26 Months

This has been a big month for us now that school and the football season are full underway. 

Most days between managing the papers, the schedules and trying to fit in a few moments of family time, Max and I feel like we're living in a game show, "Guess that Word." Both kids are in developmental phases that cause Max and I to constantly play investigator as we communicate with them.  

Ryan has fully embraced a love for words, writing and reading. We woke up this morning to find written signs taped to the doors telling us he's sick...we think. We also know this is a ploy to watch movies all morning. Literally, as I'm typing this, Max and Ryan are discussing what WE think it says and what HE thinks the sign says because he can't remember the 3 and 4th line... We'll see what we land on.

Elise has begun speaking in full sentences over the last two weeks. It struck me that this was happening when I picked her up from school and she explained to me that, "I no listen." To? "Ms. Melissa." And what did you do about it? "I sorry." Her teacher confirmed this is what happened the next day. [Oh no, Ryan just asked ME what his sign says.] She's also singing her ABCs, although LMNOP is basically just a sound that ends in P. But we'll get there.

Thinking Max and I can be U.N. translators for Halloween.

On to the pics since they tell the tales better than I. And there's lots of tales to tell. Hope each of you is well and getting ready for hibernation. It seems winter is on it's way!

Love Court, Max, Ryan + Elise

NORTHVIEW FOOTBALL

Max has fully embraced his role as head coach. He's handling it really well, considering his phone is constantly chirping. (Whomever invented texting certainly never had 85 players with parents and wanted to eat a meal in peace.) There are two games left this season and already the Wildcats have a winning record. One more win and we head to playoffs for only the second time in school history.

I got to be on the sidelines shooting for two games when our regular photographer had to have surgery. It was really fun to see all that goes on behind the scenes. And to better understand just how much energy these coaches expend on a Friday night. It was also a great diversion from me sitting in the stands and worrying!

I am so excited that Max's first year of coaching coincides with the 50th anniversary of Northview Football. Here's Max congratulating the team after their first win.

A snap of us pre-game against Cedar Springs. It was a huge game and resulted in our second loss. (The previous night we caught the other team illegally taping our practice so it felt like there was a lot to prove.)

FLAG FOOTBALL

Ryan played flag for the first time this year. We choose to have him play in Northview's league since when he's older, those are the boys he'll play with. (We plan to have the kids go to Northview for their upper grades). This was their final game and we made a parent tunnel to welcome the kids onto the field.

Competition was fierce. Many of the kids were playing for their second year. Additionally, Ryan was the only 5 year old, so there was a learning curve....

 like knowing which direction to run when you have the ball...Coach Chad was VERY patient.

 Heisman Form.

Ryan's first game in the big stadium. I'm sure in 10 years we'll look back on this and compare it to him standing in pads with the same backdrop and substantially more height.

Elise is fully immersed in "Butball" as she calls it. Most games she'll play with the other kid around, but she always stops to watch the play.

 Northview tough.

 Ryan may have some skill work to do, but he has the soul of a gladiator...for a 5 year old.

ELISE TIME

I am continuing to be home on Tuesday's and Friday's so this has afforded me full days with Elise for the first time since she was born. It's been amazing for our relationship and it takes me back to what our lives looked like back when Ryan was this little (why did we think one baby was hard :)?

One of our first adventures was heading to Meijer Garden. We took a long walk and saw parts of the park we'd never visited before (sad after 5 years of membership...but those darn boats in the kid's garden are just so fun!)

Sadly for Elise, her "Daddy Phase" has started right during the season. It's been a bit rough on the kids, but they're finally getting used to the pace. Most weeks, Elise does not see Max at all on Thursday's or Friday's so I am very grateful for the days home to help compensate. It's all working out well.

A big part of me being able to support Max and keep the kids feeling connected has been my parents participation. Elise has only been to one game, but spends most Friday's with my parents so I can attend. Ryan also has stayed home since by the end of a full week of kindergarten he is whipped. (Kirstyn and Abby have also helped out on game nights and we are very grateful!)

Some general sweetness. Her hair is coming in curly!

 I just love her rosy little cheeks here.

 Elise thinks she's a big girl wearing her backpack anywhere she can. Here we are on the White Pine trail taking a walk.

 She was a bit shocked that she missed her mouth and plopped yogurt on her forehead.

 Little Miss's first trip to the library.

 "Naked is a State of Mind." - Luscious Jackson + Elise Kerry

 Auntie K made it to watch flag football, but mainly I think it was to cuddle this one.

 She's doing big girl things like swimming in the neighbor's pool and building with blocks.

She has a boot and shoe addition. And loves to write on herself whenever the markers are out (so in other words, every day).

 Fashionista.

This is our "Potty Pic" series. She's dabbling in it and doing well. We're very low pressure about it. She's also had some stomach issues lately. We ended up at Devos Children's a few weeks back for a barium enema test since they thought she had a blockage. Thankfully the test cleared things up and she's on a new treatment of daily Miralax. 

BRIAN + MALORIE'S WEDDING

After the Cedar Springs game, we hopped in a car, headed to Detroit, slept for 4 hours and boarded a plane to Ithaca (ok, to Philly, then Ithaca.) With 3 hours to spare, we headed north to prep Max to stand up in his Brother's wedding!

The day could not have been any more beautiful or emotional as we welcomed Mal to our family officially. It was so much fun.

Though Max's tux was about 7 sizes too large, it just added to the joy as we laughed it off and made the best of it. Here we are with Max's dad, Bill and Patti.

ART PRIZE

Our favorite Grand Rapids event is just wrapping up today, ARTPRIZE. We had a blast touring the town and finding visual treasures as we went.

Ryan loved the Dragon Fortress outside the Ford Museum. And here's our annual, Blue Bridge photo.

Elise scored a "Red Thread" from one of the installations (meant to educate people on human trafficking, though to her it was just a piece of string.)

Ryan on the search for "Chippy," the kids name for any squirrel they see.

 Max and his kiddos.

 Me and my Little Miss at Devos Place.

We've taken a few different trips downtown to get in some art. One time just Elise and I.

Another as a follow-up to the dentist.

Afterwards, we came home and the kids were really inspired to make art. It was surprising to me how they internalized it...It had been cold and they were whiney the entire time. This made it all worth it to me.

MUFFINS WITH MOM

Ryan's school hosts a morning for us to shadow our kids. Most of it was around making art (Yes, Ryan drew that bunny all on his own.)

They also had all sorts of sweet drawings and fill in the blank activities about their moms. It was amazing to see how much responsibility Ryan has in the classroom. And I was grateful that he thinks I'm 30 :)

PLAYTIME

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Ryan.

Adventures at the sand pit behind our house.