Happy Birthday Papa!

Dad's 68th birthday! Yummy cake, lots of leaf piles, and just being together...

Artprize!

Headed to church, out to lunch, then walking around Artprize a bit with Nana today... Making a wish in the fountain at Gerald R Ford Museum...our poor, depraved children both wished for a dog (the one thing they will never get)...

Super big, cool Kaleidoscope filled with Olivia's favorite things - hearts and peace signs!

Love this fish...

And, of course, a run down the hill - a few times :)

Dogs...

First Day of Fall

September 22, 2012...the first day of fall. Long awaited after the 2nd hottest summer ever recorded. Cool night. Perfect for roasting hot dogs and making s'mores in our own backyard.

Singing "Jolly Holiday" from Mary Poppins...

They made their own little campsite...

First Day of School 2012

I can not believe we have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader in our house!!!

Ethan has Amie Van Amberg for 1st grade and is absolutely loving it! He still is playing with all the girls and doing flips on the bars. His best friends are Anneke Bakker and Hope. He is so big and brave...he doesn't even need a kissing hand anymore.

Olivia has Denise Lampe for 3rd grade. She loves Mrs Lampe and Mrs Lampe adores Olivia! Daddy had Mrs Lampe for a teacher at St Michael's! It is a nice connection for Olivia to have with her teacher. Olivia is doing a great job adjusting to a new big building...she too is so brave! She is becoming good friends with 2 girls in her class - Zoe S. and Kaylin Young. I am so very happy about her choice in friends! It has been so nice to be in the same building with her but I am excited to get started at Spectrum Health too. My kids...growing up right before my very (teary) eyes...

Sweet heart

Last night we were planning on sleeping in the camper...it didn't happen, but that's another story. After a card game or two Olivia started reading out loud a bedtime story. It was one she loved when she was little, "Good Night, D.W." Scott and I read that story soooo many times we still knew it by heart and joined in at some of the parts. Suddenly, in the middle of reading the story, Olivia started to cry. She was crying she said because she remembered us reading it to her and now she was reading it to us! That child always said she never wanted to grow up...and now she realized that she was...and apparently that made her sad. She has such a sweet heart. We reassured her that she would always be our baby girl.

Disney Bound

Next week we are heading to Disney World!!!!!!!!!!! Can.not.wait.

Playdate with Lilyana

Ethan had his friend Lily over before school (they are int he same class and on Fridays only go in the afternoon). We dropped off Olivia at school and went to Mommy's building (South) where Lily's mom is a 5th grade teacher. Picked up Lily and headed to the bakery to pick up a donut. Then the two munchkins played!

And giggled... Ethan is THE most ticklish person I know...

And goofed around...

Then it was time to get ready for school. It was Fancy Hat and Sunglasses Day for reading month...

Are arranged marriages still in existence? If so, I would like to order one up for these two please.

As they walked to their line at school they held hands. Then their friend Anneke came up and took Ethan's other hand and they all ran together to the playground, holding hands. I took pics with my phone, but alas, I am not cool enough to know how to get them onto the computer. They are priceless though, you'll just have to trust me.

Daddy-Daughter Dance 2012

Scott and Olivia attended the Daddy-Daughter Dance for the 5th time! That's right, they have been going since Olivia was 3 years old! It is always so sweet and endearing. Olivia chose McDonald's for her date with Daddy...and Mommy and Ethan went too but sat at a separate table and drove there ourselves. Olivia danced with Scott most of the time...those days may be few and far between soon :( She was also so happy to have her friend (and our neighbor - 2 houses down) Tara Seth there.

Dr. Seuss Day

I had so much fun volunteering in Ethan's room on Dr. Seuss day! I read to kids and helped make crafts. It was also pajama day!

Mommy-Son Ice Skating

The official school-sponsored Mommy-Son date this year was ice skating at Walker Ice and Fitness. I have only been ice skating a few times and Ethan has only been one other time. We were mighty graceful on the ice! We had a great time! Ethan is a very adventurous boy! He had a wonderful time with his friend Travis from Kindergarten. And mommy didn't fall down once - miracle!








Then, because we didn't want the night to end, we headed to McDonald's for sundaes!