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!!