Complete South Haven Photos

For those of you who want to see "Snyders in South Haven: the Uncut Version", go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104400&id=610621963&l=4e913a435c

Ethan's Success!

A few days ago, Ethan showed me a picture of a Thomas the Tank Engine playset that he liked. I myself liked it so much that I was trying to find a way to buy it for him before Christmas (and his birthday isn't until next year). I said to him, "You know what? If you go POO in the potty, Mommy will buy you a new Thomas playset." (Yes, I still refer to myself in the third person when I talk to Ethan.) The next morning, he reminded of my little promise. I said, "Yes, Ethan. If you go poo in the potty, Mommy will buy you a new Thomas." He promptly got up from the breakfast table, went to the bathroom, and 5 minutes later he came out triumphantly. "I did it!" he proclaimed. I was in total disbelief. Both David and I went into the bathroom, peered down the bowl and sure enough, our boy did it!

That morning, Daddy took him to our local Target and bought him the Thomas toy of his choice.



With the start of the new school year, we've had to buy some supplies for Ethan's "playschool". It's a Mom's Morning Out program that allows moms to drop off their kids for three hours of structured playtime and learning time. It's a ministry by a local church, and frankly it's cheaper than babysitting! Both Kate and Ethan will attend this year.




He was so interested in his school supplies that we had to break into the stash of watercolors and give it a try. He really liked painting!

His "art smock" (an old t-shirt) was also a hit.

Ethan has been getting into all sorts of things lately. This is a little tote bag I made with my sewing machine. Apparently it does better as a hat!

I imagine we'll have to come up with more and more indoor activities with the cool weather coming. Any suggestions, just send them my way by posting a comment here!

10 Months

Ten months old already...I can't believe how quickly time flies. Kate's personality is coming out more and more each day, and her physical abilities are increasing, too! Lately, she's been standing up mostly on her own, sometimes with the help of furniture, sometimes not! It's amazing to see her balance herself like that! She can also take a step or two as she holds on to the furniture. I guess she'll be walking before too long!

The biggest personality trait I see in her right now is how vocal she is when she is upset! Often times I will gently take away something she shouldn't be playing with, and she SCREAMS in protest!

Other than that she is a delightful baby. She loves music, too. If she likes a song, she will clap her hands and laugh. Just last week at church, the care workers told me that she could hear the music from the service (and the congregation clapping), and she joined in enthusiastically. I'll get it on video and post it soon...

One Final Summer Excursion

In an effort to prolong what little vacation time we have left together, we decided to spend a night at Wildlife Prairie State Park in Peoria, IL. They have several things to do there, like hiking, fishing and seeing the various wildlife they have on display there. It's more of a wildlife preserve than a zoo. This was the first time Ethan had ever gone fishing, and to be quite honest, it felt like the first time for David and me! We borrowed a friend's fishing pole, bought some bait at a nearby gas station, and tried our luck at the pond outside our cottage. We rented what they called a "double cottage", which really was two mini silos connected together.


Ethan loved to climb up to the top bunk.

Our little cottage had everything you could need. Mini fridge, tiny stove, sink, microwave, coffee maker, tv, and bathroom. The separate bedroom had 3 trundle beds in there!

The highlight of the trip was riding on the little train that tours parts of the park. If you know our boy, he LOVES trains.

So, that's it. David goes back to work in just a few more days! Can't wait for the Fall and all the fun harvest festivities that await!

Leaving Michigan

On our way out of South Haven last year, we stopped at Van Buren State Park to do some hiking. We did the same thing this year, and I imagine this will continue to be a family tradition. The views are spectacular!

This year we actually hiked down to the shore for a little bit. The path down there and back is quite the workout, but well worth it :)

We then had lunch at none other than Ethan's favorite--McDonald's. Kate had her first taste of a cheeseburger...

Like her big brother, she prefers french fries...

ONE Day at the Beach

Well we made it to the beach! It certainly warmed up, but by the water it was still rather cool.



Kate IMMEDIATELY headed to the water. I didn't even have time to get situated, since she started crawling right into the surf! I wasn't sure how she would react to the water, but I didn't expect to be running after her! Luckily we brought her booster seat that has straps, so after some play time I strapped her down so she could stay put (and eat her lunch)!

After the beach we went home, everyone washed up...

and had a VERY long afternoon nap!

We decided to go out for dinner at our favorite Italian place here...Maria's. We then ended the evening with a long stroll down the harbor towards the lighthouse.

Ethan loves the beach! We do, too :) It's too bad that the weather is so cool! This is such a far cry from our vacation last year (scroll through my blog entries for August 2008) which had some good, hot days for swimming. We're just glad that we didn't book the entire week this year.

More tomorrow...

South Haven 2009

Welcome to the 2nd annual beach vacation in South Haven Michigan! It's COLD!

Usually by August you're guaranteed some hot weather along the lake, but it has been an atypical summer. Today we're going up to 80 (or 80 something), but for the rest of the week it will be in the 70's.

We've rented an old "cottage", and by that I mean a really old house! Here I am making some coffee this morning. More pictures to come. Looking west from our front porch, the water is only a block away!