Week 37

As I'm going back through this week, I can't really think of very many things that I feel are super important to record.  Of course, that makes me feel bad because I don't want a week to go by that I don't cherish memories of my family. . . instead, I think I just can't remember much.  In fact, my terrible memory worries me often.  Either I'm really losing my memory young or I'm not exercising my brain enough and I'm losing my ability to record things.  It doesn't help that I NEVER had a good memory, even when I was young.

Yesterday, we spent the day in Ann Arbor.  Hurley had her Kickstarter camp and since we didn't want her to participate on Sunday, we had to go down there and pick her up.  We left after Brooklen's hockey practice at about 1:30pm, but we ran several errands throughout the day.  It was a very long day.  I think Hurley had a lot of fun.  It seemed like she was tired when we picked her up and I think it might have been a bit intimidating for her, but it was also really good for her.  We ended up getting home at about 11:30pm.

I had two photo sessions this week: a senior session and a family session.  I definitely don't handle stress very well.  Having two in one week kind of makes me crazy!  What worries me more is that I have 2 weddings in a row in a couple of weeks.  I'm super nervous about shooting them, and of course equally nervous about fitting in the editing of the photos.  I think that after I shoot all of my booked weddings (I have one more next year), I'm going to stop doing them.  It's a little too much stress for me to handle.  I think the stress of it actually make me physically sick.

On Friday, I watched Scarlett Robel all day while her mom worked.  I also watched Benjamin Jones for a while because his mom just had a new baby.  It was a pretty long day and I didn't get much done, but it was nice to help someone out and I think it is always good for Kaiton to have other kids around to play with.  On Friday night, we took Scarlett with us to the Ward Fall Party at the Crippen's farm.  The kids enjoyed eating, playing on the hay, riding horses, and going on hayrides.

Lastly, I took Kaiton over to Bay City on Thursday to check out some areas for a photo session.  I can't believe I don't go down there more often!  We had so much fun checking out the area and browsing the antique stores.  I took Kaiton to the candy shop down there and we also went to Heather's, a vegan restaurant, for the first time.  It was soooo awesome.  We had an "unchicken" burger (breaded tofu) and some amazing house potatoes.  Kaiton kept telling me how good the food was.  He ate so much; it was so cute!!!

Week 36

This week was Woodcrest's scheduled parent nights for all of the grades.  Rob went to Mr. Staley's and Mr. Rajewski's parent nights because I was busy with other commitments.  I went to Mrs. Doughty's parent night because Rob was busy at a hockey parent meeting!  I feel so super blessed that my kids have such awesome teachers.  Every year I grow more grateful for the people who chose that profession.  I watch my kids learn and thrive at school and I know that it is all made possible because of teachers.

Brooklen officially started hockey this week with his team.  He is so excited because ALL of his good friends (who play hockey) are on his team this year.  Again, I am so grateful for this.  His coach made it possible by hand-picking those kids in the draft.  This season should be so good for him.  His first practice with his team was on Saturday.  I had to do a photo session, but I caught the end of the practice and it looked like he was having a lot of fun.

Yesterday, Brooklen got to go to Ethan Menzies' birthday party.  They went to Soaring Eagle Waterpark in Mt. Pleasant.  They played at the waterpark, had dinner, and spent the night in a cool suite at the hotel where the boys had their own space.  The next morning, they got to go to IHOP for breakfast and then played at the waterpark again until it was time to come home.  Brooklen was SO excited.  He still sleeps very heavy through the night and has accidents some time.  After searching for a solution, I found some special underwear that has insert pads.  I am so happy to report that they worked perfectly; they were inconspicuous and made him feel comfortable.  He had a ton of fun at the birthday party.  He has been looking forward to it for quite some time.  I am so glad that he has made such good friends here.  Ethan is really mellow like Brooklen and he is such a nice, polite kid.

While Brooklen was at the party last night, I went to a movie with Jill and her Mom.  I never do anything like that, so it was a real treat!  Rob took the kids to City Forest to explore and then he took them to Wendy's.  I was so thankful that he was willing to take care of the kids so that I could go relax with friends.  He is so sweet.

I had two photo sessions this week.  On Monday, I took pictures of a newborn.  I survived, but I really do have a hard time with newborns.  I have so much to learn in that area!  Alta watched Kaiton for me while I took pictures.  Then, on Friday I watched her kids so that she could do a newborn session.  I also watched Scarlett Robel all afternoon on Friday.

