The Ringstrom Family

Since I was something like five years old, I’ve been going to the Kentwood Public Library on Kalamazoo. I read children’s books, horse books, mystery books (I still remember my unbounded joy to discover a HORSE MYSTERY) plus all the teen classics of my day (THE CHOCOLATE WAR, A WRINKLE IN TIME, I AM THE […]

We decided to see how Lucky would do camping, and he did great! Iffy weather cleared up early, and despite getting lost at first (and driving over the Hardy Dam on the Muskegon River, which was kinda cool but scary) it was a great trip. At least, until Sam got stung by a hornet between […]

I checked on her at bedtime, and she was playing with the top of her stuffed cow’s head. She said, “I’m giving Cow* a haircut so he can be in the wedding tomorrow.” I said, “Oh? Who’s getting married?” “Cow’s not old enough to get married.” “I know, he isn’t. So who’s getting married then?” […]

So we woke up on a day with low humidity, pleasant warm air, cloudless skies, and lake water temps that, according to the newspaper, were in the 70s. Naturally we threw together a picnic lunch and headed for Saugatuck. Oval Beach is stunning, the water was so warm it was practically tropical, and the waves […]

So Sam was brushing his teeth without any clothes on. Bruce told him he’s too old to be running around with no clothes on. Sam protested he wasn’t naked. He was wearing socks. Bruce persisted, and told him to put his underwear back on. So Sam did. He came out wearing his underwear on his […]

This event was tailor-made for Sam and Daddy. At Van Andel Arena, an orchestra and choir performed the Star Wars music synced up with selected scenes, plus a laser light show, narration by Anthony Daniels (voice of C-3PO and the only character in all six movies) and a traveling museum exhibit with original costumes, plus […]

…party time. But first? Post-wedding tennis break for Sam and Papa.

… and the kids look really cute.

So when we moved in here, Sam was three years old, and obsessed with Thomas. His room before that was a bland rental which we didn’t decorate. The one before that was his nursery, done up in pastel classic Pooh. So I got all excited and painted his room in bright green and blue, with […]