Being 3 can be tough!

This little boy can be both highly amusing and annoying. And sometimes he can be both at the same time. He has developed a very loud, piercing scream that he likes to use in the car and out and about at stores and restaurants. It's fun. If I had a digital video camera instead of our archaic one, I would share a little sample of it with you. I just need to remember that he will outgrow this current defiance and short temper. Right? I do want to share some of Zachary Eli's more amusing moments too.

• He likes to chant this in the car, "Hey, hey what's that sound? Michigan State is in the ground!" That one is for you two Brenda & Patti. :)
• He starts most stories with, "Once upon a time ..." And most of what follows could never be considered either a fairy tale, or even a good story. Like the other day he said, "Once upon a time --- Zoey had diarrhea and you had to clean the toilet." Beautiful Zach!
• He made his preschool teacher lift him up to my car window to get a goodbye kiss from me (on the lips of course) when I dropped him off in the carpool line in front of his entire class. Do you think he'll still do this when I drop him off at his high school? ;)
• And this last one shows just how much I enable my little boy. He stands at the toilet and waits for me to lift the lid and pull down his pants before he goes. I must really love this kid.

What I'm Thankful For by Paige

The thing that I'm most thankful for is my family because my brother and sister play with me and my parents care for me. Also I'm thankful for my family because they do the best for me. Zoey is usually always there because she is almost everywhere I go. (NICE!) Zach is the one that makes my life crazy. (MINE TOO!) Mom and Dad are always taking me to cool stuff. That's what I am thankful for most.

Paige just asked me if she was a "fashion girl" after a friend told her that her boots were fake Uggs (like I'm going to spend $100 on boots she is going to outgrow in a year ---please little girlie. And we weren't trying to get fake Uggs because ... proving just how fashionable we truly are ... we didn't even know what Uggs were! LOL!) I answered Paige's question by saying, "No, not really but either am I." She said she was glad that she didn't care about always having to wear the latest trends and styles. (I hope she keeps this kind of self-confidence as she grows older.) She obviously has adopted my shopping style. If you can't buy a bag of potato chips in the next aisle over, forget about ever getting new clothes! :) Cheers to Costco & Target.

Oh My

Since today I am now half-way to 70 --- oh my --- we had a FFD. (Yes, we created this title last night for our Family Fun Day.) We went to the Children's Museum, Yesterdog, and saw 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.' It's all about me today as you can see! Motherhood redefines how you celebrate your birthday.

I had to renew my license and get an eye exam since I am getting so old :) and I've decided that the Secretary of State's office is one of the last places that can be considered "A Great Equalizer". It doesn't matter how old you are, what race you are, how rich or poor you are, how many kids you have & drag in there with you ... everybody, yes everybody has to go in there to either get a license plate or renew their driver's license. You can't hire someone to do it for you. There is no contracting out this job. You have to show up (with the rest of the city), take a number, wait in line, take a test, and cough up some cash, check, or Discover card. (Seriously, who has a Discover card?) I found this "equalizer" rather refreshing. But maybe that's because I got there early and only had to wait 10 minutes. (And the people watching was very entertaining as I tried to figure out who was with who and how that lady managed to feed her baby a bottle while she took her driver's test.)

My college roomate Amy gets some major friend points for mailing me a card from Washington state and having it arrive on my birthday. You have now done what my mother has never been able to do! :)

Quotable

Paige in one of my dresses and Zoey in Daddy's suit coat dancing together.

Last weekend when I tried on my fancy dress, the girls were way into it. So I asked Paige if I should wear my "suck you in" underwear to which she responded with, "Well Mom, your feet are already going to be uncomfortable in those shoes. Do you really want your stomach to be too?"

Good point Paige. Good point.

Mr. Sparty

There is a man at church who I will just call "Sparty" in order to maintain his anonymity. Sparty is a typical MSU fan; happy when his team wins, thrilled when Michigan loses. Mr. Sparty was very loosed lipped after the first two games that Michigan lost but has been avoiding us at church ever since. Curious huh? :) After last's week big game where Michigan once again won, we said nothing to him, his wife, or his children who are little Sparty Juniors. (He is the type of guy that even when you give a hard time, it's not very satasifying. Like when we teased him a few weeks ago about MSU losing he replied, "Oh, I don't care about football. I'm waiting for the basketball and hockey season. How is Michigan in basketball and hockey?") Ugh, walk away from Sparty. Well, he hunted us down yesterday and gave us a little crap to which I smartly followed my own advice and walked away from Sparty.

