Vacation Needed

With this darn cold, crabby kids, snow and like 2 weeks of gloomy weather- I think we need a vacation! I keep telling myself that we just need to make it though Christmas then we are out-a here. To grandma's house we go! (Arkansas Grandma) Not that I want time to move to quickly...I do enjoy the holidays but even those mean more work.Anyways....We had our annual pumpkin carving over at Joe's parents last Saturday and as you can see....we ROCK! I love the mini competitions we all have and the general togetherness that the atmosphere brings. Isaac and Hannah both did their own pumpkins from start to finish this year, which to me was very impressive. So the winner this year was Barb but only because her pumpkin had a green tint around all the parts she cut and it looked the scariest. Hers is the one on the bottom row, right in the middle. (The picture does it no justice) Matt's MN Twins one comes in 2nd because everyone wanted to take it home.
Well ta-ta for now.

Mommy's little Boy Scouts

Last week Isaac officially became a Boy Scout. He hasn't had his first Den meeting but he did get to go to a Pack meeting. I don't think he cares what the meeting was, I think he is just really soaking up this time with dad. However, their pack meetings are awesome....the first one of the year they brought in a Mad Scientist to show them how to make bottle caps shoot, mini-explosions and a lot of stuff overflowing. (Isaac isn't the best at explaining things back to me but his face tells me that it was great)

As you can see Joe has taken on the job of Committee Chair for the Pack. I am just so happy that he wants to be involved. He decided not to be his Den leader because of the possibility of that being a million year commitment because he just signed up to be an Official for the Sea Devils swim team. Our future Boy Scout, Owen is going to want his dad to be something anyways. So maybe in 5 more years he'll be a den leader.

So with all the Scouting, School and all other Extracurricular activities around here we ended up with 6 different fundraisers in this house. If you want ANYTHING from wreaths to chocolates to magazines to household goods...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE call me:) I must say that selling the wreaths is at the top of our list because it's for a new Pine Wood Derby Track and Isaac has been a very eager seller.

I just wanted to post 1 picture of Owen's new face. He does this anytime you give him an answer he dosen't like or if you make him wait to long for something.

Baby For Sale!

He's cute, cuddly, about 2 1/2 feet tall and incredibly busy!

Okay, so selling your baby is not appropriate but, this momma is getting tired. How is it that 19 months can be my favorite age and my least favorite at the same time.
Let me tell you why...
Almost a week ago, Owen decided to brave the outside world my climbing gracefully out of his crib during nap time. Since then he's been on the run. Mommy lays him down, Owen climbs out...he barely waits until I'm around the corner now. Well fine I can be mean mommy sometimes but even that doesn't work! Nap times now consists of 1 hour, where he wakes up extremely crabby and mornings start at about 6:15. The hardest part of it all is if you don't happen to hear him creep out of his room, because if he's loose for any amount of time unsupervised the house is in ruins. I'm also upset about this because I figure if your going to crawl out of the crib then we can get rid of it. Right? Well in Owens world that would be a No! He loves his crib, he loves his blankies, and he loves his nuk. That sure is a lot of baggage for a 19 month old!

But, why do I want to keep him all the same? Because when the older ones think I am lame, Owen thinks I'm funny. When I need to relax I have a lap partner and he doesn't care what I am doing as long as it's with him. When he gets excited he screams in joy and when he gets mad he shakes his head and says, "NO!" He loves doing dishes and laundry and never complains when I ask for his help.
What's not to love about this bundle of busy?

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.