335:366 - Decisions, decisions

Rodger and I were in GR today and stopped at one of the markets known for its beer selection.  Wow.... decisions, decisions.

334:366 - Magna-Tiles

Wink is up to his tricks...last night he built a fort out of Beckett's Magna-Tiles. The poor dude was confused about how to handle this as it meant the Magna-Tiles were off limits for the day because if you touch Wink, he loses his magic.

333:366 - Early morning

The dude has been getting up early with me the last few days. His first request is to play his spelling game on the iPad while I work on my photography. I love how his little giggles break the silence as the sleepy, pj-clad boy begins to wake up.

332:366 - Parade of Lights

Tonight was the Parade of Lights through downtown. As usual, it was FREEZING! So we bundled up in snow pants and long underwear and watched the VERY LONG parade. We were rewarded during the parade by being pelted with a generous amount of candy (aka "loot") and at the end with a Santa sighting.

331:366 - Fishing at the Grocery Store??

Took Beckett to Meijer today re-stock our kitchen after the holiday weekend. He is a patient dude and really doesn't mind wandering the aisles as long as he gets to visit the fish and the lobsters. Today he got a surprise when Bob, the "fish guy", was cleaning the tanks and let Beckett go "fishing"! The look on his face was priceless when he scooped one up!

330:366 - Wink

Wink, our Elf on the Shelf, made his seasonal appearance and will undoubtedly make the kids giggle over the next few weeks with whatever tricks and hiding places he has up his sleeve!

329:366 - Let the gag gift shopping begin!

Every Christmas, it seems that someone ends up with a gag gift and this year's gift purchase came early! Both Rodger's brother Larry and my brother Todd were going to be the proud receivers of....drum roll...Anti-Monkey Butt.

328:366 - Gingerbread Houses

A day of gingerbread house building and decorating with grandma and grandpa. The kids had a great time and probably ate as much of the candy as they used to adorn their homes. Beckett was enamoured. He sat there and built for a solid 3 hours. He was in seventh heaven. The concentration alone floored me. Zoe's house was full of sweet surprises. This will become a tradition I am certain.

327:366 - Happy Thanksgiving

A happy Thanksgiving filled with food and family. So glad my parents were here this year...

326:366 - Walk in the Woods

My mom and dad came up to celebrate Thanksgiving with us this year. I am just as excited as the kids are! We went for a hike in Sanctuary Woods together and soaked up the sun on this gorgeous day. Beckett played with drawing letters in the dirt with sticks and hiding in downed trees. Zoe was glued to Gramma as they held hands and talked on their walk. Dad enjoyed the views of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa from the top of the dune. And, we actually got one of the very rare family photos of all four of us.

325:366 - A little "kid" humor

Rodger has these cool pint glasses from Christmas last year...but today when I used one I noticed something that made ME laugh. If you have an older elementary aged child, you know that this is the age when they learn things like how to spell "hello" in numbers on the calculator or make you say things like "underwear" by telling you to "look under there!" One of Zoe's favorite things during this phase is to ask you to spell the words "I CUP" which, of course, ends up with you saying "I see you pee". So, when I looked at the distributor's name on Rodger's glass, I couldn't help but laugh. And neither could Zoe!

324:366 - Date night and some general goofing around

Rodger and I went to dinner tonight at Public for a late "just adults" birthday celebration. Of course, when you see a sign that says "do not climb on walls", anyone who knows Rodger knows that that is the first thing he is going to do!

323:366 - Play park

A quick trip to the park today with Beckett and the Toth triplets. Feels good to be in the sun before the grey weather comes...

322:366 - Rodger's 43

We celebrated Rodger's BIG 43 today with presents, car racing at the tennis courts and Rodger's favorite dessert: Jeannie's ice cream dessert....while the ice cream was a little melt-y, he said it tasted just like he remembered....

321:366 - Ken's birthday

Rodger and I went "down to the farm" in Saugatuck to celebrate our friend Ken's 60th birthday with friends, food and a bonfire. It was a gorgeous night!

