had to get a babysitter for Weston and Wyatt.  This year?  Piece of cake!  Show up 10 minutes early, take Weston, Wyatt and Addison, and bring lunch for them to eat with Wayne and his class afterwards.  I just kept thinking that next year "Wayne's School" is going to be "Weston and Wayne's school."  EEEK!  Knowing he is changing schools makes me so excited for him, and so incredibly nervous for him as well.  

One last "school kid" epiphany for you all.  I don't know why I never realized this before this year, but just because you think your kid should know not to wear his coat to an assembly doesn't mean that he will.  Or that just because you would notice the peanut butter and jelly on his face, that his teacher will.  As much as Wayne wants to wear shorts to school every day - I refuse to let him until it is 50 degrees!  He has 3 recesses a day, and there is no meat on his bones.  

 Way to go Wayne!

 Wayne's very own relative at school (every kid should have one!)  Aunt Kathy keeps a very watchful eye out for Wayne.

Amish baby? and the Saturday Rundown

Addison is a lover of FOOD these days.  She has started eating dinner with us at the big table, and eats something that we are having, tailored for her.  These noodles were a BIG hit!  However, she had just come in from being outside, and I swear she looks like an Amish baby!  :-)  What do you think?

This morning was a nice "family" morning - everyone at home, no sports to go to, and nothing but chores and a sunny day ahead.  I made two new recipes, both from Pinterest - eggs/bacon/cheese muffins, and blueberry muffins.  Addison ate the muffin and the eggs - big girl!  Tyler thought I was nuts to feed her, until he saw her scarfing it all down.  Then he thought I was certifiably nuts - because of the MESS.  And I quote, "I do not miss this stage."  We cleaned up, and before long Addison was down for a nap, and the rest of us headed to the front.  We are taking on a project, a MUCH NEEDED project of redoing the driveway.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Nope.  It means over 20 boxwoods have to be moved, and if we move those, I might as well get rid of every other plant up there that I don't like, and start over.  WOOT!  We pulled out a TON (literally!) and it's almost a blank slate now.  

Tyler went to dump his trailer, Wyatt is eating lunch before taking a nap (much needed!) and Weston and Wayne are in the backyard attacking or conquering something.  Their PB&J's are ready for them when they get hungry.  And me?  Hmm.. I've got to make some lunch, and then I think it's time for some hose therapy - squirting off all the dirt from the porch and sidewalk. 

WE LOVE SPRING!

A Note from Wayne - I think I like computer time!

the BIG day

Wayne had school on his actual birthday, and wanted to have Root Beer Floats for his treat.  Absolutely!  I had them all ready, and Wayne and his friend Levi helped to pass them all out.  His whole class sang Happy Birthday to him, followed by, "Are you one? Are you two?..."  He was so embarrassed but I could tell he loved every minute of it! After school he got to go to Grandma's to play for a few hours while I took Wyatt and the other kids to the doctor for a sinus infection for Wyatt.  We all met back at home to celebrate his big day with tacos and a few more presents.  I can't believe our baby is SEVEN already, that seems so old!  And yet when he crawls up on my lap for a snuggle, he still feels like my baby.  He is such a sweet, tenderhearted, and joyful boy - we love you Wayne!

Muddy Buddies

Saturday was GLORIOUS around here - warm and sunny, a March delight!  We did yard work, and the boys played in the mud.  Weston was up at Grandpa and Grandma's so he missed out, poor guy!  I think he had his own fun eating chips and running around their yard with Madelyn. 

Sweet SEVEN! - Wayne's birthday weekend

After a WHOLE year of waiting and wishing, Wayne's big birthday weekend finally arrived.  With his birthday being on a school day, we decided he could open a gift on Saturday, so he could truly enjoy it.  He was THRILLED to open his eyes and see this baby parked in front of him.  What did he love the most?  The fancy wheels? The foot pegs?  The brake system?  Nope - he loves the kickstand!  He headed outside and started getting used to the feel of a 20inch bike.  It's a lot bigger than his 16" one, and it's brand spankin' new.  I have visions of going camping and hauling his bike along with us this May - it's going to be fun!  He keeps wanting to watch videos on youtube to see what kind of tricks he can do with it, but I just keep distracting him when he asks.  Even though we have an accident policy through AFLAC for a reason - I'd like to avoid filing claim for at least a few months this year! 

 On Sunday we had our family over for a birthday bash.  It's actually getting EASIER as the kids get older, and the weather was so nice we sent the kids outside for awhile. Wayne didn't want to go out though, he was too busy with his Technic Legos to bothered!  It was a full house, but a lot of fun.  One of the things I do at every birthday party is to start off by talking about the birthday kid.  For Wayne, I asked him what his favorite subjects in school are - his answers were PE and Science.  He told everyone he played Football and Basketball, and that he was going to play Baseball, and that Basketball is his favorite.  He has a new bedroom that is now downstairs, and he is ready to be 7!  He is also counting down until Weston turns 6.  At our house, your chore is to unload the dishwasher when you turn 6, until the next kid turns 6.  Weston will be 6 in January of 2014!

 Who knew he would be so excited for a can of Pringles?

 Grandma made him this hat that he's been BEGGING for.  He wears it all the time. 

 Wayne got a special Skylanders cake too, talk about LOVE!  Debbie at the Lynden DQ is amazing. 

 Dude - you could use a fork you know!

Thank you everyone for making it such a special celebration!  We appreciate you all, and the impact and positive influence you have in Wayne's life. 

Can you feel the love tonight?

 Nope.  Not feeling the love!

From the brothers

Around this camp, we don't celebrate birthDAY's, we prefer to celebrate birthWEEKENDS!  We started the party on Saturday and kept rocking it all the way through Monday!  Wait a minute... we started Friday night!!!  Wyatt and Weston were beyond excited to give Wayne their gifts, both Skylander's action figures, and one of them was EYE-BRAWL!  Yup, scooped him up for $14.99 - booyah!  Wayne was thrilled and couldn't believe what his eyes were beholding.  It was fun to look ahead to the weekend to all of the things we had planned, and to CELEBRATE this completely awesome seven year old.  Let the fun begin!

Here's to you, Dr. Seuss!

To celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday Weston's class got to wear their pajamas to school.  He was super excited to be silly and comfy at school all day.  The funniest part?  ALL the kids fell asleep on the bus on the way home!  Why not, they were already in their jammies!