It’s still really difficult to write the blog every week. It feels like one more thing that Nana won’t experience and I hate that but I also know I’ll regret it if I stop (and she’d be so sad if I stopped) so I’m doing my best to keep this going for me and for her and for the fact that this is still a great way for the kids to be able to revisit their childhood.

Both Steven and Sammy lost teeth this week – one next to their front big teeth. I can’t believe they’re still losing teeth and have so many to go. It feels like ages since they lost their first!

Sammy and Amaya love to do “last to leave” contests where they gather a bunch of stuff and compete to see who will be last to leave the space. I don’t know what the winner earns for their success but it keeps them contained and quite for a while. 😉

An annual event in Northville is the Northville Heritage Festival and it’s tradition for the 3rd graders to attend on the Friday, dressed in Victorian-era clothing. The town gets very excited about the festival so we joined the fun (with almost every other 3rd grader in the district) and got our old-school on. It was pretty stinkin’ cute.

Moms who volunteered for the field trip sent me photos of Amaya with Milan and Sammy with Owen.

Steven was home sick after school but, in the evening, I took Amaya and Sammy to participate in the festival parade with the rest of the third graders. I told the Bitcherie that I feel like I live in Maybury. 🙂 The kids walk the parade and toss candy to the spectators. They loved it.

Afterward, Jason took Amaya and Sammy to a back-to-school block party hosted by two friends’ families.

I stayed home with Bobes. <3

We had a very lazy weekend but I did take the kids to the library to pick up some books. We love the triplets seated outside the entrance. 🙂

Amaya and Steven participated in a Mexican Heritage event that was happening while we were there.

Today the kids had Hebrew School (steven stayed home) followed by traditional Starbucks.

Another, messy, Last to Leave contest!

Finally… this popped up in my timehop. Beautiful and heartbreaking. I’m so glad for the memories.

I hope everyone has a great week!

This week Steven, Sammy and Amaya started third grade. Amazing! It’s really their first normal, uneventful start to the school year. Kindergarten was kindergarten – a big WOW. First grade was a home. Second grade was their first time back in 18 months. Third grade had the honor of being No Big Deal.

Kids read in bed before going to sleep and Monday night was no exception.

THIRD GRADE!

Here’s the bus! Back at it! (And probably the only day I’ll be at the bus stop with them for a while.) This year they’re picked up at (officially) 7:58am which is 10 minutes earlier than last year and just a touch easier for our work schedules. The kids are the second stop at the end of the day and still home by just after 4pm, which is nice.

Back to morning bus stop pictures, too. Feels like we were just here.

Steven is playing fall ball. It’s a short 6 week season but he’s really excited about it and has a few friends on the team. Wednesday was their first practice – and Friday was their first game.

This coming week the kids have a field trip to the Northville Heritage Festival. It’s a big 3rd grade thing and they’re supposed to go in period attire. Sophia helped us find stuff for the kids to wear and Amaya is obsessed with her outfit.

Amaya is also into oversized sweatshirts which creates the “no shorts” look that I remember from when I was a kid. I think my grandfather used to lift my shirt up to see if I had anything on underneath.

I stayed home with Sammy and Amaya for Steven’s game but he got a great hit at one of his three at-bats. Right back in the saddle.

On Saturday, Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette came for a visit. There was football and board games and lunch and sewing.

The Cline 5 went out for dinner, Amaya in her hat with a purse from Nana.

Cornhole in Downtown Northville. They’ve decided to permanently close the two streets that have been closed since covid which I think is a great decision. It’s so nice to be able to walk around on the closed streets. Definitely makes it even more of a destination.

Sammy, on the phone with Savta

The kids had their first day of Hebrew school this morning and were excited to find that one of the boys’ favorite friends, Jack, is now a Temple Israel member and in their class. It’s going to really change their perspective on going each week.

We took the kids to B&N today so they could pick out more books for bedtime reading. Amaya picked a bunch of nonfiction chapter books (including a Nancy Drew and the first babysitters club). Sammy got Legend of Korra graphic novels and a minecraft book. Steven got 9 books from the Who Was? series.

That’s it for this week. The kids had a good one!

The kids and I just got back from three days & three nights in Petoskey & Charlevoix (because it’s nearly impossible for me to stay still) and it’s getting late so, for the first time, I set a timer and decided whatever I can accomplish in 35 minutes is what this blog update will be. It’s a good way to get this done (which I want to do) without spending excessive time (which I do not want to do). After selecting and uploading photos I have 19 minutes left so if suddenly this is just a bunch of pictures with no context, you’ll know why.

