We started the week with a Monday morning eye doctor appointment for Steven. He needed dilation at this visit and did so well. I was really proud of him. It was a great check-in though his eye doctor suggested a (very) small change to the prescription in his right eye.

Look at this guy. More mid-day hugs for lucky, lucky me. I didn’t have any meetings right when we returned from the doctor so Sammy spent a good 30 or 40 minutes sharing my chair while I worked – just sitting quietly next to me the entire time.

It was an overcast, grey day so the kids spent a while doing art tutorials with Penni.

Amaya drew Appa, Aang and Katara from Avatar The Last Airbender.

Monday afternoon, Lindsay brought her table top ping pong set with her. The kids love it! (I’d love it, too! We need a rec room in our basement. Ping Pong. Foosball. Air Hockey.

Monday night was Steven & Sammy’s last ball game as A’s. They both did great with hits at all of their at-bats. It was a really fun season and, honestly, I’m sad it’s over.

Steven at bat

Talking with their friend Nora. Steven said he was most sad about baseball ending because he wouldn’t get to see Nora anymore. We’ll definitely have to arrange play dates.

Amaya tried to claim she was bored but I’ll challenge her on that!

After the game the boys got their trophies from Coach Greg who spoke to them about their growth through the season with such sincerity. It was really nice.

Now that school is out, Penni and the kids can have all sorts of adventures together. On Tuesday they hit up a new (to them) playground.

Back at home, Sammy had some downtime. This boy knows how to relax.

On Wednesday, Penni took SSA to the library to get some new books. They’re reading so well but haven’t really done much reading for fun, as far as I’ve seen. I was hopeful they’d find books they’re excited about to retain their skills over the summer. So far, it looks like I had nothing to worry about. All three kids went to bed on Wednesday night with books in their beds. <3 I started a summer reading long and, to add a book they read, they have to tell me about it. Hearing their recaps is so cute. (No pressure, though. I want them to have fun reading and do it because they’re motivated not because I’m pressuring them.)

Wednesday night was Amaya’s next tournament game. Sadly it was the end of the road for the Green Aliens. It was a great season! Amaya learned so much and I’m really proud of her for the way she put herself out there, practiced hard and persevered.

That’s Amaya in #4, untucked shirt, toward at the left of the photo.

• 

End of season celebration time!

Even snagged some cupcakes for her brothers!

Here we go! So eager to finish her book she read it on the way home. It’s about Tinkerbell finding her special talent. Turns out she’s a tinker fairy. 🙂

Someone liked his cupcake

Steven was struggling to fall asleep so I sat in his bunkbed and read on my phone while he drifted off. Jason snapped this pic when he came to check on Steven.

Thursday was the kids’ first lake day of the year! I’m not sure if I mentioned it but we decided that it made sense to keep Penni on as our full time nanny through the summer and she’s going to have all sorts of adventures with Steven, Sammy and Amaya between now and Labor Day.

Bubba, post lake 🙂

Lindsay has been a great fit for us this summer. She student taught in a first grade classroom last semester and its totally in the right headspace to engage with 7 year olds. She’s the 7-year-old whisperer.

On Friday afternoon, Steven, Sammy, Amaya and I headed to NY for our annual beach week. It’s a bit earlier than we’ve done in the past but works really well with everyone’s summer schedules. The beach is open, the pool is ready and we are here!

So glad DTW opened up the airport tram again!

Ready to board!

We had a new flight configuration. Friendly Stranger-Sammy-Mommy —- Amaya-Steven-Friendly Stranger. Usually I try to do three of us in one row and one across the aisle. But we’re so used to flying together, and our routine, that it makes adapting to small changes pretty easy.

Hi Nana!!!

On Saturday, Papa came over early before we all headed out to Spencer & Jamie’s house in Westchester for a Goldstein cousin pool party.

First, since we were in the area, we stopped by my friend Rachel’s house for a short visit.

We had a phenomenal day at Spencer and Jamie’s. The kids got to play with Cooper, Jordan and Tess and, of course, Chase and Charlie were there. Isobel and Miles are older but it was great to see them, too. Cousin time is the best time, even for adults. 🙂

When we got back, Nana, Papa and Savta came to the rental house for sushi dinner. <3

Today we spent about 7 hours at the beach. It was a wonderful day. I was telling Jason that we’ve been coming here since the kids were 7 months old so I get to watch them grow up here in a way that feels meaningful because they change so much between each summer visit. Every year they’re more independent and more confident. In fact, I was telling Sammy about the summer he was 18 months old and we had to put a sheet down in the sand because he wouldn’t touch it.

