BabyHart

Here are Lydia (6th), and Eli (3rd) on their second day of school and Aden on his first day of Kindergarten.

Clara and Mommy took a hike around the Nature Preserve at Calvin College and had lunch at one of the ponds. What a beautiful day. I anticipate being able to spend some fun days with her – she is an entertaining companion!

I was wondering how Aden would hold up as he has full days of K on M-W-F. He declared it to be “Awesome, awesome, awesome!” on the walk home.

Lydia’s only homework this week has been a memory verse. Easy!! She says.

Eli’s homework this week is to bring a bag containing 6 things about him. A nice, slow start to a very busy year. He and Aden begin soccer next Tuesday.

Lydia auditions for The Nutcracker on Saturday from 1-2:30. She is very excited as she also will be starting en pointe this year when her instructor deems her ready. A busy and fun year awaits us!

I am starting the year with 3 new piano students and a few younger students whose parents are waiting to see how the school schedule treats them before they begin. I also took on the role of room parent for the 5th/6th grade class and will get to plan and coordinate some fun field trips and parties this year. I may also continue to lead the 4th grade class of GEMS at church…praying about that one.

Paul is busy at work, doing photography and web design on the side (including bartering for a dining room table made of reclaimed barn wood) and will help lead the Cadets group at church every other Wednesday.

We both have been back to leading worship at church once a month and are having tons of fun making music together again after a few years off.

Here is Lydia at one week old and Paul and Manda at one-week-old-parents. We’ve all come a long way! Happy 10th Birthday, dear Lydia Ruth!

One Tuesday night each month, one of the kids gets to spend time alone with Daddy! Naturally, we are rotating in birth order, as we are unimaginative womps when it comes to curtailing the choruses of “Me first!” I remember my own Dad doing this with my three sisters and me growing up. Somehow the only one that comes to mind right now is seeing a movie that involved the “Hey, Vern” guy (Ernest, maybe?) and Christmas. I loved it, mostly because my Dad was sitting next to me.

So Lydia and Paul biked to a concert at Reed’s Lake park last Tuesday. They rocked out to some 80s tunes and then had ice cream at nearby Jersey Junction. Lydia came back elated. Awesome. Eli is up next!

I’m posting this link so my sister and brother-in-law can watch Aden open the birthday gift they sent. Thank you, Aunt Chloe and Uncle Jereme! Eli and Lydia helped Aden build it and they finished it this morning. Very fun!

Legos from Seoul

Aden was born 4 years ago today at 4:00 on a Friday morning. All 9 lbs 2 oz of him came into the world red-faced and crying. His name means “fiery” for a reason! His favorite line lately is: “Mommy, guess what?” And I always say “What?” like I don’t know what’s coming. In his little-boy voice he croons, “I love you, Mommy.”

Came across this picture today of us ready to see The Nutcracker on my birthday last December! It reminded me that Lydia and Eli are getting ready for their End-of-the-Year performance with the Grand Rapids Ballet on June 3 and 4. Come if you can!

Look how far the new one is in already! It was pushing the baby tooth at a really odd angle so he pulled it out himself last night after a week of uncomfortable biting.