The Van Dyk Family: Whew! It's March!

Time keeps moving and my blog just can't keep up! Since I welcomed Merritt into the family we have been very busy. Sometimes I don't notice how much busier three kids makes me, but then I think about how long it's been since I took pictures of the kids, or blogged, or wrote someone a letter and I realize how much life has changed- for the moment anyway. We also moved in December. A few days before Christmas we packed up our essentials and moved our beds so that we could spend Christmas in the new house. Even though I thought Landon was crazy when he started moving stuff I'm so glad we didn't wait any longer. We love living here!

I've been very slow to unpack everything- and when we find a book or a toy that we haven't seen in a few months the kids get so excited! The other day we "discovered" our Jesus Storybook Bible and Hale and Zetta crawled in bed and read it together (along with some Valentines candy). Hale can't read yet- but his memory is good so he can pretty much ad lib the story from any book we have on the shelf. Tonight he retold the story of a cowardly raccoon- from a book that we checked out of the library last year! His mind is growing so fast- it's amazing (and scary) how much information his brain is soaking up at this stage of life. Hale and I have recently started reading some chapter books together in the afternoon while the girls nap. It's really fun, though it's sometimes difficult for me to stay awake! We flew through Charlotte's Web and now we're onto the Freddy the [pig] Detective stories. Turns out Hale really has a thing for anthropomorphic pigs.

Zetta is still her sweet self and becoming more verbal by the day! She delights in pointing out the obvious, and her voice is so cute that it doesn't get tiring to any of us. Not that she isn't occasionally contrary. She is often upset with Hale and has perfected a very pathetic cry and also a very shrill scream! She has an amazing attention span and impeccable fine motor skills. Though she's a very "busy" two-year-old, she doesn't run all over the place like Hale did. Zetta is "busy" by taking apart our remote controls, slowly disassembling lego projects, completely emptying and unpacking my purse and wallet, patiently hiding small supplies from the bathroom and kitchen (a bag of oral b flossing sticks or cascade dishwasher tabs) all over the house. It is less stressful in a way, because she is often quiet with her mischief, but I've had some exasperating surprises the last few months. She benefits from the fact that she gives wonderful hugs and kisses so it is difficult to hold a grudge.

Showing me what color her eyes are- "Bwue!"

Zetta is very particular about making sure nothing is stuck in between her toes

Merritt is five months which is such a sweet time of development. She is so expressive and responsive that we finally see her personality coming through. She is more like Hale in her determination to "stand" on our laps and kick and roll around. She loves when Hale and Zetta talk to her. She is starting to settle into a little more of a routine so I (Becky) feel like things will be a little easier for awhile- until she starts to crawl.

Merritt's famous "worried look"

Merritt's favorite position- with her feet straight in the air

I already gave a little update on Hale. I can't believe he has kindergarten registration next week! Monday he turned 5! I was a little overwhelmed when I thought about how I was going to make his birthday special. We had many friends and family members that did a lot of work to make sure that Hale felt celebrated on his day. Thank you so much! We were so blessed by you and your thoughtfulness!