And one more thing, how come the most avid sports fans look like they haven't ever played a team sport in their life? I'm just saying ...

Adults Play Dress Up Too

This post is for Patti (dear neighbor who came over for a sneak peek and her husband Scott who loaned Jeff some dress socks), Julie (my manicurist/sister), Sarah (best friend who let me borrow the jewelry), and Jeff's brother Steve who hooked him up with the suit. (Steve was amazed that Jeff has made it into his mid 30's without ever owning a suit. But hey, when you're in the medical field, you interview in scrubs!:) I believe everyone is more excited about the "gala" we are going to than we are! Now if I don't sprain my ankle in my sexy little shoes ... I should be good to go!

Really Random

O.K. I am going to go from kids accepting Christ to these random thoughts. I yam what I yam.

• I had a dream last night about laundry. Can you say "pathetic"? Now my dream life is as boring as my real life.
• How come when a man wins at cards he is skilled but if someone else does it's all because they got the right cards?
• We are going to an art exhibit opening this weekend where the invite read, "Black tie optional, ball gowns preferred, pretty hair expected." Let me just say it again, I am what I am. I guess my 'am' is going to have to step it up a bit.
• I realized this week that I am conservative. Especially when I realized that I was calling the Grand Rapids Press a.k.a The Daily Christian Press too liberal.
• I need to get on the treadmill (time to pump my fists to the 'Eye of the Tiger' that can only be heard in my head) so that's all for now. Have a great weekend.

A wage vs. a gift

On Sunday, I got the privelege of teaching my 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday school kids about how God loves them so much he sent His son Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. I love to teach these kids and usually feel pretty confident and prepared each week. However, knowing what I was going to teach this week I had a nervous anticipation and prayed that God would lead the kids to open their hearts to him and choose Him as their forever friend. We got into a great discussion about the difference between a wage and gift. Interestingly, they really didn't know what the word "wage" meant. (Ahhh, to not know about working for money. To be a kid again!) After we talked about it for awhile, they understood that you earn a wage but Christ came as a gift. An undeserved, unearned, freely-given, amazing gift. My prayer (and my friends at Bible Study were praying too) was that God would do the leading and if the kids asked Jesus to be their Savior --- great. If not, they could take some time to think about it and choose when they were ready. Nine kids responded and asked Jesus in their heart. Awesome. Way to go God!

Your Opinon Please

If your child keeps coming in your bed every night but always crawls in on the same spouse's side; who is responsible for bringing that child back to his/her own bed?

Man Rules

#1 Man Rule: If you help out around the house all day, you can watch the entire U of M game guilt free and uninterrupted.

How do I know about these man rules? Today my husband has emptied and filled the dishwasher, vacuumed the house, picked up the leaves, and washed my van ALL without being asked. Enjoy the game hon, you earned it! :)

Go Blue!

And to Mr. Mario Manningham with your gravity-defying, game-winning, touch down catch ... I raise my glass --- of Diet Coke. :)

Another Place by Paige Guikema, age 8

Glimmering snow at a tippy top of a moutin. Pinetrees glissen with doo when the ice rink is so slippery you could fall with one step. Blue and white mountins everywhere some in the distence and some not. Craving a snowy cave I find a littel fawn prancing away. Seeming its getting black the cold dark moon peers through the clouds. Darker and darker the night gets.

Trying to find my way then I see a tiny light a small littel laturn. As I grab one of the laturns I hear a howl like a wolf. Looking up to the moon I see a shadow of a wolf. Running back to the cave I try to make a fire. No use. Trying to get warmed up by a laturn is not easy. Cold night passes quickley. Drop of sunlight fills the morning sky. Peachy colers everywhere. I crawl out of the lump of snow I was sleeping on. Snow falling down my boots. Thats what can happen in another place.

It's Candy Day!

I would be reported to social services if I didn't share some pics of my kids in their Halloween costumes. And as I sit here and stuff my face with candy waiting for trick-or-treaters to come ring my doorbell, what else do I really have to do? :)

1950's Diner Girl/Paige

(Thanks to Grandma Guikema & familyfun.com Paige won a neighborhood costume contest!) Dorothy/Miss Zoey

Mr. Candy Corn/Zach

New Week - New Attitude

The inside of the dryer.

Last week was a doozy. Tuesday night we locked the keys in the van as we walked into a school function and then Wednesday I washed & dried an enormous load of laundry where a pen exploded in it. No tricks this week, only treats ... please. (Thanks to the internet and other laundry losers we found a way to get this off. What did our mothers do before Tide.com?)

