June 29, 2007
Another week is almost over and it’s been quite a week!
Ellie is doing dance camp this week. They have been learning ballet, musical theater, jazz and hip hop. (The hip hop is cute and very appropriate). Yesterday’s dance was a frog dance that was hip hop. The song was “Who let the frog’s out?”-yes, very similar to the song (“Who let the dogs out?” Anyway, these girls are the cutest! I haven’t taken any pictures yet, but I will today. They are doing a little performance today the last 20 minutes of class. Ms. Lisa is Ellie’s teacher again and we all love Ms. Lisa. So, Ellie has been tired this week. She is quite intense when she is learning to dance that she is spent after.
Thomas has been spending quality time with Dad while Ellie and I are at the gym. ( I’ve been working out while Ellie is at dance camp.) So, they have been running errands and playing together. Yesterday, Andy took Thomas to the dealership to get an oil change. Thomas spent almost 2 hours opening and shutting a door. He is just fascinated with doors and how they work. He spent a lot of time opening and shutting the door of the camper too. He let a bunch of mosquitoes in! Thomas is getting taller, stronger and talking more. My favorite when he says, “I wub ooooo!” (I love you in Thomas speak.) Some of his other words are:
“Nomas” for Thomas
“guy guy” for bye bye
“nuk” for milk
“et go” for let’s go
“runpa” for grandpa
“runma” for grandma
“Eeyyyeeee” for Ellie
Some words that he says clearly now are NO! Stop it! EAT EAT EAT!
And, he has many others..those are the highlights that really make me smile. He can be quite demanding. He doesn’t have a of tantrums, but he has a few. Mostly he has a tantrum when he wants to communicate, but can’t figure out the words.
Andy is enjoying the beginning of his vacation. The very beginning was really busy (Thomas’ bday, Father’s Day, camping, graduation open house and a family reunion). But, things have slowed down and I think he is finally had a chance to rest a bit. He is now realizing all of the things that could use some attention at home and it is a bit overwhelmming.
I’m doing well too. I fell at the gym yesterday and scraped up my arm pretty badly. My leg has some bruising and my leg and arm are swollen. So, I will have to take a few days off any intense exercise. But, that’s ok. I’m losing weight still, just so very slowly. But, it’s the right direction. I’m tracking all my food at www.fitday.com and if I have to go to the doctor, I will print that out. But, the slow way is the best way. For the last few weeks, I’ve averaged a pound a week. So, as long as I can keep doing that it’s ok I guess. I wish I could lose two pounds a week. But, I know that I’m building muscle so eventually, I’ll get there.
We leave Monday for our second camping trip. We’re going to Van Buren State park which is about three miles outside of South Haven. We’ll be there for about a week. We’ve never camped on the 4th of July. I hope it isn’t too crazy! I think it will be fun. Hopefully, we’ll see some fireworks somewhere.
Thomas’ birthday, Father’s Day, a new baby named Cade, and camping…. June 22, 2007
We went to Plymouth’s sprinkler park the morning of Thomas’ birthday with the Ekblads, the Fisks, the Gilberts and Grandma Jackson. Thomas had a great time. I think we all had lots of fun! Thomas’ favorite part was rolling a ball (bday gift from the Gilberts) up and down this hill. The other kids took turns playing ball with him. 
Later, we had Andy’s family over to celebrate with pizza and cake. It was low key, but perfect for Thomas. By 7:30 had was overstimulated and exhausted. Ellie was so excited for her brother’s birthday that she couldn’t sleep the night before. So, she was tired too. I can’t believe my son is two. It has gone by so fast. He is talking more and more every day and still is as active as ever.
Sunday was Father’s Day. Andy, my dad, Andy’s Dad and Father Pat are the fathers who play a significant role in my life. I’m grateful for these men because they are all so important in their own way. I couldn’t have asked for a better father for my children. Andy works hard and loves his kids so much. I hope he knows how proud of him that I am. My dad and Andy’s dad are the best grandfathers too. Our kids love them and have special bonds with them both. We are proud of them too. And, Father Pat is the priest at our church who baptized me and Thomas. Anyway, he is the priest that I have known the longest and the pastor of our church. He is a great role model and serves the community tirelessly. I’m very grateful for his service. We really enjoy being a part of STAB’s community, especially because of Fr. Pat’s leadership.
