Fun at Gymboree

This past month we spent a lot of time at Gymboree.  We wanted to take advantage of the great deal we got on a one month membership.  Henry's physical therapist had strongly recommended Gymboree, and after going there five days a week for the past month, I can see vast improvement in his gross motor skills.  He is running faster, climbing higher, and all around more adventurous.  She assures me this is a good thing, though there are now times I just want him to slow down!

 

Going for the layup

No fear here!

Claire loved the parachute.

Pretending to sleep.

Claire also liked the arts and crafts time.

So proud!

Halloween 2012

 

 

I enjoy Halloween, and not just because our kids are too young to realize that we snoop most of their candy after they go to bed. It's the one day when a child's rich imagination can truly come to life as he or she transforms into anything their heart desires. For several months, Claire has had her heart set on being a purple butterfly for Halloween. And Henry, though he's too young to understand, was all set to be an itsy bitsy spider.

The only problem with Halloween, as it is with holidays in general, is that I have a beautiful vision in my head of how I think it ought to go. But that vision is more fantasy than reality. After months of telling me that she wanted to be a purple butterfly, Claire decided within 10 minutes of wearing her wings that she didn't like them. And while she did end up wearing them, I spent much of my time gluing and regluing the spots that kept falling off. And then there's Henry. I thought he'd love his costume, but no, he did not. After a while, he too came to accept it, but spent a good amount of time trying to figure out how to get it off.

As I get older, these are the things I hope to remember and laugh about. There's just no perfect plan when you have kids. They will always add their delightful detours. Anyways, here's some quick pics of the kids "enjoying" their costumes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Revolving Door

As summer has surely slipped away and fall is slowing fading into winter, I look back on all the fun we have had with friends over the past few months.  There are days it seems our revolving door just keeps spinning, but we enjoy it. Here's a glimpse at some of our favorite guests: 

 

Cousins Sylvia, Gracie and Andrew,

along with their cousins Julia and Lydia

fighting an uphill battle

 

Doing yoga!

Lunch Time 

 

Henry and new friend, Wes Koopmans, in matching outfits.

It's amazing to think their daddies became friends

when they weren't too much older than they are.

Second cousins Austin and Gavin

The two glamour girls - Claire and Avery

And of course the cool kids - Henry and Nolan

 

Ruby comes to our house two afternoons a week, and we just adore her.

Here Claire and Ruby show off their mismatched shoes.

Henry gets SO excited to see Ruby walk through the door. 

Road Trip to Russ`

3 kids meals, please! 

Claire holding Wes, who seems so much older than the last time he came to "play".  

Our little mama.

 

Our NICU Graduates

Last night our family was invited to a NICU reunion at the Pinnacle Center.  It was a great chance to take the kids out for a fun family night, as well as a perfect opportunity to reminisce about both of our beautiful NICU graduates.

 

Henry dressed to impress and eager to get his picture taken...

Until Claire jumped in to have her picture taken with him.

He obviously did not want to share the spotlight!

So I told Claire she could have her own picture, and she was happy about that.

Here we are at the reunion, starting the evening at the craft table.

 

Claire had a blast at the party. 

She had her face painted,

 

Had plenty of snacks,

Played games,

And she loved all the crafts.

Henry had fun just running around. 

He enjoyed going up and down the stairs to the stage.

 

He visited with the "doggies" for a bit.

He also spent some time with Ms. Jennifer, his physical therapist from Early On.  She has been working with him for over a year. 

For Henry, it's pretty much a love/hate relationship.  He loves Ms. Jennifer, but hates the stretches and exercises she makes him do.

 

Henry is possibly the biggest "Daddy's Boy" I've ever met. 

If Daddy is around, Henry is sure to be close by.

We had a great night.  It was so much fun, as well as a great way to celebrate all the NICU has done for us and the other families at the reunion.

14,639 Days

Happy 40th Anniversary!

 

Okay, so I'm 1 month, 1 week and 2 days late in posting the family pictures we had taken to celebrate my parent's anniversary.  Yes, their actual anniversary in August 25, and it is now October.  Sorry about that, but that just means we get to celebrate that today they've been married a whopping 14,639 days!

 

the whole family

 

the original Sternberg kids

with our better halves

 

and, of course, grandpa and grandma with the little ones.

 

Flash Mob

Earlier this month, my friend Kelsey, who works at Holland Home, told us that the seniors she works with were doing a Flash Mob at Woodland Mall. 

We could not miss that!

 

Henry and Claire with "Aunt" Kelsey.

 

 

 

To catch them in action, you can watch the video below.

 

 

 

Was that cool or what? They were rockin' it!