First weekend in October

Today is the first weekend in October. So that means opening of duck season - goodbye hubby :) It's cool - he loves it sooo much and has some great friends he gets to spend time with. I just can't wait until Cohen can go with him. So the kids were up early this morning. I told them if they let me get some housework done we would go to the Library. The Library has become one of our favorite places - especially Kendall's. We go past the library and Kendall screams to go inside!!! There are days that I have gone 10 min out of my way just to avoid going past it because she will cry for miles if we don't go in :) So after my housework was done I bundled up the kids and headed out. It was just a glimpse into what we are in for this winter trying to get everyone ready to go out!! I am going to have to start the process at least 45 min before we have to be anywhere if today was any indication - I didn't even have to put snowpants or mittens on today!!!!

with love from the zoo

October is here

I can't believe it is October already! I love fall in MI. The colors in our neighborhood are just awesome and every time I see them I can only stand in wonder. What an awesome God and creator we have!!!! Not much has changed around the house and I am really liking the new routine. Cohen is still loving school. Today he got to take the "Share Bag" home. It's a special bag that the kids get to take home and bring back a special toy to show the class. So of course Cohen chose one of his new dinosaurs. He was sooo excited to show it off :) Kendall is talking up a storm! She talks sooo much more and so much clearer than I ever remember Cohen talking - chalking it up to her being a girl. :) Kirsten is smiling all the time now :) She loves to watch her siblings. She is getting good at following them and turning her head to follow them. Her siblings love her too!!!

L.O.V.E

Playtime

Sibling Love

 I love spending time with them. This week was my first week back to work. It was really hard!! I do love what I do but I just miss my kids when I am not there! I know it doesn't make me a bad mom to spend time away - in fact I think it is kinda a good thing - makes me really appreciate the time I do spend with them. It also gives me some time to have some "adult" conversations and interactions. Which is good. I know that as the weeks go on it will continue to get easier and everyone will adjust to our new normal.

With love from the zoo

Say it ain't so

I can't believe the time has come - going back to work :( I knew it would go fast and I tried to prepare myself but it always comes too fast!! I have SOOOOOO enjoyed my time off with my kids. I am soo thankful that my maternity leave lined up with Cohen's first few weeks of school. I feel like we have a system down now and he is adjusting so well with his new routine. As for the girls they are adjusting well too. I have really come to love the mornings with just the girls and being able to focus on just them. Kendall is becoming such a big helper with Kirsten and I am constantly amazed at the things she is saying and doing now. She is growing up sooo fast and talking soo much more than Cohen did at this age and I just LOVE it!! Kirsten is getting into a good routine with sleeping and eating. She is already showing signs of "drama" as Keith likes to call it. She can flip the "mad" switch fast and can also turn it off just as fast :) She loves to be held!! She wants to see what is going on at all times. Her smiles are becoming more and more frequent and I just can't stand it!!!
          I know this is my 3rd child and going back to work should come easier this time but it's not! I keep telling myself though that I am fortunate that I only work 2 days a week!! And I really do love what I do! I just wish I could see my kids while doing it :) I am super grateful that I have awesome people who are able and willing to watch them for us. That makes it a little easier :) So here are just a few of Kirsten's smiles as I wrap up my last day of maternity leave :)

with love from the zoo

Art Prize

Another thing to love about MI and Grand Rapids in the fall is Art Prize. Art Prize started 3 years ago. Artists from all over come together for 2 weeks downtown Grand Rapids to show off their art. And oh my stars it is amazing. You could spends DAYS downtown and I don't think you could see everything! It is just soo incredible to see what people's minds can come up with. I am not a huge "art" person so some of it is lost on me but I can appreciate all the hard work that goes into it!! So last night Keith and I decided to take the kids downtown and see what we could. We knew of a few pieces the kids would enjoy - a dragon and dinosaur for Cohen of course :) It was a beautiful night and downtown was packed!! But it was so fun to spend time together experiencing something so fun. So just a few shots of some of the pieces we got to see.

with  love from the zoo

Look who's 5!!

I can't believe I can say I have a 5 year old son!! How time flies!! When I think back on these past 5 years all I can do is smile and thank God for the blessing that is my son. If I am truly honest when we found out we were pregnant with Cohen I had a hard time. Keith and I had only been married for 2 years and I felt like we had sooo much more on our "to do without kids" list. But God always knows best and now I can't imagine my life with out Cohen. From the moment we heard "It's a boy" I have truly been in love and can't describe what being a mom has done to me. It's amazing how something sooo small can be so life changing! I am truly thankful that even in the rough times how being a mom is truly a blessing!!
          We celebrated Cohen's birthday this past Sunday with our family. Cohen is currently OBSESSED with dinosaurs!! So needless to say it was a dinosaur birthday party!! He was sooo excited to open presents and spend time with all of his favorite people :)

Cohen's actually birthday fell on Tuesday. His teacher informed us that this week Cohen would be the "King of the Jungle" and on Tuesday I was invited not only to bring in a birthday treat but also to read a book to his class. It was sooo fun to see Cohen in his new little world! When I arrived at his room his teacher pulled Cohen to the front of the classroom and lead everyone in a round of "Happy Birthday." Cohen had a snicker on his face the whole time as if to say "I am really embarrassed but loving this at the same time." Cohen then handed out his birthday treat and I read "The very hungry caterpillar" to the class. That evening was the school open house and Cohen was super excited to show off his room and all the fun things they have been doing.

The classroom - they are learning about A and apples

Showing daddy the reading rug

Cohen's spot at his table

King of the Jungle

Our birthday boy

Cohen,

as you continue to grow we pray that you will always have such a gentle heart and such a passion for life!! We pray that you will grow to be a Godly man and that you will always show love to those around you!! Love forever and always, 

Daddy, Mommy, Kendall and Kirsten

with love from the zoo