1st week down

1st week of school is in the past and we are coasting through the 2nd. Last week was so busy it came and went before I could blink. I am happy to report that all of the kids love their teachers and love school.Hannah loves being the oldest in her school. 4th graders are the big kids because 5th grade is now in Jr. High. I know it seems young but I have heard that they do just fine over there and the kids get to sleep in an extra hour. Anyways, she was a little disappointed on the 1st day that she didn't get to cart Isaac all around because the teachers helped the 1st graders. I'm just happy that she doesn't mind having her little brother around. She is actually quite protective over him and loves showing him new things. This however puts a little tension on Hannah when he starts joining the same sports that she is in or has done. (More to come in a minute) Keep in mind that Hannah is more of a social butterfly then a competitor so when her brother is around I don't think it will take him as much effort to be better then Hannah. I'm not saying this negatively, I just don't think it's going to go well when it happens.Isaac loves being in 1st grade. He walked off the bus on the 1st day with his chest puffed up like he just completed the most important day of his life. He couldn't have gotten a better teacher either. Mrs. Griffin, Joe and I all went to school together so we know each other quite well. Mrs. Griffin has reported to me that she loves having Isaac in her class and that he is always a good listener and is usually the 1st one ready for instruction. I can't say enough how proud of my kids I am. I am happy that I (so far) have had very respectful kids. Isaac also loves doing his homework as long as it doesn't involve coloring.And finally how was Avril's 1st day.....GREAT! WooHoo, am I glad this went well. She could have been a disaster but isn't it funny how kids surprise you sometimes. When I dropped her off last Wednesday she asked me if I could stay and I told her no and started walking towards the door. She was clinging to my leg a little but was soon distracted by a toy telephone. With the distraction I took it on myself to leave. So I pulled Mrs. Tara aside, instructing her to keep an eye out for Avril and I ran for the door. Mrs. Tara later notified me that Avril looked up for me but was once again distracted by the coloring station. When I showed up I got a great big smile from Avril and she said, "Oh- mommy you came back for me." I think that was all she needed...I think most of her fear was that I wasn't coming back. So, yesterday we walked in and went to the play dough table, I gave her a kiss and she let me go. That probably made me more emotional then the 1st day because it's a small sign that she is letting me go. ;(
With school off and running again so has the busyness...Hannah is now back on Sea Devils swim team, Girl Scouts and tonight will be joining the fall play "Alms for the Poor". Isaac has joined Boy Scouts and Gymnastics after we saw how good he is with the monkey bars at the playground. This is the sport that I think Isaac will surpass Hannah in. Isaac just doesn't have any fear in him! He is also very small so he can move quickly. Now, is Hannah very impressed? NO! She was in gymnastics for 4 years before giving it up for swimming and I think Isaac will be at the same level in a year. The boys program is a bit different, which I think may help Hannah's ego. The boys do mostly bars and rings where the girls focus on floor and beam.
All in all we are doing well. Busy but well! I will be doing a parent/child class starting next week with Owen to ease the separation anxiety that we might come across in the future.
I also want to mention that we have a new addition to the family......nope no a baby, it's a bird! Yep, we have added yet another living creature to our household. I can't keep a plant alive, but God has trusted me with all these little lives. I think I have found out what God's plan is for me; I am a test subject for stress. Just kidding....I wouldn't change this life for any other.

School Starts Soon!

With the start of school fast approaching I find myself both excited and timid about it. I am excited because it will be 2 less kids bickering all day however, it also means on with the mad- running around. Hannah will start swimming 3 nights a week and Isaac has agreed to join the boys gymnastics team. (We have been watching him at the playground lately and are noticing some pretty good ring skills) Avril will be in preschool 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours a day and Owen and I will be doing a parent/child class once a week. I am doing this with Owen so I don't end up with 2 children that can't leave my side. As everyone knows is how Avril is! On top of the normal sports both Joe and I will be active in Scouting. Joe took on a leadership role through Boy Scouts and I am still the leader of Hannah's troop in Girl Scouts. I truly believe that I choose to take on the job of parent and fully intend to make the best of it. I know it will be a hectic year but it can't be much different then the ones in the past or the ones still to come. And if that is a day brightener then I just have to think....17 years and they will all be off (hopefully Owen a Freshman in College, Avril a Junior, Isaac newly graduated and job hunting, and Hannah either career focused or starting a family). I know I hold high expectations but, don't we all for our children.

Inspirational Quote for the day: My life is my message. - Mahatma Ghandi

Little Bits

Summer flew by and I know most of you out there are thinking the same thing. But for me the end of summer is really a time I look forward to. I love being a mom and being with the kids but sometimes it is a lot of work! Especially after this crazy summer. The end of summer also offers new opportunities for Avril and myself to separate a bit because she starts preschool 2 days a week in September.
For the last 2 weeks Avril was supposed to be in swimming lessons at the Monticello Community Center, however Avril and her stubbornness decided she wasn't going! Even with me standing right next to the pool she kicked and screamed that she wasn't going. So after 2 days of trying I gave up. I am not one to promote quitting but enough was enough last week. Well my thoughts now go to my delima of preschool....I have always known Avril is much stronger willed the the others but she must go. Thankfully I have had too many embarrassing moments in parenting that a little fit isn't going to work on me. So I must get my mean mommy face on and throw her to the lions. (Right?) I am sure that after 2 days of trying I have to sick dad on her:) -When mom fails send in reinforcements-
Other then not looking forward to Avrils adventures, I am happy to report that Hannah and Isaac are ready to go back. I just can't believe I have a 4th and a 1st grader. When did they grow up?