320:366 - A walk downtown

Out for a walk with my favorite people. We went downtown today to get some fresh air and go for a beer. Kids love the fact that they know about every inch of Eighth Street -- as well as just about everyone who works in the Peanut Store, the Outpost and Globe. It's more of a social thing than a shopping thing for them but if it ends up with a stop at the Peanut Store, all is good.

319:366 - Dad, Daddy, Daddy look at this!

Beckett has really taken to the iPad and now that he is really beginning to understand how letters and numbers go together, he is loving some of the games that are actually educational. However, above all, he loves to show his dad what he is learning, or when he recognizes letters. It has really become quite an amazing tool!

318:366 - Kids, start your engines...

So, years ago, Rodger and I bought these RC race cars.  They are a blast. We added hop up kits like lights and different rims as as "tricked" out our cars. His is an Audi R8 and I have a Mustang. With great foresight, he bought two extra cars and put them away for "some day".  This was some day. The kids now have their own cars! We took them to the local tennis courts and had a blast with a course set up from old tennis balls. Zoe is a great driver.  With only 6 years to go before driver's training, let's hope this is a sign!

317:366 - Grocery shopping

I used to love to grocery shop, but, over time, I have grown to hate it. I try to be a "meal planner" and carefully craft a week of dinners for all of us as well as breakfast and lunches that are easy to make / pack for school for the kids. But, in reality, as I wheel through the outer ring of the store, it becomes "anything goes and let's hope I can make something edible out of whatever I take home". 

316:366 - Life's a Beach

Life is a beach. And that means that in West Michigan, when the wind blows and you are a windsurfer / sailor / kite boarders you go.Rodger joined about 15 other wind wishers out at the State Park today. The kids and I tagged along and played in the sand and along the break wall.  While it wasn't an epic day for Rodger (he tore his sail) it is always a great day if you can get to the beach.

315:366 - Big Sister & Little Brother

Went for a walk downtown today and captured a moment of sweetness between the kids. Zoe looked s grown up carrying her purse and holding her little brother by the hand. We stopped at the map of the college and, because our house used to be the Poll Cottage, found our house on the outdated map. The kids get a kick out of it each time.

314:366 - Yup, it's wicked good

Oh my deliciousness....I am not sure if it is really yogurt or dessert but this stuff is my newest addiction! Now, how can I convince the kids that it tastes AWFUL so I can keep the secret to myself??

313:366 - Backyardigans

Beckett is BIG into the Backyardigans at the moment. I imagine a lot of 4 year olds are. While watching an episode today, he grabbed his markers and paper and drew what he saw. Pretty cool!

Tasha

Tasha

Pablo

Pablo

312:366 - Uh Oh

We love our UPS dude - he's a good guy. But, I am betting that he loves us a little bit less about the time Christmas begins to ramp up. I am no fool: I know that anyone looking at those three boxes on the left will know that those aren't holiday gifts for the multitudes; those are a little bit of Xmas love just for me! But, if YOU shop on Zappos too, you also know that all except for one or two pairs will be shipped away again.

311:366 - Election Day

Every four years we have the right and the privilege to vote for whom will lead our country. It was good to see the polls filled today with my friends and neighbors regardless of which candidate they choose.

310:366 - In Hiding

Beckett had an impromptu visit to our pediatrician for a cough that has not gone away in 3 weeks. Before she arrived in the room, he became shy and decided to "hide". 

309:366 - Oh the possibilities...

There is one cupboard in our house devoted to all things for yummy baking. Looks very well stocked!

308:366 - Preparation

Rodger took advantage of the unseasonally warm(er) weather to swap out his summer tires for his winter ones. Am hoping the snow holds off just a bit but that when it fllies, we really have a white white white winter.

307:366 - The Loot

Came downstairs this AM to Beckett's "loot" neatly laid out on the floor. He must have been taking stock of his treats!

306:366 - Java Love

Met my friend Debbi for coffee this AM as a late birthday treat to me. I usually ask for my skim latte in a "to go" cup but this AM I didn't...and I am glad. A little coffee "love" sweetened our outing together.