Happy Birthday AGAIN

Jakes friend birthday was on Saturday, June 28th. He picked who he wanted: Charles, Xander, Tyler, Ryan and Amaya. (Dawson couldn't come) He then wanted to go mini golfing, have an R2D2 cake, and have a pinata. All wants were filled and he was a happy boy.

Playing musical chairs.

Opening presents.

Ahhh, the Darth Vader pinata.

The kids all had a great time. What a successful 5th birthday for Jake. (this was his first official friends birthday party)

R2D2

Jake really wanted a Star Wars themed party this year for his 5th birthday. Right now he loves R2D2, so that is what he picked for his friend party. I decided to try another cake, so here it is......

This is just a pic of Amaya and Jake hugging for no apparent reason. It is nice to have captured, because more often than not, they are fighting and Amaya says that she doesn't like him. I don't know why, I think it is just a little brother thing, but it breaks my heart. This picture just mended it a little.

Dr. Steinhardt

Jake went to the urologist on Monday, June 23rd. Dr Steinhardt said that he won't need surgery on that retractable testicle and that it is somewhat normal (in his eyes, being a pediatric urologist), and that he sees quite a few of these types of cases in his office. When we went to see Dr. Galvin, he said that any muskegon surgeon would have probably done it without any hesitation. I am so glad that we went to GR to the specialist!!! What a great present that was for Jake, not that he realizes anything of what was going on, but we are so happy about this! Poor Jakers has had multiple problems with his manhood since birth, all within the norm, but a little out of the ordinary for our liking. Hopefully that is the end of having to see a urologist, or any other type of specialist for that matter!

Catching Butterflies

Just some fun time outside with Ryan. We saw this butterfly on our driveway, and Ryan tried to pick him up so he flew away. After that he got out the butterfly net and was walking around trying to catch him.

6-14-2008

Tommy Turtle

This is Tommy the turtle, he comes to our house every year! We have been seeing him for about 5 years. We know that it is him, because he has a red painted mark on his back.

We never actually see any babies, and I am not sure if Tommy is really a boy, or a girl? He just comes out of the woods, then goes back in. So, til next year....goodbye.

Ryan was sleeping when Tommy visited this year. Maybe he'll be back soon, but who knows. I am sure Ryan will see him again.

6-18-2008

This is a horrible picture, but it is of the first time that we saw Tommy. Amaya was 2, and Jake was like a week old.

Happy 5th Birthday Jakers!

My little Jake, Jakers, Bubba, JJ, Jaker Jo, Jo Jo, Butter Bug, Bug Bug, turned 5 this week. That just seems too old, like kindergarten old. It seems like just yesterday we were in the hospital having him after my water broke at 2am, 3 weeks early. Jake has grown in to a sweet, rambunctious little man. He is a lover with a temper. He is a hugger. He is passionate. He is a cuddler. He is talker. He is active. He is a leader. He is strong. He is a stinker. He is sneaky. He is charismatic. He is my little Jake.

This kid will talk to anyone, he will hug anyone. He will even tell people, "I'm a hugger", then hug them. He is strong willed and stubborn. He has been quite a handful for us doing his sneaking, writing on walls, etc....boy stuff. But he is also such a lover. He is quick to cuddle in the morning, or just say..."You know what Mom? I love you" It is so sweet. It has been fun seeing him grow with a little brother. He tries to give all his experiences to Ryan as he is getting them, even if it is something that is not age appropriate for Ryan, example...starbursts, or skittles. He is a great big brother. He really is a good little brother. He just loves Amaya and is always thinking of her if she is not around to enjoy something that he is.

He is going to young 5's next year for kindergarten. This was daunting decision. I know that he is smart, but he can't keep his mouth shut. He blurts stuff out, not inappropriate, but just can't control it enough to keep it in. He is such a character to just hang out with, and many people say that he is such a great little guy to talk to. He loves school, and loves all his teachers. He is able to follow directions, but is just not ready for regular kindergarten. Scott is happy about the young 5's thing because he thinks that it will give him an edge when it comes to sports. (I think most men think this way) Plus, he won't be the youngest in his graduating class, won't be the first to drive, and won't be behind in classes. If anything, it will give him a bit of an upper hand with the scholastic side. Hey, who wouldn't like to have a leg up on anything if they could?
I am excited for him to be 5. I seems like that is a turning age to me, like 5 just makes him seem like a big boy. Four is still preschool, so much younger. I know it is just a number, yet it makes me envision a much older boy. I can't wait to see what this 5th years brings for him.


