Weekend Fun!

Even though the kids and I both had a few days of school last week, we're trying to enjoy this Labor Day weekend as though it's still summer vacation!  Friday afternoon we went to the pool for the last time, and since it was really hot, it was a great day for it.

Saturday morning we had some friends over for brunch.  We really enjoyed hanging out the Aupperlees and the VanArragons.  Peter and the 6 girls had a great time together!

Launching the pop bottle water rocket

Saturday afternoon we rewarded the kids with a trip to Craig's Cruisers.  They have been working hard all summer to earn tokens for various things at home, so this was their end of the summer prize.  We had a great time riding go-karts and playing games.   We ended the day by going out for pizza so the kids could use their Pizza Hut reward coupons from the library reading program.

Today we're having a low-key day, and tomorrow we're looking forward to celebrating Cassie's 2nd birthday!  Then it's back to reality on Tuesday...  it has sure been a great summer!

Toys R Us

Aunt Karen and Uncle Juan gave the kids Toys R Us gift cards for being in the wedding.  Today we went to cash them in!  It was fun watching the kids walk through the store, asking how much things cost as they tried to figure out what they could afford.  I think they all made great choices that will make them very happy and will give them lots of hours of fun.

Miriam:  Barbie jeep w/ Barbie and Ken

Peter:  Moon Sand construction set

Esther:  pink guitar



Thanks Aunt Karen and Uncle Juan!

First Day of Kindergarten!

Today was Peter's first day of kindergarten!  He was very, very excited about it.  We took pictures on the porch of course...

He was glad to see some of his friends when we got there...

Peter, Josh and Caden

Peter and Simon

Peter and Anna are not in the same class this year,

but hopefully they'll still get to play at recess!

He had a great first day!  He got to have art and music and do lots of fun things in the classroom.  He did say the day seemed a little long, so I think it will take a bit for him to adjust to being at school all day again.  I'm sure he'll be very excited to go back next Wednesday after the holiday weekend!

First Day of School!

Today was Esther's first day of school and Peter's kindergarten visiting day.  Since it was also my first day of professional development, Daddy got to take the kids to school.

They forgot to take the all-important annual porch picture, so they actually turned around after driving partway to school and came back to take this... pretty funny!

Looking at this picture, you'd think it was clash day!  Really Esther's outfit looked cute and matching, but once she put on the jacket and backpack it became quite the mix of patterns and colors.   :)

Esther told Casey that her day was "awesome" so we're off to a good start.  She loves her teacher and has some of her friends in her class.  She also played with some of her other friends at recess.  She's sure to have a great 2nd grade year!

Peter also enjoyed his visiting day.  They got to decorate cookies, draw a picture, and explore the room.  He's very excited to go for his first real day tomorrow!

Karen and Juan's Wedding Day!

Today was the big day--Karen and Juan got married!  It was such a beautiful day, with perfect weather and everything going wonderfully well.  The ceremony was in my parents' backyard, and they made it look so beautiful!  The reception was at the AlpenRose restaurant in Holland, and that was a fantastic place to have it.  It was so fun to celebrate with Karen and Juan, to spend time with family and friends, and to meet important people in Juan's life. 

The kids did a great job with their duties.  Esther and Miriam were adorable flower girls, Peter was a handsome little ring bearer, and Peter and Miriam even sang "Amazing Grace" at both the ceremony and the reception.  It was neat to watch them having fun being a part of Aunt Karen and Uncle Juan's big day.

Here are a few pictures that I took.  We are also looking forward to seeing the pictures that Casey's sister Renee took since she was one of the photographers for the day!