I had been thinking this was going to be a perfect week weather-wise to make a visit to the Gardens when ironically Missy called yesterday and suggested we go together sometime this week! Enjoy the outdoors and beautiful sun and let two little boys run and play - it doesn't get any more perfect than that! Eli and Joshua had a great time as did Missy and I as we took the time to gab while the boys played together! I totally forgot to take pictures of sweet little Matea, but she too joined us today as we strolled around the Gardens. Joshua is totally enamored with Matea and had to peek at her every once in a while, it was so cute! What a great day!

Metro Cruise 2008

With a car-loving son we just couldn't miss the 28th street Metro Cruise. We had a busy day in store on Saturday, but managed to fit some Metro Cruise viewing in. Actually we already sat and watched a number of old cars cruise 28th street on Friday night because we were fearful that the forecast for rain would be correct. Thankfully Saturday morning was sunny and warm so we headed over to Centerpointe Mall to look at a few cars. To our surprise a race car, a Steelcase truck, some huge tow trucks and the GM Futurliner were parked there as well! Joshua actually got to sit in the Steelcase truck and the GM Futurliner! Quite the thrill for our little guy! At 5pm we had staked out our spot on 28th street along with my dad and Shawn, Erin and Owen (conveniently located right in front of Buffalo Wild Wings). For about an hour we watched the old cars cruise the street, but then saw lightning that was a touch to close for our taste so we headed into the restaurant to eat and hopefully wait out the storm. Unfortunately for us the rain continued while we ate and the number of cars dwindled with every drop of rain, so we never got to see more of the cruise. Despite the rain out we had a great time and I'm glad our little car-lover had the experience!

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A pro at only 3 years old!

Joshua had his first teeth cleaning today. He's been to the dentist before to watch me and did so today. Six months ago he even got to sit in the chair to have his teeth counted. Today was the big day to see how he would do during his first teeth cleaning. To my amazement, as well as the hygienist's, this little guy was an absolute pro! He climbed right up in the chair and laid back before the hygienist was even ready. Then he proceeded to open his mouth up very wide so the hygienist could clean those pearly whites. He never fussed or put up a fight! It helps that we have a very sweet hygienist who has known us and my family for some time. Joshua got a clean bill of health, but was told to let mom help with brushing those back teeth more (hmmm, sounds like something I say every time he brushes his teeth). Joshua's favorite part was being told to pick out a special treat from the treasure box! Way to go Joshua!

And the building begins!

Today was dig day on our lot! Knowing we have a little boy who loves big machines our builder was sure to let us know that the excavator would be out on our lot digging the hole for our new house around 9 am. I was taking care of Owen, so the boys and I headed out to the lot to watch the digging. They sat/stood mesmerized most of the time as they watched the excavator digging and dumping dirt. While we were there a truck pulled up with a bulldozer on it so we of course had to watch that come off the truck and do some work as well. The boys were so entertained they didn't want to leave! While we were there we met the two kids from next door and the lady from the house on the other side of us. They were very friendly and were excited to have new neighbors. Since Cory missed out on all the excitement we had to head back in the evening to check out how the finished hole looked. We were able to meet the mom of the kids we had met earlier and she too was very nice! A bonus to our time out there at night was we finally got to see/hear the train go right through on the back of our lot. Surprisingly (and much to our relief) it was not very loud at all! Now to see what's next in the building process.

Conversation at dinner last night. . .

Joshua: My eyes hurt.
Catherine: How can I help?
Joshua: I think God can help. Is God in the rental house?
Catherine: Yes, God is here. God is everywhere!
Joshua: Did he bring his car?
Catherine: I don't think God has a car, because where does he live?
Joshua: In Jesus' place.

Love how little kids come up with such interesting questions and answers!

