Scavenger Hunt

Yesterday Cohen had a scavenger hunt at school. It was a way of learning where his class room was going to be along with the library, music room, computer lab, gym, art room and offices were. HE LOVED IT! He especially loved meeting his teacher that we had been talking about all summer - Mrs. Shumaker. She is very sweet and seems like she will be really great with Cohen. We spent time exploring things in his room and looking at the different things he would be learning this year. In the library he has already found books he wants to check out  - all about dinosaurs of course :) At each room he got a little prize for his treasure bag. He also got to spend some time outside on the play ground - his favorite place. As hard as it is going to be to send him to school - he seemed so at peace and in love with everything school is going to offer. That makes it much easier on me - knowing that he is looking so forward to school. I know it will be an adjustment for all of us and I know there will be days he doesn't want to go but for now I am going to embrace this change and know it is what is best for Cohen! Here are just a few pictures of him at school! He was having so much fun I only had a couple of chances to take a couple pictures with my phone :)

How fitting that his class this year is the Zoo Crew :)

With love from the zoo and zoo crew :)

Brotherly and Sisterly Love

Both Cohen and Kendall have been adjusting well to having Kirsten around. Both have fallen in love with her and love being big helpers for mom and for Kirsten. Cohen is pretty proud that I let him hold Kirsten all by himself!!

Brotherly Love

With love from the zoo

Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink

3 weeks old!!

Kirsten is a great sleeper (usually - knock on wood)

She is becoming more alert everyday with her big

beautiful blue eyes

She eats every 3-4 hours

She gets lots of love from her siblings

Love from the zoo

Last week of Summer

Today starts the last week of summer. It is really starting to hit me that Cohen is going to school next week! I know he is going to really like it but I am having a hard time thinking everyday he is going to be spending it away. I know it will be good for him and he will learn a lot. I also know it will be nice for me to have some time with just the girls on days that I don't work. So I am praying that God will give me peace about the changes that are to come. But today, since Keith had to work this weekend he gots a very shortened day today. I got the kids up this morning and drove out to Inontime to pick Keith up and show Kirsten around the office. Then we headed to Hager Park in Jenison to play with the kids on their big wooden play set. It had rained over night so everything was still a bit damp but that didn't stop the kids from having a lot of fun!!!

Kendall loves to swing

Kirsten slept through the whole thing :)

Chase me Daddy!

                       

Spider Monkey in action

As much as Keith having to work the weekend, it was nice to spend the morning as a family. I am hoping to make the most of this week with Cohen and the girls. Please keep us all in your prayers as we transition into this new routine. With love from the zoo

Weekend at the lake

Keith was on call this weekend so my parents asked if they could take the older kids overnight Friday and I could come out anytime on Saturday to join them and spend time at the lake. It was wonderful. And they had a great time. Cohen is always asking my dad to pull him in the tube around the yard so my dad came up with a new way to pull Cohen around the yard- with his new tractor :) They also spent time in the water and Cohen has become a pro at the kayak. My parents neighbor has two girls around Cohen's age who were learning to ski. Jeremy, their dad, told Cohen if he tried it he would give Cohen 5 bucks. So my little dutch son realizing the amount of money that was jumped right in and WENT SKIING!! Unfortunately it was before I got there so I don't have any video/pictures of the stunt but Jeremy said he got video and would send it to me!

Kirsten had a nice time basking in the sun

After dinner we took the boat out and Kevin, Stacy and Cohen went tubing

Kendall loves to drive

Cohen being Cohen

My boat riding buddy

It was a wonderful day! I love spending time on the boat and lake and especially time with my family!! With love from the zoo