Christmas Fun

Ball Machine

A few years ago I purchased the ball machine. It was Sam's favorite toy and he would play with it for hours. But after only like 2 months, it broke. I sent an email to the company complaining, and they sent me a free one. Sam was very happy, however, after about a year the same thing happened- the fan that pushes the balls around stopped working. I didn't do anything; we'd had a good run. But a few weeks ago I thought, why not mention it again and see if they have fan replacements? So I did- it was a pleasent email saying we liked the toy a lot...and they sent us anotehr one- a better newer version. The boys LOVE it. Sam doesn't want to do anything but play with it!

Grandpa and Grandma's house

Sam sort of knows what Christmas is, but for him, the most exciting thing is seeing his grandparents...3 MORE SLEEPS UNTIL WE GO TO THE NUMBER 6 HOUSE!!!!!

Winter time fun? ??

A Rare occurence

At this time, my boys are playing together downstairs...they have been doing it for like 20 minutes. I keep waiting for the screaming

Baby Raising Philosophies

As many of you know I like to read about different parenting styles and just do a lot of research on what is right for our kids. I feel it is important to remember that doctors aren't perfect and not always up to date on what is best. Therefore, i think it is important for parents to do some research/reading of their own rather than just doing as their doctor says.

Recently I have been having discussions with several of my friends about feeding schedules and the Baby Wise methods, I have also been talking to some of you about co-sleeping.

Today I found some interesting articles about what we believe, or rather try to do (no one is perfect!). Here is a quote: "What has come to be known as “Attachment Parenting” more often develops children who actually become more independent, as well as healthier and more psychologically secure." For more information about check out the article (there is even some info about cosleeping!) Evidence Supports Natural Instinctual Parenting.

I also found information about BabyWise (very strict feeding and sleeping schedules), a philosophy that, well "bothers" me...here is an article that I found interesting. On Becoming Babywise: A flawed parenting philosophy? And interesting quote: "...Alarm bells went off when doctors began seeing more and more infants who were showing signs of failure to thrive, poor weight gain, and dehydration."

Just thought I would share some thoughts since I have been chatting with several of you about this!

Cookies and more...

Sam helped me make pumpkin cookies today! He was great at putting the sprinkles on. Meanwhile...Josh found Sam's hat and Sam's favorite block puzzle and was having a grand ole time!

More about our life....another great article

A discussion we have often among friends.....debt. Here is a great article from USA Today, 11/20/2006: Young people struggle to deal with kiss of debt

Emerging Hidden Addiction

There is a great article about gambling among high school and college age students in the November 2006 issue of Spectrum, a publication of the Chickering Group which discusses current issues in student health. The article basically discusses how since 2002 "the increase in college age gamblers has almost doubled." At this time this most current issue is not available on chickering website so I took the time to type out some interesting things from the article: "The Human Face of High School and College Gambling."

• A 16-year-old bet his four year savings ($6,000) in onde day on lottery and lost. He attempted suicide by slashing his wrist with a razor.
• A 19-year-old sold his car to return to the casino to win back his losses.
• a high school athlete was distraught over owing money to a bookmaker. He couldn't pay the $800 he owed and was on the roof of his apartment building contemplating suicide, his mother stopped him.
• a 15 year-old was taken for a ride and dropped off 15 miles from home to pressure him into paying a $1200 debt he lost to a student bookie in school.
• An 18-year-old was killed after an argument over money. Fambling debts owed froma dice game led to his shooting death.
• a 17-year-old high school student, who owed a bookie $1400, broke into a house to steal jewelry and money and was surprised by the owners presence, a widow. He panicked and hit her. She died. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
• An outstanding Division I college football player was kicked off the team and out of school for booking bets on professional football teams.
• An ex-college athlete fixed Division I basketball games and was subsequently sentenced to prison.

The article continues to discuss ways to address this new "emerging and growing"addiction. As a parent, and a very competetive one, it made me realize that even the most innocent appearing games and competetion can, over time, make a person lean towards more compulsive ways to work out their competetive behaviour. Perhaps 3-year-olds shouldn't have such a desire to win?

