Nate's ACTUAL Birthday

For Nate's birthday we decided that he was probably too young to appreciate a restaurant, but we let him pick out his dinner. So, we all had pancakes with chocolate chips and whipped cream. I don't think my kids have ever had that much sugar as a "meal" before in their lives...but hey, how often do you turn 2?

Oh, and because I knew it was going to be a sticky mess, they're topless...

Now that he's two Nate says "cheese" anytime there is a camera around, even if it's not on him. Look how sticky his face is!

Jeff and I got nate a Tee and Bat set for his birthay. Here he is checking it out...
"Back it up, I'm going to hit it out of the park!"

Nate's 2nd Birthday-Part 2

Nates 2nd 2nd Birthday party was at Grandpa and Grandma Kooistra's house. After having a party the day before the kids were totally geeked to do it again.

Here Brianna is showing off her muscle monkey tatoo. Nate and Benny had a bit of trouble staying away from the birthday cake. Benny didn't actually make it to the end of "Happy Birthday". He took out a corner first...
Silly Aunt Jackie... Lions don't go on our foreheads!

Assembling the new train set from Grandma and Grandpa.

Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga Choo Choo!

Brianna's new bling

On my birthday we went out for dinner at Red Robbin and then to the mall to get a new cell phone (Happy Birthday to ME!). As we walked past Claires I tried, once again, to convince Bri of how cool it would be to get her ears pierced. For months I had talked to her about how pretty earrings are, how special it is to have them, yada yada yada. Every time she would say something way too adult, such as "Mommy, someday when I am older I will" or "Mommy, those are for very grown up girls". *sigh*

Then, when we went camping with everyone from church, Bri noticed that Ella has her ears pierced. Suddenly it was looking pretty cool to her. Still, she was unsure. So, when we walked past and she asked to get her ears pierced my jaw nearly hit the ground.

Knowing that time was of the essence (wouldn't want to allow her the opportunity to change her mind) we went right in and went to town.

Bri picked out cute little pink daisies. They look fantastic and she is so proud of herself! We tried to get a few good photos, but ears are surprisingly difficult to photograph (especially on a four year old)

4th of July

Yes, I know that today is September 12th, and I am just finally getting summer photos up on the blog. Still - I know you wouldn't want to miss them, even if they are very very very late.

"Uncle" Peter, Nate, Jill and Bri hanging out on the curb just before the Grandville 4th of July parade starts. After many, many attempts I gave up on a photo with the kids looking... Nate and Grandpa Jim covering their ears as the fire engines went past. Bri in her Red White and Blue. Notice the cute french braids? I'm very proud of the fact that I actually figured out that skill. Brianna, however, has a different opintion, since I now have reason to forcer her to hold still and get her hair "done" rather than just throwing a barette in it.Later that night we went to the Grandville fire works. The church accross the way was giving out "glow" bracelets and punch. The kids were beside themselves. When the fireworks started we all snuggled and the kids took turns switching between my lap and Jeff's. They even wore their pajamas.
Nate is giving Jeff a "backrub" here.

Nate's 2nd Birthday - Part 1

Nate is now officially 2. It's really hard for me as his mommy to believe it.. still, the calendar doesn't lie. We had a lot of fun celebrating his birthday.... and 3 birthday parties. Here are the pics from party #1: The Koetjes:

The kids were surrounded with Nate's balloons on the way to Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Jim's house.

The birthday boy himself! If you look closely you can see his lion tatoo on his right forearmNate received many power tools! Everything in our house is now repaired! Hmmmm.... Is that cake up there???

Bri rockin' the party hat

The noisemakers were a hit!

Our future golf pro --- move over Tiger.

Whatever sister has.... I want!

Nate is obsessed with all things Brianna. One of his favorite things is to steal her dance shoes and dance around the house.. Here he's putting them on... ....and ready to bust a move! Notice the muscle shirt.

Slumber Party

There is the distinct possibility that I have lost my mind. Allow me to start from the beginning.

Nate is now very adept at getting himself out of his crib. He also has a very strong desire to sleep in Brianna's bed. I have spent the last two and half hours putting Nate in bed only to have him greet me in the living room mere moments later.

Since my willpower is much less than that of a nearly-two year old, I decided that it was time to shake things up. So, I pulled his mattress out of the crib and placed it onto the floor of the kids' bedroom.

Not being one to miss out on something special.. Bri insisted that she make a "little" bed on the floor next to his mattress; and so began the first "slumber party" in the Koetje house.

~~~~~~~~~
10:10 PM -It has now been almost 20 minutes. There is far more party than slumber. I can hear Nate jumping up and down on the crib mattress and Brianna's chiding "Nafan, stop being so naughty", "Nafan, that is not a good choice" and "Nafan, NO!".

A quick peek into their room reveals that all available blankets, sheets, stuffed animals and other bedtime prutz have been piled onto what used to be their "beds". Shouldn't they fall over exhausted at some point here?

~~~~~~~~~
10:30 PM -Kids still awake. Mommy still tired. Kids have now closed door to their bedroom. All hope for an early evening has been lost.

~~~~~~~~~
10:40 PM - Is it too late to drop them off at Grandma and Grandpas for the night?

~~~~~~~~~
10:45 PM - I SWEAR, I never did this to my parents. This has got to be Jeff's fault.

~~~~~~~~~
10:47 PM - "MOMMY! NATE IS WEARING JEWELRY!!!"

~~~~~~~~~
10:51 PM -

Nate: "num num num num num"

Brianna: "Nafan stop"

Nate: "num num num num num num num num"

Brianna: "MOMMY! NAFAN KEEPS MAKING HIS PLATYPUS BITE ME!"

~~~~~~~~~
10:55 - husband pulls into driveway.... help is on the way.

~~~~~~~~
11:00 PM - Jeff is "dealing with the situation" I'd love to stay and chat, but the sand-man is calling!