Fish

Are y'all feeding my fish? They get hungry. Tap the mouse in the box to the right and the fish will feed. Thanks for making them happy :-)

La Escuela con Maestra Vander Sluis

Okay, I'm not sure if that's how you say School with teacher Vander Sluis in Spanish or not...laugh if you must :-). Ali started her first day of 3-school Spanish Immersion yesterday at Rose Park. She had a great time. I haven't had a chance to talk to the teacher yet to see how she did. It was fun to see her line up at the door to be "released" with a huge smile on her face. When we were pulling in she said "Hey, it's Lola's school". I told her it was also now her school too. Her face lit up and she said "I JUST KNEW IT. I'M SO EXCITED!!!". Great morning. The first friend she met was Sophie who is a niece of a friend of mine.

Ali Starts School

Sorry, no pictures today. Just a post. Alison was enrolled at Tot Time up until today. We think 3-school is an excellent option for her since she's not in a regular daycare to socialize. I know she will learn and grow so much. We had our orientation for Tot Time last Thursday evening when I realized the classes didn't start until 9:30...I thought it was 9:00. I had it worked out perfectly that I would take her there and be to work by 9. That threw a wrench in the whole school thing. My sweet mother-in-law didn't have a problem taking her, but that would jeapardize (sabotage) Chase's morning nap. As you already read I just put him on a schedule so that was laying heavy on me. Barb also was willing to take her once a week, but it still meant I wouldn't be able to go to work until 9:30 the other day...thanks anyway Barb...love you :-). So...Mike and I decided to enroll her at Rose Park. Class starts at 8:45 and school is right across the street from where I work. I'm also thrilled about Christian education (at least for a couple of years). Through prayer I hope we find a way to keep them there. I put her in the Spanish Immersion class since there was one opening left. She's really excited about attending "Lola's" school. So...that was the excitement of today for me. I was really struggling over the weekend with what a headache Tot Time would be since they don't start until later. I'll post pictures tomorrow of her first day.
Chase was weird today. He's never been a good sleeper. Today he woke up at 6:15 and then took an early nap at 8:20. He slept for 2 hours. Cara put him down again an hour or so later and he slept for an hour and half. I thought he might not sleep again but he took another hour and a half nap. Maybe a growth spurt? I'm hoping it doesn't hurt his sleeping tonight ;-).
Good night all!

Randoms - In no particular order :-)

It's been, yes, four months since I've done a post. Thought about it many times...just haven't dedicated myself to doing one. For those of you who check these often here are many pictures from the last four months. Ali turned 3, we went to Big Star Lake with Mom & Jim, we went to my Dad & Barb's cabin for the 4th (and Labor Day), we had a newphew, Max, in May and a niece, Eva, in August. Jen moved home a few weeks ago and I'm LOVING it! Life has been very busy this summer and I'm a little glad it's almost over.

Alison starts school next Tuesday. She's going to Tot Time at the Ottawa County Fair Grounds for 3 school. She's pretty excited. She's turning into such a little girl.

Chase is almost 10 months and is crawling like crazy. He's teething right now (I see one ALMOST through) and I'm wondering if he has an ear ache since he's been pretty fussy and pulling at his ear. Up until 3 weeks ago Chase was waking anywhere from 2 - 6 times nightly. He'd eat 6 ounce bottles at least two of those times. Mike and I were at our wits end and decided to rotate nights so we had some hope for sleep. After I was certain of allergies and reflux (GERD) I insisted he be tested. (I'm sure his doctor loves me since I called weekly). I did find he has a peanut allergy, but that doesn't pertain to any of his diet right now...good to know for later. I also had a radiology test to see if he has severe acid reflux...nope. I then weaned him off the Prevacid, let him cry it out (4 hours) with no bottles, put him on a strict schedule, and he is now a happy happy kid. For those of you with babies that don't sleep DON'T give up. Crying bites but it's so worth it in the end. In the last couple of days Chase can now stand solo for about 10 seconds. It'll only be a matter of weeks I think before he walks! I saw him at the fridge the other day holding his magnet letter with both hands. It was really weird to see since it took me a moment to realize he wasn't supporting himself.

Here are some random pictures from the last few months...

Alison at Mike's cousin Jenny's wedding.


Chase...playing.


Sorry...forgot to rotate. Ali's birthday bike.


Our little princess...these are all she wears daily.

Mommy & Chase at Timber Town.

Alison, on her birthday, at Timber Town.

4th of July in Luther, MI - Luther Days.

Ali riding the horse that goes around, and around, and around...

Grandpa Denny with Chase - Luther Days.

Grandpa & Alison on the Rhino.

The Cabin and of course the trucks.

Big Star Lake Photo's

Ice Cream - nightly!

Jen, Jer, and Ethan

Jim & Mom

Check out the Mohawk!

Baby Max (in May)

Ali in swimming lessons...Graduation Day!

Precious picture.

Ali's birthday gift from Grandma Barb and Grandpa Denny and Great Grandma Podjan. She picked it out herself with the money. Fun times.

Ali catching her first fish with Gampy.

Well, that's about all she wrote. Until next time which I hope is sooner than later :-)

Tulip Time Tots

Unlike many Hollanders I LOVE Tulip Time!! (Update...I actually think many Hollanders actually do like it as well :-) )It is so much fun to go downtown and see so many random people. I also love it because it's a reminder that Summer is almost here. It brings back many high school memories (Keely & Becky)...it's a "feel good" week all around. Mike on the other hand is NOT fan. Alison follows in my shoes. She loves to watch the dancers, kicks up her feet, and tries to mimick everything the dancers do. She may be a professional Dutch Dancer someday...we shall see :-). Here are some pictures from this week. I'm hoping to take Alison to the parade this Saturday, but with Sheri due any day with little Max we shall see!!


Sheri & Chase


Sheri's friend Abby and daughter Reily...(Sorry if I spelled her name wrong Ab)


Chase & his cousin Gwen

I love this picture of Ali...she looks innocent.

Lola & Alison...best Dutch buds

Lola, Gwen, and Alison

All the cousins! Chase, Lola, Gwen, & Ali

Alison's First Sleepover

Friday night Alison had her cousin Lola over for her first official sleepover. She's slept at Lola's a couple of times before but has not had anyone over to her house. That night we watched Madagascar Escape to Africa, which BARELY got watched since the girls were running wild all over the house for about an hour. We had some popcorn and then a sugar free Popsicles. Finally about 9:45 they were completely settled and fell asleep. The next morning, per their request, we had donuts with chocolate frosting & sprinkles. Alison had tons of fun and cried when her best friend went home. Took a great nap though! :-)