Wednesday evening the kids had Meet the Teacher night in advance of Tuesday’s first day of school. Amaya dressed for the occasion. 🙂 This is the first year that all three kids have their own classes. I had to nudge Sammy into this just a bit but he was the boldest of the three, walking into his classroom. I had no doubts he’d be totally fine. And one of his favorite friends is in his class, too.

SSA all got to see each others’ classrooms which are conveniently clustered together. Last year, Amaya was half the school away from the brothers.

After lunch on Thursday the kids and I took our annual trip Up North. It’s crazy to think that, sometime in the spring, I suggested to my mom that she should join us. We had a wonderful weekend but, even outside of the potential of that trip, everything is just a bit paler, duller when I can’t share it with Nana. Even typing this now blows my mind. But we’re keeping on keeping on.

We had a house halfway between downtown Petoskey and downtown Charlevoix – about 10 minutes to each. Right by our house was a little path own to the lake. SSA really enjoyed skipping rocks down there.

Our Thursday night dinner was in Charlevoix right by the drawbridge. Steven has been waiting a full year to see it rise and fall again. He was not disappointed! (Though, again, this restaurant attracts wasps so I’m not sure we will eat outside there next year.)

Waiting…

First drawbridge opening of the season for Bobes!

Sammy, in a MI chair. I loved it. He was not impressed.

We got to bed at a reasonable hour and then had a lazy morning before putting on our suits and heading to Petoskey for lunch. While I was paying for parking I told the kids to “go play on the tracks” which made an older couple laugh.

Lunch at Duffy’s, three years running.

We spent the afternoon at Petoskey State Park. The weather was perfect, sunny and not too hot. The kids spent most of the time using their metal detectors and a bit of time in the water. Even I went in and enjoyed the lake waves.

Steven, trying to decide if he was willing to go with Sammy to get me (Mommy Salty Cucumber, as he calls me) a bottle of water. He did!

Sammy and I spent some time relaxing together <3

We had some real waves on Friday! Today the lake was totally calm.

Not a filter in sight, just pure MI blue sky.

After a trip home for showers, we headed back to Petoskey for dinner where we had dinner (three years running) at Beards Brewery.

Amaya has taken to wearing some of Nana’s bracelets along with the Pandora bracelet she got at Disney. I love this so much.

After dinner we had obligatory ice cream.

As a surprise on the drive home, we went back to the little beach pull off to see the sunset over the lake and skip more rocks. It was beautiful. Again, no filter, just Michigan.

This sky! On Saturday we headed to Charlevoix in the morning where I bumped into my old friend Ginny! So wild. She lives in NY now (Westchester) and we haven’t seen each other in almost 4 years. We spent a while together walking on the pier with the kids and talking while they played on a beach playground.

Then it was back to Petoskey for shopping and snacks before heading to the Petoskey pier to hunt for Petoskey stones.

I can’t believe our luck with the weather.

(Three minute countdown!) Today we made the most of the day after checking out of our Airbnb. We had brunch in Petoskey at Roast & Toast, did more rock collecting on the shore and then visited a mini golf place that we all loved when we were there two years ago.

Sammy, proud of his rock tower

Amaya said, “Wait, I have to look sad.”

It was a lovely way to end our summer. I will admit I’m ready for the school year to start and to move into a new season. Next week will be an update on SSA’s first week of third grade!

And I did it, with 0:55 on the timer!

After a week in NY with SSA but without my mom, it’s another difficult Sunday to publish the blog. It still seems impossible that she wasn’t there, isn’t here. It’s her birthday today – 71. She wanted to make it to this birthday but I know there’d always be a “next thing” to make it to and the grief is still so raw that today doesn’t feel harder than yesterday. I’m already always thinking of her.

But grief and loss aside, Steven, Sammy and Amaya had a great week in New York. Truly. It was even better for them than I’d hoped and I’m so grateful for that. I was worried it would be too hard to stay at the Airbnb but it wasn’t – it was comfortable and normal and it kept us close to Papa. I hope I’ll stay there again, to be honest.

I worked from NY every morning and the kids were great about entertaining themselves until I was ready to leave at 11am. (Devices! Screen time!) On Monday and Tuesday, Chase and Charlie were there, too, for extra cousin time.

Papa knew a big “see ya later” was a lost cause with tv and phones and ipods and switches in the picture and was a very good sport about it.

Sara didn’t have work on Monday so we took the kids to Dave & Busters where they ran around and quickly spent down their cards while we had a drink at the bar. Then we went to Sugar Crazy where the kids all loaded up on some candy.

For dinner, SSA and I met Savta at Venus – a local West Hempstead diner that I practically grew up at.

Tuesday, all five kids were back at the house while I worked. After lunch, we stopped by Allen and Syvia’s house to visit them and their dog Millie before we drove further out east to a trampoline place. I was able to work more while the kids jumped and jumped.

