We're all tired out!

Well, we have been keeping pretty busy here at the Van Slyke house. First, we had Mother's Day. David had been talking for a month or so about how he was going to make me breakfast in bed and so that's what he did. I also got some gifts from the kids (which I had picked out ahead of time, but they wrapped). A starter kit for the Nintendo DS and two games. Aaron was very sweet and thoughtful and surprised me with some massage oil and some wildflowers from our yard. It was a great day!

The week after Mother's Day we had the last soccer games, well, were supposed to have the last soccer games. It was really quite the letdown for being closing weekend...We got rain that morning and so they postponed/cancelled the under-6 age group (and under) games. So Aaron and Carissa didn't have to play. But David's game was still on and they were going to play pretty much no matter what. It was a rescheduled game from the first weekend. It was the last game of the afternoon and when we got there we waited...and waited...Everyone else left so the fields and parking lot were empty. It's still raining, we're they're with our umbrellas, the boys are playing in the mud pits in the goals (luckily, not my boys). And after half an hour they called the game because nobody from the other team ever showed up. It's not much fun to finish the year with a forfeit. Oh well. I really don't think the kids minded much.

David is the one standing next to the goal post. He knew better than to get in the goal post...

The weather has been much better since then and the kids have loved being outside. Especially Joseph. He discovered our teeter-totter and trampoline and LOVES them. He will run for the door as soon as it opens and throws a fit when it is time to come in.

My favorite purchase from the NAEYC conference last November. The kids love it!

Just look at that smile!

I've started looking for excuses to be outside and so have looked up a few letter-boxes. They're fun to find and the kids enjoy being outside.

That's what we did for Memorial Day. We went to a nearby nature preserve where six boxes were hidden and spent most of the day hiking the trails. All the kids were good little troopers and seemed to enjoy it. Even Joseph insisted on walking some himself, although he did want carried most of the way. We found all six boxes PLUS we stumbled upon a geocache. We signed that logbook as well and exchanged an obnoxious car for a rain poncho. Maybe someday I'll get me a GPS so I can find another one on purpose.

At the playground near our first letterbox find a couple of weeks ago

At the parking lot after our hiking

The kids near one of the boxes.

Someone needed a nap during our hike. Good thing he's young enough to be carried. Next time I'll remember the carrier.

As much fun as it was hiking around, we had some real adventures once we got home as well....I noticed that Jacob's face looked awfully red and felt terrible thinking that maybe I just hadn't put on the sunscreen as well as I thought I had. Then I noticed his arms and the back of his neck were red too and thought that was odd because Aaron had applied the sunscreen there. Surely we didn't both screw up...Then we noticed that this "sunburn" was cool to the touch and didn't seem to bother him too much. It also looked a little rashy...That's when it clicked. Jacob is allergic to sunscreen! Thanks Grandpa Mike (Aaron's dad) for that one. I guess maybe I'm not such a bad mom for never using sunscreen on him before.

Then, today I noticed Joseph's hand looked a little odd. On closer inspection I realized it was very swollen and kind of purple in color. He had gotten so many mosquito bites that he was reacting to them. Luckily, the swollen hand was the worst of it. So now he is on benydryl and a steroid until the swelling goes down. Hopefully it won't happen again, but if it does then we just have to give him the benydryl *before* we go outside.

Anyway, so that is what has been happening with us. It's enough to make anybody tired and Jacob sure has been proving that! He has been so exhausted a couple of times that he goes to sleep wherever he happens to land after being taken from the car. And here are the pictures to prove it.

This is the basket of clothes straight from the dryer to the basket, which was in the entryway. Jacob came in from the car, laid down in it, and went right back to sleep.

Here is Jacob crashed at David's last soccer practice. It was too hot to let him sleep in the car, so I pulled him out. He went right back to sleep in the grass by the bleachers.

Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed this. To come soon: David and Carissa's school had Extreme Jump parties for good behavior and David is going to have a field trip to a local grocery store. Not to mention field day!

Just a Quick Note

Before we head to church I just wanted to quickly say.....

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

We all love all of you so much, aunts, sisters, in-laws, mothers, grandmothers, informal mothers....Thank you for being in our lives!

"Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master's garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole." And it will make your children whole as well." -Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because She Is A Mother", General Conference, April 1997.

Joseph's One-Year Photos

And now may I present....The Many Expressions of Joseph:

These truly do sho just how animated his personality is. He is so expressive and fun-loving. You can just see the mischief, curiosity, and everything else that makes him who he is.

No More Satellite...

Well, we have been talking about different ways to save money. We decided to ditch the sattelite at the end of the month. I'm not sure I'm thrilled about it, but we'll give it a go.

Last night Aaron was opening up his mail and came across an insurance ad letter. I'm sure you all recognize this character from TV:

Well, Carissa was looking over his shoulder as he was opening the letter and as she saw this picture she blurts out, "It's the money Geico saves you..."

It was so funny! But, maybe it brought to light another reason to ditch the satellite. Our kids have clearly been watching too many commercials on TV.

Joseph, Joseph...

Well, Joseph is now 15 months old and quite the handful. He's most definately a toddler and I have to say that the terrible twos have come early to our house.

The play-pen no longer contains him...

He is very playful. He does try hard to keep up with his older brothers! He loves playing with cars and being outside. He is usually easy-going and cheerful. His smile is quite contagious and he knows how to flash it to keep from getting in too much trouble. He is very curious about everything, which can be good, but not when he is mixing the cat's food with the water or getting muddy or climbing up on the table to see what he can try and eat or get into.

Playing with cars on the bed.

He wasn't content with kicking the soccer ball...I guess his sippie-cup will do.

He had his check-up a couple of weeks ago. He now weighs 22 lbs., 2 oz. That's the 25% for his age. He loves his food! I can't remember how tall he is right off, but it was between the 5th and 10th%

He thought that the graham cracker houses the kids made for a primary activity would make a good snack.

He has sprouted teeth like crazy! It seems like just the other day he had only his front ones. Then his top outer front teeth came in. Then, before we even knew it was happening, he got all four of his molars! Now he is working on his I-teeth. And is he ever cranky!

He does have his very sweet moments, like when he cuddles with his blanket, sleeps with his sippie-cup, or is sucking his thumb. I love it when he "sings" or dances along to the music. He is a doll and we are glad to have him in our family.

PS I'll try to post his 1 year photos soon.

Random Stuff

Well, we have been keeping pretty busy. In between thunderstorms the weather has been really nice and so we've been outside as much as possible. Mostly we have been busy with soccer. For instance, last Saturday David had a game, Carissa and Aaron had a game, and both the teams had pictures. We were at the soccer fields from 8:45 until 1:30. It has been a fun season though. It will be over in a couple of weeks.

Aaron with his team. This picture was taken after the game a couple of weeks ago for one of the girls' school projects.

Soccer isn't the only thing to keep us busy. We have managed to spend some time with friends. This was taken a few weeks ago at the park. It was a nice day and we had lots of fun! David loved showing off his skills on the monkey bars.

Hopefully there will be many more nice days and more to blog about in the days to come.