![](http://blip.tv/file/get/Cjhager-ChristmasPartyForMembersAtFrederikMeijerGardens620.wmv.jpg)
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Christmas Party for Members at Frederik Meijer Gardens
![](http://blip.tv/file/get/Cjhager-ChristmasPartyForMembersAtFrederikMeijerGardens620.wmv.jpg)
Created by Catherine at 4:03 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Bathing Buddies
Today Owen woke up from his morning nap covered in spew. He had rolled around in it and had it all over himself, so there was only one option - A BATH! Of course as soon as I put Owen in the tub in Joshua's bath seat Joshua was a tad bit jealous. Joshua immediately tried to climb in the tub with his PJ's on. So, I stripped Joshua down and let him play in the bath water while I washed Owen clean of his morning mishap. I could tell they both thought it was a bit strange to have a someone else in the bathtub with them by the looks on their faces! The little water rats played for a half hour in the water and probably would have played longer if I'd let them! Just had to share the cute pictures I captured!
Created by Catherine at 3:55 PM 1 comments
Monday, November 27, 2006
A Different Kind of MOPS Meeting
Pretending to mix something up.
Making a cinnamon dough ornament.
This morning was a MOPS morning for us. However, it was a bit different than it usually is. Usually Joshua and Owen go to nursery while I spend some good quality adult time with other mothers. Today Joshua got to stay with me and do some fun activities. Our church participates in a program called Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). For a week our church houses homeless families. This means that no one else may use the wing of the church that IHN is using. They use the children's wing of our church so that meant we couldn't have any children's programming today for MOPS. No big deal, we planned a fun day of activities for moms and kids to do together based around a camping theme. Joshua had a blast making a cinnamon dough ornament, making a pretend log, making a fall wreath, creating his own smore snack mix and pretending to camp with all kinds of camping gear. I just love doing things with him now that he is at an age where he understands things and is able to do more!
Created by Catherine at 3:57 PM 0 comments
Monday, November 20, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Remembering. . .
Created by Catherine at 4:10 PM 1 comments
Monday, November 13, 2006
Happy 85th Birthday!
The birthday lady with Joshua!
"Thaks for the frosting Great Grandma!" Joshua's way of helping clean up!
This past week my Grandma turned 85. Once again, she and my Grandpa were not going to do much to celebrate! Of course I couldn't have them not celebrating such a major thing so we had them over for dinner last night along with my dad, Phil and Ciejae. We had a great time talking and catching up since we don't all get together as much as we used to. I think my Grandma enjoyed her birthday celebration too. I know Joshua appreciated when she let him stick his finger in the cake and lick the frosting off! What a blessing to have her in our lives and for her to have been given 85 years! May God bless her with many more years!
After the celebration we were cleaning up and our little stinker had to get in on the action. Joshua sat on the counter playing in the water and the soap suds. He was getting soaked so we ended up stripping him and letting him play in the sink. He even took his bath in the sink! What a little nut!
Created by Catherine at 4:42 PM 0 comments
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The Boys
Playing with the water!
Matching Jammies!
Just thought I'd give a little update on the boys seeing as though I haven't had a post in a week! Both boys are much more aware of the other these days. Owen loves to watch Joshua constantly! Joshua on the other hand isn't as enamored with Owen since Owen is now starting to creep around and get into his things. However, at the sound of Owen waking up Joshua makes a bee-line to the pack-n-play and has to bend down to see Owen and say "hi". This week Joshua has been grabbing toys right out of Owen's hands which is just not acceptable! Of course when the toy goes back to Owen, Joshua has a hissy fit! Playing together doesn't happen much yet, but today we found this water/sand toy in Joshua's closet and both boys enjoyed playing with it in the sink. Both boys are teething right now which means both are not quite themselves :( With all this said I still think this is a very good situation for both boys. It's perfect for helping both of them learn social skills. I've also noticed how independent and helpful Joshua can be at 18 months. Lots of times he gets me a clean diaper out, a burp cloth or a bib for Owen. His favorite thing to do though is help make and shake Owen's bottle. Hopefully down the road as these boys get older we will all be able to clearly see the benefits of having them grow up together!
Created by Catherine at 3:35 PM 1 comments
Thursday, November 02, 2006
One and a half!!!!
Yes, today Joshua is officially one and a half or 18 months as some people like to say. And boy oh boy is in definitely into being a toddler! Let me give you a glimspe of who he is at one and a half. . . His favorite activities include reading books or looking at books, playing with cars, music and dancing and playing with his new "bean box" (as can be seen in the picture posted here it is a plastic tub filled with different kinds of dry beans in which we hide plastic animals for him to dig for or give him measuring cups and spoons to dump and pour with - great sensory activity for toddlers and really kids of any age)! People were right when they said once he walks it won't be long until he runs! He is always on the go, usually running around rather than walking. He is feeding himself pretty well with a fork and a spoon although we still struggle with poking food and actually keeping it on the utensil some of the time. He is ultra loving lately, giving everyone and everything hugs and kisses. He understands almost everything he hears as far as language goes and can follow directions really well, but just isn't expressing much language himself. He is a little stinker sometimes and doesn't want to do as told or gets frustrated and doesn't have language to express it so he screams or hits so his behind has already had many seats on the time out stool. Overall, he is at a really fun stage right now and we are trying to enjoy every minute with him!
Created by Catherine at 4:26 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Trick or Treat!
It started earlier in the day when I took Joshua to my dad's office to see my dad and Phil. Joshua loved walking around the office collecting treats! Everything that went in his bag he had to pull out and hand to one of us in hopes that we would unwrap it and let him eat it (wishful thinking on his part!). We decided we would try some trick or treating in the neighborhood this year since Joshua is able to walk and eat candy! Since Grandpa had come over for dinner he got to open the treat Grandpa brought for him first! Wow did Grandpa spoil the little cow with a pair of new jeans, two shirts, a sweater and hat and mitten set!!! Thanks Grandpa! Next we were off to a few houses in the neighborhood. Joshua wasn't too sure why he was being allowed to walk around outside at night, but after ringing the first doorbell and getting some treats in his bag he was ready for more! Unfortunately not many people were handing out candy so we only traveled to 6 houses around us. Joshua loved looking around at all the other kids who were dressed up and running around. Then it was back to the house where we loaded up in the car so we could go and visit our friends Doug, Sheryl and Hannah, Great Grandpa and Great Grandma and a final delivery of a treat to Owen the chicken. Joshua sure is enjoying his haul of candy (and so are mom and dad)! Check out a few pictures from our night of fun!
Created by Catherine at 4:04 PM 0 comments