Brithday Fun!

Bethany got to celebrate her birthday three different times this year. What a lucky little girl. Since her party was 2 weeks ago, I wanted to make sure we had fun closer to her birthday as well. Thursday was her actual birthday, and it was cold & rainy the whole day. She was a touch crabby that day as grandma found out when she called. If you didn't say happy birthday to her right away she wouldn't talk to you on the phone. :) Daddy got up early and went to town to get doughnut holes but he couldn't find any, so he opted to get doughnuts instead. Bethany was mad that it was just a regular doughnut. At this point I'm thinking that it is going to be a long day. She is normally not like this, so I'm thinking that she was just having issues with turning 4...boy is she old. :) That afternoon, we spent a special time together making a book about camping. She received this book at her birthday party and has been asking everyday if we could do it. I thought her birthday would be a good time.

Friday was our fun day in Des Moines with Grandma & Reagan. We started off by going and getting her 4 yr. pictures taken. She did an awesome job. Then we went to pick up Grandma & Reagan and headed over to Red Robin for lunch. Then it was off to Build A Bear. This was a new experience for us and it was so much fun. Bethany picked out a panda and Reagan picked out a bunny. They went through the whole building process and then it was time to dress them up. A ballerina dress is what was in store for Bethany's panda, and Reagan opted to get a basketball outfit. They were so proud of their new friends, Beary & Trix. Then it was off to the play place to burn off some of our lunch before we hit Cold Stone Creamery for some delicious ice cream. Bethany was all smiles the whole day and couldn't believe how much fun she was having.

(this is the look of a little girl with a tummy ache from eating too much ice cream)

We ended the day by going to the OSCI auction. The kids got to play with the 8th grade girls in the kindergarten room while Kurtis & I put some bids on some fun things.
Lots of fun + lack of naps = crabby kids for the parents the next morning! :)

Happy Birthday, Princess!!! (a day late)

Today is Bethany's 4th birthday. She is such a joy to have in our lives and we are blessed that God gave her to us. There is not usually too many dull moments when she is around.

Bethany facts at 4:

1. She loves to use her imagination.

2. Bethany loves to eat fruit and lettuce is one of her favorite vegetables. (She loves going to Pizza Ranch so she can eat a healthy supper...no pizza for her, only lettuce, cottage cheese and peaches. :)

3. She weighed in at 31 lb and 40" - tall and skinny just like everyone wants to be.

4. She loves practicing writing her name. She told me a few weeks ago that she didn't know how to write her name, then in church that Sunday she was sitting on Kurtis' lap writing it very neatly...little stinker!

5. Bethany is terrified of pretty much any animal.

6. She is getting very excited to start preschool in the fall with her friends.

7. Bethany is very good at riding her bike and is interested in trying without training wheels when the weather allows.

8. Her favorite color is pink, which goes well with her princess status. :)

9. Her best friend is Jaren...they play so well together.

10. Bethany is very loved and we are so thankful for this little girl!



Look for pictures of our fun day in Des Moines later tonight or for sure by tomorrow.

No more excuses

Today is the day that I am starting the "No-Excuse Workout." I just got done doing the first day's workout and I have to admit that I loved it. I was dreading it since I'm so out of shape, but it eases you in so even someone like me who hasn't faithfully exercised in years can do it. It is a run/walk program that will also help you lose any unwanted weight. Within 12 weeks I should be able to run a 5K...just in time for the Klompen Classic!!! It's great to have a goal in mind to help keep me motivated.
I will post a week by week schedule on a sidebar for any of the rest of you that might be interested in following along also. I'd love to have some running partners. :)

Dedication

As my family prepares to say a final good-bye to my wonderful grandma this week, I thought it was only appropriate to dedicate the two birthday cakes I just made to her (I told Kurtis that I have never had such difficult time emotionally decorating cakes). Why you might ask. Well, my grandma taught me a lot of things and how to decorate cakes and cookies was one the the major highlighted ones. I spent many days, especially in the summer months over at her house watching her decorate cookies & cakes for others, always allowing us a sampling, eating her homemade cinnamon rolls and playing with the daycare kids that she took care of. That was a great perk of living within a couple of blocks from my grandparents. We'll miss having grandma around, but I'm trying to look at it as more of a blessing for her. She will get to be in heaven with Jesus with a new body...able to talk, walk and sing praises to him once again. We love you so much grandma and can't wait to see you again some day in heaven.

