This was a fairly quite week for the Steven, Sammy and Amaya. School is out and camp doesn’t start until Monday so they had some end-of-year downtime. Camp will be from 9am- 3:30pm which is big change from 9am- 12pm pre-k. It’s a good transition to prep the for full day kindergarten but I think their worlds will be rocked in those first weeks of camp – especially since they’ll be out in the sun most of the day.
On Monday we said goodbye to Nana after an awesome and extra long visit. <3
The kids are loving the playset. I’m still so pleased that we got this done. I was afraid it would be “to-do” until they eventually aged out. Even as I type this, Amaya is outside swinging, swinging, swinging.
On Tuesday Madison took SSA to the zoo. I think this is their first visit since the summer of 2017! No more wagons! It looked like a great day.
First visit to the butterfly house.
Madison’s mom and aunt joined the kids along with little Evelyn.
First zoo train ride!
On Thursday we prepped for the delivery of our NEW family-size sofa so our old one moved to our front sitting room. It’s a perfect fit.
Room for five!!
The time also came to part with our play kitchen. It feels like yesterday that Nana, Savta and I built it.
The kids were asking about the characters on their vitamins so I decided to show them some clips from The Flintstones. Every time a new character came on the screen Steven would shout, “Do we eat that one?!?”
Saturday morning the kids cot in some cuddle time with Jason and play time outside before we headed off to Cleveland for our annual overnight visit to my friend Hannah and her kids. She lives in Baton Rouge but her parents live in Cleveland and she’s generously hosted us the past three years.
We had a loooooooong wait for lunch at a rest stop. The kids kept themselves suitably entertained.
This year SSA jumped right in with the Birchman girls which meant Hannah and I could relax! Photo credit: Sammy
Feeding ants.
The kids rode bikes and scootered and tried roller skates and then all at dinner outside together before heading to bed.
Rinse-repeat. More of the same this morning! We spent hours outside and left at lunchtime to make it home by late afternoon.
The whole gang.
Amaya has been working on pages from an “adult” coloring book. I really can’t get over patience, focus and design choices. She works on some of these for days in a row and never tires. It’s really cool to watch.
Finally, Steven drew a picture of Morminer. He was very careful with her spots and tags. 🙂
Have a great week! No blog next Sunday because I’ll be in Denmark! Whoo hoo!
This is a blog about the BIG STUFF because it was a BIG week. We had dress rehearsals, pre-k graduation, the last day of school, “meet the counselor” night, two dance recitals, the last t-ball game & celebration, Father’s Day plus a visit from Nana. All in one week!
Steven, Sammy and Amaya took a picture with Ms. Jena and Ms. Bri. They loved Ms. Bri long before she was their teacher and were so lucky to be in her class this year. Ms. Jena was wonderful, as well. Such lucky kids with the teachers they’ve in their years at at the Pitt CDC.
Wednesday was a big day with dress rehearsals and pre-k graduation! Madison was busy!
Steven, Sammy and Amaya – ready for jazz!
+Nana!! Nana arrived on a Wednesday this week so she could attend graduation and got bonus dress rehearsals out of the deal.
Unlike last year, this year the kids were going to be on stage without an instructor which meant it was up to them to remember the dance.
Jazz was up first.
Ta da!
Tap Time!
Steven got in some extra cuddles while Sammy and Amaya were backstage waiting to dance.
After the dress rehearsal we were off – quickly – to West Bloomfield for pre-k graduation. It was so emotional. I loved our experience at the CDC and it’s really hard to say goodbye to that family. The kids are more and more ready but I’m taking longer.
Graduation was 2 pre-k classes and a 6 student private kindergarten. They sang a song as a big group, each class did some songs and got diplomas and then they wrapped it up with a group song.
Our “graduators”!
We love Ms. Shannon. <3
After graduation, my mom and I rushed back to Northville for my dress rehearsal. Holy hell I was nervous. It has been so long since I’ve been on stage. Just like I took photos and videos of my kids, my mom did the same for me. 🙂 I’d been totally freaked out about getting on stage as an adult dance but the dress rehearsal did a lot to calm my nerves.
