Easter Weekend

Top 10 for the Week:
April 14th, 2014




10.  Snow.  Had a few more inches.  Hate the snow.  Glad it's gone.  Hopefully FOR GOOD!


9.  Farmer Love.  So, we live down the road from a pretty big farm.  Our kids LOVE it.  They love the tractors, farmers, and watching them.  Mal talks of them often.  Referring to them as her friends that she waves at every day.  Can't help but wave at a farmer:o)


8.  Decatur Walk.  One of the beautiful days this week, the kids and I headed to Raider Romp.  Unfortunately it was closed.  So we walked up to Jay's office.  Both kids were great!  No complaints and only one wish to be carried (from Clay early on in the walk).  We all loved the exercise and fresh air.


7.  Dump Day.  It's like a holiday in this house.  The four of us spent part of our Good Friday cleaning out our pole barn.  Thank goodness for Dump Day.  Goodbye old, broken things that were taking up space in the barn.  Hello a little more organized!  Only need a few shelves in there and it should be good to go!  (The actual barn freaks me out--it's kinda scary.  In a creepy way.)


6.  Tball Practice.  Mal had her first Tball practice this past week.  It was SO adorable.  She's much more serious this year than last.  Paying attention, truly trying, and hitting the ball fairly well.  Clay found out real quick that he's still too little to play.  He was standing next to Mal with his glove and ball when he took a ball to the chest.  He ran off the field crying and didn't venture back on.  A bittersweet moment for this momma.  Now at least he knows better:o)  But the red circle mark on his chest looked like it hurt!


5.  Warmer Weather.  Loving it!  Keep it coming!


4.  Easter.  We drove up north to celebrate Easter with my family.  Kids didn't sleep all that well, but we had a great time visiting, coloring eggs, and spending time with my family.  I LOVE my parent's new addition!  SO much space now.  For the kids to run, play, and sleep.  It's great!


3.  Clayisms.  We've been making a push towards really getting him potty trained.  He's doing well.  It's more my part than his.  Making sure I put him on the toilet and not letting him pee in his diaper.  #2 is going to be a problem.  But I'm just concentrating on pee for now.  We are getting there!  Clay turned three this week.  I've heard more than once that it's the "trying threes."  I honestly don't remember feeling this way with Mal, but I am there with Clay.  It was like a few days before he turned three that I started feeling this quote was TRUE.  He almost shoplifted a pack of gum!  I mean, he's three.  So it's not really shoplifting right?!?!  He doesn't truly know what he is doing.  But I turned my back at tractor supply for just a bit and I witnessed him zipping up his jacket pocket with GUM in it.  I caught him, told him we had to buy it IF we wanted it.  And that it wasn't okay to do this.  But really?!?!  I was shocked. 


2.  Malloryisms.  Kids have been sleeping bad.  And this in turn usually means they misbehave a little more.  Okay, a LOT more.  Mal gave me three NOs in just a few hours.  NO I will not set the table (when normally she would just do it).  NO I will not pick up my room.  (Same thing).  NO (and I can't remember the last one).  Anyways, this is really unusual for her.  It was hard this week.  Extremely hard.  But there were a few cute/good things.  One night she fell asleep with her sunglasses on.  I loved going in there ands seeing her bright pink shades on her face as she slept.  We've also been working on spelling and sounding out words.  As we were talking about the ending -UN, she added a L to it.  We talked about how this really wasn't a word but then she added in how it could be lUNch.  I was so impressed with this!  I'm still shocked at how easy spelling/reading is starting to come to her and how she wants to learn.  I was never like this.  I struggled.  It was hard for me.  I hope and pray that this continues for her and that I am there to help facilitate this.  That is why I am here.  THIS is why I chose to stay home.  I'm hoping to have a bit of time each day to do a little "homeschooling."  That is my goal. 


1.  Good Friday.  We spent the day doing things around the house--mainly outdoors.  It was awesome.  We accomplished so much as a family.  And the kids loved being a part of it.  Love days like that.


That's the week!
Hope you are doing well.

Until next week,
Mrs. Newell

Spring Break Week (AKA Best Week EVER!)

Top 10 for the Week:
April 7th, 2014


**Seriously, one of THE best weeks of the year!  Hopefully this is a little taste of what summer will be like.  To quote Mal, "I wish I didn't have school everyday so I could be home with you and Clay."  I feel the same way honey.**






10.  No Kitchen.  I never realize how much I use my kitchen during the day until I'm without it for THREE.  We had our kitchen back splash done.  It took three days.  Three days of me being out of the kitchen.  Drove me nuts!  End of story.