Dinner was back at the Airbnb for everyone except me because I was able to meet up with my friends Wayne and Carianne for dinner while Auntie and Savta stayed with the kids. I was so grateful for their time because trying to make plans was a reminder that I couldn’t ask my mom to help.

Amaya never forgot a dose of her medicine the entire trip.

The gang

Wednesday was another perfect beach day and, this time, we headed down to the ocean. The kids hunted for shells, played in the ocean and dug holes in the sand.

My view. I’d love to be back there right now.

Amaya, Charlie and Chase had a great time duck diving and jumping over some of the bigger waves.

Amazing how a shovel is hours of entertainment at the beach.

Sunbathing ladies

Auntie came to the beach. <3 (Savta, too, but she stayed up by the cabana. It’s a long walk down to the ocean.)

Savta brought binoculars which thrilled Steven

Wednesday was Nana and Papa’s 36th wedding anniversary so we all went out for dinner in Rockville Centre and then across the street to Nana’s favorite ice cream shop. More bitter than sweet at this point, but it was special to be together.

Trying to remember what was going on here. I think I was telling the boys not to pretend to punch each other because it was inevitable one would eventually land.

I don’t have the same association with Five Pennies but those local to Nana definitely know how she loved it here.

On Thursday we had lunch with Gene at Venus. Amaya wanted to go back because she loved the matzah ball soup. When we arrived and were seated, the waitress said hello to Gene and then asked if “these are the triplets” before asking the kids about Michigan. Papa is a regular. 🙂

Favorite soup!

We had an incredible afternoon out on Uncle Arnie and Aunt Dale’s boat. All the Goldbergs came along with Sailor, our cousin Glori’s teenage daughter. It was a hot day which made the temp perfect when we were moving and perfect in the water.

Captain Steven, up top.

Front of the boat as we cruised through the water was spectacular. (In fact, I fell asleep there on the way back.)

We anchored in Cold Sprint Harbor. Uncle Arnie took all the kids out on the speed boat, two rides apiece! The looooved it.

A huge amazing raft that was tethered to the boat. Sara and I had our turn there, too.

After dinner we all went back to Aunt Dale and Uncle Arnie’s house where Glori and Mark joined us for dinner. It was a such a nice day. <3

Friday, despite the threat of rain, we went back to the beach. We made it about 2 hours (not bad!) before the skies opened up and we high tailed it to Sara & Dave’s house. Unfortunately that was also the exact moment Vidya and her daughters arrived at the beach. But Vidya is amazing and so are her kids and they all joined me at Sara’s so we could spend much needed time catching up.

Through the week, the kids played with the legos that Nana kept at the house for visits.

We had a last night in NY dinner. Auntie was here, too, and Dod Shuki also stopped by.

A “fashionable hat”.

And off we went back to MI. It was very difficult for me but we did it.

I’ve been running all month. In fact, in the first 27 days of the month I spent just 6 nights at home. So, to decompress, I spent the night alone at a local hotel while Jason and the kids caught up after a week apart.

Taking advantage of the music and games on the closed streets of Northville.

Today was quiet an uneventful. Emotional for some of us, ordinary for others. I’m looking forward toward ordinary.

The kids have one more week and then they’re off to third grade so it will (mostly) be quiet and calm. Lots of downtime as they gear up for school.

I couldn’t publish a blog last week. It was too much, too soon. This is still hard because the blog feels normal and nothing is normal right now, but we’re working on it and this is just one more step. I also think about just how much I have documented for Steven, Sammy and Amaya because of the blog, and how they’ll get to see their lives with Nana. Every single visit is here. So that’s another motivator to keep it going because there are so many other relationships I want to continue to capture in this space.

This was a good-enough week, which is good-enough right now. The kids had their last week of camp and then we headed to NY for our pre-planned vacation week at the airbnb across from Nana and Papa’s house. Our NY trips are so important to me and not going would send the absolute wrong signal. Also, I learned so much from my mom about resiliency and getting on that plane was an important way to show Steven, Sammy and Amaya that, no matter what, we go on.

So, our week…

Amaya wasn’t feeling well when she left NY and, Sunday night, was up late with an ear ache. We kept her home from camp and Sophia took her to a dr appointment where it was confirmed that she has a double ear infection. (But no covid! Who knew we’d have a time when ear infections were a welcome diagnosis?)

I love how Steven loves his hair. Amaya and Sammy got dirt in it while they were playing and he told Sophia, “they don’t get it because they don’t have amazing, beautiful curly hair.”

By Tuesday, Amaya was ready to head back to camp for the last week of the summer. I loved this look!

Eating lunch outside, I was visited by 7 neighborhood deer. We were all so still.