Last day of school!! The nice thing about the long build us is that it helped reduce (my) sadness. I did make a point to take the kids to school for their very last day.
I’m so proud of these three and all they’ve accomplished.
First and Last.
Very first and last. My sweet babies.
For the past week Amaya has been talking about having her own class in Kindergarten. It was a shock after being so anchored in the idea of getting used to Thornton Creek with one class and one teacher but she’s been talking about it non-stop. At graduation I asked Ms. Bri what she thought and she said she thinks it would be great for Amaya. She thinks Amaya is held back socially by her brothers because she a) watches out to be sure they’re ok and b) they follow her even when she’s trying to do her own thing, Sammy in particular.
Ms. Bri said that she thinks Sammy will grow, too, without Amaya there but will still benefit from having Steven in his class. And Steven going to do what he wants, regardless, so he won’t be held back the way caretaker Amaya might be.
This summer, the plan was for the kids to be in the same camp group but the head counselor happened to ask me about the arrangement we’d want. It was perfect timing and the day groups were being formed. I spoke with all three kids and we decided that Amaya would be in her own group and the boys would stay together. Their camp isn’t part of the CDC but it’s at the JCC and will have many school friends attending so it’s the perfect time to get everyone used to the separation.
This was Amaya’s face when I told her.
I’ve since made the formal request to their elementary school and the principal said he’d be able to honor it. So two kindergarten classes it will be!
On Thursday evening, the kids went to “Meet the Counselor” night for camp. They met their counselors, saw their group lists and did some activities. We’re ready for summer (as soon as it stops raining)!
Friday night was recital time for Steven, Sammy and Amaya! We had a full house. Jason and I were in the audience along with Nana, Grandma, Aunt Annette and Megan. Penni was one of the chaperones for Amaya’s group and Madison chaperoned the boys. (Last year there was no way Amaya was going off without her brothers but this year she didn’t look back. Big kids.)
The ladies.
All smiles after their performance!
After the show, someone came up to Steven and told him he was the star of the show. <3 (She quickly saw he had siblings and adjusted to tell them they were all great but I did love that one of my kiddos got that kid of reaction from a stranger in the audience. I think it was his glasses and they way he so enthusiastically jobs with his hands in the air.)
Saturday was our final t-ball game and I was back out as a base coach.
Go Scrappers!
After the game the kids paraded through a path of parents and then had a pizza and junk food feast. SSA were in heaven.
Trophies all around. Which makes senses since there’s no score keeping for t-ball.
Saturday night it was my turn on stage. I really can’t believe I did it! I was so nervous but we had a great time. I loooooooved knowing my family was out there watching and that SSA would see me on stage. Such a cool moment.
After the recital the kids came running to me with flowers. <3 <3 <3
This morning was a Starbucks morning with Nana while Jason and I slept in. My mom assures me this guy seemed interested in talking to three 5 years olds at 8am. I wonder how he relayed the details of his trip lol.
Happy Father’s Day to Jason! Best Dad Ever! We had a perfect lazy day including take-out for lunch and take-out for dinner. (For dinner Steve ordered “steak and a california roll” lol.)
A new math game from Grandma Sunshine’s STEM subscription.
Baking keto cheesecake.
Finally, another fun game – Slap The Sight Word. Such a clever idea!
Spring is here and we’re living it up! This week Sammy crossed the hurdle and can swing by himself. He’s so proud. “Daddy told me to kick my legs every time I get all the way back.” Two down, one to go!
Despite passing his eye exam at his 5 year well check, Steven didn’t pass one given in school in late March. Tuesday, also Aunt Sara’s 40th birthday, was our long awaited eye doctor appointment.
Steven did great. I could tell, pretty early on, that his vision in his right eye wasn’t great. He’d be unable to read a letter with his right eye only to be able to see it immediately upon uncovering his left.
He was prepared for eye drops and was so brave until the first dilating drop went in and then it was tears and arm holds for the 2nd. Poor guy. We recuperated with a trip to the vending machine.
