Meet the New Members of Our Family

Our friend Mari called and said they were going to be getting new ducklings at the farm. She offered to have Jackson and Aubrin come over and name the ducklings so they could have their own ducks at the farm. Todd and I thought it would be fun for the kids. Later in the week Mari called again and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the feed store and pick out the ducklings and bring them home and raise them for a bit. Oh My, was my first reaction, but after talking with Todd we both thought this would be a great experience for Jackson and Aubrin and lets be honest, this is the closest things they will ever have to a pet (besides their cute, quiet fish). When we told the kids they were so excited that they could each pick a duckling out and bring them home.

We went to the feed store with Mari and it was full of new born little animals. The kids each picked out a duckling and then Jackson noticed another cute little friend. I must admit, the Guinea Hens were also very cute. Jackson asked if we could also bring one of those home. So we also brought home two Guinea Hens. I'm such a sucker!

Mari came back to our house and helped me set up their new home with food, water and a heat lamp. Both the hens and the ducklings were only 2 days old, so they needed to be under a lamp 24 hours a day. Jackson wanted to be a big helper and got all of the water and poured the food into the dish.

Then Jackson and Aubrin each had a chance to hold their new little friends. They were both a little nervous, but after a few minutes they seemed to be more at ease. Mari told the kids that they needed to think of names. Jackson knew right away what he wanted to name his- Robin and Joey. Aubrin had to think a bit and she said "Minne and Daisy." Sounded perfect!

Mari said these little friends grow fast...we shall see!

A Team of His Own

Jackson was so excited to hear that Todd and I signed him up for t-ball. "Now I can have a team of my own", were the first words out of Jackson's mouth. Todd and I did not plan for Jackson to play t-ball. Jackson does great hitting a ball when we pitch to him and really hasn't shown a lot of interest in hitting from a tee. One of the dads in Jackson's preschool class said that he was putting a team together and four of the boys in Jackson's class were going to be on the team and asked if Jackson would like to be part of it as well. Todd and I thought it would be great for him to be with his buddies, especially because they are all going to kindergarten together in the fall, but also for Jackson to take coaching instruction from someone other than dad. Jackson was more than thrilled to hear that he was going to be playing ball with his buddies and the best part of the whole thing- he was going to get a shirt with a number on it! Jackson loves his Hotrod shirt and he loves that it has the number 10 on the back. Jackson has practice twice a week. Once games start they will take the place of the practices. Todd has practice with his team, so Aubrin and I get to take him to practice. Being on a baseball field is a typical day in our family. Jackson thought for sure he needed to bring his bat bag with his metal bat, helmet, batting gloves and glove to practice. That's what every four year old comes to t-ball practice with- right? Jackson is very serious about packing up his bag before practice and making sure he has all of his things. After the first couple of practices we noticed that few more little guys started bringing bat bags and their own bats. I love seeing all of the little guys walk in with bags that they could fit in.
Jackson is so excited to have his first game!

Easter Week

The kids have both been so excited for Easter. The week before Easter they started to decorate the house for the "Easter Party" we were going to have. By Wednesday Jackson and Aubrin had decorated the house and organized games that should be played at the party. Jackson and Aubrin decided that our Easter party couldn't wait until Easter. They wanted to have it Wednesday night. So after dinner Jackson and Aubrin did a few dances that they practiced and sang a few songs. Jackson played the guitar and Aubrin sang- it was spectacular. We also played limbo-Jackson's game of choice. After the games we did a few family crafts. Wow, Jackson and Aubrin really know how to throw a party:)That night they decided to call grandma and grandpa Olenech and invite them over for another Easter party on Friday. We weren't going to see my mom and dad on Easter this year, so the kids thought this would be a great way to celebrate with them.On Friday evening grandma and grandpa came over. The kids hid foam eggs that they decorated for my mom and dad to find. It was more like my mom and dad following the kids while they showed them where they hid them. Then the kids opened their Easter baskets from my parents. Of course, always excited about the goodies they get from grandma and grandpa. After dinner we colored eggs. Jackson carefully put his eggs in the water and waited patiently, while Aubrin dropped hers in from color to color cracking most of them. After egg coloring Jackson got an extra surprise from grandma and grandpa...new golf clubs. These weren't an Easter present, but it seemed like a great time for them to give them to Jackson with spring coming. Jackson was more than thrilled when he opened them. He couldn't believe that he got his very own metal clubs!!!! On Easter we got up early! The kids were both so excited to see what the Easter Bunny left them in their baskets. They were both so excited to get all of their new gardening tools and wheels barrows. Then we went on a hunt through the house. Both were on a mission to find the eggs and find them quickly. After our hunt we had a yummy breakfast and then off to church. Church was so packed. It was nice to sit with the Campau's and be able to share part of the morning with them. Once we were home Jackson and Todd headed to the course to try out the new clubs. Later in the day we headed to Todd's parents house for a great day. It was so fun to have all of the cousins together to hunt for eggs in the backyard. Grandma color coded all of the eggs for each child. Jackson had to find baseball and basketball eggs and Aubrin had to find purple and pink swirled eggs. Aubrin stuck with Uncle Scott for the egg hunt and Jackson felt pretty confident he could find his on his own. Aubrin and Jackson were both excited to open their Easter baskets from grandma and papa. We had a yummy dinner and then celebrated Andrew and Anthony's birthday- it was a busy day!


When we got home everyone was tired from such a long day. We took baths, read books and all got a good night sleep.

