Good-bye Summer :(

I can't believe that summer is gone! We had so much fun this summer. The kids are finally at and age where we can all go out and do stuff together.  We spent a lot of time outside at the park, the soccer field, the pool, and the lake.  We were even able to squeeze in a trip to Minnehaha Falls a couple of weeks ago (pictures to come in the next post hopefully.  I was too lazy to download the pictures from my phone). 

Today was a big day at the Veldman household.  Grant went off to daycare by himself today as Ava prepared to board the bus to kindergarten.  I was a little worried how Grant would do without his big sister telling him what to do or where to go.  But Nate said that he did his usual routine and went off to play.  Thank goodness!  He's starting 3 yr old preschool this year.  I pray for his teacher Ms. Maddie.  What a group she has! 

Ava came skipping into our bedroom this morning just giggling with delight.  She was so excited to start kindergarten.  I can't imagine how hard it would be to send your kid off if he/she wasn't excited.  There were a few tears shed on the way to the bus stop (by me of course), but overall I did well.  Ava did great!  :)  I'm anxious for her to arrive home so that I can hear all about her day.  I'm sure that she'll be exhausted, as she's taken a nap every day of her life up until today.  Could be a cranky first couple of weeks here. 

It's been so long since I last updated that I'll let the pictures tell the story of the past month. 

 

Ava finished up her soccer season at the end of August.  She absolutely loved it.  Grandma & Grandpa Becker and uncle Rick were able to make it to her last game to watch.

Ava's team with their coach (who was amazing) and their medals

The boys left for the cabin super early on Friday, so Grandma hung back and went up with us.

Both of the kids LOVE our tomato plant, but Grant just devours those things.  Thankfully he's learned that we "only eat the red ones, not the green ones"

There are always plenty of stories and snuggles when Grandma is around...

and Grandpa is always good for a good laugh.

Uncle Rick even red stories to Grant

It finally stopped raining long enough to make smores

We got to spend a weekend at the cabin with some of our amazing neighbors.  We had beautiful (hot) weather and a great time.  Ava loved riding in the tube with her BFF Avery.

The kids (by next summer there will be 3 more...CRAZY!)  Let me clarify that none of them will be ours.  :)

Grant loving his smores

This past weekend we went back to Grandma & Grandpa's to visit everybody.  We got to go to Sauerkraut Days in Blairstown where the kids collected 8 pounds of candy.  It was ridiculous!  It was so hot so we headed out after the parade and go to go and meet our cousin Baby Jackson who was born last month.  He's so cute!!!

Sunday we went do to Uncle Brent & Aunt Lisa's campsite to hang out for the day and go out on Aunt Moe Moe's boat.  The kids had a great time playing with their cousins and the rest of the family.  Unfortunately that night Grant got sick and threw up for 2 hours.  Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa who were up with him the whole time while Mommy & Daddy slept through it all upstairs. (perhaps they will rethink wanting the grandkids to sleep on their bedroom floor after that episode). 

Grant always loves to drive the boat. 

Daddy, Ava, & Reece tubing

Ava wanted to give Daddy "knuckles"

She finally succeeded.

Cousins tangled up

Grandma even got out on the tube with the kids.

Cooling off with a Mr. Freezy

First day of 3 yr old preschool

First day of school

Oops, got the date wrong on Ava's.  That should be the 8th. 

Avery & Ava getting ready to get on the bus. 

Our bus stop.  Love that our neighborhood is filled with kids.

A few things going on

So yeah, we've had a few things going on. Soccer continues to keep us busy two nights a week, and then swimming lessons one night a week.  Our weekends have been filled with neighborhood parties/birthday parties and a trip to the cabin.  Before we know it the week is over and we're starting over again on Monday.  The pictures below will highlight some of the fun that we've had. 

Something not so fun is that Nate made a trip to the hospital 2 1/2 weeks ago.  He texted me on Monday July 13th and told me that his stomach hurt and wanted advice.  I gave him the same advice that any good medical professional would have...go poop!  After responding that he was still in pain, I told him to go to the clinic if it wasn't tolerable.  I'll be honest, I thought he was over reacting and had a stomach bug (like most men do).  That was until I talked to him on his way home.  He sounded horrible.  The next call I got was from the clinic Dr.  He told me that he was going to give him IV fluids, some morphine, get a scan, and send him via ambulance to my hospital.  An ambulance...really?  I volunteered to go pick him up (like any nurse would), but was told that due to his pain an ambulance would probably be better.  So, I patiently waited by the ambulance bay doors and greeted him as he rolled in.  After a quick CT scan it was determined that he had a hot appy.  Surgery that night.  Great, we had a plan!  Not so great...there were 3 surgeries in front of him and it was already 6:30 in the evening.  He finally went in to surgery just after midnight, and was settled back into his room after recovery around 2:15 am.  He was discharged that evening and has had a great recovery (minus the fact that he hasn't been able to swim or play golf).  We were supposed to leave that Saturday to go to the cabin for vacation for the week.  We cut the week short at Tuesday and came home since Nate couldn't be in the water.  We'll make up those days later in August.