Meeting with the ophthalmologist. Steven asked question after question after question. He was particularly interested in the angled drawer toward the left of the picture below.
Verdict: Glasses. U of M eye center has been watching an astigmatism in his right eye for a while now and it’s reached a point where he’s over compensating with his left eye enough for it to be weakening his right eye. No patching at this point and it’s possible he might outgrow the need for glasses but, for now, spectacles it is.
Squinting in the sun. I didn’t think to bring sunglasses.
Madison took Sammy and Amaya to a “new to us” park while Steven was at his appointment.
As a treat, we wrapped up the big day with our first s’mores! Sammy and Amaya are huge fans. Steven prefers marshmallows that aren’t melted.
Thursday was Madison’s 23rd birthday. Amaya celebrated by drawing a picture of Madison as a gift.
Pre-school smiles!
We’re winding down the school year and our time at the Sarah & Irving Pitt Child Development Center. (SOB.) That means that there are a number of end of year events to attend. First up was Journey Binder Night and the end of year picnic.
Fall of 2017 their school started making Journey Binders for every child in the school. The binders move from class to class with the kids for as long as their students. We have two years of amazing memories to look through for Steven, Sammy and Amaya. So many photos and experiences that we’ve never seen!
Picnic time! There was pizza dinner, popsicles, crafts and playground time. The whole night was bittersweet for me and lots of fun for SSA.
I’m not so sure she was happy with this position. 🙂
“Before you can pass you have to say, ‘I love you, Amaya. You’re amazing.'”
On the drive home we talked about Steven’s new glasses. Steven suggested he might want black Batman glasses. Amaya burst into tears and said, “If Steven’s glasses are an ugly color I won’t be able to look at his face.” This child. <3
Friday was the big day! True to his fashion, Steven tried on almost every pair in the shop. We created a “maybe” pile to help him narrow it down.
Support from the cavalry.
Eventually he picked two pair of “flip” glasses that have rotating color options on the temples. Both sets of frames are blue so Amaya is safe to look at his face.
He got to look in the employee’s eyes, too.
The plan was to stop and pick up Steven’s glasses on my way home from work. Around 4pm I realized I needed Steven with me! Ack!! Madison quickly got things together and brought Steven to my office where he waited for me to finish my work day – but not before hanging out with my boss, Sean.
Stud.
Amaya wanted to pose for me. Hahahahaha.
T-ball day! Go Scrappers! We got to the field early so the kids could play on the playground for a while first and have a picnic lunch.
Major League.
Coaching third base!
After tap we rushed off to the dance studio, where I had been for tap practice earlier in the day, for make-up classes for the kids. It’s almost recital time!
While Amaya and Sammy were in tap class, Steven got down to the business of making friends. First stop was the dance teacher from the room across the way.
Next up was a group of teenage girls on break. I walked out of Sammy and Amaya’s dance room to find him literally holding court with these ladies. It was hysterical.
He brought Amaya and Sammy into the mix.
This to his friendships, the dance instructor offered SSA ice pops while the older dancers had some. The kids were so excited! (And I can’t say enough about how attentive and engaged these dancers were. It was really sweet.)
I love these smiles.
We wrapped up our dance day with an invitation for the kids to watch the ballerinas do their “cat” dance. They loved it.
We wrapped up the afternoon outside. Steven went for a bike ride with Jason and Amaya and Sammy played out back.
Ta da!
This morning we finally finished Jo’s Garage! What a beauty.
Haircuts! Sammy looked at photos of haircuts and picked this one, which is about a 70% match to his pic (and still super cute)!
Steven asked to be sure she kept some curls on top.
Monday was one last morning with the Bitcherie before it was time to travel home. There is nothing like Bitcherie weekend.
While I was traveling home, the kids had a full day that started with a dance party.
Next up was a parade! Their first, I think. The highlights were the marching bands and the candy they got from parade participants.
Madison and the kids wrapped up the festivities with lunch out, mini golf and trampolines.
Then I was home! I’m not sure what excited the kids more – seeing me or the knowledge that there were presents waiting. Probably presents.
