Finally

Finally I am back. I have been crazy busy and just don't know where the past two weeks have gone. Here are some moments not in chronical order.

1. Last Wenesday we got the keys to the house. Our move date in November first but at least we can do some minor work before we moved in.

2. We finished painting Ella's new room. I have the bottom half of my craft room painted and now just need to decide what to do with the top half. We have chipped, sanded , and primed Howie's room yet the paint seems to like the floor better then the wall. Today I bought some new primer that wil hopefully seal all the chipping paint and keep it from falling off. Our goal is to have Howie's room done by Sunday night.

3. Jim found out today that he needs surgery. Wednesday he will have a plate put in his hand to keep the bones from haling improperly again.

4. Ella participated in the fun run at school last week. I was so proud of her. I helped tally up the kids laps and most kids ran 11 laps and my little Ella made it 13 laps. They were raising money for the PTO.

5. The kids are getting excited about moving. We took their bikes over to the other house so that they could ride them while Jim and I are working over there. They love so much freedom in the back yard. They also have found the basketball pole in the drive way. So much to do!!

6. FIRST GRADE!! Need i say more?? I don't think we were really ready for what would come. In one week Howie called home sick on Monday, Had trouble with another kid on the bus, (the Other kid was the one causing trouble of course) to Friday getting a call that Howie bumped his head on theplay ground. leading me to moment 7.

7. Asking Howie why he hit his head he explains to me that he tapped Anna(afriend from last year) on the shoulder and then ran away from her. While being chased by her he hit his head on the playground equipment. How cute that he is picking on this poor little girl that picked on him all year last year.

8. Friday night we went to the homecoming parade. It is so much fun watching the whole community come out to support the school during this week. Of course the kids walked away with bags of candy.

9. PACKING......I have been trying to pack as much as I can with the time I have at home. Jim's been getting boxes at work every Monday so i try and get them filled before he comes home with more.

10. Wam weather............Ella and I today sat outside and let the sun bake off our faces. It was so nice to feel the heat of the sun again and enjoy that moment with Ella on my lap.

11. countdown, 3 weeks and 2 days to move. Yeah .

1. The birthday that never ends. The kids got a box monday after school with presents for both of them. They love getting suprises in the mail.

2. Fishing in the front yard. The kids both got new fishing poles in the past two weeks and even though they don't catch anything but a butterfly and optimus prime they sure have spent alot of time casting in the front yard. It is amazing how entertaining this is for them.

3. Telling our landlord that we are moving. I know that he is not happy about us leaving but it was very hard to tell him we were leaving because i hated to dissapoint him.

4. Having Jon and Angie Babcock over for dinner Tuesday night. The kids loved entertaining them and we enjoyed walking around our circle. The kids had to point out everything to them.

5. We sent the Application, lease and deposit in fo the house. Now we just wait for our references to clear and then we can get a key to start pinting the rooms. The house is only about a mile from us so it will be nice to run over there and get some stuff done while the kids are in school.

6. I started packing the kitchen. I figured i haven't used some of that stuff in the past 12 months i am sure i won't need them in the next 2. i have four boxes packed so far and hopefully this week i can get more done.

7. Jim fell at work on Friday and broke his Left hand. I think he just doesn't want to have to help move. Just kidding.

8. Friday Night Jim called me to tell me that the car would not start. We had it jumped and drove it 3/4 the way home when it quit working again. we tried to jump it again but no luck. We finally ended up having it towed to firestone wherethey fixed it on Saturday.

9. After 4 hours of dealing with the car Ella was so tired. Once we finally got home she crashed, here's a picture of her sound asleep on the back of the couch. Saturday morning she had no idea where she had fallen asleep.

10. Saturday afternoon spent at cascades with Kyle, Adam, Caleb and Jacob. The kids loved running around and playing with all the kids.

11. Ella and Jacob having "tickle time" ella loves babies but she was having so much fun tickling him and trying to get him to laugh.

After Cascades we went to John and Dee's to play for awhile. Then to wendys. After dinner we went to Steve's where the kids always enjoy a kid friendly game of Basketball. We ended the night at the Bartlett's letting the kids play for awhile.

Although we had some pretty bad moments last week we also had some great time with our friends and family.

Blur (pictures are coming)

Last weekwas a blur. Yes, there was a big moment or 2 but for whatever reason recalling the events from last week is not easy today. And most of my moments see to be about Ella, MAybe because it was her week to shine, sorry Howie!



1.Ella made her first Scrapbook page for school. She cut out the pictures herself and told me what to write on it. It is very cute



2. Making cookies with Ella. Tuesday we made cooies for her to take to school on wednesday. It was so much fun just her and I cooking up a storm.



3. Howie telling me about the F book he is reading at school. "Mom, it's so easy......It doesn't have chapters or anything.......Just F words" Out of the mouth of a six year old.



4. Ella turning 5 on Wednesday. I can not believe that my baby is 5. We took her to Applebee's for dinner.



5. Scooters. Ella got anew hello kitty scooter for her birthday. She loves riding it to the bus stop in her PJ's.



6. Jim and I went and looked at a different house to rent. It has 5 bedrooms and a huge backyard. Since we have no backyard we are seriously considering it.