Time for some cute quotes from my kids:

Zach: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Zoey: I've been dreaming about how I'm going to look in my costume so I don't need to try it on.

Paige: I look pretty in this picture. (So humble! :0 )

Inspirational Posters that tell the Truth

Spelling Test Score: 18/20. Nice work Paige, you master speller.

Gimme a Break (Notice I spelled give me wrong!)

These are just five out of the twenty impossible spelling words my 8 yr. old needed to learn this week.

1. eclipse
2. astronomy
3. satellite
4. observe
5. Uranus

I think it's a sure sign that these are too difficult when the parents need to look at the paper to make sure they are spelling it right! (Darn school district that emphasizes academic excellence!) I'm tempted to tell Paige to "throw the game" on Monday when she takes the pretest. Three or more wrong and we would be on easy street. :)

Double JJ = Double the Fun

Since it's the month of October, it's time to celebrate my dad's birthday. My dad who wanted no celebration, recognition, or fanfare when he retired from teaching and coaching baseball, absolutely, positively, loves to celebrate his birthday. He is the only professor I know who would bring in birthday treats to his college students. (If you are actually reading my blog dad, may I just say, I find it very endearing.) So with all that being said, he decided this year's celebration would take place at the Double JJ Ranch in Muskegon. My Aunt Mary was the interior designer for this resort and has a suite that is just plain SWEET. 22 Pettinga's descended upon this place and played, ate, slid down some cool water slides, walked a corn maze, rode a horse, laughed, and had fun. Thanks Dad for so generously giving us a great weekend getaway on your birthday and for giving us the gift of having you as a dad and grandpa every day.

My brother-in-law had his digital video camera and if I can get my hands on some of that footage, I will be posting that too! (I was told by some family members that I would need written permission to use this but since when I have followed the rules? I'm the baby of the family after all!)

Zach Needs a Nap

Seriously? You would think this kid doesn't own a bed!

Growing Up

After the girls saw the pictures of their oldest cousin going to a highschool dance for the first time, they got to thinking about when they will be able to go someday. This was our conversation over breakfast this morning.

Paige: I wonder what boy I will go with to a dance.

Me: You don't have to go with a boy. You can go with your friends too.

Paige: No, I'm going with a nice boy.

Zoey: I'm going with a nice boy but he's gonna be cute too.

Paige: It doesn't matter what they look like on the outside, it matters what's in their heart.

Zoey: Nope! He's gotta be cute. Oh --- and funny too.

When did these two grow up? In this picture, Paige doesn't have her glasses yet and check out those cheeks on Zoey! Slow down girlies, slow down.

#1 reason I am ready for cooler weather: So I don't have to shave my legs every day. :)

Honest

What Bothers Me by Paige

(Sept. school journal entry)

One thing that bothers me most is fake crying to get you in trouble. Don't like it. Hate it. How do I know? One word. Sisters. That's what bothers me most.

Eating a little Humble Pie

Definition of Humble Pie: To be forced to humble or abase oneself. O.K. I admit that I take some credit for Paige's amazing writing ability and the fact that she is ahead of her age in reading. But I wasn't prepared for the fact that the very same day that I posted one of her school journal entries, I would get a call from Zoey's teacher saying Zo needs a little extra help with reading. Hello humble pie. Why do you have to taste so bad? :)

Paige; Future Novelist

My Quiet Place by Paige, age 8

Sometimes you need a quiet place. Bright green grass tickling my feet as I walk at my quiet place. Enormous logs cushioned with soft green moss. Mini-creeks pass by with the little fat frogs jumping in and out. Blue jays and hawks swooping around me. Golden sun beats down on me like lasers. Little mists come out of nowhere. Amazing shiny rocks, big, little, around me like a shield. At the end of the valley I look up humongous trees everywhere. Dirty little paths lead everywhere as if they were expecting me. Yellow, orange, red, and green. Little fawns and their mothers and fathers of all different creatures and babies all look at me and it seems they are almost whispering --- "hunters are coming, hunters are coming". The valley is my quiet place.

