Random Catch Up

Well it feels like summer is here already.  We are in full swing of tball with swim lessons right around the corner.  Our weekends are filling up and the weather is warming up!  It so nice that the kids are getting outside most days at school and at home.  They are loving the fresh air.  This is going to be a random fill in of some of the things we've been up to.

Last weekend on Saturday we went back to Newton to visit some of our friends.  Joel and Katy Van Maaren were back in town from STL for Pella Tulip Time so we all got together to let the kids run.  As you can tell from the below photo there are a lot of kids between 4 families now.  I remember when we all used to hang out and Callie was all that was around.  Now holy moly!  I'll try and name them all with last names so you'll tell who is related.  Jenn, Katy, and Lyssa if I get their ages wrong I'm super sorry!!  Most of these kids are all very close in age. The 3 girls who are all 5 were born one right after the other in 2010.  Kenzie and Reagan came at the end of that year.  Henley and Henry are a couple weeks apart.

Left to Right: Callie Cross (7), Hadleigh Hornbuckle (5), Haleigh Van Maaren (5), Paige (5), Reagan & Kenzie Cross (4), Reid Van Maaren (3), Henley Hornbuckle (2), and Henry (1).

This lovely lady and her family hosted us.  So great to have Jenn in my life!!

The next day was Mother's Day.  Paige surprised me with a mani/pedi that she wanted to get me.  So her and I went off on an adventure.  She's never had her nails done at a salon so it was just as much for her and it was for me.  The salon was CRAZY busy but they were able to squeeze us in and get Paige's fingers painted.

We're still doing tball.  Yesterday her game was at noon.  It was the first time she played while it was a little warm outside.  She was drenched in sweat and pooped out at the end of it.  But she's doing great!  She's getting in front of the ball to make stops.  When they as for volunteers she's usually the first one to volunteer.  Now if only she would quit drawing circles in the dirt while the game is going on we'd be onto something.

Last night I thought I would get out the sprinkler and water table for the kids to cool off.  They both loved the sprinkler.  It's so funny to see Henry have no fear compared to what Paige was like as his age.  Rob and I realized that we have almost lived in our house 4 years.  So crazy!  I'm so thankful for our backyard every summer.

Then today we got the garden planted.  Paige has always helped Rob with this task, but this year EVERYONE helped.  Henry had so much fun digging holes, and playing in the dirt.  Now we just have to wait for all the fun to start popping up!

Our biggest joy this weekend is Henry has been very interested in the potty.  He used the potty while at daycare on Friday and talked about it non stop.  He went multiple times this weekend.  So this means that potty training is going to begin.  I didn't think we would do it this early with him but I'm not going to miss my window of him being interested.  I went out and bought undies for him and a box of pull ups.  We'll be doing the 3 day method with him just like we did with Paige.  We're going to do it next weekend so everyone say a prayer for us.  The light at the end of the diaper tunnel is bright and I just hope this works!!!

Rob and I are still both very slammed at work.  We're both continuing to navigate through transitions at work.  It's been a lot of hours for both of us but I know it will all be worth it.  My Etsy shop is still going well.  Orders aren't crazy right now but I'm 100% ok with that.  When one comes in I get excited.  

We hope everyone is doing well.  The next blog will be for Paige's preschool graduation!!