Birthday Party Fun

Last night, we had a joined birthday party for Bethany & Erica. The girls didn't pick the easiest theme to combine...Elmo & Tinkerbell. :) They got many very nice gifts that they are having lots of fun with and the food was pretty good if I must say so myself. :) Happy Birthday girls. Daddy & Mommy love you very much!

Uncle Jason (Kristin's)...I needed you there to get the perfect blowing out candle picture.

Special story behind this gift: Jaren recieved some money from Uncle Tim & Aunt Lonita for his birthday. As he was walking through the toy store trying to decide what to buy he came across this little princess doll. He looked at me and asked, "Mom, do I have enough money left to buy this princess for Bethany. She'd really love it!" After counting up what he was buying for himself it was decided that yes, he did have just enough (I really did not put any money towards this...it was all Jaren). I get tears in my eyes everytime I think about that extremely loving gesture this big brother has for his little sister.

The girls waiting for "Santa Clause". My dad had to quickly go out to the car to get the rest of Erica's gift so the three little girls all ran to the window waiting in great anticipation.

Igloo

How many milk jugs does it take to make an igloo for 2 kindergartners? Well Jaren's class how fun collecting the milk jugs over the past few weeks and then constructed the igloo. I haven't heard the final count yet, but it's pretty impressive and I think the kids really enjoy having the addition in the classroom. Jaren got to show off the igloo to Bethany & Erica the other day.

The True Love of God

Each month at Oskaloosa Christian the different grades take their turns at leading the chapel. Each class represents a different country that they "travel" to for the chapels. The kindergartner's country is the Netherlands. It was their turn to talk about the Netherlands, but especially about true love, God's love. Jaren had a speaking part to welcome every one to chapel. There were some very difficult words for him to say, but he made sure to practice hard and did a FANTASTIC job...all the kids did. Mrs. DeBruin & Mrs. Harris always have their work cut out for them with 26 excited kindergartners. They did a great job of getting all the kids involved.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Our crazy, silly, adorable, beautiful, one-of-a-kind little girl turns 2 today. It's hard to believe that she is 2 already...my the time sure flies by. Erica is definitely growing up more and more each day. For the past week every time I asked her how old she was going to be she replied, "three!" with this cute little stinker grin knowing that she was giving the wrong answer. She has finally accepted the fact that she is only 2. Here are some facts about Erica at 2:

1. She loves Elmo & her blankie

2. She is a mommy's girl

3. She can say many words and can carry on a conversation with us

4. She is a wiggle worm and cannot sit still...go, go, go is her motto

5. She loves her brother and sister very much and is so proud when they include her

6. She is opinionated, but can be swayed the other way if asked in just the right way

7. She loves to act silly and pull funny faces just to get a laugh out of us

8. She mimics her siblings a lot

9. She is a picky eater, but loves her fruits & veggies

10. She is loved tremendously by her family

And now lets take a stroll down memory lane and see how our little girl has grown!

Erica Marie De Bruin - One of our greatest gifts from the Lord!

Our week...one joke

Bethany heard this joke this morning while playing computer. It sums up how our week went. Erica has been sick since Monday night. Friday Bethany came down with the same thing...fever & cough. They are both doing better today, but are still running low grade fevers and cough a lot. I stayed home from church with them obviously not wanting to contaminate everyone around us at church. :)

God made all of us

The K-4th Sunday School classes sang this song the other Sunday for Sanctity of Life Sunday. The kids have been singing it around the house ever since. Jaren was willing to sing it for you guys. It's got a catchy little chorus that I'm sure you'll be humming for a few days. Hope you enjoy.