Dear Grandma...

I write this with a very heavy heart this evening as my Grandma Olenech peacefully left us today. I feel very blessed to have had such a wonderful woman in my life for the past 34 years. My grams was a lady full of life and full of love and wanted to share it with everyone around her.

My mom, dad, Uncle Chris, Aunt Maryls and Aunt Ellen have spent most of the past two weeks at the hospital making sure my grandma was never alone and feeling scared. They held her hand, rubbed her head and told her stories. I know that my Grandma knew that she was so loved by all of her children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

I spent some time with my grandma at the hospital last week. I loved sitting in her room holding her hand and telling her stories and showing her the most recent pictures of Jackson and Aubrin. Her eyes lit up with joy as I showed her pictures of the kids, as they always have done when their names are mentioned or when she would spend time with them.

Jackson and Aubrin loved their Great Grandma. Each time we saw her they would both have something for her that they made, usually being some type of fancy jewelry with mismatched beads. But you better believe that each time we saw her she would always have all of that mismatched jewelry on. I feel very lucky that Jackson and Aubrin had the honor of spending time and loving their great grandma and I know that my Grams felt equally as blessed to have them on her life.

I have so many wonderful memories of my grandma from when I was very young, having sleepovers at her house, playing Pickle on the sidewalk and always getting yummy desserts...even when I didn't finish my dinner. I remember coming home from MSU for the weekend and my Grams would always have two or three shopping bags full of food for me to take back with me to share with all of the girls. My most recent memories of my Grams is just spending evenings at her house having dinner with the kids. We kept it very simple over the past couple of years as she didn't always feel well.

As I left the hospital on Saturday I knew that my grandma and I were sharing our last good bye with each other. Although my grams is not here with me, I know that I now have a new angel looking down on our family, keeping us well and guiding us through the new adventures life will bring us.

I love you Grandma.

Spring Break Part 2

This week we heard that the animals at Kensington Farm had their babies. That farm is one of Jackson and Aubrin's favorite places. We bundled up and went to take a peek for ourselves. The farm was packed with families. We walked around for a bit, did a few of the activities upstairs in the barn and then headed home for lunch. As we were driving home Jackson says, "Mom, pigs can't get married, right?" He clearly already knew the answer, but was waiting for some type of reaction from me. I answered,"Only people get married." Next question, "If pigs can't get married, then why do they have piglets together and live in the same pen?" So I explained that animals can't get married and they have different animal rules.... he seemed happy with that answer.

We have had more rainy days, so we have played inside, stayed in jammies until early afternoon and just enjoyed our time home.

Saturday was Michele's 40th birthday. It was so nice to get everyone together and go to dinner and have an adult night out. It was unbelievable that almost everyone was able to make it~ we missed you Mike and Tony! When I called home to check in on the babes my mom said that both Jackson and Aubrin were not feeling well. Aubrin was feeling a bit warm and Jackson had a fever. I was so bummed for Jackson because he was so excited for my mom and dad to come over. He and my dad were making a very special project together. Yes, they got to finish, but Jackson was not feeling well and I'm sure not as energetic about it as he wanted to be. (Special project to come later.) We headed home and sure enough we had a little guy that was not feeling well at all. Aubrin was already in bed, but Jackson was snuggling on the couch with his grandma. Both kids woke up this morning back to feeling good.

Good thing, because today was opening day for Lakeland Baseball. Jackson was so excited to get the day started. He started pretty early at the field with Todd getting it ready, while Aubrin and I headed out to Costco and Target. Jackson truly feels that he is on the baseball team as he did last year. He got his Lakeland shirt on, packed up his baseball bag and was ready to go. He headed right to the dugout and stayed put for most of the afternoon. Aubrin and I played soccer, took a couple walks and played with Sara and Hannah Porter. The Porter's have turned into great family friends. Brian coaches with Todd and my kids have fallen in love with his three girls. Jessica their oldest has recently started babysitting for us. Jackson and Aubrin are always asking if Todd and I are going out in hopes that Jess may be coming over.

I was not really prepared for the weather today, so my babes both have pink cheeks. I guess I need to add sunscreen to the shopping list. It was a great way to end our week off.

Spring Break Part 1

This week Todd and I are off work for spring break. It has been great to have time at home and just hang out. Every year we debate if we should go out of town, but this week is always the calm before the storm for our family. Starting next week baseball is in full swing...games, practice and trying to find time as a family. So we tend to take this week as a relaxing one at home just enjoying the simple life. Last week Erin and the kids were in town. It was such a crazy week that we didn't even see them until Saturday, the day before they left. We got together to celebrate Will, Emerson and Erin's birthday. It was so much fun watching the kids play together. They were RUNNING around my parents house having a great time and being so silly. This week has been a bit chilly and rainy. We have been able to get outside here and there, but most activities have been indoor. Of course we have been baking and creating a mess in the kitchen. We took the kids to their first Pistons game. Eric and Mary called and said they had a few extra tickets and asked if we wanted to join them. Aubrin was in love with the loud dance music and the cheerleaders. She could not take her eyes off of them. Jackson had a great time chatting with his buddy Camden and watching the game. Both of the kids thought the introductions were great with the loud music and fire. Today we were able to get outside and play!!!! The weather was beautiful and the grass has dried up a bit. Jackson headed to the baseball field with Todd for a bit and Aubrin pulled every toy possible out of the garage. She also played a bit in the clubhouse. Later we got out bikes and zipped around a bit.