(Spell checked by mom. Content all Paige.)
Her teacher's comment to this piece was one word --- wow. You can say that again. :)

Things I Learned This Week

1. A new parenting philosophy (thanks Betsy D.V.) called Spoiled Strictly. Be strict with your kids on the important things and remember to spoil them sometimes too.
2. The exposed area in the back is now called the "Second Cleavage." Oy vey. This means that girls not only know that their backside is showing, but are trying to show it off. (And let's not kid ourselves, moms are doing it too as I saw a mom's thong on display when she sat down today. Eeewww.)
3. I am not as fast as I once was in a game of Capture the Flag and second graders can now catch me.
4. God desires a daily relationship with me. Keyword for me to remember is daily.
5. I get the most stressed out during the day moments before the bus is set to arrive.
6. Don't ever say, "I never ..." Like I never spank my kids anymore ... oh wait ... except when the bus is coming & they are moving like snails and I am stressed out. :)
7. There are some really great people in this world --- and some really not great ones.
8. There is nothing like receiving a compliment about your kid that recognizes their character. Not their physical appearance but their character.
9. That Jesus not only died on the cross for me, but also laid down his dignity as he was stripped, flogged, and mocked. (Beth Moore is so insightful and her passion for the Lord is contagious.)
10. My kids look forward to the weekend just as much as I do.

Total & Complete Fluff

When I was in college, I dated a string of short men until I met Jeff who stands at 6'4". Now it seems that the men I think are good looking in movies & television are tall, lean, side-burned, sandy-blonde haired stars. Coincidence? I think not.

The little man has started school.

Tagged & My Dancing Girls

O.K. I've been tagged by my friend Michelle who has just told us she is preggers with #3. Congrats again Michelle. I was supposed to write down some rules but I'm a rule-breaker so it goes something like this: using your middle name initials tell something about yourself and if you don't have a middle name, make one up. My middle name is SUE. (My sister's are; Joy, Lynn, Kay, & Joan - good solid 1970's names!)

S - I'm going to have go with Sassy. Whether it's my mouth, or my general attitude towards life.

U - Unrealistic. I have some unrealistic goals like beating the clock when I'm late, getting my stomach back after having kids, being the perfect mom, wife, friend, aunt, sister, & daughter. Sheesh - that's a lot of titles & pressure.

E - Educator. I love to teach, I really do. Whether it be at home, volunteering at school, or teaching Sunday School every week. Maybe someday I should get paid for it again. A novel idea.

I tag Fabes, Brenda, and my sister Julie's new blog.

Funny Because It's All True

1. I now know of two men who have only ever kissed their wives in their entire life. Sweet? Funny? Or just a bit sad? (By the way, I dated one in highschool. Sorry you missed out on my "wild days" in college buddy!)
2. Today, while out for a walk with Zach, I was passed by a senior citizen also walking. (I'm sure it was the jogger stroller that was slowing me down. Right?)
3. When Jeff used the bathroom today at work, he noticed that he had a melted dum dum sucker stuck to his boxers.
4. During halftime of the Michigan-Notre Dame game on Saturday, my girlfriends and I decided to take the kids outside to play. When I saw a little neighbor boy (who's dad just happened to go to ND) outside too I told him I was sorry that his team was losing. (Yeah right.) To which he quickly responded, "No, Notre Dame just scored two touchdowns." What a little stinker & liar. :)
5. When Jeff was doing a swallow study on an eighty year old woman and was feeding her applesauce laced with barium, he actually said ... wait for it ...

"Here comes some NUM NUM."

Strike's Over & Thanks for Commenting :)

This is how I found Zach this afternoon. In a purple & pink dragon costume and fast asleep across the shoes in the bottom of my closet. Looks like someone could have used a nap ... and has sisters!

Blogger on Strike

I blog for comments.

Had to be Repeated

While reading my book club buddy Bradi's blog, one of her friends commented on the rules of min-van ownership. I didn't know there were any rules ... but these ones are worth repeating!

1. You can't - CAN'T take it out on dates.
2. You can never drive while your husband drives shotgun. It is the ultimate un-manning of a male.
3. You can only drive one until your kids are in upper elementary and then, you HAVE to give it up for something cooler. And you can't drive one if you're over 60.
4. Spare your husband from ever driving it when he's alone with the kids. Remember: mini-van = mini-man.

"Remember, no one ogles a chick in a mini-van." I don't know if this comment was made by a man or woman. While I agree with almost all of your rules, I must disagree with your last comment because I look HOT in my van baby! :)

Kind Of?

While watching "Bridge to Terabithia" last night, both Mom & Dad were crying.

Paige (who had already seen the movie) noticed our eyes kept tearing up and she said, "Yeah, this movie is kind of sad."

To which Zoey replied, "You call this kind of sad?"

Every time I replay this conversation in my head, I chuckle out loud.