7. Grandma Vicky came to stay on Thursday. The kids are pretty excited to have her here all weekend.



8. MEIJER Thrifty Oulet!! Need i say more?? If you have been there you can imagine the Stuff we bought for christmas presents. If you haven't been there the next time you are here have me take you there. You will LOVE it.



9. Friday night shopping and dinner with my mom, aunt and cousin. There is nothing like a kid free night with the girls.



10. Ella had a great party on saturday. although it was raining and our roof was leaking i think it was still alot of fu for everyone.



11. We are moving. Yes, Jim and I made the decision to move to the house with the Big backyard, 2 car garage, and no neighbors. Don't get me wrong.........Neighbors can be great and we do love some of ours but not all. We are looking forward to almost complete privacy except the church that you can kinda see next door.



So, this is my week.........as i was writing i started to think maybe it wasn't such a blur after all. Sorry this is not being posted earlier but i wanted to give my landlord notice before i told the whole world. I finally did and i feel relieved to have it over with but also sad to leave here.

Dramaful

No, that is not a real word but one I made up to describe the crazy week we have had. Here's the moments from this week that make our top 11.


1. Sunday we enjoyed another afternoon out on the boat on Lake Michigan. Howie loved touching every gadget on the boat and Ella loved hanging her head out the window to watch the water go by.


2.The sunset was absolutely gorgeous. Haven't seen that in quite awhile.

3. Spending the last day of summer vacation at the beach. Monday was a perfect day for swimming and laying out in the sun.


4. First it was frogs, salamanders, a snake, well......now it is a turtle named Bob. He belongs to the neighbors but my kids love to get him and play with him in the front yard. He is a sand turtle from the African deserts.

5. The kids started back to school on Tuesday. They both have enjoyed their first week back at school but poor Howie is exhausted. We just need to find a well balanced routine for him and stick to it.


6. GRATEFUL. yes, moment six is being grateful for what we have. Wednesday morning a family around the corner from us lost their home and everything in it. We have used this experience to teach the kids about house fires in a real picture and to look at how lucky we are to have everything we do. Please keep the family that lost their home in your prayers, they have a long road ahead of them.


7. Wednesday was also the first day Ella got to ride the bus to and from school. I think she was proud of what a big kid she is.


8. Friday morning Jim got his freedom back. The dr said his foot is healed so he doesn't have to wear the boot anymore. Jim is excited that he can get back into the ymca and kick it hard.


9. Howie Time. Friday I picked up Howie from school for some one on one time. He gets out of school at 3:20 but the bus doesn't come till 4:50 so him and I got to hang out for a bit before Ella came home. Thursday night he was crying because he hadn't been able to cuddle with me all week. By the time we get home from the bus, eat dinner, and get around for bed there really isn't much time just to hang out. I think he appreciated the time we had Friday afternoon.

10. Fireworks on the Grand River. We really haven't seen any fireworks all summer so this was nice to go hang out downtown and watch the fireworks. The crowd was slim, the weather was good, but the show was Awesome! (if you can't see this picture, tilt your moniter. It's a great picture)

11. Prayer. Yes I am asking that you all say a prayer. Someday soon I can tell you why but for now just say a prayer for a situation that lays heavy on my heart and say a prayer for those who are involved. Thanks!!

Saturday, August 30th

1. Learning that Ella will have Howie's teacher (Mrs Keifer) for sure. We requested her for Ella but there was a slim chance that her class would fill up do to request.


2. Ella holding a snake. Yes, I am very afraid of these but to my surprise I walked outside to see Ella holding the one the neighbors caught.

3. Ella finally feeling better come Tuesday. Seems to be she needed tons of sleep because Tuesday Morning she woke up and was back to her old self. Including eating 2 Breakfasts only a couple hours apart.

4. We had a visitor come Tuesday night and tell me to get a quote for the van and that it would be taken care of by his friend who hit the van. I was very surprised that he would even have the nerve to show his face at my door because of how furious i am with them after lying to the police about it. (come Saturday night i have the estimate at almost $1700 but no one has returned to pay for the damages.)

5. Finally getting MI plates on both vehicles. Yes, we are procrastinators but the job is finally done now.

6. Going to the schools for a ice cream open house. Better then ice cream both of the kids got to see their classes and Howie got to meet his teacher for the first time.

7. All summer I have been meaning to take the kids putt putt golfing and just haven't done it. So we finally went on Thursday. The kids had a blast but after trying to keep fair score after 2 holes i realized it wasn't possible. Howie kept picking up his ball and moving it to a better spot and Ella kept sliding her putter until the ball went in the hole. It really was too cute. Howie kept telling me "Thanks Mom!" I probably heard it 5 times during our game. It was so sweet.

8. After a FAIR game of golf the kids rode the kiddie go karts. This was Ella's first time riding a go kart and she did a great job of driving. Howie did great too but when it was time to stop he didn't remember to pick his foot off the gas petal. He drove straight into a wall. I was afraid he was really going to be hurting Friday morning but luckily he seemed to bounce back quickly.