9.  Alone Time.


8.  Cranes.  Cranes are back in full force.  One day this week they (like 10-15 of them) decided to flock to our little island.  It was SO neat.  Kids loved it. 


7.  Grocery Store Self Serve.  I have a new appreciation for the self serve checkout.  I ended up having to take both kids to the grocery store with me (I dread!).   On a whim, I decided to try out the self checkout.  Kids LOVED it!  Mal was the scanner, Clay and I bagged the items.  It was a win-win for all.  This WILL be a regular grocery store thing for the kids and me.


6.  Park Days.  Oh how I've missed park days.  We were able to head to the park three days this past week!  A bike ride up to the office, 2 picnic lunches, and just some plain fun with friends and family!  I LOVE weeks like this.  I can't wait for the summer:o)


5.  Deck Dinners.  We had 3-4 dinners our on our back deck.  The best one was after a day of yard work, we ordered pizza and enjoyed a drink and dinner with the sunset.  Couldn't get any better!


4.  Mud and Horses.  Mal has a friend named Raina whom she met in school.  I've become friends with her mom because of their friendship.  Raina has a younger brother close in age to Clayton.  We immensely enjoy their company.  They invited us out to their property where they have horses and mud.  Kids enjoyed several horse rides and a walk in their woods that ended with a mud puddle.  It was a whole day of sunshine, laughter, and good company.  We enjoyed ourselves.


3.  Clayisms.  If you know Clay, you know he has this fear of bugs.  Yes, he's all boy. Yet he fears bugs.  You also know that it is difficult to get him out of the bathtub.  However, pairing these two things together is not such a bad idea:o)  A lady bug fell into his bath water this week and he freaked!  Jumped out right away!  I've found my solution to his delay in getting out of the tub.  Clay has really been watching Mal while she learns her letters.  This week on our chalkboard--he wrote a letter C.  A small gesture that makes me so proud!  I hope he has his sister's desire to learn:o)


2.  Malloryisms.  Mal used to be extremely shy--not wanting to talk to anyone and keeping to herself.  She's really started opening up.  I accredit it to preschool, dance, and Tball.  This week she made several friends at the park:o)  It was adorable.  "You're my new friend, because I've never met you before."  Of course I'm still a little hesitant about this--who wouldn't be?  But I feel good about her openness to others.  We also had a chance to cook together this week when Sir Clayton was down for a nap.  It was so enjoyable working together, laughing, enjoying each other.  She also had a chance to hang out with our friend, Kim for several hours.  They were working on her Relay for Life car.  She came home all excited stating that "we had the best fun ever, ever!"  Funny saying this week:  "Hopefully sooner than later"  referring to seeing Nana. 


1a.  Warmer Weather!  This warmer weather is such a treasure.  Having the windows open, enjoying what our backyard has to offer, has really helped our moods and bodies.  We spend ALL day Saturday outdoors and LOVED it.  ALL of us.


1b.  Spring Break Goodness.  This week has been pure joy.  Excited for what our summer will bring.


Late.


Until next week,
Mrs. Newell

Top 5 for 3-30-14

Top 5 for the Week:
March 30th, 2014
This week seemed short.  With Spring Break and all.  And the kids at my parents for 3 WHOLE days.  Only top 5.




5.  Jay's Surgery.  Jay had surgery this week to remove a cyst that was on the back of his head.  Everything went great!  I was extremely pleased with Borgess (we never go there) and he was back to normal in record time.  Kids at fun playing at my SIL.  Glad it's done.  It was multiplying!  Could have been HUGE in a few weeks.




4.  Boy Pics.  Took the boy to get his 3 year pictures done.  I had planned on doing it during Mal's school time.  Well, I forgot it was Spring Break and she had that Friday off.  It ended up being a blessing.  She was SO helpful.  He didn't want to do any pose until Mal did it first.  And Miss Mal enjoyed doing it as well!  Photographer said he was the best 3 year old she's ever had!  Proud Momma here.  Can't wait to get them back.




3.  Clayisms. Clay is a dare devil.  Serious.  I am SO extremely nervous about him.  I'm not exactly sure what to do about it.  Just a helmet doesn't seem enough.  It's crazy.  He can be so CRAZY and then SO sweet.  In fact, he uses hugs and kisses to make things "better."  Another sweet story, when I went to pick up the kids in Holland, he didn't see me come into the restaurant.  Once he realized who was next to him, he would not let go of my neck.  And would not let go of me the rest of the day.  I almost forgot about his Dum-Dum sucker experience.  On the way home from school at like 8:30 in the morning, I gave him a small dum-dum sucker.  Yes, I know.  But hey--you do what you gotta do.  Anyways, he chopped down on it hard!  Enough to cause gushing blood everywhere!  It was bad.  Freaked me out a bit (as usual).  I ended up having him be seen by the dentist.  Everything checked out fine but he still hasn't had a Dum-Dum sucker since the episode. 