It’s late and I’m tired so this is basically just a photo dump of all the fun we had.

The long walk to the ocean.

Lots of cousin time!

Hunting for shells with Nana

<3 <3 <3

So. Much. Sand. in Amaya’s hair.

Ice cream, compliments of Nana

Dinner at the beach. It looks as quiet here in the evening as it did when we first arrived at 11am.

Wrapped up the day with a swim.

That’s it for us! Have a great week!

Three and a half days of school this week and that was it for our first graders. Incredible.

On Monday, the boys were twining in their baseball shirts. This is the only shirt they have in common, unlike their infant & toddler days, so it’s a fun for me to see them pick it on the same day.

On Monday I managed some great cuddle time with all 3 kids. Sammy, in particular, needed some extra mommy love as he was missing NY something fierce. Penni asked me to let her know when I had a break in meetings so he could come for some hugs. ❤️

We’re winding down baseball season, which is hard to believe. When the season starts, it feels like it will be so much to juggle and then, just when it seems like we’re in a great routine, it’s over. I’ll have to make sure the kids see their friends through the summer.

Both boys got hits at both of their at bats at Monday’s game. You can see Sammy at bat and Steven rounding third, making his way home.

Amaya occupier herself with slime – a gift from Nana – while The Brothers played ball.

We didn’t notice a storm on Monday night but, somehow, a tree fell in our yard this week. The kids were hoping we’d leave it there all summer. (Jason’s already attacked it with the saw.) It made for a few fun days in the yard, though.

Steven and Sammy had their second to last game on Wednesday night. I stepped in as dugout coach.

The kids were excited to play the game but maybe even more excited to play with this big rock they found.

Sammy at bat

Steven, checking out the lineup

The game highlight was a visit from Megan, Mikey, Taco and Eden!! The kids were so excited to see them all. Amaya really liked getting to be the “big girl” with Taco and Eden.

With our kids!! ❤️❤️

And, with that, on Thursday Steven, Sammy and Amaya completed first grade!

I had no idea what to expect coming into this year and was very, very worried about the choice we made to keep the kids home. It turns out I had nothing to worry about.

Steven, Sammy & Amaya crushed first grade – from our house.

*They had an amazing nanny supporting them all day.
*They had an absolutely incredible first grade teacher who literally worked miracles this year.
*They made so many new friends through class and Saturday playground meet-ups.
*And I had a huge bonus of working in the same space as my kids for a year. (Made possible by that amazing nanny.)

All of that said, we are ready for second grade IN PERSON.

First and last days of first grade

Amaya was excited to be done for the year! Sammy said he was happy and sad. Steven said he already missed Mrs. O’Neil.

Penni and the kids went out for “last day of school” ice cream.

Friday was a rainy day, for most of the day, so the kids hung out at home until it was time for Amaya’s first tournament game. Unfortunately they lost, so there’s a long road for the Green Aliens to the championship.

Sammy was hot and tired by the end of the game, after running around with the other siblings for 2 hours.

I thought Saturday would be nice so the kids got ready for a pool day, only to be thwarted by rain again.

Game time, instead. This was called Guess 10. It is a “20 questions” type game and animal themed. I was pretty impressed with the kids’ animal knowledge.

The rain cleared up in times for Amaya’s next tournament game – and this one they won!

The rain cleared up in times for Amaya’s next tournament game – and this one they won!

If you ever want to see sportsmanship, it’s listening to Amaya’s softball team, the Green Aliens, cheer for her foul ball.

She is the youngest on the team with the least experience and has struggled to hit the ball. Tonight, in a tournament game, she finally made contact and you’d think she’d hit a game winning home run. I’m so grateful to this amazing team that’s rallied around her. Hopefully she sticks with the game and can do that for younger players some day. ❤️

Hugs from Steven after the game

A happy girl!

Steven, Sammy and Amaya were very excited about Father’s Day. As they do, they “surprised” Jason with breakfast in bed. All sorts of delicious creations with as much added sugar as they could muster.

