Boxing

Gerrit was waiting patiently for me to finish taking care of the dinner dishes before heading outside. He realized he couldn't get outside because I dead-bolted the door. So he sat by the door and kept himself busy playing with my cool weather running gear (maybe I should put that stuff away?). He put on my mittens and this is what he started doing:

If you can't figure it out, he was 'boxing' - sound effects and all. Where did he learn this? Earlier in the day he was with Paul while I ran Luke to baseball. When I returned, Paul was boxing on the Wii and Gerrit was watching closely...obviously!

Dare Devil Swimmer

Gerrit started doing this Saturday night in the tub:

It made me nervous because I wasn't sure if he would come up for air! Sunday, we went to Lake City and swam and Gerrit picked up where he left off in the tub! This time he could show off to a bigger audience.
Dr. John said I didn't have to worry about him drowning himself - he said kids don't do stupid stuff like that till at least age 12-14! It gave us a good laugh and I guess I should be thankful Gerrit is not afraid of the water.


His latest pool trick is to jump in without anyone holding his hands:

(got to love a fast shutter speed on the new camera!)
Adam had not seen his new tricks yet so it was fun for him to see first hand what I have been telling him. Gerrit just started the no hands jumping this week at our local pool.


One of the great pool toys :

it actually runs on a battery and you can steer it! Gerrit just liked sitting on it!

His first Jet Ski ride - had to document that! :)

Ok, that is all for tonight, bed time. I realized I was slacking with only 2 entries in the month of July!

Master Gardener

This weekend was beautiful and we took full advantage of the time outside. Gerrit decided it was time to do a little yard work of his own:

Saturday he got his shovel out and started digging in the soil (nice use of the proper term huh? I almost wrote 'dirt' but knew Adam wouldn't be pleased) in my flower beds! I was able to get him to move to the back of the yard and showed him a good place to dig. He must have watched us use a shovel because he knew exactly what to do, just needed something to lean on to keep the balance!

Sunday, we were playing outside before nap time and he kept pointing at a bucket in the garage that had my garden gloves and some other stuff in it. I kept telling him that there was nothing in it that he would like but he insisted. So, I brought the bucket down and he grabbed my gloves - I guess he did know what he wanted! He put them on and decided it was time to pull weeds. He started pulling my flowers but I was able to bring him to the back yard and told him he could pull weeds all day in the area behind the garage. He did not get much seeing the gloves were way to big, but he tried!

Base-a-ball

Since being in MI, Gerrit has a new found love: baseball (although he calls it base-a-ball which I think he gets from the word basketball??). He has enjoyed playing catch all spring and summer but I think it was watching his big cousin Max play catch that really got him into 'using', and I use that word loosely, a glove.

He has finally figured out which hand the glove needs to be in so he could actually throw the ball correctly (I think he'll be a righty).

He found this glove in the toy box which is way too big for him - he can hardly lift it up to 'catch' a ball (again, using catch loosely).
I think he'll have a base-a-ball glove on his Christmas list this year! (He'd like one like his cousin Mia, just not hot pink!)

My Boy is Growing Up!

Today was not a good weather day. We were stuck inside due to rain and cool temps. Luckily we hung out with Luke and Paul which is always fun for Gerrit. The boys gave Gerrit his first taste of video games. They tried to teach him how to box on the Wii:

He didn't get the idea of waving his arms in the air so they switched to golf - more Gerrit's style. They rigged the stick with a Now and Later and rubber band so the A button was always pushed allowing Gerrit to swing and hit the golf ball automatically:

Deep in thought as he swings - actually he just swung all the time with the same amount of force. He did not quite get the idea of swinging with less force if he was close to the hole. He loved it none the less!

He even recognized who's turn it was based on the golfer on the TV (the boys made Gerrit his own character and it looks pretty close to him too!). He would tell the other boys when it was their turn and even come to them when it was his turn (they had to press a button before he could make contact each time). When the boys would take a practice swing, Gerrit would say: "almost" - as if they actually were trying to hit the ball and missed! Then he'd cheer when someone would sink a putt!

Just before dinner I changed his diaper - he would only let me do it if he could go 'potty'. So I said that was fine, I just had to clean his buns before he could sit on the potty. He let me do that and then I put him down to go potty - only to be told to 'get away'. So I gave him his space and then went to get him so I could put his diaper on and realized he went potty again! He sprayed a little this time and needed a new shirt and a bit cleaning up, but hey who cares! I just can't believe that the kid won't let me near him so I can't assist him in going. Maybe I will have to buck up and put forth the effort earlier than I was thinking.

My little by is growing up -video games and potty!

We're Back

Yes, it has been a while since I last posted something. I just uploaded pictures taken before we left for Mi, pictures from Mi and a few taken since we've been home. I figured it was easier than choosing specific ones to highlight on the blog. (So go to the my pictures on the right and it'll take you to Shutterfly.)

We had a great time in Mi seeing mostly family but some friends as well. Adam did some biking and riding and I was able to relax. Gerrit did well on the long drive both ways and loved playing with his cousins. He still talks about them which is fun to hear him ask where they are.

Some highlights of our trip (for Gerrit):

Gerrit got some love from the bugs - lots of bites but nothing seemed to bother him too much
He mastered his golfing skills and biking (coasting down the hills was a favorite)
He learned to drive (press the gas pedal - we're still working on the steering part)
Loves the water slide (as long as mom goes with!)
Tried to dive in the water like the big kids were doing in the deep end of the pool
Still loves golf cart rides

It is a good thing Gerrit and I head back in a few weeks - we have some unfinished business to tend to - going to the beach, spending more time at the water park and visiting with friends we did not see this past trip. We can only hope the weather is warmer!

A Cat-like Kid

Last night Gerrit woke up at 2am. We let him cry and finally Adam went to get him and put him in bed with us, thinking he'd fall asleep and all would be well. Adam went back to the computer (he doesn't sleep well before a trip!) and I was left with a cat-like kid! He was jumping, wrestling with Adam's pillow, laying on me, and running from one end of the bed to the other! This went on for quite some time. Finally Adam came to bed and we thought he would calm down with both of us there. Nope...he started 'playing' with Adam! Then he'd turn to me and put his face really close to mine and stare at me. After many threats, I was fed up with it and put him back in his bed. So the cycle continued...I laid there and listened to him cry for 15 min or so (luckily this time around he was tired!) and then I was able to fall back asleep. Let's hope this isn't the start of long nights on vacation! And here's hoping he has a good nap in the car and maybe I can get one too!

We shove off from Z-town around 11 30 to pick Adam up at work. Ya, Adam got 2 hours of sleep and then rode his bike to work! Then he plans to drive 9+ hours. Eek! I best be going and finish the last minute things on my list. We shall see many of you SOON!