The big thing that Jake really wanted this year was a light saber, like on Star Wars. Granny and Papa got it for him. (we had one for him too, but we forgot to give it to him on his birthday) He also got Better Batter Baseball, which he loves, a Darth Vader costume, which he loves, Star Wars Legos, which he loves, and money, which he also loves. (oh, a new basketball outfit, star wars shirt, and mario shirt)

He loved everything. He is such a joy. We love you Jake and are proud of the little man that you are becoming! Happy Birthday!

Taste of Muskegon

Saturday night, after the garage sale, we went to "Taste of Muskegon" downtown. It was a last minute thing after an invitation from Jen. The weather was awesome, and Jake and Amaya were at G & G's. We only had Ryan, oh how easy it was just to have one kid with us. We had many tastes, from many different restaurants in the area, and boy were they yummy! The kids had fun, and even found a cool brick wall to walk in front of. It was such a great backdrop for a photo op. Cute Buggy.

Hangin' with Evan.

Cute Hailey.

Ryan and Hailey picked clover and tried to blow it like dandelion seeds. Ahh, the innocence.
Check out the cool photographer in the reflection of Hay Bay's sun glasses.

Spence and Evan doing their water shots and wasting all the water. Oh well, they were having so much fun.

The Klairter clan.

Garage Sale

So, I had a garage sale last weekend, (6-21-2008) the bridge on my road is closed, causing a detour and I think it hampered my profits. I only made $150.00. I keep hearing how other people make like $1000, and don't know how that is possible. I would love that! It sure was nice to get rid of some of the bigger stuff (translate kid stuff) that takes up room around here. It is unbelievable how much stuff we have accrued over the last 7 years. I didn't even put 1/4 of the stuff that we have into the garage sale. I only put in the stuff that we so obviously do not need to keep. I am very thankful for my much needed space after the sale:)

Jake sharing his homemade juice pop with Hailey and Ryan. What a nice boy!

Ryan's Lugger

Ryan's Lugger....We got Ryan a new electric car to ride on. We have had many different hand me downs of these cars, (Barbie Jeep, Caterpillar tractor, Harley Davidson motorcycle) all of which have died and been unable to recharge. So this year, I put the rest in the garage sale, and bought this. It is an early birthday present (bday is in Sept), but I want him to be able to enjoy it all summer. We got Jake and Amaya big, outdoor stuff for their 2nd birthdays, so now is Ryan's turn. He can't really even drive it yet. He steers while Jake pushes the pedal, or he pushes the pedal, jerks himself, then cracks up. It is so cute. Plus, this car is full of juice enough to drive the big kids around too. They all have a ball in it.
Granny also has a lugger, it is really close in appearance to Ryan's. So cute!

At the ranch

This is a picture of Amaya that was taken on a Thursday night. She was supposed to have her riding lessons, but Gabs forgot :(
6-12-2008

Amaya was so sad. I had talked to Gabs the week before about bringing out my camera and taking some pictures, so we stayed and used her stuff!
Here is Amaya hanging with the horses. I really believe that she would stay there and watch, just pet or follow them around for an entire day.

The week after this, Amaya was able to spend an entire day at the ranch "helping out". This was her dream come true. She helped clean out stalls, replaced old shavings with new ones. Wheeled loads of manure to the "poop pile", went to the feed store, went to the vet, and went to Gabe's Aunt's house and check out a few goats with their kids. There were a total of 5 girls who went with, Amaya being the youngest. She was tired at the end of the day, but when I arrived to pick her up, she said... you're here already? She was there from 8am til 4pm, without any complaint.

Jake just looks like such a big kid in this picture. He is only 4 (almost 5).

Little Buggy Ryan on the swing.

It was fun to go out to a new site and use the props that are there. I love the old barn, grass, and swing.