A Private Blog

Hi everyone! I think I'm on the verge of making this a private blog. Please post your email address under comments so I can send you an invite!

First Day of School--For All of Us!

We all woke up this morning so excited! Almost as soon as Nathan opened his eyes...he said..."I am SOOO lucky! I get to go to school today!" (May he continue to feel those "lucky" feelings for the next 18++ years!)

Joshua and Nathan both got up, had breakfast, got dressed (Nathan with his "rainbowish" shirt), and even had their hair slicked (Nathan put extra water on his hair because he knows extra slick="extra handsome"). We took pictures and made it to the car so early in the morning...we had to invent one errand, one walk down the sidewalk, and one random drive in the car just to kill time until it was time.

You wouldn't have known which boy was going to school, until one got out at a friend's house and one continued on with me to preschool orientation. Both were equally excited at the idea...both carried around a backpack all morning...both needed to have their "first day of school picture" taken. (Thank goodness both had fun places to go!)

Nathan had a great time in the new classroom and is really excited to go back Thursday for the real thing.

I decided a celebration was in order...I took us to McDonald's to feast on the dollar menu. (I can't decide who is celebrating this new chapter in our lives more--Nathan or me!) But, my favorite part was that Nathan kept saying, "I'm so glad that we could celebrate my birthday...oh...I mean my first day of school today." (I think it's a good sign if you keep mistaking the day for your birthday right?!)

It's just so fun to have a boy with sparkly eyes about being kind of grown up. And, it's such a relief for me to know that I'm not the only one in his life that's going to create enriching moments for him in the days to come. Hurray for preschool!

My growing-up boy!

Our Ruggedly-Handsome Cowboy!

Nathan got invited to his friend Morgen's (a girl) "pony" birthday party. At first he was quite concerned because he knew "ponies" were for girls. But we reminded him that cowboys ride ponies...and that seemed to ease the worry.

He and Greg went to the party...held at some local stables...and had a great time!

This is my other favorite picture. This is a boy running back to tell his dad all about it!

Labor Day Excursion

Greg had Friday off as a Chrysler "Labor Day" holiday. We thought we'd make the most of it and headed over to the eastern-side of Michigan for a quick overnight stay. We thought we'd tour Holland, Michigan. A place known for it's tulip festival and windmills. The reality is that we saw no tulips and one tiny windmill. (When we finally found where you pay to walk down a "Dutch" street, we decided our money would be better spent at the location Nathan had found a brochure for...the miniature golf and go-cart place.) Despite being a bit different than we'd planned...and maybe because it was different than we'd planned...we had the best time just being together! Will write more about it later...but for now I'm just posting my favorite picture of family togetherness.

One coach, one cheerleader, and one little two-year-old who finally hit the ball!

Visit from Grandma Rogers--Scrapbook Pages

Visit from Grandma Rogers

We just had the best weekend! Our "Grandma" Rogers drove up from Indiana to visit! Here's one of my favorite pictures from our "lake trip" yesterday. Hope to be posting some scrapbook pages soon! Thanks so much for coming Grandma! We miss you already!

Paddle Boating

Olympic Celebration!

Our family loves having "something to follow". Whether it's March Madness basketball, the presidential elections, or American Idol...we love having something we're all keeping track of and talking about day by day.

This is one of the reasons why we have just been loving the Olympics! This week we've been using it as a good excuse to do both "educational" and just plain fun Olympic-related things with Nathan and Josh.

We started out by reading this book to the boys. We've had several "country" nights where we make the country flag out of construction paper, eat food from the country...and sometimes if we're lucky...learn a word or two from the language spoken in the country. This means we've had:

• China night (during the opening ceremonies): Chinese take-out and homemade egg drop soup and fried rice.


• Germany day: German pancakes for breakfast, Brats for dinner (couldn't find sauerkraut at the store!). (My sister also suggested German chocolate cake...but we didn't get that far.


• French dinner: French toast and french fries!


• Mexi-laysia dinner: A Mexican casserole recipe sent from my mom who's in Malaysia! (A definite stretch...but no complaints.) =)

Nathan and Joshua watching the Opening Ceremonies and eating fortune cookies.

It's also been a good excuse to play more "sports" outside...somehow it feels more exciting if you can label it "Olympic". Nathan playing "Olympic Soccer".

We even made "Olympic Torches" out of sugar cones, orange sherbet, and red sprinkles.

I was going to have us do an Olympic torch relay...but that was pushing Greg a little too far. =)Attempt at the Olympic Flag made out of square of tissue paper.

(Sorry--the date on this post is incorrect. Actual date posted is Friday, August 15th.)

Our Latest Adventure!

Spent a fun morning yesterday at a farm and orchard. The pages below are all pictures taken while we were there.

Making a Rocket

Here are the instructions for making a child-friendly rocket! (In the pictures of my last post.) This idea comes from my sister, Carol, who always comes up with fun ways to teach her children. I would love to hear how it goes if you try it!

1. Collect materials
· Cardstock
· Tape
· Empty plastic film canister
· Scissors
· Markers (optional)
· Alka-Seltzer tablets (we found box of Wal-Mart brand—under $3.00 for 36 tablets)

2. Cut two pieces of cardstock

--1 rectangle (approx. 6” x 8”)
--1 half-circle (approx. 3 ½ “ diameter)

3. Tape rectangle around the plastic canister. The canister at one end with just the lid ridge poking out. Shape half-circle into a cone and tape opposite end of “rocket” as the canister.

4. I have a hard time knowing what part of this I want Nathan to do. So often at this point I let him decorate the rocket with markers. Then before using, I wrap tape one time around the end with the canister to “waterproof” it. It just helps it last for more uses.
5. Then take outside with a little cup with warm water. Put one tablet in the canister and pour a in a little water. (Less than half full is usually best.) Snap the lid on. Stand back and count down! If you’re quick, you can get about 3 blasts out of each tablet. As soon as it lands back on the ground, put tablet back in and add a little more water.