9. After a hot afternoon of outside we cooled down with Mcdonalds Ice Cream. Nothing better then a hot fudge sundae!

10. One thing I thought you would all enjoy this week........Ella has been watching "Sit and get Fit" I am sure you all know the show on PBS. Where the lady sits in the chair and does exercises. Well, twice this week I have walked in on Ella participating in the program, doing everything the instructor does. She is so stinkin adorable these days!

11. Saturday afternoon we had a family day. We went downtown and played at the park next to the Grand River. The kids enjoyed watching the river.


Over all our week was pretty exciting. We hope you all had a great week too.

a week of ups and downs

1. Howie and Ella having new little kids next door to play with. They spent all Tuesday and Wednesday out side playing with them. After missing there friends all summer it is nice to have someone to play with again.

2. Jim got the sponge removed from the bottom of his foot. He is still in a walking boot for a couple more weeks but at least now he can swim.

3. Ella got a small hair cut. Maybe 3 inches but it makes it so much easier to brush out all those snarles.

4. We found out Howie will have Mrs. Freeland this year at school. We are looking forward to meeting her this next week.

5. Amy finally finished the curtains for Ella's room. We have had the material since before we moved here so it is nice to have finally completed that task.

6. The kids enjoyed a day playing with each other at the park.

7. Thursday night a vehicle hit the van at 1:15 in the morning and then drove away. If you know anything about our neighborhood I am sure you can guess where this vehicle was at and why they left the scene. We called the cops and filled a report but until that vehicle retuns there is not much we can do.

8. Camping at Jim's brother's pool. Camping is always fun but who can beat it when the pool is almost right next to the tent.

9. Howie and Ella catching Salamanders out of the pool. I don't think they have ever seen a salamander so this was pretty cool for them.

10. Jim caught a praying mantis the size of his hand. It was on our van at Mike's. it was awesome!

11. This has to be when we first arrived at the porchin party saturday night with a grand appearance of ella getting sick. We aren't sure yet if she is getting over what ever it is that has made her sick but we are thinking it is the long exhausting weekend of being in the sun and heat.

One more picture just for fun. There is a frog clenching to the top of Howie's finger. They caught this in Uncle Mike's pool too!!

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Sunday, August 17th

1. Enjoying an afternoon out on the boat with Aunt Cindy & Uncle Gordon and No kids!

2. Having a friend come and stay to whom Amy hasn't seen in a long time.

3. Jim surviving the week with Ramen Noodles and loneliness. Amy and the kids were busy at her moms.

4. Canning 16 jars of sweet relish. Hope that gets us through the winter because once you have had the good stuff the store bought isn't the same.

5. Sweet Corn - not only were there 4 generations helping do corn but Howie seemed that he would rather eat it raw then help us husk the corn. Check the picture for evidence. In all we ended up with 65 bags of frozen sweet corn.

6. The kids enjoying a whole week of Veggie Tales Vacation Bible school. To my surprise they both learned their bible verses and got to walk the plank like the priates who don't do anything.

7. An afternoon of outdoor play with our family friends, the Bartletts. It's always great to see them but sad when it has to end.

8. Watching Howie read to himself everynight before bed. He is getting so grownup.
9. Howie completed 2 of his chapter books this week. After showing less interest then normal for him this week he really dove back into reading.


10. Watching the olympics and Michael Phelps. The kids know who he is and how great he has done this week. We think it is awesome that they can take this moment of history with them to remember during future olympics.



11. Another Kestner family wedding. We all had a great time but Ella sure did enjoy dancing with her Uncle Larry.

Saturday the 9th of August.

We have decided to copy a friend's blog idea (thanks Rebecca) and to keep our family & friends updated we will post 11 moments that made the past week memorable.
This week:
1. Howie and Ella rode 8 Miles on their bikes on Sunday! Yes, Miles! We took them to the bike trail and although we stopped in Rockford for ice cream and to play at the park they made the whole 8 mile round trip.
2. Amy learned the hard lesson once again...Muck likes flip flops more then anything else and does not return them. (silly me)
3. Amy, Howie and Ella enjoyed lunch with Aunt Cindy. It's always a nice treat to hang out with one of our favorite Aunts!
4. Howie Lost his second front tooth. Ella always seems to be able to help him get those loose teeth out with a boot to the mouth. He even realized he can talk normal if he really tries.
5. Jim found out he broke his right foot trying to favor and heal his left broken leg.
6. Jim will get permenant handicapped parking for the licese plates. The foot dr signed a form for him since he has frequent injuries.
7. The garden that is in pots in the front yard is finally starting to produce tomatoes and green peppers.
8. Howie and Ella met a new friend who will ride the bus with them this year. Amy will even get paid to put her on and get her off the bus.
9. The house is Clean!! yes, we are excited that the house is really clean. even the kids are doing their part to keep their rooms spotless.
10. This morning Jim went to cheer on his friend (spars) he convinced to do the triathlon.
11. As Saturday night is almost over the parents are enjoying the quiet house and slightly Thankful that the kids are with Grandma Vicky and Grandpa Roy.

Over all we have had a great week. We hope you all have too!!