A 3-day celebration of turning 4

Our little Z is 4 today!
However, we have been celebrating since Saturday, as its a bit hard to make the most of a Monday birthday. We had a small birthday party on Saturday with Mark's parents and some friends. Several friends had to cancel due to sick kids, which was a bit sad. But what can you do during this sickness season?

On Sunday, Mark took Zachary for his first movie theatre experience. They went to go see a Veggie Tales movie. He loved it and has already asked when he can go see another movie. I told him not till his 5th birthday :-)

Today is just a normal day with the carpool to school. But he gets to bring a birthday treat for his classmates and they will celebrate there, which I of course appreciate. Then for tonight I told him we would have his favorite food for supper, he could pick whatever he wanted. Most 4 year olds would pick McDonalds or Pizza, etc..., nope, not my kid. His pick.... cereal!
Guess that choice makes it any easy night for me.

Trying to keep Zachary occupied before the party on Saturday



New car to drive from Nana & Grandpa Leys. A big hit with all the party goers



WOW!! Look at the cake Mom baked! What a beauty huh? Are you impressed with my decorating skills?

Above freezing temps on Sunday, time to try out the new scooter from Nana & Grandpa Woolley

the 9 month mark, come and gone

With all the stress and the focus on getting the car fixed this week, we overlooked Cameron passing the 9 month milestone. Its hard to believe that he is 9 months already.

He has mastered crawling and is getting faster every day. He is also busy trying to figure out how to pull himself up, which he is trying to do in these pictures. He gets pretty frustrated, as he can't quite manage it yet.

He also has 4 teeth which comes as quite a shock, as Zachary didn't have any teeth until he was over a year old. He still is such a happy child and is loved to pieces by his older brother. Even though he is our #2, we continue to be amazed at his development and so thankful for the joy he brings to our lives. We feel truly blessed with two healthy boys!

The curse of a "new car"

A few weeks after we bought our Jeep Grand Cherokee back in 2001, Mark and a few fellas were on their way back from 'boys weekend' in upper Michigan and a turkey went through the windshield. Yes, I said turkey. Random, I know.
Obviously, major damage was done to the car and fortunately nobody was hurt, except it was a major downer as we just bought the car.

So, last night I was at the movie theatres with my friend, Sara, watching '27 Dresses', which by the way, was a great chick flick. I was about to get on the highway when I noticed a napkin stuck in my front windshield. I didn't think much of it, then the light turned green and I went. As I am driving down the highway I notice out of my side mirror what I think is my gas cap open. Then I look again (I think I am still adjusting to how long these minivans really are) and notice that its not the gas cap, but my rear taillight is flopping around in the wind.
Then it clicked in my brain that the napkin in the windshield was probably a note that someone had left after hitting my car. So I scrambled to get off the highway as soon as possible in desperation to save the note.

Long story short, I got the note, turns out some 17 year old kid hit our van while trying to park his car. He (with his parents gentle encouragement, I am sure) is thankfully accepting full responsiblity of the accident and their insurance is picking up the tab to get it fixed, but a major headache I did not need this week.

Not to mention, the sadness about our beloved 'mini' getting dented, bumped, and bruised after only being in our family for a few weeks...

Trying to beat the winter blues

We (well, mainly me) are trying to maintain our spirits with different activites during these frigid winter days. But I must admit, I am just running out of ideas to keep our sanity.

Thursday's activity: dumping all of the toys out of the toy box and putting on a puppet show for a captive audience.Saturday's activity: sledding in the back yard.

Although we don't really have much of a hill, Zach didn't seem to notice, as long as dad ran fast enough for him to slide a little bit.

A 'mini' trip in the new mini

Our first family road trip took place in the new van today. I am a big fan! What a smooth and spacious ride it was to the Shedd Aquarium. Well, except for the unavoidable & major potholes going into the city of Chicago and throughout downtown. Use caution while driving down there!

The Aquarium was a big hit with all three of the boys. Zach was mesmerized with everything there was to see. He absolutely loved the penguins. Cameron also seemed to enjoy watching all the fishes swim by.

I realize the picture quality isn't the best, but they don't allow flash photography, so this is the best our camera can do. We are in the market for a new one... any recommendations from anybody?

Seriously, an inch an hour???

I need to vent for a minute...

I feel like I am back in West Michigan with all this snow! We moved around to this side of the lake for less snow and sunnier winters, I guess Mother Nature has been proving us wrong lately.

Today Zach's school was cancelled again, as Naperville schools were closing due to the rapid rate of the snow falling and poor road conditions.

However, I do need to give a shout out to our dear friends, Beth & Chris, who gave us their snow-blower this past summer when they moved to Seattle. We will forever be in debt to you! It has been a saving grace this winter. (however we would still take you back here over the snow blower:-)

Spring can't come soon enough for me! Argh!

No major injuries

Ready, Set, Go!
Max & Zach ready to race

Zach & Max navigated their way down the hill, after a minor fight of who was going to "drive" the sled. What can you do, boys will be boys... its always a competition

Say it ain't snow!

This was the scene at the end of our driveway yesterday after the plows came through!

Just kidding, we didn't really get that much snow. But we did get about 10 inches or so, just enough to make it a 'snow day' from school. Which I loved as a kid, but not so much as a parent of a child in school. However, Zach had a great time playing in it yesterday.

Today, Mark is taking him for his first sledding experience with his friend, Max & his Dad, Bas. It should be interesting, my bet is that they don't last more than half an hour. I did send Mark with the camera with strict instructions to capture some good pictures, we will see if that happens... stay tuned