For the final week of camp, the kids chose Bakeoff camp. They baked all week and then had a bake-off in teams of four. I think the boys said their cake won best texture and Amaya’s team took the prize for tallest cake. Steven was kind of disappointed that there wasn’t an overall winner. The bakeoff definitely brought out his competitive streak.

Overall, I think the camp season was a success. The kids really liked being able to pick their weekly camp themes and have even started talking about what they’ll want to do next summer. And, believe it or not, the school year will allow the kids to sleep later! We leave for the camp bus at 7:25am compared to a school bus pick-up on our block after 8am. That will be nice for all of us.

Steven and Sammy’s bakeoff team

Amaya’s bakeoff team

On Friday the kids and I boarded the plane for NY. It was hard, but we did it.

Papa has been amazing. I’m so used to Nana just being there for us and Papa is with us every step of the way, unloading our grocery delivery before we arrived, bringing over laundry detergent and just being totally awesome, as usual.

The kids and Charlie playing out front while Sara and Papa sit on the front porch across the street.

On Saturday, Sara, Charlie, SSA and I headed up to Westchester for a Goldstein get together at Spencer and Jamie’s pool. Besides Spencer & Jamie and their kids, Uncle Bob, Aunt Denise, Alex, Chadwick, Craig, Sebastien and Jamie’s mom were there. It was really great family time. We even weathered a random midswim thunder storm.

Amaya living her best life

Uncle Bob in the pool with the kids

Trying to stay dry

Back at it!

On the way home we stopped by to see Savta for a few minutes. (Sammy was asleep so I stayed in the car with him.)

Books before bed. 🙂

Today we did another Very Hard Thing and went to the beach, to the cabana. This morning Sammy even asked if we still have the cabana now that Nana died. We’ve been going here the kids entire lives. Multiple days each summer when we come to visit. They’re so comfortable there and it’s always been a really special place for me to take SSA. I cried for about half the drive to the beach, and when we arrived, and then I was okay-enough. Good enough. And the kids had a great day which was the most important thing to me.

Steven spent at least three hours of the day working on this big hole. Sometimes he was alone, for a little while he was with his siblings, and sometimes he was with other kids who were at the beach. The boy was focused.

Cousins

Auntie and Savta came. <3

Sammy, Amaya and Charlie went swimming three times throughout the day, once with Papa.

Steven and I spent about an hour and a half down at the ocean together. It was beautiful. He went in the water, searched for shells and made friends with a family who had a metal detector.

“My body told me to go over there for a big shell and look what I found.”

We were at the beach for a little over 6 hours and, on our way out, made a last minute call to go eat at an outdoor clam bar that we always went to with Nana. One more Hard Thing, and we all had a good time.

The kids and I are here through the week and will continue to figure out our new way of being here. We’ve got this.

There are no words to describe the pain and grief we are feeling after saying goodbye to my beautiful, strong, loving, dynamic mother this morning. The loss is truly immeasurable.

I am sure I will be back to honor her in this space again but today, on the day we said goodbye, I feel driven to publish a Sunday blog like I always would – only all for her.

Before I share some photos of my mom with her absolute favorite people, I want to share her obituary, which will never be enough to sum up all she was and all she meant to us:

Ellen Shifrin, 70, of West Hempstead, NY died on August 7, 2022  at her home, surrounded by her family.

Born on August 28th, 1951, to Robert and Kerry Weintraub (Kier), Ellen spent her life in New York dedicated to her family and the pursuit and support of Jewish learning. She spent years as a religious school principal, working with the Hillel Institute to teach Jewish culture to individuals converting to Judaism and loved sharing Jewish traditions with her five grandchildren. In her husband’s words, she was a true woman of valor.

A giant in a tiny frame, Ellen lived an active life strengthening her body and mind through yoga, bike riding, and strength training which included her proudest physical accomplishment – flipping tractor tires. A continuous learner, she loved word games and looked for opportunities to continue her own education. Up until her last week of life, she still regularly participated in an adult Hebrew class.

For more than a decade, Ellen was a champion of Sunrise Day Camp, a camp dedicated to supporting children with cancer. Today, at the camp, campers can also exercise their minds and bodies at Ellen’s Yoga Quad.

Ellen is survived by her grandchildren who were the greatest source of joy in her life: Chase, Charlie, Steven, Sammy and Amaya; as well as her husband, Eugene; mother, Kerry; sister, Anita (Josh); daughters Joanna (Jason) and Sara (David) and her step-son Austin (Krissy). She was predeceased by her father, Robert and first husband – father of her daughters – Steven.

I love you forever, Mommy. And we’ll remember you forever, Mommy. Nana.