I wanted to record a cute story about Hurley.  I sent this email to her coach, Tawnee:

I overheard Hurley talking to her older brother the other day and I caught her saying, "well, you grow eyes in the back of your head when you turn 13."  Brooklen and I both were surprised by that comment and said, "what??" Hurley replied (very serious still) saying that you told her that when you are 13 you grow eyes in the back of your head!

I tried not to laugh and told her that you were kidding.  She looked me right in the eye and shot back, "NO!  Tawnee says that level 3 is no joke!!"

Haha!  Sometimes she is so serious that I forget that she is only 7 years old!

Week 35

This week the kids started school.  It was pretty sad for me to send them back, but (even though they won't admit it), they were ready.  Our kids do really well with structure and I think it is good for them to get into a routine.

On Monday, we celebrated Labor Day by going to the last Loons game of the season.  The Nymans met us there and we all enjoyed watching the game from the lawn.  I actually anticipated that it would be more chaotic and more work taking care of the younger kids than it actually was.  It was nice to have lawn tickets because they could get up and walk around.  The girls went back and forth between the playing on the play set and doing cartwheels and handstands on the lawn.

When we got home from the game, we grilled burgers and hot dogs and then for family home evening, Rob gave all of the kids sweet father's blessings.

On Tuesday morning, we got up bright and early and got ready for school.  The kids took the bus to school and Rob and I met them there and took them to their classes.  We didn't really go to Brooklen's class, but we visited both of the girls' classes.  Zaya was so excited and didn't even care when I told her it was time for me to leave.  I gave her a kiss and she never looked back.  Zay's teacher sent home notes about good behavior this week.  He said she is eager to learn and a great helper.  He also said he  was getting better about not calling her Hurley!  Haha!  She is so used to that!

All of the kids seemed to have great weeks.  I forgot how quickly the day goes by when they are at school and how fast things seem to go once they get home.  Brooklen started hockey this week and  both girls had gymnastics.  Tomorrow, I start giving piano lessons again (I always take the first week of school off) and Zaya starts dance.  Brooklen also has physical therapy once a week and I have to be at mutual.

Tonight, we had the missionaries over for dinner and then I went to help at standards night for the youth at church.  It was a good experience.  Working with the youth has made me realize how quickly  my kids are going to grow up.  I have really started thinking seriously about how we are going to introduce tough topics to them.  I am so nervous to raise kids in a world with so many trying issues and temptations.  I'm trying to learn everything I can while I serve in this calling.

Weeks 33 and 34

And just like that, Summer is over.  The kids start school in two days and it seems hard to believe that it is that time again.  I think the hardest part of sending my kids back to school every Fall is that the reality sets in that they are getting older and there is nothing that I can do about it.  I have to admit, there has been enough fighting and "I'm bored" whining in the last few weeks to assure me that it is time for them to go back, but still it is a little bittersweet.  What is especially bittersweet for me this year is sending Zaya to school.  She is such a joy to have around.  She is happy all of the time and she is independent.  She is the only one of our kids that really knows how to and enjoys playing alone sometimes.  I know that she is excited and ready to start school, but it is really hard to let her go.


We found out the kid's teachers on Monday.  I spent pretty much the entire day texting friends to find out what friends my kids had in their classes.  Zay and Hurley have Mr. Rajewski and Mr. Staley, who we have had before.  I'm really excited about this, but I'm a bit nervous for Hurley because she doesn't have any of her friends in her class.  Brooklen is in Mrs. Doughty's class.  He is super excited because that is the teacher that he wanted.  He doesn't have any of his best friends in his class, but he will be fine seeing them at lunch and recess.

We stopped by the school a couple of times this week to meet teachers, see old teachers, and drop off supplies.

We've also tried to pack a lot into these past two weeks.  We went to Sanford Lake Beach one last time.  Brooklen brought along Jake and we met Erica Jones and her girls there.  Brooklen spent a day at the Nyman's cottage, while I took the girls and Kait to Plymouth Park Pool.  Zaya even decided to learn how to swim that day!!!  They also had playdates with Ashton Reinke, Lucy and Abigail Bond, and Kaitlyn and Ethan Menzies.  Brooklen also got to spend an evening at Ethan's house.

Last week, Brooklen had his birthday party.  Rob took him and Ethan Menzies, Jake Nyman, and Carter Greiman to a Loons game.  Rob said the boys had a blast and I think it was the perfect party for Brooklen.

Hockey starts this week for Brooklen.  Zaya starts dance next week . . . and the girls still have gymnastics.  The next few months are sure to be busy but I am looking forward to all of the action!