After School Fun

One huge blessing of this year is that Grant and Kate have loved their Montessori School. Kate will continue on at the same school next year and Grant will head off to the local public school as a first grader! Even after their long days at school they really don't like to sit still (runs in the family, I guess) and have enjoyed lots of after school activities like Goldfish Swim School, karate, basketball and gymnastics. On the days where we don't have anything "official" to do they often request to go to the pet store (see bearded dragon on Kate's shoulder) or out for coffee. (hot chocolate) Their favorite day is Friday, for two special reasons. The first is because it is when they get to bring home their work that they did throughout the week at school. Beginning with the first week of school we have never made it out of the parking lot without them showing me their work. Even the teachers are gone before we are gone! Thenit is off to ice cream. It is much more enjoyable now that it is warm out. We always put them to sleep in their seperate bunks but we sometimes find them curled up together before the night is over.

Naples

We had such a fun week in Naples visiting Grandma and Grandpa Koss. The kids really enjoyed a new find, the Hands on Museum, with Grandma most mornings while Jim and I got a little extra shut eye. Papa assumed his usual role as master shark in the pool. It felt like a big year because the kids swam without life jackets and actually sat at the table when we went out to dinner. I think we may have turned a vacation corner!

Bahamas

What a week! Mom and Dad Koss took us all to the Bahamas to celebrate their 40th anniversary. They renewed their vows on the same beach they honeymooned on. Actually, it was not quite the beach, but the patio in front of the beach because mom didn't want the wind in her hair. But close enough. :) There were 14 of us all together. 5 kids under 6. The cousins had such a blast together. It was a trip we will never forget.

Bball

You have to look closely but Grant is rolling a booger and Kate has a basketball shoved under her jersey.

More December Fun

We wish you a merry christmas!

Happy Kiddos

Happy 6th Birthday Grant!

Many doctors and nurses did not think we'd ever see this day. Pod A, Bed 2. Grand Niedzinski on a ventilator and 13 iv medications. Sedated and paralyzed because any stimulation might trigger an erratic heartbeat, too much for his fragile body to handle. Turning 6 on Sunday. Healthy, happy and full of life. Thank you to our praying friends and family and our big, big God.

Halloween Rescue

Fun Fall Photos

1. The kids love to climb the trees in front of our home. In this one Grant was sick of posing for photos. Can you tell? 2. Kate doesn't mind the photos. 3. Bath time during cousin Willa's visit 4. Kate's favorite activity these days is to play with the barn cats at grandma and grandpa Ned's house!

Slow poke

My children move at vastly different speeds. This is especially apparent on the mornings when they are not allowed to leave their room and start breakfast until both of them are dressed. They choose their clothes the night before, so one would think getting dressed would be easy. But, Kate always finds a reason to change her clothes- something itches, the waist is too loose, the line on the tights hurts her toe etc. When we went to her four year well visit I had the pediatrician talk to her about how much time she spends trying on clothes every day. She would not even look the doctor in the eye! Meanwhile I can hear Grant running around the room saying, "come on, Kate! Hurry up, Kate!" When they do make it down Kate eats her eggs ever so slowly. Again, Grant is not allowed to leave the table until she is done. Today she looked at him and said in an Eyore type tone, "I'm just a slowpoke, Grant. That's the way God made me."

1st Day of School

Grant and Kate headed off to a Montessori school this fall. They are in the same classroom. It is for ages 3-6. One of the main reasons I chose it is because there are 13 kids and two (amazing!) certified teachers. Grant will be going 4 days all day and 1 afternoon and Kate will be going 5 afternoons a week. It seems like a really good fit so far and they are thrilled to be together!

Last Day of Summer

Tomorrow Grant and Kate officially start school. This week they have gone in a little bit each day for orientation. (It is a Montessori school.) I am still not feeling well so we've been trying to come up with activities in the morning where I can sit and they can play. This morning I sat on the front porch and Grant climbed a tree while Kate washed a truck that was parked in front of our house. Yeah for grandma Koss who picked them up to go bowling before they got too bored!

Random Pictures

Kate's 4th Birthday

I really thought Kate would like the Princesses a little more than she did... a little awkward...http://youtu.be/TCYRIh8ON20

Cousins

Here are Grant and Kate with all of their cousins on my side- Oliver, Ben and Willa. What a cute crowd!

A Trip Up North

When Jim was 5 years old he met a very special friend named Corey. They were neighbors until they were in high school and Jim moved away. They have remained the closest of friends ever since. This weekend Jim drove the kids up north to where Corey and his wife, Katie live with their twin 3 year old girls and 5 year old son. Jim just sent me this picture of the girls. I called and asked for a photo of the boys and he said he couldn't get them to slow down enough for a photo. Like father(s) like son(s).

Fun at Grandma and Grandpa Ned's

Grant and Kate had an amazing weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Niedzinski's house! Jim took the kids there on Friday and they stayed until Monday (with a Saturday stay over at cousin Ethan and Sami's house). They played with the goats and chickens and kittens. They swam in the pond, climbed trees and did somersaults down the big hill. Best of all they got to play with 13 of their 20 Niedzinski-side cousins! It is so good for them to enjoy country living (30 acres!) and escape from their condo in the city. They loved snuggling with their Grandparents as all the adults sat around at night and talked. Hard to believe they actually sat still. Jim said he's not sure if it was because they were so tired or because they were allowed to snack on the bottomless bowl of chips while the adults caught up. Thankfully, I was able to join them for the day on Sunday and have been able to get lots of rest in a quiet house. I sure do miss them though!

The Patient

This morning we were playing beauty parlor and Grant announced that he wanted to be a barber when he grew up. I asked the kids if they knew what I was before I was a mom. Grant replied, "I know! A patient!" Epstein Barr continues to plague our summer but it has not taken our joy. I am in bed as much as possible...18 hours a day or so.. and when I'm awake I have horrible muscle/joint aches, headaches, nausea, and rapid heart beat. It is pretty miserable. The doctor continues to remind me that this is a "normal" response to the antiviral medication and a good sign! It is supposed to last 2-6 weeks. I am on week 5 of the meds. Please pray that it ends soon. Can't wait to get back to normal life!

Fun with Peggy

Do you all remember Peggy? God brought her to us when I was on bed rest with Kate. She hung out with Grant and became a very special part of our family. She recently had the kids over night and took them to the park, Chuckie Cheese, Detroit Kid City and did plenty more things I don't even know about. Grant told her that he was allowed to sleep in her bed, which I anticipated so I left a typed up note saying he could not. The kids had so much fun and the next day Kate cried for several hours that she wanted Peggy back. They certainly felt loved!