A to Z Farm

We went to a farm in WI last night for dinner. The guys rode (of course) and the women and kids followed in the cars. This farm serves wood fired pizza every Tues night. They don't advertise and they don't need to - the place was packed! You bring your own table settings, chairs, drinks, snacks, garbage bags (basically everything) and they provide the pizza. They make them outside and use fresh ingredients grown from their farm or nearby farms. We had to wait 1 hr 45 min for our pizza and it was worth it. It gives Punch a run for their money (and that is saying a lot coming from me!). We enjoyed eating appies, drinking beer, wondering around the farm, and playing with the kids. The only thing is that it was dark by the time we got our pizza! So we moved one of the cars and ate by headlight - so romantic! It was a fun evening, the weather was perfect, there were no bugs and being with friends made for a perfect summer night! This is what summer is all about!

Good Intentions

I thought going to the park would be a good way for Gerrit to burn off some energy and get him nice and tired for his nap. Well, instead of playing on this:

or swinging on these:

Gerrit wanted to climb over this: (little fence)

or play in this:

So we went home to play in our own backyard. The neighbors gave Gerrit a few toys that their granddaughters use to play with. They are great "leave outside and who cares what happens to them toys" as they put it.

Just like Uncle Jeff - checking out the wheels...

Things were going well until Gerrit discovered

and thought they were green 'balls' to throw. So he picked one even though he heard mom so "NO".

And thus, this ended our outside play time!

Alternative Transportation

With gas prices on the rise, I've changed my mode of transportation. No, not really; however, my new bike (birthday) is fun to ride around town. It is easier to get Gerrit in and out of the Burley (which was given to us free!) and he enjoys it much more than his car seat. I don't mind either as it is good exercise. I have 3 speeds on my bike and think next time I'd get the 8 speed b/c of the hill we live on!

I picked out the bike - flowers and all. For mother's day I received the basket and a cup holder to help accessorize my new wheels. From the post office, to the library, and the park or grocery store, we have been to it all on the new wheels in town.

Mad Hatter

I loved the Mad Hatter booth at Festival (Michiganders know what I'm talking about). But here lies a different sort of Mad Hatter - he didn't make his own, rather he spent a lot of time the past 2 days putting a hat on, taking it off, setting it down, walking away from it, and returning to it to start the process all over again. Here are a few pictures of the events...




OK, so a bike helmet isn't quite a hat, but he sure thought it was fun to put it on and take it off! Luckily this is an old helmet so the number of times it is dropped/thrown on the ground doesn't matter anymore!





Gerrit's trying to buckle the straps after I showed him how. Can't quite master the fine motor skills of lining of the 2 sides yet!

Melts My Heart

Yesterday I was getting ready to run erronds and Gerrit was hanging out upstairs with me. He kept himself occupied (and away from the toilet!) by shooting hoops! A man after my own heart!



He loves to throw a ball and will often throw it into something (trash can, basket), so I set up his hoop on the side of the crib. He made quite a few shots when I was watching. I was able to finish getting ready w/o a child hanging on my leg or getting into something that he shouldn't! I think I need a Nerf hoop on every floor!

Sandy Pines

Finally, pictures of Sandy Pines...I'll put them on shutterfly too.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Out-smarting Once Again

I thought I was in the clear in terms of Gerrit proofing the basement....guess not! He figured out how to get through the 'gate' at the base of the stairs. He loves to climb stairs and thought it was a game when we would chase him up the stairs. So, I had to get creative again....


Gerrit didn't realize I had outsmarted him and that he would no longer be able to climb the stairs. He was really frustrated....


Laying on the ground after spending a few minutes getting himself out of the chairs! I of course, sat back and watched. I think I take pleasure in out-smarting him, just like my students. Guess that is why I teach middle school!