Super day everyone-more postings to come...

A day in the life.....

I have recently been notified that there are VanHoorik followers out there that demand information. So back to the blogging I go:) As I say time and time again, "We've been busy." Is this a valid excuse or is this just my being lazy? I would point to the latter. ;)

Hannah just finished up with her swim club last week. Isaac finished baseball in late June. Avril starts swimming lessons in August and Owen is non-stop baby busy. (In fact I have him strapped to the table right now eating, so that I am not distracted while I complete my updates.)

Hannah did extremely well in swimming this summer and attempted all the strokes for the last swim meet. Unfortunately for her Joe has recently become an Official for USA swimming and disqualified her on both the Butterfly and Breaststroke. Her coach had a laugh about this and gave her her 1st disqualification (DQ) report back to put in her scrapbook. I must say that with practice she will pull it together and be great!~

Isaac's baseball went well also. We could really see the progression from last year but he still has lots to work on. Joe has been thinking about coaching next year but we'll see how much time he has. In the fall Joe will be the Pack Committee Chairman for Boys Scouts too. I believe I am rubbing off on him!!!
Isaac also passed level 2 of swimming lessons on his 1st try. He rubbed that in nicely because it took Hannah 2 tries to pass:)

As far as Avril and Owen go I don't have much to report. Avril is a little stinker that has everyone she meets wrapped around her fingers and Owen is a bundle of busy.

Our family activities this summer have consisted camping at Schroeder Park with good friends of ours and their grandkids, the Albertville Friendly City Days parade (Joe and Hannah walked in it for STMA Swim), a week long camp for Girl Scouts, box seats for the Twins game last week(Twins lost 10-2) and Joe and I soaked up some free time last Saturday at the Green Day concert. Which was the best show EVER!
We have also been spending most of our free time up at my grandparents. It's so great to have somewhere to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of life around here.

This and that's

Updating my blog is not my strongest quality. Again, I apologize to everyone! The kids are great...just busy and growing like weeds! I cannot believe there are only 12 days left of school. I have absolutely no idea how I will manage this house this summer. When the kids are together lately they fight; but my threat is going to be summer school if they start up right away. :)Joe was offered and took a permanent job with Great River Energy and started a week or so ago. It's really no different then it was before but we now get the job security part and benefits that go on forever. (He was an outside contractor for just about 3 years for them) Luck for me he now works 4 10's and gets an extra day off each week. I don't mind the long hours when he's home random days here and there. Oh- he also gets holiday pay again- woohoo!Hannah received her first ribbons for swimming this past weekend. She swam her 1st 100 Free and placed 6th. I am so excited to see her progress.
Isaac also started baseball again for the season and really loves it. He has really come a long way from last year. He also signed up for Boy Scouts for fall and Joe is going to be taking one of the lead positions in the pack. Looks like we have scouting running though our blood around here.OK- so one more funny story of the week. We went to Valley Fair last weekend as a scouting event and I wanted to go on the Antique Car ride they have. It's a ride where you drive smaller versions of real cars and Hannah piped up that she was driving because she was tall enough. Well fare enough; I wanted to drive but she insisted so I let her! The problem was that I had Isaac and Avril with me so I had to sit in the back with them and Hannah had to be up in front alone. Well, the #1 rule of these cars is that you cannot switch drivers after leaving the entry gate and Hannah's legs weren't strong enough to push the pedal all the way down. So we caused quite the traffic jam with Hannah only being able to go about a foot or two per try. Well we made it around in about 15 minutes and I laughed the whole way! She won't be driving any more any time soon.

I love this picture...what a ladies man however, I should teach him how to be polite. Or has he already learned how to tune them out???


On Monday, Isaac had his 1st Kindergarten music concert and he was so cute. He gets a very serious look on his face when he is deep in concentration. It was very short but nice.

April

My apologies to all of you that watch our family via this blog. I am waiting for things to slow down a bit, and they will after May 8th. It's a big day because my 1st semester of college will be over!! Right now I have an English class that is all writing, so for me to write up stuff for our blog just doesn't happen as much as I would like. So I will wrap up what has happened this month as best I can.
Isaac turned 6 on April 6th. We spent the day bowling then went out for dinner at Space Aliens with Joe's entire family. It was a great day and I still can't believe he's SIX!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter...We did! We spent the morning at church then the rest of the afternoon with Joe's family. They hold a yearly egg hunt and this year they hid 80+ eggs. The kids love the hunt and the little treasures grandma and grandpa hide.
The rest of this month we have been outside!!!! I love Minnesota spring weather. There can't be anywhere else like it. Only in MN; do we put our coats away when it turns 40 degrees in the Spring then whip them back out when it's 40 degrees in the Fall.