Hunter

I am a bit late in posting this, but a few weeks ago Hunter got really really sick....so my mom made the tough decision to have him put down. While Hunter may have been weak in his old age with his cataracts and all, he was a great dog to me through high school and college. Later, he was by far Sam's favorite activity and grandpa and nana's house!

Josh and food coloring...oops!

and cars

DSCN0422
Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

cars...

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Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

cars

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Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

Pablo!

Pablo!
Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

A pirate says AARG!

A pirate says AARG!
Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

Eureka!!

Eureka!!
Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

We love our wagon!

We love our wagon!
Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

Too cute for words

Too cute for words
Originally uploaded by rvscutie.

Christmas!

I love Christmas! I love giving gifts, getting gifts, and best of all spending extra time with family. It is tradition for the VanSchepen's to email a Christmas list to everyone. For myself and Sam, this is not a problem In fact, I have lots of ideas for Sam...there is this DVD and there is that game and there are all sorts of other items that I think would be really neat. It's easy for Sam cause he gets to an age we don't have toys for yet...but Josh. Well, we just don't need that many more items for him, yet it is his first Christmas that will be fun! So, I can ask for this and I can ask for that, but he really doesn't need anything! I wish I knew of some great toy out there that we don't have that he would love...suggestions?

Sleep and Sam?

Today, at work, I am exhausted and not getting much done...we have been letting Sam skip his nap and than go to bed at 8:30. It has been nice not having him up till 10, but two nights in a row he woke up at like 3 and 4 AM and was awake until like 6:30!! He gets out of bed and wants to read books, listen to music, or go downstairs!! Why do my children not sleep at night?????

Helping Daddy and Brotherly Love

State Champs!!!

Congratulations to the Holland Christian Girls Tennis team on winning state, AGAIN! What a great coach! Congrats Coach Knoester! We look forward to seeing you in the Tulip time parade...and Sam will most certainly ride along with you!

To read about the championship see the Grand Rapids Press article.

A Day at the Gardens

Saturday was such a beautiful day that we packed up some lunch and headed to Meijer Gardens. We spent several hours there and just had a really enjoyable time.

Brothers

Brothers: Sam a couple weeks after his first birthday and Josh just before his first birthday. At the doctor today- Sam was still in the 75th to 90th percentile for kids his age. When Sam was 12 months, he weighed 25lbs and was 32 inches. Josh weighs 23 lbs and is 28 inches. So Josh is quite a bit smaller and he ranges in the 25th to 50th percentile for kids his age.

Josh's First Birthday

Josh had a great day! Thanks to all who made it soo special!

Outdoor Fun

Sparta Migrant Program

As many of you know, I am currently working in Sparta teaching ESL to some of the migrant workers. It is a great program and I am having so much fun. I am working with a lady named Deb, who is just great and her Spanish is much better than mine- which helps! I really could tell lots of fun stories, but I don't want this entry to be too long! I hope to take more pictures so keep an eye on the blog!

Crane's Apple Orchard

This past sunday we went to Crane's apple orchard with my parents. Sam loved picking apples, he had so much fun. He also likes helping us make applesauce!

Josh's First Steps

Josh took his first sequence of steps tonight. I captured it on video ... you will notice that Sam is in time-out and he hits his head during the video. I looked after him after I was done watching Josh :)

Josh Steps Video

Family pics

On Saturday we had our friend Emily Schreur come over and do a sort of family photo session. She is a wonderful photographer! The digital photos (she also did some film ones) turned out really well! If you want to catch a sneak preview check them out on her website at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanemily/sets/72157594276748518

I am sure I will eventually post some on here too!

Meijer Gardens

We went to Meijer Gardens with Grandpa and Grandma on Saturday and had such a great time. Sam loved the children's park so much we bought a membership for a year! Than on Tuesday we went and enjoyed a great concert.