Back to School

The time has come... they are back to school. We had an amazing summer. I can't help but think how lucky our kids are. They got to do so many cool things this summer. Madison is in Ms. Snow's First grade class and Blake is in Mrs. Tower's Third grade class.

All this back to school stuff actually makes me miss teaching. I loved how exciting it was to set up the classroom, buy new stuff and find out who was in my class.

I also get very sad that another year has gone by when they get on the bus for the first time every year. They do keep me very busy, but I am going to miss that when they are all grown up :(

New shoes are always great. Grandma takes them shoe shopping!!!!


Madison loves her new backpack. She wanted me to take a picture of it. I think that she loves it because it has the little monkey stuffed animal hanging from it!

Tough LOVE

Raising kids is such hard work. I never knew how hard it would be, until I have to do something like tonight to my sweet Blake. Blake is a pokey kid with schoolwork and really doesn't like homework. When we went to open house last week, his new teacher wanted them to journal the next few days until school started. I love the idea, but knew that Blake wouldn't quite like it.

Around 5pm today, I asked him to write his journal for the last few days - yes we were soooo busy this weekend, that he missed two days. So I knew that we needed to start this early in order to get three days done before bedtime. He right away started giving me a hard time. I really hate arguing about homework. JUST DO IT!!!!!!! Does that sound like the teacher side of me?

We of course were getting nowhere but frustrated. Luckily Brett knows when I can't do it anymore and stepped in. He told Blake that he would set the timer and when it went off, 20 minutes, if his work wasn't done, he would go to bed. We all left the room to let him work. He cried, threw himself on the floor, threatened to hurt himself, yelled "You are the worst parents in the world" phrases over and over and over. Timer went off and Blake wasn't done. I secretly pleaded behind Blake's back to have Brett give him another chance and Brett helped me hold strong. Blake went to bed before 6:00 pm!!!!!!

It was really hard to have him so upset before his first day of school, but hopefully he learned a lesson. I of course went in and checked on him, so that at least my night would end on a good note seeing his peaceful sleeping body. Third grade might be ROUGH!!!! I really wanted to hug him so tight and tell him how much we love him...

It was so hard to hold strong and not give in to him - but Brett kept reminding me that we will be so thankful that we are being tough at age 8 before the teen years come along.

Kid Bra

While I was out back to school shopping with Madison she came across these "kid bras". She was so determined that she wanted one, that I finally agreed on these little sports bra/tank top type. She was so excited!!!! As soon as she got in the door, she put one on. She told Caitlin that she got a "kid bra". It was so cute. Caitlin wanted to wear one as well. I did buy a three pack.

I told them to go in and surprise daddy. I wish that I took a picture of his face when he first saw them. I explained that she would forget about them in a few days. She wore them 24 hours a day for the first few days and now hasn't touched them. Brett keeps telling her that she is too young for them!

I thought that she was so cute. She thought she was soooo grown up. Brett still isn't so impressed that I bought them. He just doesn't want his girls growing up.

Sherman Lake Camp

Blake and a great buddy have spent this week at Sherman Lake Camp. He leaves our house at 7:15 am and I pick him up at 5pm. It has been a long week this week for him. On the other hand, the girls and I have just relaxed and pretty much stayed home. We did go back to school shopping, out to lunch, bounceland, two different pool play dates, and had a few friends over to play. I have really enjoyed a little more down time than usual this week.

Last night was FAMILY NIGHT at Sherman Lake. The camp was amazing. The girls got to try everything and Blake was our guide for the night. We had so much fun, Madison really wants to go next summer with a friend.

Blake was super cute with Caitlin. He watched over her when she was out in the water and then took her kayaking. She loved it.

Mine Shaft slide. Blake showed the girls how it was done first!
Caitlin wanted to go with her sister the first time!!!
Blake was a PRO...
Madison loved walking the log. Watch out - it spins :)
She was so excited that her BIG brother was taking her kayaking.
Madison with Blake and Caitlin in the background.
This was a sweet moment.
Madison can do whatever Blake can do.

Binder Park Zoo

We love going to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. I buy a family membership every year and we have definitely gotten our money worth out of it. It is a smaller zoo and we can easily get around the whole thing without exhausting mommy!!!!!

The cheetahs are usually in the back and we haven't ever seen it up close. It was amazing. It kept walking right by us and stopping to look at us. We stayed there for quite a while just watching it.

The carousel is a big hit. They love picking out what animal they will ride on. Caitlin isn't tall enough to ride without an adult standing next to her. This year she yells at me to not touch her or the animal. She is so grown up.



Blake is always goofy --- he picked out shark teeth this time.
The kids love the tram ride to Africa. Choosing our seats sometimes makes problems. Thankfully this time, it wasn't very crowded and they could all be split up.
The girls usually always pick out stuffed animals. Do we really need more?????
I am always a softy when it comes to the gift shop. I always buy them something. Maybe that is why they like coming to the zoo :)
This year, the zoo is giving lettuce to feed the giraffes. Caitlin didn't want to do it this year. She was grossed out by their tongues.

Little Swimmer

Caitlin has just figured out that she can swim. She is soooo proud of herself for taking off her life jacket. She was very nervous in the water even after taking swim lessons all last school year. We can hardly keep her out of the water now.

I do make her keep a life jacket on when she is jumping off the diving board and playing in the deep end. She has really grown up this summer!!!!!

Finally a few days at home

Last week was a very stressful week with my dad at the hospital. He was supposed to have surgery on August 4th, but the surgery got called off 5 minutes before wheeling him back. He stayed the night in the hospital and we were going to try the next morning. His potassium was again way too high for surgery.

It was really hard to leave my parents when they were feeling so down. I picked up my kids from my in-laws and headed home for a whole 12 hours only to wake up and head out to Put in Bay with three great ladies...

It was a much needed get away for me. The weather was amazing for lounging at the pool. I spent two nights there. I really need that vacation once a year.

We are home until Thursday. We will be heading up to Mackinac Island for three nights. Brett has a conference there and the kids and I are tagging along. I sure hope that this humidity gets better.

The kids and I are off to the lake today after taking Zoe to the veterinarians. She needs to get a few shots before kenneling her for the weekend. This will be interesting. Zoe has never been kenneled before. They reassured me that she will be fine. After paying our bill at the vets, I am really working hard on convincing Madison to become a vet. I can't believe how expensive it is.