Sunday night, my friend Jori called and she was in labor! Cade Campbell was born at 3:01 a.m. Monday morning and I was there! It was way cool to be a part of such a special moment. Thank you to my friends for sharing with me. I was there to help her w/breastfeeding and we were successful! I spent the night with her on Monday night and by Tuesday morning Cade was an expert. Jori’s labor and Cade’s birth was really peaceful and that was very healing for me since I had a very different experience w/labor and delivery.
So, finally, Tuesday, we went camping to Sugarloaf Lake. Ellie and Thomas are both fans of camping. I haven’t uploaded pictures yet, but I’ll share some in my next post. The kids were a bit more manageable than last year. Thomas still provides a challenge, but Ellie is a lot easier. It really makes me look forward to next year. I’ll enjoy this year, don’t get me wrong. But, bed time is really difficult.
"Hey, Thomas is a two-year-old now!" — Ellie June 16, 2007
It is definitely remarkable how excited Ellie has been that her little brother is having a birthday. And, we had a great day celebrating! I’ll post details and more pictures this weekend. 
Visiting Daddy’s classroom… June 15, 2007
Just a quick post…
We met Daddy at work, went out to lunch and then went inside to visit. We really enjoyed the time together. 
June 4, 2007
Ok..time for more details..
First of all…2 more weeks until Andy is finished with this school year!!!! No, it isn’t three months off! But, it is weeks and weeks off and we are both grateful. He will be doing one session of SAT essays in June. Other than that, we’ll have lots of time together as a family. In June, we are going to Sugarloaf Lake near Chelsea. In July, we are going to South Haven. And, in August we are going to Interlochen. We may try to fit another camping trip in with my friend Laura’s family. We haven’t worked out the timing yet. Ellie has a dance camp in June for a week. So, we have enough plans for fun. I plan to organize the whole house! I’ve been working on it here and there, but want to make a lot of progress this summer. The basement is a serious mess. It’s fun to start this time of year with lots of plans. We’ll see how it goes. I have some things around the house that I could sell on Ebay. So, I may do that too. I wouldn’t mind running to the post office a few times a week if I didn’t have to drag the kids too. And, we could use the money.
Ellie is doing well. She seems to be growing up so fast. I have been thinking about that a lot lately which is why I found those baby pictures. I remember the days (before Andy) when I thought I would not be blessed with children. I’m so fortunate. Anyway, she can write her name now, in all capital letters. And, she puts them wherever she wants on the paper…not necessarily in order. She has made huge progress in learning to use the potty. Finally!!! Swimming lessons, ballet, and preschool are finished for the year. She is sad, but excited for the summer.
Thomas is growing fast too. He isn’t two yet, but he might as well be. He is finally starting to talk more. He has enough words that we aren’t worried. But, he just hasn’t been that interested in talking. He’d rather run, jump, wrestle, etc. But, he is starting to get frustrated because he wants to communicate. So, the tantrums have begun. But, so far they are mostly at home and have been rather manageable. He loves the show Hi-5 and Curious George.
Andy and I are just excited for him to have time off from work. I’m going to the gym about 5 times a week most weeks. The minimum is 4 days, but I try for 5. If I miss that 5th day, then I make sure I get a good walk in or something. It feels good to be more active. The scale is still moving, but it is just so slooooow. I’m sure it is because I’m building muscle while losing fat. But, I have my moments (days?) of frustration for sure. I’m trying to remember that it is a long term thing and just to take it a day at a time. I’m hoping that Thomas will go to the gym’s child care by the time Andy goes back to work. Right now, he walks in the door and screams. And, he doesn’t understand enough for me to explain it to him. Ellie loves the child care so she goes there in the evenings sometimes. But, it would be a lot easier if most work outs didn’t have to be when Andy can watch Thomas. I’m still really enjoying the water work outs though. I’m getting to know a few people a little and that is nice. I am finding out that I really like my work outs when I’m alone too. I do not get much alone time. So, I find that very peaceful.
So, that is it for us. Stay cool!
