School

It’s hard to believe school has been in session for two months now. Taylor is off to a great start. He loves first grade. I think because I taught first grade for 11 years before staying home with the kids, it seems so strange to me that Taylor is now a first grader. He isn’t supposed to be that old yet! After the first week of school Taylor told me, “I think I like first grade a little more than Kindergarten.” Taylor had an awesome year in Kindergarten and LOVED his teacher last year, so I am thinking he was feeling like he was being a little disloyal to his kindergarten teacher by admitting to liking first grade too.

At open house and meeting his new teacher.

Waiting for the bus on the first day of school. I absolutely LOVE the group hug. I have this picture in our kitchen to remind me every day that they really do love each other despite the daily arguments I need to referee.

The day Taylor started school, I started a preschool program with ASOM as well. They are really enjoying their school too. I came across the preschool program on a blog I follow www.motherhoodonadime.com The program is a bible based program called God’s Little Explorers and I am having a blast teaching them. I bought the entire curriculum for $14 (a little cheaper than enrolling the kids in a preschool) and the proceeds go to an orphanage for girls in India. We do school 3-4 days a week for about 30-45 minutes. A bible story and bible song, letter of the week, shape or number, and life skills are just a few of the things we focus on each day. Our sun room is quickly turning into a little classroom with letters, numbers, shapes, calendar, and projects popping up every where.

One of their favorite activities so far, mixing primary colors to make secondary colors.

We hope all of you are enjoying your fall too! I will keep you posted.

Our Adventure to Michigan and Auntie’s Wedding!

On Thursday, August 22 we loaded our suburban with 5 kids, 4 pack-n-plays, suitcases, a cooler, and enough snacks and activities to keep a family of 7 busy for a loooong time. We were headed to Holland, MI to celebrate my sisters marriage to Chad Vanden Bosch. It was our first family of seven road trip other than to the grandparents homes and we were quite unsure of what to expect. At least we were traveling to the wedding with my parents, so we were able to split up the kids. That made a huge difference and Trevor and I agreed that our trip went so well that we would even take a long road trip again. I wonder where we will go on our next big road trip?

Our first picnic in Wisconsin at a rest stop.

The kids were soooooo excited to have their first stay in a hotel. We even had enough room to put all four pack-n-plays up. A bit crowded, but we were able to rest.

Day 2 we stopped at a park on Lake Michigan to have a picnic and check out the lake. The kids thought it was the ocean (a little bit bigger than the lakes around here).

Rehearsal dinner

AUGUST 24 – WEDDING DAY!

Mr. and Mrs. Vanden Bosch

Before we left Holland, MI we checked out the Big Red Lighthouse. Micah kept asking if there was a light keeper in the Lighthouse.

On the way home we were brave enough to take a detour to downtown Chicago. Visited Millennium Park and enjoyed some AWESOME Chicago style pizza. Definitely worth the stop!

We did it! We survived four nights in hotels, five days away, and over 1400 miles. A wonderful memory for our entire family.

We love you Vanden Bosch family! We were so happy to share this day with you!