Back to School

School Humor:

Q. Why was the math book sad?

A. It had too many problems.

The bus stop (end of our driveway!) I am the designated adult to keep an eye on all these kiddos. I hope my fuzzy purple robe & bedhead don't scare them off! :)

Open your eyes lady. It's time for school.

Getting up early this year to ride the bus.

Going Out with a BANG!

The last weekend of summer 2007 and we are squeezing every last bit of fun out of it! AJ's Family Fun Center, WhiteCaps Game, camping in Grand Haven with Jeff's parents, eating at Fricano's, swimming at the Orchard Hills Pool with neighbors, and a birthday bash at my parent's lake today. SEE YA SUMMER - IT'S BEEN FUN!

Call me Four Eyes

( Picture courtesy of Paige )

So here Jeff & I were thinking, how could we (people with perfect vision) have a child who needs glasses. (Sorry Paiger, turns out mom has an astigmatism too!) Until a few months ago when things started getting a little fuzzy in the distance. So when Paige had to go in for her annual check up, I thought my eyes might need one too. My Dr. told me I could use glasses for driving at night, going to a movie, etc. but I really didn't need them. Apparently, he didn't know that I have always wanted "funky glasses" and more importantly, we have one heck of a medical flex spending account. :) Paige keeps telling people I wanted glasses so I could be "saucy"! (Where does this child hear these things?)

Inspired by "Ten Apples Up on Top" by Dr. Seuss

No kids up on top.

One kid up on top.

Two kids up on top. Three kids up on top.

Dad could do more. But Mom's body said, "stop"!

Dad = Rock Star Status

Maybe they love him so much, because he can carry them all on his back???!!!

I'll gladly admit that my husband Jeff is one great dad. However, I still find it irritating when we are laying the kids down for bed and they ask, "Daddy, do you have to go to work tomorrow?" Ummm, excuse me. I have made you breakfast & lunch all summer, taking you to the Children's museum, the zoo, the "shoot-ups", Grandma's lake, Grandma's pool, out for ice cream in the middle of the afternoon (don't tell daddy), etc!!!!! Show mommy a little love kids! No wait, don't. I rather enjoy the fact that you all ask him to lay with you at bedtime. It frees me up to blog. :)

Since you're not watching t.v. :)

Here are two excellent books to complete your summer reading list.

Tune In

In a sea of bad summer television shows, this is the only one you should make a point to watch; 'My Boys' on TBS at 10 p.m. on Monday nights. Maybe I like it so much because I used to be like her (hanging out with just the guys) or maybe it's because I secretly wish I had her job (being a sports writer for a major league baseball team.) Maybe it's because they use the word "douchey" to describe someone's bad behavior (a very under utilized word) or for the witty banter that fills up every half hour. Whatever the reason, thank you 'My Boys' for giving me at least one reason to turn on the t.v. this summer.

Call me Crazy

Wait ... don't ... that's just not nice. :) Here are just some of the idiosyncrasies that make me ME.

1. You could give me a newborn baby tomorrow and I would not be nervous in the least. Just don't give me a puppy.
2. I could sleep every night without worry or anxiety when Zach was in the NICU for over two months. Just not with a puppy in my house.
3. I love dogs but have decided I don't really want to own one.

I had to take the adorable pics of the pup off my blog so I don't kick myself when I see them. We brought him back to the rescue yesterday where he immediately went and played outside with his brother and sister. His mom even gave him an affectionate bark when she saw him too. I think from now on, I'll just stick to being a Doggie Auntie or pet sitter. :)

And just so you don't think my kids are scarred for life, Zoey walked into the kitchen and jumped up and yelled, "Hallelujah! No more dog crate!" No tears have been shed by them yet ... just by their "crazy" mom.

Good Thing He's Cute ...

'Cuz smart he ain't! Now before you start commenting and criticizing me for calling my son "not smart", let me just tell you that I love his sweet, naive, laid-back, and innocent personality. But I also feel it might be a hinderance in the 'ole potty training business. Once I am done teaching VBS games this week (to over 300 kids armed with water balloons, outside, & in the heat), I am planning on potty training Zach. As a prerequisite to attending three year old preschool with his cousin Clay, he needs to master both poop and pee. I think he is going to have go "el - nudo" because when we tried one day last week as a kind of "introductory" lesson this is how it went.

Me: Do you want to try to go potty?

Zach: No mama. I already went in my Bob the Builder underwear.

Me: Oh really. Can you show me where you peed?

Zach: Sure. Follow me. (To the basement by his playskool workbench and the damp carpet in front of it.)

This will definitely be tear-free training ... 'cause he really doesn't care! :)