Spring Activities

 Isaac's black eye, almost healed. Wish I took a picture when it looked really bad.

 Caleb's school did a musical, he's in the white hat

 Here's the little sailor in his classroom

 Enjoying the Meijer Gardens Butterfly Exhibit

 This big one was in a box

 Trying to take a picture of the butterfly above the orchid

Doing a butterfly art project


Last week Caleb's school did a musical called Lost.  It was really well done.  It was fun to see Caleb singing the songs so animatedly.  And of course there is always one preschooler who steals the show.  This little boy was singing super loud and very dramatic on stage.  I always think of my sister when she was in kindergarten. :)  Nate was able to go into work late that night which was a blessing.  My parents came out for the performance too which Caleb appreciated. 

Isaac got a nasty black eye a couple weeks ago.  He and Julia were twirling on the kitchen floor in their socks.  Isaac fell and didn't catch himself, so his face got the full impact.  What made this story even better is that our foster care licenser came out a few days later for our annual review.  Gotta love explaining to a social worker how your kid got a black eye.  Because of course anytime someone asked Isaac how he hurt his eye he got embarrassed and mumbled something.  Doesn't look suspicious at all. :) 

Isaac's preschool took a field trip to Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids for the butterfly exhibit.  Isaac enjoyed watching the butterflies float around.  Julia wasn't that into it.  The class then did an art project.  Only this "art project" is really a school lesson meant for older kids.  It was way too long and involved for pre-schoolers.  The lady was trying to bring it down a level, but didn't really work.  I'd like to take the kids back to Meijer Gardens when it is warmer.  There is a really neat children's area outside. 

Julia loves listening to words that adults say and then repeating them.  The other day she kept saying "caramel machiatto."  At first I thought I misunderstood her and then I wondered where she heard it from because I don't drink coffee.  She learned it from a nursery worker at church.  She also likes to say "chai latta."  It's supposed to be chai latte, but I think she likes the sound of chai latta better.  I sometimes despair that my kids eat only a small variety of foods.  But then I remind myself that they do eat some unique things.  Like dried seaweed, cinnamon almonds, bulgogi/bibimbap, and salmon.  The salmon really impresses me.  All three of them like salmon.  I don't think I would have touched salmon as a kid.  Of course none of my kids like potatoes.  Go figure. 

Some exciting news for us is that we are moving to Holland!  We found a house and will close on May 10.  We probably won't move to Holland until the end of the summer.  We'll put our current home on the market soon.  Our realtor said it could take a year to sell, so pray that it sells quickly!  We decided living in Holland better met our family goals/priorities.  Christian education is a priority for us and we are impressed with Holland Christian schools.  And our new house is only blocks away.  The 30 minute drive to Caleb's current Christian school is getting burdensome and I can't imagine doing it for the next 10 years, especially once extra-curriculars start.  Foster care/adoption is also important to us so we want to be closer to the Bethany office in Holland.  And I would like to work at Bethany someday.  So we are excited and sad about this move.  Caleb is warming up to the idea, it helps that his siblings will be in the same school as him next year.  All 3 kids on the same break schedules, heavenly! We're sad to leave our friends here, but excited to live closer to family and friends that live in Holland.  Nate will have a long commute to work, about 40 minutes.  But, there is no perfect scenario and we'd rather he commute to work than the kids commute to school.  Please pray for all of us as we prepare for this new chapter!