For about a month now Mak has had two very loose teeth, but he has been fearful of the pain of them coming out. Tonight it only took a tug from Opa to get the first one, and then about an hour later Dad was able to get the second. And you know what? He said it didn't hurt!
Life with four boys and a girl.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
A San Francisco Treat
On our one sunny day in California we drove to San Francisco and spent most of the day on Pier 39 and Fisherman's wharf. We saw all the seals, watched a street performance - which TJ got to participate in, toured a submarine, saw an antique arcade and enjoy the local cuisine. TJ LOVED his sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder. A real treat to us Ohioans who have to search for, and rarely find, a good piece of sourdough bread!
Jack and Bubba
Jack and Bubba enjoyed watching the seals and the people around us. Jack was a real trouper the whole day, though he didn't sleep in his stroller he sat patiently and when he was allowed out was thrilled to run around the pier. It was a long day, but he did great!
Seal Scenery
While in San Francisco we spent a lot fo time on Pier 39. The boys would probalby have been content to stay and watch the seals for hours. The animals really are quite amusing. Though some just sleep others play "King of the Dock" and knock all others off,then walk around with a hauty disposition!
Animated reader
Chatham practiced his reading with Nana in a very Animated way. Wearing Bubba's hat from Alaska he sat casually and read about how Rick and Sam are Pal's.
On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!
To pass the time in California while it snowed and rained, the boys, with the help of their Bubba, made Derby Cars and had fun racing down a piece of plywood off the deck. If you look closely, each car has a number and the number matches their age, so we'll never forget when we made them.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Mak the Author
We entered Mak in the Young Authors Contest this year, and he has had so much fun with it! He reads it to himself over and over, and spent a long time illustrating it. Below you can read the book, and see one page of his art work. He wants to share it with the world.
Mak's Book
Once upon a time there was a sneaky, naughty boy named Jack, and it was his birthday.
Jack is seven, he invited some friends.
Jill
Pete
Billy
Bobby
Cindy
Jimmy
Six friends plus Jack is seven.
He told them to bring their swim suits, because he had some plans. It was the middle of summer, it was a sleep over, but the girls had to go home before night.
When the friends got to his house, they played a water balloon fight. Guess who got the most soaked? Jill! That was Jack’s plan. She cried and went home.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
Then they went on to slip and slide, but Jack put too much water on it when it was Billy’s turn and it knocked off his glasses and scared him, only Jack laughed. Billy called his Mom, but she was at a meeting and couldn’t come get him.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
Then it was time for cake and presents. Jack provided a special piece for Bobby. Bobby thought he was Jack’s best friend, so he got the best piece, but inside was a trick, and it made Bobby sick. Only Jack laughed. Bobby’s Dad came to get him.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
Jack had put a bucket of water on the top of the door in a back room and Cindy was the first to go in, all her clothes and Mom’s good carpet got wet and she had to go home. Only Jacked laughed.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
At night Jack had even more sneaky plans. He played a trick on Jimmy. He knew that Jimmy was afraid of spiders so Jack put two tarantellas in his sleeping bag. Jimmy was too scared to sleep there, so he called his Mom to pick him up. Only Jack laughed.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
There were only two friends left at the party. And Jack had more plans. Pete was the next one to get surprised. At 2:00 in the morning, Jack put whipped cream on Pete’s hands, and then tickled his face. When Pete when to itch his face he smeared the whipped cream all over himself. He cried hard enough to wake up Jack’s parents. But it was too dark out to go home.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
And it was true, Billy and Pete stayed the night, but it wasn’t because they wanted too. It was because their Mom or Dad couldn’t come get them yet. But when morning came, they didn’t even wait for breakfast, they called their parents, and went home. Jack’s party was not a fun party.
The next day in the park, Jack’s friends came and played a trick on him. They wanted him to know how they felt. They told him they were going to play hide and seek, and he was it. Instead of hiding they all went home. He looked and looked, but never found them, Jack didn’t laugh.
He went home sad, and told his parents, and they said “so finally you learned your lesson”.
Jack decided not to be a naughty or sneaky boy anymore, because if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left.
And that’s true.
The End.
“Listen, my son,
to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your
Mother’s teaching.”
Proverbs 1:8
About the Author:
Makannen van Wingerden
a.k.a Mak attack
is seven years old and lives with his
parents and three brothers.
He likes to play tricks just like Jack.
He enjoys, art, throwing snowballs, jumping on the trampoline. and playing with his friends.
Jack is seven, he invited some friends.
Jill
Pete
Billy
Bobby
Cindy
Jimmy
Six friends plus Jack is seven.
He told them to bring their swim suits, because he had some plans. It was the middle of summer, it was a sleep over, but the girls had to go home before night.