So, I apologize for the lack of updates.  I know, I always have an excuse...but this one was pretty good don't you think? 

As for the kids...
Ava: She's loving soccer more and more, and has become pretty good.  She's become quite aggressive and really gets in there to get the ball.  It's fun to watch.  She's now growing her bangs out (akward hair styles while we wait for them to grow) and thinks that she looks 16 when they are pulled back.  Sometimes she talks like she's 16.  We went and got school supplies last night, picked out a backpack, and I dropped her bus transportation form off at the school this morning.  This kindergarten thing is getting real! 

Grant: Oh Grant, where to begin.  He continues to find ways to challenge me each and every day.  Just when I want to kill him he comes up and says, "I need a hug".  His favorite phrase this week is "poopy butt".  He thinks he's hilarious...I do not!  Speaking of poop, he's doing better with the potty training.  Am I ready to put him in underwear and take him out to Target?  Absolutely not!  However, I feel like we're taking baby steps towards being diaper free (hopefully by the age 12).  He hasn't been to the Dr. recently (thankfully), but I feel like he's packed on the pounds this summer.  He's very active, but that kid can put away his food.  I wouldn't be surprised if he weighs the same as Ava since she refuses to eat almost any mean or anything that's not bread or fruit. 

I think that's all I have for now.  Have a fabulous weekend!    

 

 

We had a girls day out in July.  We went to see The Little Mermaid at Stages Theater with Mema and the neighbors. 

Ava's soccer team (minus 1)

To kick off vacation we went out to the Yogurt Lab for some delicious fro-yo.

We then followed up the frozen yogurt with donuts on the way to the cabin the next morning (this could have contributed to Grant packing on the pounds)

Ava Loved driving around her jetski that she got for Christmas from the Strittmatters.

Watching fireworks on the dock.  Grant went in after the first one.  He was not impressed.

Ready to go out on the water.

Grant giving the jetski a try.

A little bed made up to watch a movie.

Soccer time

Where is the summer going?!?

I can not believe that it's already July! I feel like the summer is racing by, and July is going to fly by even quicker with all of the activities that we have planned. We're having a wonderful 4th of July weekend. I had to work yesterday so we decided that we would spend the 4th of July weekend at home...the first time this has ever happened that we're home as a family on the 4th. It's been wonderful! Nate had Friday off work with the kids so they came up and surprised me at work for lunch.  What a nice surprise to break up the day!  Yesterday was packed with fun (a little too much fun for Grant who hit his breaking point at 9 last night).  We started the day off with a parade (which had no candy so we left early and went and got ice cream instead).  We spent the afternoon at our neighbor's playing in the water with a lot of friends, and then headed over to another neighbor's for a party.  Ava was a trooper and lasted until almost 11:00 last night.  She loved the fireworks, and running around with all of the other kids in the neighborhood.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people in our neighborhood!  This afternoon we'll head out to another party.  Our neighbor boy is turning 4, so we're heading to a pool and pizza party.  Should be another great (and hot) day!

Other than this weekend we continue to stay busy with work, swim lessons, play dates, and visits from out of state friends.  Things will get even busier starting this week, as Ava starts soccer.  So that leaves us with a schedule of Monday:Nate softball, Tues: Ava Soccer, Wed: swim lessons, Thurs: Ava soccer, Fri: breathe and look forward to the weekend!  I can't tell you how nice it is to have the weekends off to enjoy time with family and friends. 

I'll leave you with some pictures so that I can go get breakfast for the kids.  Hope that you're all having a great 4th of July weekend!

 

The kids are absolutely loving swim lessons.  We couldn't be happier with our choice to switch them to the swim school.

Enjoying our first boat ride of the season

 

Enjoying a little popcorn snack on the boat

This is what happens before dinner when you don't take a nap during the day.

Captain Grant

Jumping in!  Ava had a great time swimming in the lake with Daddy.

"Fishing"

A morning on the dock.

Grant had his first dentist appointment.  I was a bit worried since he doesn't usually do super well with new situations.  We went to a new pediatric dentist and it was great!  He climbed right up into the chair, picked out a show to watch on the screen that's attached to the light, put on the sunglasses and headphones and was ready for his exam.  So glad we decided on the pediatric dentist.  A great experience for everybody!  Of course Ava did great too.