The kids had a fantastic week at restaurant camp. It was right up their alley! And they were extremely responsible all, week while Jason was away and the four of us were on our own in the mornings to get to the camp bus. I was really proud of them.

Amaya had a dentist appointment on Thursday. We’d canceled hers earlier in the summer when it conflicted with a Splash Camp field trip. She looks so old here. I remember a little 3 year old, and 4 year old, who was so scared at the dentist. No big deal now! Amaya still has 14 baby teeth to lose, which was shock to me! I guess, with three kids all losing teeth at the same time, it feels like there are so many lost in a short time.

Sammy tooks some photos of me cuddling with Bobes. He was very proud of the increasing zoom in the photos he took from upstairs.

Amaya’s rugs came this week so now she has her perfect reading nook and a soft spot to play on the floor.

Friday was the culmination of a week of restaurant camp. All week, the 16 campers prepped a meal for their Taste of Italy restaurant and were able to invite guests to dine with them. It was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.

Steven was the restaurant’s greeter. He welcome everyone who arrived and made sure their designated server showed the guests to their seats.

Amaya was my server <3

Our menu!

Sophia and I were ready to eat. I think we smiled the entire time.

The kids had note pads to take orders, trays for carrying food and so much enthusiasm.

A visit from Steven between guests.

Sammy explaining that romesco sauce is pepper-based.

The best time! I’m so glad SSA are having such a fun summer and love that I get to be part of it.

This one is for Auntie so she can see what our morning camp bus stop looks like. 🙂

Also at camp this week was an animal show. They pet an owl, snake and chinchilla.

And here are a few “behind the scenes” photos from their week at restaurant camp. The kids were very impressed with the commercial dishwasher. I love that they’re having such a good time and that I get a sneak peek.

Friday night the kids and I had plans to eat at the Tiki Bar in Walled Lake. We were totally surprised when Jason made home in time to meet us there! It was a perfect night.

Crab, crab and more crab

On Saturday, we took a family zoo trip.

Visited the new Penguin Conservation Center.

Sammy bought this great umbrella / sunshade hat. He got lots of compliments!

Jason and the kids went to Ikea to start shopping for desks for their rooms.

Jason and I have a rule that the kids need to document any deals, trades or sales they make. This morning, Amaya wrote “Amaya Make Sammy 1 cup of coffee every monring for 1 dollar every week.” I appreciate Jason’s addendums.

Steven and I took a great hour+ long walk around Maybury park this morning. It was so beautiful. Jason called us his “Nature Bugs” and I love it. We do have such a great time togther on our walks. Steven truly appreciates how beautiful it is.

This my favorite

Amaya has taking to making lunch and snacks for Monday camp for a few dollars. This week it was sunbutter sandwhiches, pretzles and strawberries for lunch and blueberries and peaches for snack. Huge help!

I wrapped up my afternoon with a 5.5 mile bike ride with Amaya. We rode over to a playground where she played for a bit before we rode home. And I finally got my butt in gear and started tracking rides.

That’s it for us! Have a great week!

This was another COVID week in the Cline household. Steven was home, quarantined, through Thursday. Not quarantined from the rest of us, but not able to go to camp and living his best screen-time life in our master bedroom with unlimited device and tv time for four days straight.

The woodwork resumed on our house on Monday and it was loud for a while so I worked outside for a bit while Sophia and Steven ate lunch and played Sorry.

I got the sweetest surprise in the mail this week and it quickly got a spot of honor in my home office with the rest of my special Sally memorabilia. It didn’t have a note but it turns out it’s from the best sister. The picture is so special – not just because of how much I love the picture itself or who it’s from but because it’s taken in the spot where I work all day, where I’ll now see it all day.

Sammy and Steven were scheduled for Fantasy Camp this week.

“Campers will be creating projects and learning games with themes like star wars, Marvel/DC, Harry Potter, medieval, wizards, mythological creatures, magic, knights and dragons, superheroes and villains, and more.” Sammy hadn’t been planning on doing any camps without his siblings but he had a great week, even without Steven there the first four days.

Making wands

Lego thrones

Amaya had signed up for an art camp but it was canceled so she had to join Kehilla this week (regular camp). She did that on Monday and then we got word that ropes camp had an opening for the rest of the week. Amaya was absolutely thrilled!

“Navigate real and imaginary obstacles, while taking on the mental, physical and emotional challenges of these eco-friendly high ropes courses and climbing activities. Connect with nature, build confidence, and learn the values of planning and teamwork. Spend the week at Tree Runner Adventure Park in West Bloomfield with their professionally trained staff.”

Thursday was a “beach party” with water slides. If you zoom in on the picture, you’ll see Amaya’s got a legit six pack. 😮 Our girl is strong.

