Happy 2nd Tractor Birthday!

Last Sunday afternoon, we celebrated the 2nd birthday of our handsome little man.  When Zachary made his entrance into this world, it was fast and furious and things sure haven't changed much since that time.  This guy has kept us on our toes more than the I ever could have imagined.  He's wild, aggressive, feisty, and stubborn, but he's a lover and a snuggler and quite the ladies man!  I asked him about a month ago about kind of birthday he wanted....cars, tractor, animals, trains, etc.  And without hesitation, he screamed, "Green tractor party!"  So, in honor of Great-Grandpa Bob, Zachary had a John Deere tractor birthday party. 

 

Quite ironic, the only kids at Zach's party were girls!!! He didn't seem to mind though. 

Almost impossible to get a good shot with everyone looking at the camera.

I took these photos while checking on them before I went to bed.  We could add a couple pages to the book, "Where's Waldo?"
"Where's Helaina?"

"Where's Zachary?"

This week was the purple parade at Helaina's school.  They decorated head bands and shakers for their walk around the school.  All the kids in the school were in the parade, with all the parents in attendance and Clifford making a guest appearance, it was quite the pseudo-parade!

Gymnastics on our staircase...Daddy seems to think anything goes since we're moving!

Beautiful chaos is beginning...where will the Red Wings end up for the playoffs?!?  It all begins next week, stay tuned.

She's 4 and He's 2

That's right, we have a 4 year old and a 2 year old!  Some days I look at Helaina's long legs and Zachary's thinning face and all that I can think is how quickly they are changing right in front of my eyes. 

Helaina had her 4 year old well visit earlier this week.  We are very happy to report that she seems to be healthy and happy...44 lbs (90th percentile) and 42 inches (80th percentile).  Recently at school, her teachers informed us that she's been very well behaved and hasn't been "as bossy" as she had been earlier in the school year.  Always a work in progress, right?!  The biggest change since Helaina's 4th birthday is that most days,  she doesn't nap.  She averages about 1 time a week, so that's definitely an adjustment for all of us.  This girl can talk and talk and talk...so by the time evening rolls around, I think she might actually be just as tired of hearing herself talk as we are.  

Zachary had his 2 year well visit today.  And again, we are thankful for good health!  Zachary seems to have a different body type than his sister...weighing in at 28 lbs (50th percentile), height 35 inches (68th percentile), and with his Beetlejuice head in the 23rd percentile.  He seems to be hitting all his milestones appropriately and progressing normally!  In the past few weeks, we've really seen a change in his demeanor...extremely playful, a longer attention span, and with his increasing vocabulary, we've realized he has a great sense of humor too!  You can't help but smile when you're around this little guy.  He's a total charmer. 

Randy's mom took the kids to our church's Mother-Toddler Group this past Wednesday.  The group always meets on Wednesdays which has been difficult because that is a day I work.  But with the kids getting older, it is a little easier to go out and about.  Teta Helen said they had a fabulous time with Father Jim and the other children.

We promised Helaina that we would visit Rana at college before she moved home for the summer.  With just a few weeks left of the semester, we figured we had to make some time to get down to Wayne St.  We spent some time in Rana's dorm room and with her roomies, had dinner in the cafeteria, and toured different buildings on campus.  Since Helaina has her own experience of "school", I think she was quite mesmerized by the size of the campus.  Hopefully this will leave a lasting impression in her mind about education and the desire to attend college.

Who's excited to eat dinner in the cafeteria?!?

We were definitely the only people on campus with a stroller :)

We sure love our cousins and Godmothers!!! So proud of you Emann and Rana, thanks for a fun night!

Things that make us smile!

This is the start of the newest chapter for our family.  Sometime early this fall, we plan to be in our new house.  It's not far from where we are now, but it's a different school district and closer to the majority of our friends and family.  Helaina can't stop talking about living "in Isabella's backyard."    

It's not something my husband ever talks about, but he's really good at what he does and everybody and every patient loves him!  A patient called the office earlier this week to let us know that one of his patients was tweeting about him from the office.
http://instagram.com/p/XI4WnrR4_e/

https://twitter.com/Jtootoo22/status/322061900655509504/photo/1

Easter, Part 1

Last Thursday night, the kids and I traveled to Valpo to spend Easter with my side of the family.  For the kids, Easter will come two times this year, as we are currently in the season of Lent and will celebrate our Orthodox Easter the first weekend in May.  All that matters is that our family celebrates the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ...it just so happens that most years, we do it twice. 

Friday we went out to my Grandpa and Grandma Walter's farm and the kids were in heaven...tractor rides, running in the yard, sitting on the lawn mower, and help driving the pick-up truck.  With Zachary's second birthday approaching, he's already made his request...a green tractor cake! 

One of 3 Easter egg hunts the kids attended...St. Paul's in Kouts, my brother's church in Wheeler, and at Grandma and Grandpa McGinley's Easter dinner. 

Zach and his friend Cade, sharing their eggs.  

We had a couple days of beautiful weather so we took full advantage and spent time at the school playground. 

More than happy to attend the confirmation of my twin niece and nephew, Charlie and Haley.  

Fun at my mom and dad's house.  This girl is full of sass these days.

 And who has the BEST FRIENDS ever?!? This girl, for sure! Katie and her crew drove 2 1/2 hours, one way, at 7 in the morning with all 3 of her children, just to see us for a few hours.

And this is what 5 nights at Grandma and Papa's house looks like...long naps and a very quiet drive back to Michigan!  We had a fabulous time visiting family and friends and sharing this holiday with the ones we love.  There is something about being at "home" that always recharges my battery and fills my heart.  Thanks Mom and Dad for loving on us so well :).