Ting Tong

Yesterday we visited Granpa Bob and Geri. They got a new ping pong table which Adam and Gerrit broke in. Gerrit enjoyed watching Grandpa Bob and Dad play but really loved it when he was able to

'play'. I use that word loosely because Gerrit's way of playing included a bounce on the floor before he hit it. Picture the ball bouncing numerous times on the table and then at least once on the floor before he would hit it (if he hit it at all). We were very impressed because he improved tremendously as the day progressed. I was thinking the whole time that this was a great hand-eye coordination activity for him (sad, but that is the PE teacher in me!). We had a delicious dinner before we headed back to GR. 

*why the name Ting Tong?

that is Gerrit's name for ping pong!

Emmit's Birthday Parties...

Its hard to believe that Emmit is one! Where has the time gone? It has been fun watching him grow and learn and become such a big boy! Not only did we have a few Christmas parties, we also had a few birthday parties for Emmit.

First stop, Grandma Marcy and GG's:

Emmit enjoyed trying out the cake thing and loved the frosting the best. I loved that GG bought a Bill Knapp's cake (haven't had one of those since I was a kid!) We spent the day with them and Uncle Travis before he headed back to MN. We had a fun time playing and enjoying everyone's company.

Grandpa Bob and Geri joined my family for Emmit's party today:

Gerrit enjoyed opening Emmit's gifts and then trying them out with Mia. Emmit again, loved the cake (especially the frosting) and even tried to give some to Uncle Jeff. Max got a bit too close and landed some on his nose! Max also was in charge of getting the gifts out of the packages and get them in working order (a job Dad was happy to hand over!).

Following the party, Emmit took a long nap and the rest of us geared up for the MSU vs U of M basketball game - in person! Pictures to follow...

Who's Behind That Lens?

GERRIT! He got a camera for Christmas...

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2010

We made it to Michigan and jumped right into the Christmas festivities on Christmas Eve. We hung out at my brother's house for the day and in the evening we opened presents. Emmit was a bit unsure about all the people and Gerrit loved playing with his cousins again. Gerrit and Emmit did quite well on the gift end but so did Opa - he got a few new golf clubs! The evening ended for Gerrit and I in the hot tub... a nice way to end a busy day (Dad was too busy playing video games with Max to join us).

 

Christmas morning Dad woke up not feeling well so rather than push it and try to visit with his dad, we decided to lay low at my parent's house. Cara brought over wedding stuff so I helped with that, Jeff's family stopped by to open stockings and Gerrit took to Mia's new ITouch real fast, Gerrit enjoyed playing Dr. to Oma with his new kit from Aunt Erika and he looked at his new book with Opa. Emmit enjoyed his bottles with Oma and even checked out her cane the only way he knows how - via mouth!

Even though Dad wasn't feeling well, it was nice to relax a bit after a busy week!

Look What I Learned!

Today I don't have students - its staff development day! We spent the morning with imovie. I don't really see an educational need for making movies but I could see using it for personal reasons: 

We were told to do a few things with it so here it is...we didn't have too much time to edit etc. but at least I know the basics. I look spectacular today because the alarm did not go off so a baseball hat was in order! Guess I'll shower tomorrow...enjoy my little creation.

Santa Visits Z-town!

This weekend was a busy weekend for us. Sat. morning Gerrit spent 2 hours at church practicing for their Christmas program, followed by a hair cut and then we visited Santa who happened to be in town:

 

I'm glad there was not a line, nor that we spent money on capturing this experience. Gerrit didn't want to leave the stroller, when I got close to Santa, Emmit squealed so loud all I could do was laugh. We knew he'd cry the minute we put him on Santa's lap but had to just to capture the moment. Gerrit finally got close to Santa as long as I was with him. We quickly took a picture of the boys and that is the best we got! Santa didn't seem to thrilled with our children, but he was a good sport. 

We reminded Gerrit that if he was good, Santa would visit our house when he was sleeping tonight! He liked that even if he didn't want to get close to Santa in person. He left a few cookies out for him before he went to bed. (I think holidays are so much more enjoyable with children!)

This is what the boys woke up to this morning. Gerrit was pretty excited to see that Santa ate his cookies...(the camera is not broke, just really bad shadows from where I was sitting this morning).

Gerrit's favorite gift:

Gerrit received some other gifts too, but this by far was his favorite - and Santa brought it! We now have 'one of those kids' because he wore this all day - even in the car when he went to Dahlen's. He tried to get us to let him wear it to church but we had to draw the line somewhere!

The helmet even fit dad - guess with a short hair cut you can fit any kids helmet/hat on!

Emmit wanted nothing to do with the helmet

Emmit cracked me up. We came downstairs to a bunch of gifts by the tree and he went right to the push toy (top left). Even when Gerrit put a gift in front of him (top middle) he didn't know what to do with it. We tried to show him how to rip the paper but he was into Gerrit's Dairy Queen play ice creams to care. Once Gerrit helped him open his gifts, he seemed interested. He loved to try them out - in his mouth of course!

 

After our family Christmas, it was time to head to church for Gerrit's program. We were not expecting much from him but knew he knew the songs because we had been practicing them at home as well as in Sunday School. Of course he didn't want to wear 'all that stuff' - collared shirt, tie, church shoes, and when I asked if I could put a belt on him, it didn't surprise me that the answer was NO! I didn't push it, I thought getting him to wear his gingerbread tie was enough (I doubt next year I'll get away with insisting on the outfit). Before we left, Gerrit was very upset because he couldn't play basketball in that shirt!

The program was very cute and he made us proud. He held one of the teachers' hand as he entered the sanctuary but then he was fine on his own. We sat in the back but thanks to a zoom lense, we were able to get a few shots between people's heads! And Gerrit was front and center which was even better! 

Adam asked why Gerrit was in the front like that and I said I didn't know, but I liked it that we could see him. Adam responded by saying Gerrit was front and center because his dad is on council!

The program started at 10 30 and finally at 11, Emmit fell asleep for his morning nap! The program ended at 11 15! Ratz. The morning ended with a stop at Bridgett's for breakfast.

Gerrit's Conversation...

My mom is in the hospital with a blood clot. She went in today after they discovered it at PT. We decided to give her a call and say hi. Gerrit wanted to talk to her and here is what we heard from him (talking to Oma):

How are you feeling?

What's the Dr. doing for you?

Can I talk to the Dr?

It made her day to hear him ask these questions - which were not prompted by us either. He is very perceptive even if he doesn't understand everything!