Meanwhile, this was Steven all week. On his iPod and watching tv – lots of sports. The Tour de France, car racing, softball, the home run derby, the all star game… and lots of YouTube video games, too.

On Thursday, Sophia tested positive for Covid. Booooo. She couldn’t take Amaya and Sammy to Ninja so we did a kid swap and I got to see Ninja class for the first time. (Amaya and Sammy had to show negative covid tests for camp multiple times during the week, including Thursday.)

The place is so cool! I’m really hopeful that we’re able to get into fall classes when registration opens up early August. Three spots at once makes me nervous. (For what it’s worth, I’m really tired of stressing over activity registration! We got through gymnastics reg for Amaya. I think this is our last hurdle for fall.)

This is Amaya’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid summer. She is flying through the entire book series. It makes me so happy to see her choose to read.

Sammy powered through a big Korra graphic novel. We’re going to inventory our AtLA and Korra books to see what we’re missing in the series so we can get him more.

Steven was back to camp on Friday! Hooray! Masks for all but that’s no big deal at this point. For the final day of Fantasy Camp, Steven wore one of his Star Wars shirts.

Yesterday morning, Amaya took her new egg scrambling skills and made eggs for the family. She did a great job!!

We spent some time getting the kids rooms sorted out now that all the wood work is done in our house (!!!!) and we could get the right peices of furniture in Sammy/Steven and Amaya’s rooms. The boys have arm wrestling table and worked together to keep it from wobbling.

Saturday afternoon, Amaya and I had a wonderful bikeride to downtown Northville to get water bottle holders at the bike shop. It’s about 7 miles roundtrip and I was so proud of how well she rode.

A bike picture, like Nana takes.

Ice cream break

New water bottle holder, ready for the ride home!

We had a very, very quiet Sunday. It’s nice to have lazy weekends when we can, especially with the kids’ early morning weekday schedule and very active camp days.

Amaya had a birthday party for the twins, Sophie and Sammy. Sammy calls our Sammy “Uncle Same’. And they call Steven “Uncle Meanie.” I do love that the whole family shows up at the parties with gifts and enthusiastic rounds of “Happy Birthday”.

The party had goody bags which, for Sammy, included a ring pop that turned his entire mouth purple.

And Amaya spent a good part of the day making balloon animals. I don’t know where she learned how but she’s great at it!

Here’s a view of Amaya’s new room – formerly the Princess Guest Room. The princesses are gone and Amaya is fully moved in with Steven & Sammy’s dresser in their room. We have rugs coming for both rooms as a finishing touch.

The kids are off to restaurant camp tomorrow and are very excited about it. I can’t wait to join them for a meal on Friday afternoon. Have a great week!

I find it’a getting a little more difficult to focus on writing the blog each week. I’m not ready to stop but 8 1/2 years of weekly blogs may actually be catching up with me! I love the record of Steven, Sammy and Amaya’s childhood, though, so I’m still in it for now. But they’re getting older and I know this blog will have to evolve over time as their lives become increasingly private – or, at the very least, less at my disposal to write out each week. But not yet!

Sammy and Amaya had a great week together. They were both in Ninja camp this week at the JCC and traveled to a ninja gym together every day. Somehow that morphed into tape legged hops around the house. Goofballs.

Apparently 7/11 gives out free slurpees on 7/11 so Sophia took the kids for a treat after camp on Monday. Easy way to get some happy kids.

At the early part of the week, Jason was finishing up a COVID quarantine but the kids still found ways to engage. Here, Steven was talking to Jason through his window and pretending the wind was blowing him away.

Amaya left Jason a mailbox for notes and even created word scrambles for Jason to solve. The sweetest.

When we spend time together, it was in N95s as an extra precaution to avoid sharing covid with anyone else. (So far, it appears we were successful.) With his mask on his head, I think Steven looks like a water polo player.

Did I mention that Amaya has moved to her own room!?!? It sounds like a lot of people asked why she shares a room with her brothers which prompted her to ask the question of herself, as well. The Princess Guestroom was available and connected to the kids’ room through a Jack & Jill bathroom so, with some incentives to the boys to continue sharing, off she goes! It’s the end of an era.

We still have a little more rearranging to do before everything is shifted between the two rooms but she’s been in here for near two weeks now. Definitely more space in the bed for her babies. 🙂

At camp the kids saw a chihuahua which immediately prompted a barrage of texts about getting a dog. “Will you consider it?” “We’ll do all the work.” “We’ll pay for everything but the dog.” Our life is 0% conducive to having a dog. I don’t want a dog. Even if I wanted a dog (which I don’t), I’m not ready for another pet. Fortunately, they seemed to have moved past the desperate begging.

This was my response in our group text after the barrage of texts I got from each of the kids.

