Big Boy (edited)

Today we noticed more than usual just how 'big' Gerrit is getting. Today he said "ba(ll)". Here he is showing off his ability to balance:


He received this stacking toy as a gift before he was even born. I noticed on the label it said 6+ months. Gerrit is now 15 months and just figured out how to put the rings on! Hopefully he isn't developmentally behind! (Just kidding, he was into this toy at 6 months - he liked how it lit up.)

Now to the naughty side of Gerrit...He hasn't quite given up the pacifier (before school starts he will though) but only gets it in his crib. He often throws them out of his crib and has a nice little pile under his crib as days go by. He has discovered that he can go under the crib and find these pacifiers. So whenever Gerrit heads up stairs, I usually know what he's doing - trying to get a pacifier that he has thrown out of his crib. Well today was no different. When I went up to find him, I heard the pitter patter of feet and when I got to his room this is where I found him:

Hiding behind the rocking chair sucking on a pacifier - as if I couldn't see him! He totally knows what he's doing and that he shouldn't have a pacifier if he is not sleeping! Oh, what we get to look forward to in the days ahead... The plus side is he dusted underneath the crib - he was filthy!

County Fair 2008

We decided to head to the fair tonight seeing Adam got home a bit later than normal. There were little rain showers in the area so we took the umbrella just in case. The fair is just the right size for us. We get the feel of the big state fair, just on a smaller scale. Its cheaper and all the animals are represented as well as that good ol' fair food. Its fun to see all the 4Hers and their prize winning items. Tonight we even heard the sweet sounds of the demo derby (yes, Adam and I did experience the demo derby our 1st year at the fair - it will be the last too!).

We had a few sprinkles during dinner. Adam and I headed to the pork barn for our traditional meal and Gerrit had a hot dog and peas/carrots (from home). Here he is eating being shielded from the rain before the festivities began. We did stay long enough for dessert - mini donuts and a funnel cake (we shared them).


Gerrit didn't like the Roosters - when one 'cock-a-doodle-dooed' it scared him and he started to cry. We left that barn in a hurry.

Next we headed to the cow barn. I thought these cows looked cute and found them worthy of a photo.

Gerrit liked looking at the cows. They didn't make a loud noise.

The happy family at the end of another great fair experience.

We drove this year as we were unsure of the weather (last year we walked) and when we returned to the car this is what we found: (if you look close, you will count 3 cars and yes, ours is in the middle!)

The great guys at the Livestock market were walking around dumbfounded that people would be stupid enough to park 3 in a row! They offered to move the car with the bobcat (you could tell they were just waiting for the opporunity). So we waited. Unfortunately they couldn't find a spot to hook the chain to the car so we started walking home. (Adam will return later this evening to get the car.) As all of this was happening there were still people parking 3 in a row! How dumb can you be?

We did call a friend to come and meet us so we didn't have to walk because I didn't have good walking shoes and it was getting late.

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!