Starting to settle in

We moved completely this weekend so we are tired and exhausted, but thankful to not be moving things anymore. Thanks to being able to move a little at a time we are actually pretty settled in as of today. Yes, there are a few boxes laying around that need unpacking, but things like winter sweaters don't need unpacking right away. Joshua has transitioned fairly well, although we have had behavior issues mostly seen at nap time and bed time - but what else would you expect from a child dealing with so many transitions?! For some odd reason Joshua loves being at the "rental house" although he is quick to let people know that "we are just living here while our new house is built"! He has been very excited about playing here and having his room here. Ahhh, to be a kid and not worry about all the adult stuff!

A Morning at the Park

Owen is over today while his mom is taking a class so I decided it was the perfect day to take a break from all the packing and moving and just spend some time playing and having fun. Mid-morning we headed off to a nearby park that is never very busy to let the boys run off some energy. They had a blast running around, climbing, sliding, spinning on the merry go round and swinging! Now that they are a bit older they can actually play together which is so cute! They did a great job taking turns - which is always hard for Joshua (At one point I heard Joshua say, "good job sharing Owen")! It was a fun morning full of lots of smiles and giggling! The boys chowed lunch and were off to dreamland easily this afternoon thanks to our morning!

Take note of the John Deere tractor shirts the boys are sporting - a find yesterday that I just couldn't pass up for $6 a shirt knowing two boys who love tractors!

Hanging out in the "spaceship" or as Owen called it, the "basemish"

Ready, set, GO!

Wheeee!

Swinging cousins!

3 Year Pictures

Before all the craziness of packing and moving began we were able to have the annual pictures of Joshua taken. Again, it wasn't right around the time he turned 3, but we like the oudoor setting so it's nicer to wait until the summer weather arrives here in Michigan and as Joshua ages he doesn't change quite as much as he used to. So, we headed out to Kirk Park in the early evening so we could catch the sunset, but unfortunately after 15 minutes of being there we saw a thunderstorm roll in. Being the short shoot that it was limited the photos we got, but we ended up with a few cute ones as well as a pretty good family picture.

Stress has officially gotten to me!

Last night Cory brought home a sprinter van from work so we could take the living room furniture over to the rental house. I had spent the afternoon on packing up all the junk housed in the china cabinet, end table and curio cabinet so that could be loaded up to. So he and I somehow move both the love seat and the couch into the van without breaking/dropping it or yelling at each other (too much). Next is the china cabinet. Now, keep in mind this is something from my parent's living room from about 20 years ago if not more. We pick the thing up to carry it down the stairs and "bang, bang, bang" the three glass shelves fall against the back of the cabinet. Amazingly there is only one small sliver of glass from this dumb move. We finagle the china cabinet in the van only to find out it is too tall to stand, so we lay it down glass face up and thankfully Cory covers it with a carpet pad. We continue to load boxes and a couple other small pieces of furniture. As the van is filling up I told Joshua to get out of the van and play in the yard. Of course, in what is typical Joshua style lately, he doesn't listen and continues playing in the van. I go inside to grab a box while Cory is outside. Next thing I hear is the sounds of something breaking and Joshua crying. I run outside and Cory is carrying him into the house holding foot. Apparently the little monkey climbed over the couches and onto the glass china cabinet doors (that we stupidly put face up). Once I knew Joshua was fine and didn't even have a cut on him (thanks to the carpet pad covering it) a ton of expletives followed on my part, and some door slamming as well, while my husband calmly stood there and said nothing. To say the least, I was mad. Definitely not one of my prouder moments. I can't believe I actually blew a gasket over an old, ugly china cabinet that really needs to be replaced. Can you tell the stress is getting to me??? Only one week to go and I'm praying that by the grace of God we will make it through all this stress, oh yeah, only to do it all over again in 6 months when we move to our new house!

Little Ray of Light

You know you may have done at least one thing right as a parent when you hear your son singing his own made up song of "Jesus loves me everyday!" over and over again. Love this little ray of light in an otherwise defiant and tantrum-filled stage of life with a 3 year old.