Amaya, working on her pitch. (And, by the way, until this week she was scared of all dogs. But apparently if the dog can fit in your purse it’s not so scary.)

SSA are still reading on Epic a few times a week through the summer to help keep up their reading skills during break. Epic is great because they can read or do read-to-me books – whatever they prefer. Here, Chelsea is reading with Amaya and her baby, Rose, is reading with Sammy. (Earlier in the week I found Sammy giving Rose a bath. My heart could truly burst.)

Steven had been complaining of eye pain (he’s fine) so we had some together time for a doctor’s appointment. I could spend forever with these kids. They’re so much fun – together, for sure, but 1:1 time is always special even if it’s a dr appt.

I spotted Steven and Amaya in some camp photos on the camp app this week.

Steven did Lego camp and loooooooved it. One of his word scrambles for Jason was “Lego camp is amazing.” It was all legos, in all forms, all week long. The kids had to wear masks bc of their at-home exposure and he even chose to wear his lego mask.

Amaya at the Ninja gym, Grit.

The kids still have time to unwind outside in the afternoons.

And at home, with us for pre-bedtime shows.

Saturday morning the boys had a birthday party at a friend’s house. The birthday boy, Simon, is the younger brother of Sammy’s friend Nolan. Apparently Steven sat with Simon on the bus in May and June and they became friendly. Since Simon wanted to invite Steven, his mom let Nolan include Sammy at the party. Honestly, I love that Steven is a good friend to everyone to the point that rising first graders want him at their birthday party.

Hoarding his chips lol

Late afternoon, Sammy, Amaya and I headed to the pool. Steven stayed back with Jason so he could watch the Tigers game.

Pizza at the pool <3

Saturday evening wrapped up with some Mastermind games for the Cline mans.

Steven woke up with a runny nose and, since we have to covid test for camp on Monday due to exposure, we decided to test this morning to get the intel. Unfortunately, he’s positive. He feels pretty good, to be honest, but obviously he can’t go to camp until his 5 day quarantine is over.

Amaya and Sammy asked to learn how to make scrambled eggs by themselves. They did a great job!

We had an expectedly lazy afternoon. The kids and Jason played a board game while I got some work done and then Team No-Covid-For-Now went out to eat while Team-Current-And-Recent-Covid stayed at home. <3

That’s it for us! Have a great week!

We’ve been a busy family over the past two weeks and there’s a lot I could write about, but the whole focus of this blog will be the amazing trip we took to Disney World with Nana, Papa, the Goldbergs, Austin and Krissy over Fourth of July weekend. It was a truly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip and we’re so thankful that Nana & Papa made it happen!

We set out on Friday morning, 7/1, raring to go!

Same for Nana, Papa and the Goldbergs in NY. <3

We all stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort which is a Disney property that has a bus to Magic Kindgom and a very convenient Skyliner (tram) to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I’d definitely stay there again to help avoid busses.

Austin and Krissy didn’t get in until after dinner on Friday but the rest of us took a bus to Magic Kingdom and then the monorail to the Conteporary hotel for a first night dinner at Chef Mickey. A character restraurant was defiitely the way to kick off the trip.

With Mickey…

Pluto!

There were so many happy smiles like this from the kids througout the whole trip.

Minnie!

Sammy was telling Minnie that he likes Pluto better

Goofy and the grownups.

Goofy and the Kids

Donald!

A toast to a great night and the start of a great trip. <3

The kids were up and ready for an early bus to Magic Kindgom to take advantage of early entry for resort guests. In fact, they were ready so early I had to drag them off their devices to get to breakfast.

Magic Kindgom!! Amaya went to Disneyland in October 2018 and Sammy went in May 2019 but this was Steven’s first time and it was long enough ago for Amaya and Sammy that they all felt the magic.

With early entry, we were able to make our way to Space Mountain for our first ride. Steve and Jason hit up Buzz Lightyear while the rest of us road the roller coaster. It was Amaya’s first and she loved it. She has learned that she’s a true thrill seeker.

Me, with Sammy and Chse on the ride. (When Sammy and I went to Disneyland we rode it three times. I think it’s possible he liked it more back then. 🙂 )

Daddy and Steven soaking it all up.

We met up with Steven and Jason at the Speedway ride. Sammy was my buddy while Amaya rode with Charlie.

Then it was off to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is one of my nostalgic favorites. Such a fun little roller coaster. It was the biggest coaster Steven had been on to that point and I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about it but he loved it. “I loved it.” His exact words.

He got to ride between his parents.

Sa and Dave, right behind us

When we got off, Steven was so enamoured that he asked to ride again, standby. I was all in for that plan so we got back in line while the Goldbergs, Amaya and Sammy went to the Haunted Mansion.

