Winding down our summer

Friday, very early, we made a test run through our start of school schedule. Other than forgetting to allow time to make and pack lunch and a healthy snack, we did fine. I just *know* I'll forget that!!

Later in the afternoon, we went for a game of bowling. Lots of fun! I won with a massive score of 89! And yes, that's with bumpers. Amazing folks, just amazing.

Today, Saturday, my inlaws came to town. While Gene watched the boys, Dot & I went to Great Lakes Crossing to enjoy about 5 hours of shopping! We tried on coats that neither of us bought, looked in tons of stores where we bought nothing and just plain enjoyed each other's company. Good times.

For dinner, Gene brought the boys up to GLC for dinner at The Rainforest Cafe. We even ran into my bestest friend Tiffany and her family there! The boys really enjoyed the place and Payton loved his Papa Gene for allowing him to have a 32oz ICEE and a HUGE dessert. God bless the grandparents.

After a nice dinner, Tiffany and I and our familes went to the MPA (that's Mall Play Area for you non-parents) and let the kids run out what energy they had left before heading home to put everyone to bed.

(If you look you can see Maxwell trying to get in the picture to the right of Nate.)

It's been a good weekend so far. I hope tomorrow is just as great and Monday too. Tuesday is the start of a whole new world for us.

Too Grown Up

Today, was the last day for playgroup as we've known it for the last 4 years.

Back in May of 2004, a few moms got together for a one time playdate. Or so we thought. Little did we know that we would soon become a group of moms who met on a weekly basis to hang out and talk while our kids played.

We've met just about once a week for every week for the last four years. We've watched the kids grow into little people and big siblings. We've talked preschool, temper tantrums, eating issues, sleeping issues, pooping issues...everything! We've watched these little ones become friends and at time enemies.

Now our little babes are starting kindergarten. Our groups will have to meet in the evening when the kiddos are home from school. It won't be weekly. Maybe not even bi-weekly. I'm sure the kids will miss their times together. But what a great four years it's been for them!!

K-K-K...Kindergarten *sob*

O.k., so I'm not sobbing, but it is hard to believe that in one week, my little baby boy will be starting kindergarten. So hard to believe.

Tonight we had his school orientation. He'll be attending a National Heritage Academy about 3.5 miles from our house. It's a charter school that focuses strongly on morals, values and pillars of good citizenship. He'll be attending full day, which is a BIG change for us. We've been afternoon preschooler for two years.


The school put on a great program tonight. It started with a "scavenger hunt" to find the music, art and media rooms. The final stop was his teacher's room where Payton finally got to meet her; Ms. McCoy. She's a second year teacher who seems to really "get" kindergarten. She has a lot of great ideas and I think that she will be a great match for Payton.


After that, we spent about 10 minutes in her class before the parents left the kids in her care and we headed out to have a meeting about school procedures and the arrival/dismissal parking situation. Wow. That will be a challenge!!!


Finally, we completed our evening with dinner. The students ate pizza with their teachers while the parents ate burgers and hot dogs with the rest of the staff. It really was a great night. We got to see the staff that knows us by name and were so happy to see us. I think we have a GREAT year ahead of us.

Payton & Ms. McCoy, his teacher ------------------------------- Payton & Ms. Dowker, his principal

Pictures from our travels

Maxwell didn't like the water

Maxwell & cousin, Sarah

Payton & cousins, Sarah & Brittney

The boys & their cousins; Spencer, Brittney & Sarah





My mom & Payton

Uncle Damon holding Max, Stephanie holding Payton & Uncle Jason

Papa Bear & Gmaw, Payton & Max

Tales of Travel Time

My last post descriped the first half of my week away, the last half was more of the same. More shopping (gosh, I love to shop) and spending time with family.

We went to a Cleveland Indians game with my parents, two of my three brothers and my little brother's girlfriend, Stephanie. Thankfully, the game was fast moving and over fairly quickly. The boys did well and we changed them into pjs in the parking garage before heading home. It was a good adventure for them.

More shopping, more eating, more fun and family.

Friday, I packed up the boys and dropped them in Toledo with my inlaws before driving the rest of the way back home. I had a great night Friday with two of my dearest friends. Nothing can compare to time with people who really "GET" you!

Saturday, Matt and worked long and hard at repairing the fence that our dog has been trying to get under. It was a feat, but with great results. We need to put a new gate on it, but the fence itself looks 100% better! And we did it without arguing or complaining (too much).

We rewarded ourselves by heading into Mt. Clemens for the "Bath City Festival" where we had dinner at Luigi's Downtown. It was alright. I've had better food and service, so I don't think we'll be going back. After, we shared an ice cream cone and watched the fireworks. When that was over, we decided to wander around for awhile until it started to rain and we found a place called "Fritti's" to seek cover. Upstairs in the loft, was a great local acoustic band that we listened to for a couple of hours while waiting for the rain to pass.

It didn't pass. When we were finally really ready to leave, we got caught in another downpour and I ended up running through the streets barefoot to our car. My sandals were not made to get wet and were very slippery. It was a fun end to our night.

Sunday, we went to Great Lakes Crossing to finish up Payton's school uniform (which I ended up returning most of it today..ugh. This kid is so hard to fit!). Matt decided to make a big purchase and bought me a ring to replace the engagement ring I lost (twice) before we got married. I love it and it means a lot to me that he wanted to do it, not just because I asked him to.

From there, we went to meet Matt's parents to get the boys.

Today, we hung out with friends for a "back to school" playdate. Probably our last until October. It's so sad that our kids are going to be at school full days...it really changes my social schedule.

The rest of this week is more of the same....

I'm still here

I'm here and I'm around, I've just been incredibly busy since my last post.
Berea, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; back to Michigan.
Great times with family, friends and loved ones.
I'll update soon and post pictures of our travels.
It might be a bit though...school starts a week from Tuesday and we're finishing up getting ready...