Good Idea, Blogger!

I signed into Blogger this morning to check for any new comments - surprise, there were none (shame on you readers who don't leave comments!).  But I did find something that made my day in a nerdy kind of way.  Blogger has added page statistics to its site, so you can track how many people look at your site, where they're from, and how they got to your site, among other things.  I already have a site-stat tracker through another website, but I use the free version so it only tracks the last 100 visits.  This might all sound somewhat creepy and stalker-ish, but I can't tell WHO it is that is looking at the blog (although I'd love to know who you all are!) and since it's my blog anyways, it's nice to know that there are actually people who bother to read.  And a shout to all you who might be reading and have never left a comment - I would LOVE to hear from you, and I don't think it's weird if you haven't talked to me for years or don't even really know me at all.  Drop a line, and let me know you're out there!

The Raisining of a Two-and-a-Half Year Old

Peter, this morning at breakfast, carefully picks a raisin out of his bowl of raisin bran and sets it on the table. 
Peter:  "Mom, the raisin is sitting on the table!"
Mom:  "I see that, Pete, but the raisin should be in your bowl or in your mouth.  Why is it on the table?"
Peter:  "It's watching you, Mommy."
Mom:  "Oh really... why is it watching me?"
Peter:  "Because Mommy is pretty."

Hmmm.  

Early Crossword Aficionado?

I shouldn't have left my pen so close to the edge of the table - usually I'm pretty careful about that kind of thing as it's not all that fun cleaning crayon/pen/pencil/whatever off the walls, furniture, and floor.  Thankfully the pen stayed on the paper!  I wonder if this is a sign of Peter getting a head-start on the crosswords... 

August?! How is it Halfway Done Already?!

It's just past the middle of August already, and high time to post a real update.  I just put the boys down for a nap together in the same room, so I'm expecting a reasonable amount of time during which I can compose a blog post in between going into the bedroom and laying down the naptime rules when things aren't so quiet in there.  The boys had been sleeping in separate bedrooms since we moved to the new place, but with the baby's due date drawing closer, we decided to put them back together again.  Peter is also out of his crib now and into a twin bed, which has been an incredibly smooth transition.  He hasn't attempted to get out of bed, which doesn't really surprise me as he's used to taking naps in our bed and never tries to get out of that bed either.  Last night the two of them laughed and giggled for some time before they fell asleep, but no harm was done and they slept till 8:00.  I don't mind the later mornings, as I'm sure we'll have to give them up when the baby arrives.
I'm just over 35 weeks now with the newest little Vander Deen peanut, although I'm pretty sure s/he isn't quite a peanut anymore, more like a watermelon.  This summer has been veeerrrry hot and humid, which on its own would be tiring, but together with the pregnancy and chasing after two busy little toddlers, I'm quite ready for summer to be done and for this baby to be born.  I don't think I've looked forward to the snow flying as much as I have the last few months... I might be singing a different tune when the weather does turn cold, but somedays I kind of like the idea of laying in the snow to cool off.  The pregnancy is going well, baby is growing and by all signs healthy and well.  This little one is more active even than Aaron was, and somedays it seems I never get a break from all the kicking and punching that goes on and I get a little afraid my stomach will just break open.  Not likely, but it certainly feels like it.  5 weeks left to the due date and I hope there isn't TOO much more growing to be done.  Baby, you can save that for afterwards.
So, it's been a month since I last posted, which means that I haven't even posted a congratulations to Tom and Lauren yet!  My dear sister and brother-in-law were united in marriage on August 7, 2010 in Hamilton on a lovely August day.  I think it was the coolest and least humid day in the summer so far, which was very much appreciated by all.  The much waited-for day went wonderfully, the bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and we enjoyed a lovely dinner reception at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in the evening.  So, without further ado, CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Lauren Schotsman, and we wish you all God's blessings as you start on life's pathway together as husband and wife!

Introducing... Mr. and Mrs. Schotsman!

 Something was apparently very funny...

 A bit of relaxation in the afternoon

 L-R  Mom, Tante Tineke, Tante Annie, Mrs. Schotsman, and Aline

 The boys are doing well, growing and learning every day.  It is great to see the two of them walking around together, hand-in-hand, and generally enjoying each other's company.  Of course, they don't get along all the time and they have their fair share of fighting (somedays much more than their fair share!!) but they can be little sweethearts together as well.  I have to remember those moments especially, because some days when they are driving me up the wall, they certainly aren't all that sweet and easy to get along with and their poor Mom needs a large extra dose of patience to get through the day.  It will be interesting to add a baby into the mix on days like that!
Only a few weeks left of the summer, and Mike is back in the classroom full time teaching another year of Grade 7.  He is starting to spend some time preparing but has also been busy with some landscaping work and flower delivery in Buffalo.  It's been a busy summer for him at home as well, filled with lots of do-it-yourself jobs including plumbing, electrical, and building.  He is a handy guy who loves to learn, and it certainly is nicer on the pocket-book when you don't have to contract jobs out to other people.
Anyways.  I got to the end of my posting thoughts, and I didn't have to get up once to set those little kiddos straight on what naptime is supposed to entail.  Not that it was quiet the whole time, but it's a whole lot quieter than I thought it would be, and might even turn into two kids sleeping without any interference from Mom.  Great!  That's the kind of naptime I like!  So on to the pictures... enjoy!

Mike built a sandbox for the boys and they have been LOVING 
it!  It is interesting to watch them play, and their personalities 
come out so clearly in the sand.  Peter sits on the edge and digs 
only with a shovel, being careful not to get dirty.  However, Aaron 
plops right down in the sand and is dirty from head to toe in no 
time flat, and happy as can be!   

Enjoying the sprinkler on a hot day

Not so much enjoying the sprinkler on a hot day

 He can be quiet the little goofball!  This picture makes me laugh!  

And here is a typical Aaron face these days - 
stubborn, determined little red-head!

And for evidence that they can indeed be sweet together...

Both boys had an immediate attachment to their second cousin 
Aline, who came from Holland for the wedding

 Looking a little wild on a humid summer day

 Giving a cheesy smile for the camera

Negligent blogger

Alive.
Well.
Busy.
Hot.
Uninspired.
Later.