Mr. Curls McGhee waiting in line.

The Haunted Mansion gang.

Late morning, Nana, Papa, Austin and Krissy all made it to the park – scooters ready for Nana and Papa.

Pirates of the Carribean

I think our last ride at Magic Kindgom, before the skies opened, was Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – my first time on the ride. Another great roller coaster that we loved.

My favorite!!

It stopped raining by the time we got back to the hotel so the kids were able to spend the afternoon at the pool. It was a perfect way to unwind after a park day.

Even Uncle Austin and Krissy got in.

Dinner, pool side.

Saturday was Epcot day! Beautiful, HOT day in FL. Really, really hot. And humid. But worth it!

Photo 1: Steven immersed in his map, with Uncle Austin suggesting he put it down for the family picture.

Success!

Alice

Steven and Amaya saw so many displays that they wanted to capture in photos. The Epcot grouns really are beautiful.

Phone booths – a novelty almost as good as a ride!

The kids loved Test Track. Jason and I were paired with Steven. Amaya was with Charlie and Uncle Dave. Sammy was with Aunt Sara and Chase. (Chase + Sammy was a big theme of the trip and, of course, Amaya was by Charlie’s side almost the whole time.)

See ya!

For me, the whole draw of Epcot was the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. Thanks to our amazing travel planner, we were able to ride twice – via Individual Lightening Lane tickes and the virtual queue. The ride was a bit too wild for Steven who did not like it and did not want to ride a 2nd time but the Goldbergs, Amaya, Sammy and I were in. Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios is incredible but I think this is my favorite ride of the trip.

SO GOOD.

We met up with Nana and Papa after Guardians for Soarin’ and lunch together. Soarin’ is another long time favorite. If I had a relaxation room in my house, I would want it to be the Soarin’ ride. Even Chase, a thrill junkie, thought it was awesome.

Amaya and Sammy both came home with Groot.

Sammy isn’t big on pictures but really wanted one, with Groot, in this spot.

Amaya spotted a Minnie Mouse photo op and chose to wait for a picture while the rest of the group went ahead. It was some nice time for us together.

In Italy, on our way back to the Skyliner, right before the rain (shut down the Skyliner).

Day three, Sunday, was our Hollywood Studios day. I was excited to save it for last because I’ve never experienced Galaxy’s Edge and the Clines love Star Wars.

It’s a short Skyliner ride to Hollywood Studios from our hotel.

The Goldbergs, Amaya and Sammy started their day on the Rock ‘n Roll rollercoaster which Steven and I opted out of in favor of Slinky Dog in Toy Story Land. What a visually fun part of the park!

I do not think this roller coaster got a thumbs up from Sammy. 🙂

Afterward, the thrill crew rode Tower of Terror. Sammy sat out the first time but joined them all later in the day.

Amaya is not bothered.

Galaxy’s Edge! Steven and I wandered around together before meeting up with everyone else. It’s so cool.

Porg on his arm!

Rise of the Resistance is a mind blowing experience. I’ve never been on such an immersive ride in my life. It is super impressive and I can’t wait to ride again. Not the wild thirll of Guardians but extraordinary in it’s own way. Definitely a can’t miss and 100% worth the cost of the Individual Lightening Lane tickets.

Steven and I took another ride on Slinky Dog together. It’s a fun little coaster.

Daddy and Bobes

Toy Story Mania – such a fun, simple ride.

We got lucky and were able to see Chewy and Rey right before we rode Millenium Falcon: Sumgglers Run. The kids were thrilled. (So was I.)

The Cline 5

Using the Force

We’ve got two boys who joined the Rebellion.

We wrapped up our visit to Disney with a family dinner at Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios. Nana and Papa had stayed back during the day to save all their engery for dinner and 4th of July Fireworks.

Steven was thrilled to ride in a green car on the Skyliner. In fact, we stayed back to wait for one.

Nana and her grandkids. The best.

The OG Best. <3

The WHOLE gang at dinner. This is our one photo with all 13 of us. Nana felt dynastic.

Lots and lots of character time at Hollywood & Vine. Steven had his Goofy doll with him and bonded with the “real” Goofy.

Amaya asked Mickey if he loves Minnie. When he pantomimed “yes” she said, “Mickey and Minnite sitting in a tree…” And you all know the rest of that…

The characters would have little dance parties and Amaya mached right up to join in, eventually joined by her brothers. I think it might be my favorite memory of the whole trip – seeing Amaya get up with confidence and the joy on all 3 faces while they danced.

What a trip!

We wrapped up a night with a Skyliner ride over to Epcot for some phenomenal, memorable fireworks. Simply the best.

Truly a trip we’ll all remember forever.