2.  Malloryisms.  Mal is a lover of all foods and this week she tried RAW brussel sprouts.  Yeah, I was shocked.  She loved them.  We call ourselves the brussel sprout girls and we have them every week:0)  Another big THING at our house this week--Mal can wipe #2.  Enough said.  Big deal here.  Now we just need to work on Clayton being potty trained.  No big sayings this week.




1.  Crush It Weekend.  My parents met the kids and I in Holland on Thursday.  We hung out for a bit and then they left.  I went shopping for a few things and then headed home.  Which started our crush it weekend.  It is amazing to me how much stuff I got done and how much MORE I still have to do!  Got some major task accomplished--master closet cleaned, playroom painted/sorted, garage cleaned/sorted, fabric behind shelves, cleaned whole house, and other little things that I felt the need to do because we didn't have kids.  We also had several date nights (one big one), slept in, and stayed up late.  Let's just say I was recovering a bit on Monday.  Man, was I tired!:o)  It was great to have some alone time with just US...even though I missed the kids terribly (I think I missed them more than they missed me).  But it was great to reconnect with my man.  I love him so.  I love his jokes.  I love his laidbackness.  I love his company.  I love him.  I love us. 




Sunday FUNday.  After going to get the kids, we had a chance to enjoy some warmer weather together.  Mal used her bike without training wheels and was a real champ!  And Clay was finally able to use his tricycle that we've had for a few years now!


Great week!
Great weekend!
Spring break...next week!


Until next week,
Mrs. Newell

Top 10

Top 10 for the Week:
March 24th, 2014


10.  Sickness.  Mal was sick with a cold/cough for like over 2 weeks (in fact, she's still battling it a bit).  Nothing like no school and being confined inside.  It was great.  NOT.  However, she did say the sweetest thing.  "It makes me really happy to get to spend more time with you guys."  Not going to school=more time with Momma and Clay.


9.  Rain.  Lots of rain this week.  Which I know is good.  It makes the snow go away.  But where is our warmer, beautiful weather?!?!


8. Kindergarten Roundup.  Mal had her kindergarten roundup this past Monday.  It was SO great seeing familiar faces.  Greeting people.  Mal loved it.  She's ready.  I'm not.  But I think that's how it normally goes.  She told the lady giving her the assessment that her mom doesn't work anymore.  When asked what her parent's like to do?  "Mom likes to quilt and dad works."  Ha!  A few years ago that would have been totally different! 


7. Friend Over.  Mal had her first friend over without her parents accompanying.  It was so cute.  She was SO excited.  The little girl has been over numerous times in the past--but always with her parents.  Mal just kept starring at her. 


6.


5.  75 years.  This year marks 75 years with Auto-Owners Insurance for Jay's business.  We had the privilege of going and celebrating in Lansing with a grand tour and wonderful dinner.  What an accomplishment.


4.  GR Visit.  We headed to GR for the Dino Exhibit.  Kids enjoyed it.  I think I enjoyed the other exhibits more:o)  Nature/pond one was great!  Especially since we have one in our backyard.  We spent the morning there, then met my parents for lunch, and then headed over to my brother's.  We had a chance to see my nephew, who is getting SO big.  He was giving Mal a hug and she responded "I love you too Hudson."  So sweet.


3.  Clayisms.  He IS ON THE MOVE.  I swear I'm just going to buy him a helmet and make him where it every time we are outside.  He is such a dare devil it scares me.  No fear is not good for this momma.  On a good note, this week he's been eating more meats.  Pork tenderloin and chicken!  It's crazy--he would have never ate this before!  We have turned a corner people!


2.  Malloryisms.  No big things with Mal this week.  But lots of sayings.
"They're probably in bed."  (6:42PM on a weekday-she's referring to Nana and Papa).
"I like it better than all the states."  (Michigan of course).
"This is the worst day ever, ever, ever, ever, ever."  (Yes.  I'm a mean mom.)
"Deer meat is not my thing."  (Jay and I couldn't stop laughing at this when she said it so matter of factly).


I've started teaching her how to read--sounding out words and such.  She's at the perfect stage right now--so eager to learn and know how to read and write.  So I'm going with it!:o)


1.  Sunday Outdoors.  It was beautiful outdoors on Sunday.  We spent the majority outside--like 4-5 hours with the kids.  They LOVED it.  We even had dinner outside on the back deck.  It was bliss.  Nothing like back porch living:o)


Until next time,
Mrs. Newell