Doesn't Skip a Beat

Last night I ran a few errands in preparation for Gerrit's big day on Saturday. He wanted to come along and I told him I was shopping for his birthday presents and in order for them to be a surprise, he couldn't come along. So I left a very tearful almost 3 year old behind and ran errands.

This morning when Gerrit woke up, he walked downstairs and found me in the kitchen. He then went back into the living room and looked around as if he was looking for something specific (usually he asks for a pop tart or oatmeal before anything else). I asked him what he was looking for and he said 'my presents'. I had to tell him that his birthday wasn't until Saturday (as if he understands that!) and he seemed ok with having to wait.

In the meantime, while I was out shopping, I left both boys home with Adam. Gerrit snuck out of the house and rode his bike without permission. Adam found him down the street on the sidewalk (the good thing is he knows his boundaries). Adam called him back and told him to ride his bike back into the garage, and go inside. When Gerrit got to the driveway, instead of going up the driveway, he pedaled even faster and continued down the side walk! At this point, Emmit is crying and Adam is running around the house to get the little speed demon! Adam had to carry him and Emmit into the house, both screaming as he went. Gerrit was put in a time out while Adam picked up some of the toys outside only to have Gerrit pee his pants!

Needless to say, there is no riding bike today....he did understand this when I asked him about it this morning too...we'll see if he remembers when it comes time to come home after daycare.

Finished?

The driveway and sidewalk are officially finished (Nick's part isn't done yet on his yard though).

We love that we no longer will be tracking major dirt into the house!

We didn't realize how much MORE work we would have once the driveway was finished.

We planned on the basketball hoop (which should be done in the next 2 weeks) but not having to raise up the area between our house and Nick's (a pretty good sized step was created by the cement), and having to rework the yard to match up with the side walk. Plus we have landscaping to do next to the house (Adam and Gerrit worked on removing the rock etc from this area in the pictures above).

Many neighbors have stopped by to admirer the driveway. A few comments that went with the admiration:

"if there is a shortage in cement, we'll know why" (Bryan)

"when does the dance begin" (Duane and Mary Anne)

"the garage looks like a dog house" (Adam - and now he wants a new garage but knows the kitchen comes first!)

The other night after it had rained, Gerrit wanted to go outside and play. In a matter of 2 min. he returned from the neighbors splattered in mud and his hands filthy! (bottom right photo) We decided that some people call it spring but we call it: the 'tub/shower every night' season.

Happy times around here. Gerrit loves the level sidewalk (as do the neighbor's grandkids) for riding his bike or trike.

And so our next who knows how many weekends will be filled with "finishing" the driveway.

Facelift

This was what our driveway looked like this morning:

This is what our drive way looked like this afternoon:

Gerrit asked Adam why he took that machine home. (Can you imagine Adam driving a bobcat on hwy 52?)

Spring is Here

Gerrit's new thing to do is to wear my cycling shoes while riding his bike. He usually gets sick of them and will leave them on the side walk and end up riding his bike with just his socks. In the 'basket' part of this trike is a bunch of golf balls. He will bring the trike on the grass and dump out all the golf balls. He will get Adam and I a club as well as one for himself and we are to play golf in the back yard. When he is done, he will put all the balls back in the trike and bring it in the garage. Clever....

Emmit's new thing is to hang out in the exersaucer. I'm thinking we need an indoor and an outdoor one this summer!

3 Years, 3 Months

Here are a few of the pictures that were taken this weekend. The rest are on Shutterfly now and can be ordered. (We own the rights to the pictures.) Gerrit was a real 'pill' and wasn't the most cooperative 3 yr old. We even tried the car (even though it didn't match his outfit). I havn't decided which pictures we are going to order but I love the fact that I can order and do what I want with the pictures!

Pictures

I uploaded the Easter pictures per request. You can get to them by going to the 'our pictures' icon on the right hand side of the site. We just had professional pictures taken this weekend of the boys and I will be able to upload them as soon as we get the CD, which should be Tuesday. We are excited to see how they turned out! So stay tuned and you can order them too. I'll let you know when they are posted on Shutterfly as well. Enjoy the nice weather!

Emmit

I took this picture tonight and it pretty much sums up his personality.

He's laid back and a happy kid (now that he has started to outgrow his reflux).

Emmit's sportin' his cousin's outfit that is 12 years old (so glad I like my sister in law's taste!).