Books for everyone. We read all 5 almost immediately.
SSA each got a little creature in a tree that needed to sit in water to “hatch” or whatever it does when it grows and breaks through it’s casing.
Tuesday was a hard reentry. For me, at least. 🙂 I came home to a Samscicle who wanted to play magnatiles with me and it was just what I needed.
Seasonal shoe shopping! Allegedly, Steven has the biggest feet. WHAT?!?! Verified in triplicate, but I still feel like I need to see it for myself. And those shirts? The last of the kids’ gifts from Louisville.
Flower shopping after school. Someday I’d love to get a small garden going. I remember my dad’s garden and I’m married to a 6th grade city gardening champion so it only makes sense.
We wrapped up the work/school week with Cline Beauty Salon. My hair was straight from a haircut on Thursday and Sammy was so excited to do my hair. Everyone got in on the fun and the results were spectacular.
Photo credit: Sammy <3
The best.
Saturday was a lucky day with our t-ball game just prior to some torrential downpours. It was also busy. It started with my tap practice. Followed by t-ball. Then Sammy and Amaya had tap practice – only they didn’t because I had the wrong Saturday. Ooops.
Amaya started her day ready for summer. <3
Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette came to this t-ball game. Still much better than soccer was. Amaya’s genuinely not interested but she does her part – probably for the snacks. (In fact, the boys said they want to do t-ball again. Amaya doesn’t want to but commented that she’s said it means she won’t get post-game snacks lol.)
While Grandma Sunshine was there, we took the opportunity to swap out car seats so that she’s set for summer sleepovers with SSA. Whoo hoo!
Practice! Off they went without complaint. The focus is getting them to throw correctly. They’re getting there. Sammy still tends to throw sidearm but he’s working on it which is the whole point.
After the game I rushed the kids off to dance, only to get there and realize I had the dates wrong. So we came home and dove into Moana while we waited out a thunderstorm. (Side note: Today Steven said that he “wouldn’t like to live on a lake because of tsunamis, hurricanes and water spouts.” 🙂 )
We all got in some great cuddle time during the movie.
I had time to continue work on Jo’s Garage and had two very helpful helpers along the way.
After dinner I made cinnamon toast for the kids only we ran out of cinnamon after Sammy used most of what was left (a lot). Amaya had a meltdown but her brothers came to her rescue, sharing some of the cinnamon off their own toast so she could get a fair share. It was really sweet.
Bedime stories. Steven borrowed one of Sammy’s nightgowns and said, “This is great! I don’t even have to take pants off to put my pull-up on!”
Today SSA and I headed to Camp Mass, a Tamarack Camp, for future camper day. Tamarack operates the day came at the JCC which is where the kids will go this summer and how we found out about it. It was such a great day and an incredible camp.
Running off to get the day started.
Introduction to the day
After introductions, we headed off to the lake to try canoeing. A first! Amaya opted out but the boys were ready. Steven got a little nervous as we were getting into the canoe but warmed up pretty quickly. Even Amaya decided, from the shore, that she wants to try it next time.
Bracelet making.
Waiting for the hay ride. Gotta love that knee pop.
Hay ride!
After 90 minutes of free-time activities we met up for lunch. It was camp style just like when I was a kid, complete with bug juice.
I’d guess there were 30 or 40 families in attendance. After lunch, all of the kids went off to a carnival event while the parents had an outdoor Q&A session and a tour of the bunks. I was really proud of SSA for going off without me. That wasn’t always easy for them but, after a quick look back at me, they were right in there with the other kids. When I went to meet them later, all 3 were off doing their own thing and having a blast. It was a great day.
A view of the lake.
We wrapped up our weekend with dinner on the deck, grilled by Daddy, with the new umbrella and picnic table he put together this weekend. The Clines are ready for summer!
Some recent artwork.
Two fashions by Amaya
Hello Kitty by Amaya
Daddy and Steven, by Steven
A pig in mud, by Steven
Sammy and Mommy, by Sammy. He asked me to do the curly hair. 🙂