When the friends got to his house, they played a water balloon fight. Guess who got the most soaked? Jill! That was Jack’s plan. She cried and went home.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
Then they went on to slip and slide, but Jack put too much water on it when it was Billy’s turn and it knocked off his glasses and scared him, only Jack laughed. Billy called his Mom, but she was at a meeting and couldn’t come get him.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
Then it was time for cake and presents. Jack provided a special piece for Bobby. Bobby thought he was Jack’s best friend, so he got the best piece, but inside was a trick, and it made Bobby sick. Only Jack laughed. Bobby’s Dad came to get him.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
Jack had put a bucket of water on the top of the door in a back room and Cindy was the first to go in, all her clothes and Mom’s good carpet got wet and she had to go home. Only Jacked laughed.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
At night Jack had even more sneaky plans. He played a trick on Jimmy. He knew that Jimmy was afraid of spiders so Jack put two tarantellas in his sleeping bag. Jimmy was too scared to sleep there, so he called his Mom to pick him up. Only Jack laughed.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
There were only two friends left at the party. And Jack had more plans. Pete was the next one to get surprised. At 2:00 in the morning, Jack put whipped cream on Pete’s hands, and then tickled his face. When Pete when to itch his face he smeared the whipped cream all over himself. He cried hard enough to wake up Jack’s parents. But it was too dark out to go home.
Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.
And it was true, Billy and Pete stayed the night, but it wasn’t because they wanted too. It was because their Mom or Dad couldn’t come get them yet. But when morning came, they didn’t even wait for breakfast, they called their parents, and went home. Jack’s party was not a fun party.
The next day in the park, Jack’s friends came and played a trick on him. They wanted him to know how they felt. They told him they were going to play hide and seek, and he was it. Instead of hiding they all went home. He looked and looked, but never found them, Jack didn’t laugh.
He went home sad, and told his parents, and they said “so finally you learned your lesson”.
Jack decided not to be a naughty or sneaky boy anymore, because if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left.
And that’s true.
The End.
“Listen, my son,
to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your
Mother’s teaching.”
Proverbs 1:8
About the Author:
Makannen van Wingerden
a.k.a Mak attack
is seven years old and lives with his
parents and three brothers.
He likes to play tricks just like Jack.
He enjoys, art, throwing snowballs, jumping on the trampoline. and playing with his friends.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Baby's First Picture
Yesterday we took T.J. and Mak in to the hospital with us so they could see a picture of their new baby sibling. At first they didn't want to go, but as soon as the images came up on the screen they were mesmerized. Everything looks just fine, and they gave me a due date of between Oct 7 and 11. Now we get to wait! Our next big ultrasound should be the last week of May, then we can let you know if it's a boy or a girl!
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Changes
This is a sad week for our family. Nina has been packing up her room in order to move. It wasn't anything any of us chose. Her family needs her support right now because of her grandmother's terminal cancer. So there will be a big empty spot in our home. Though she won't be far away, it won't be the same.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Proud as Can Be
Last night TJ took 1st place, in the Third & Fourth grade group, at the History Fair for his project on the Italian Renaissance. He was so thrilled he was sure that when we got home we would have a huge celebration! Of course when we finally did get home it was way past bed time, even for Dad and Mom and it was off to bed, but he woke up just as excited, because he beat last years champ.
Mak wins the Bronze!
Mak took 3rd place for his History Project on THE ROMAN AQUEDUCTS. Check out his cool lego rendition of the mountain and arches that led the water to Rome. He was the first to present his project and boy was he thrilled to have the rest of his time to just play with his friends.
Jack & Charis
Jack and Charis sit and enjoy a snack in the church nursery. This is a rare moment because normally the two them them don't care for each other at all. He thinks he's too big for the nursery - doesn't everyone know how perfect he is for the gym? She on the other hand is always anxious to put on her coat and get out of there!
Monday, January 30, 2006
TJ's First Back Handspring!
Can you see him? It's blurry because he's moving. I couldn't believe it. There he was standing ready to jump backwards! And he did it with the greatest of ease. He and Chatham love gymnastics. Mak says he doesn't but he smiles the whole time he's out there and they get to do some really neat stuff.
Musical friends
Chatham and his friend Chloe do their best to answer questions on a music lesson that was for their older siblings. These two could have been off playing - which eventually they were - instead of making such an effort to be part of the big kids.
Bath Escape!
Some pictures truly are worth a thousand words, but let me give you the story behind this one. David was to give Jack a bath, so I set him down in the bathroom and went to get his clothes, but before David realized it Jack had snuck out of the bathroom, grabbed his blanket from our bed and met me in his room, all smiles!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Say Cheese!
Mak, Chatham and their friend Noah add the starter and coloring for the next batch of cheese. We all enjoyed learning about the process of making both butter and cheese, with some hands on experience. That night we savored popcorn with freshly churned butter (turned with their own hands).
Though not pictured, TJ was there too!
Though not pictured, TJ was there too!
Football anyone?
Jack may be young, but he knows what he likes. He knows that football and the beach go well together, and he enjoyed both on our trip.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Look What I caught!
We got to spend ten days with family over Christmas break, which is always a blessing, since we don't always get to see everyone together. We flew down to Grand Cayman. The weather was wonderful and many memories were made. We were blessed with almost no waves so the kids got to spend lots and lots of time in the calm ocean waters. TJ enjoyed his first fishing trip with his Dad and uncles, and was proud of his only catch, this Wahoo.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Christmas 2005
How do you get four kids to all smile at one time for a picture and not break a sweat yourself? We've been doing this for eight years now and in some ways it has gotten easier. The boys just accept that this is one thing their Mom requires of them, the more they cooperate the quicker it gets done. So here is our Thanksgiving Day Christmas Picture.
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My fun kids
In their favorite tree