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.

Picture update

Checking out the baby robin on the windowsill - up close and personal!

Both kids like to sit inside the train track circles... perhaps an easy containment device?

Playing in the sand at Port Dalhousie on Canada Day

Trying out the carousel - Peter wasn't a big fan
(kind of an understatement) but Aaron loved it!  

They got an ice-cream sandwich for a snack -
Peter eats it in his typical neat fashion, 

while Aaron shoves it into his mouth as fast as he can go, lol

Poor Aaron fell off the couch onto a large lego piece... he had these nice, 

small circular bruises on his head for several days...

This is our dining room BEFORE

and AFTER!  We LOVE the new patio doors that were installed!!

All Moved In!

Well well well... it's been a while since I've been on here, but I think I have a few legitimate reasons to explain that away!  It's been INCREDIBLY busy the last little bit, surrounding our move to the new house.  So much packing, moving, cleaning, painting, paperwork - it's nice that we are finally into our new place and settling in.  Of course, there are a lot of boxes hiding in closets that haven't been unpacked, and I won't even mention the current state of the basement, but the main living areas are fairly organized and live-able.  Closing day for the old house is tomorrow, and we look forward to having all those loose ends tied and being done with all this real estate business!
So what should I catch you all up on... how about the boys.  Both boys transitioned very well to living in a new house, probably helped by the fact that it was familiar to them.  We've been spending a lot of time here since we got possession at the beginning of May, either cleaning or painting or unpacking boxes of this and that.  Peter is enjoying living in the "new house", and will sometimes come up with strange things... the other day he stood in the doorway and asked me, "Is this the new kitchen, Mommy?"  (yes, Peter, it is).  "Peter jump in the new kitchen, Mommy?" (sure, Peter, you can jump in here).  And he steps into the kitchen, jumps a few times, and goes back to the living room to his trucks.  Interesting.  He is also quite enthralled with the flamingos in the neighbour's garden, which he can see from his bedroom window.  We went back to the old place to pick up a few things from the garage, and although he was quite happy to be in the backyard (wondering where all his toys were), when we went into the empty house, he got quite upset.  When he saw his old bedroom, he was wondering where all the beds went...   Other than adjusting to moving, Peter is doing very well.  I started potty training him at the beginning of May, and within two weeks I was amazed that he was almost accident free.  He is dry through the night, and has had maybe 6 or 7 accidents since those first two weeks, and none in the past while.  Wow!  I love having only one kid in diapers (for the next few months anyways...).  He loves to joke around and say ridiculous things to make us laugh.
Aaron has also adjusted well to the new place, and unlike Peter, had no problems when we went to the old place the other day.  He's started walking, starting the week before we moved, and he loves his newfound freedom!  He toddles after his brother and is generally quite happy to be on his feet.  No more holes in pants!  He's had three molars pop through in the last two weeks or so, which has made him a little grumpy and under the weather, but thankfully they are not seeming to bother him any more.  He's not saying a whole lot of consistant words yet, but he definitely repeats things after us and knows things that he just doesn't say.  Things he has said include:  Daddy, Mommy, Peter, amen, garbage truck, and other random words.  He LOVES garbage truck day and big "mighty machines" just like his big brother, and when the trucks come squealing down the road, he's shrieking at the window beside Peter.  He loves to give kisses, and although he's more of a mover than he used to be, he still loves his cuddles.  The "red-headed temper" seems to have come true with him, as he has quite a mind of his own and knows how to let us know he is VERY upset when something doesn't go his way.  If he is on what he considers the wrong side of the baby gate, he gets hysterically upset!  This also means he is more able to defend himself against Peter when toys are being stolen back and forth.  The other day, I gave them both a freezie, and went inside to get something.  Peter all of a sudden got very upset, and when I went out there, I found that Aaron had finished his freezie and proceeded to steal Peter's and was finishing that one up too.  I had to laugh before I gave Peter a new one.
Well, I'm sure there's lots more I could write, but I'd like to get some pictures loaded up before the boys' naptime is over (not like Peter is napping anyways, I can hear him thumping away in his bed).  Enjoy!

Aaron and Peter playing in the sunroom

Having fun with water on the deck on a hot day

Helping Mommy pack...by staying contained in boxes, haha

 Enjoying the tricycle, although his legs still aren't quite long enough to push the pedals properly

 Starting to stand up on his own, and quite proud of his accomplishments!

What a goofball - blowing bubbles in his raisin bran

 With less than two weeks to go in this house, a foul ball went through the sunroom window.  Thankfully neither Peter or I were hurt, although we were sitting on the carpet in there and were covered in glass.  There was broken glass all the way to the kitchen... 

One last Saturday breakfast in the sunroom before the boys went to Mom and Dads while we finished up last minute packing and moved everything.  Sniff, sniff!  We have a lot of good memories from our first house, and I have to admit it was a little emotional to leave it behind

Elaine came to visit and watch the boys upstairs the last week, so that I could finish up packing some things downstairs.  Peter and Hannah had fun reading together, and Aaron officially started walking that day trying to keep up with three other busy little kids! 

 Figuring out the tape gun

Being a goof with the tape!  

Danielle came the day before M-Day to help me pack up the kitchen and other odds and ends - very much appreciated!  Thanks so much Danielle!  

 My dear sister made sure to mock my non-efficient packing skills after coming across this box in the bathroom.  

An empty house!  Looks so strange! 

 Two sisters left alone in the house on moving day, with my camera.  I couldn't resist posting one of the silly shots I found the next day.  

Good-bye, 25!  We'll remember you fondly!

We were planning to bring the living room carpet downstairs, and when we pulled it up we discovered the underpad had left quite a mess.  Some elbow grease from lots of helpers cleaned it up pretty quickly!

The next morning, I took a few pictures of the partially-settled in house.  Looks good already!

 Dining area - we are planning to put in patio doors and a deck where that window is

Living room - we kept the couches in here that came with the house, and painted so that it wasn't quite so pink.  I like how it turned out

Ummm yeah, this is the basement... it's a little bit intimidating.  We hope to eventually finish it with an extra bedroom, bathroom, and a family room but until that happens, we need some shelving to help organize the chaos.  Hopefully it won't look this messy for long!

 Going for a walk in the wagon around our new neighbourhood