They also set up the usual stations. Steven’s involved a game of “Secret Code 13+4”. Jason & Sammy teamed up and came out victorious.

Steven’s card for Jason.

Amaya’s card for Jason.

For “what he always says”, Amaya is referencing Jason blaming his farts on other people. The thing that makes Jason laugh is when Steven falls and says, in a funny voice, “I’m okay!”

Sammy has one for Jason, too, but it’s hidden deep under the couch to be recovered some day in the future.

It was a hot, sunny day so we spent about 2.5 hours at a local splash pad and then neighboring playground. It will be a great summer spot. All right there are the splash pad, two playgrounds, bathrooms and pavilions with picnic tables. The kids made new friends and I got to sit in the shade and read. The water was really cold so the wet suits worked out very well. Too warm for the long pants versions but perfect for the short pants option.

We wrapped up Father’s Day with a nice dinner for Daddy – chicken and pineapple teriyaki with coleslaw.

One more story before I wrap up. Earlier in the week Amaya and Sammy were talking about preparing for Father’s Day and Steven said, “Well really, one of the biggest things Daddy cares about is a clean house.” That boy knows his dad. 🙂

Have a great week and Happy Father’s Day to the dads!

It was a busy and exciting week! The kids had their last full week of first grade, we’re winding down baseball/softball season and Sammy and I traveled to NY for Chase’s Bar Mitzvah!

We started off Monday with ball games for all of the Cline Kids. I took the boys to their game and Lindsay took Amaya to hers, where Jason met them. I though the weather was going to do us in but, by miraculously, these dark storm clouds passed overhead without a drop of rain.

Steven and Sammy both had great games. Sammy even made a play at first to get the batter out!

Steven, Sammy and Ruxin talking Minecraft during an inning when they weren’t batting.

Amaya, doing her thing. Her swing has improved so much! (Lindsay said that, when Amaya was practicing batting, her coaches and teammates were being so supportive cheering her on.)

We’ve entered this new phase of childhood where I can come downstairs in the morning and find Sammy having already eating breakfast, quietly watching videos on his iPod. It’s also a phase of childhood where he’s not interested in pausing his video to talk to his mother. 🙂

No ballgames on Tuesday so the kids played another game – Monopoly! It’s so special that these kids have each other.

All June the kids have a theme for school each day. On Wednesday, it was “Zoom lunch day” and the kids got to each lunch on Zoom with their class. We’re winding down the days of Zoom!

Practice makes better so Jason spent time this week outside with the kids after work, practicing batting. He even got some whiffle balls for these sessions – white baseball size for the boys and yellow softball size for Amaya. No broken windows!

Thursday was “Zoom From a Fort” day! It was a cute idea and I think SSA really liked the novelty of it.

Early Thursday afternoon, Sammy and I set off for New York! He got so many compliments on his luggage set – from men and women of all ages. <3

Perhaps it was for the shock factor but this guy skipped McDonald’s in favor of a salad.

Momma and Bubba!

Channeling Steven, reading the safety card.

I don’t think it will surprise anyone who reads this blog to learn that I landed to a stream of wonderful texts from Steven. And audio messages from Amaya checking in to be sure I saw Steven’s texts.

Amaya had a great last regular season game with the Green Aliens and they clinched 2nd place in the league. Playoffs start next Saturday.

Jason let me know that, when trophies were handed out, the girls each got a trophy and a popsicle. Amaya asked for a popsicle for her brother and was so happy to give it to him. She cared more about getting a popsicle for her brother than her own trophy. I’m so proud of her big heart.

In New York, Charlie surprised Sammy at Nana’s house when we arrived.

Sammy, giving Papa grief about being a “horrible driver.” (You’re not a horrible driver, Papa!!)

Our after dinner treat was a walk to Carvel for ice cream. It is still amazing to me to be able to walk to the same ice cream place I walked to when I was a kid. Really incredible to still be able to connect to my own childhood this way.

Apparently, this morning, Steven pinned Sammy on their zoom meeting so he could watch his brother in class. He also asked Penni to have me send photos of Sammy hard at work.

Bubs at school at Nana and Papa’s house

In Michigan, Steven and Amaya had a big day. School ended a little early so they could have a playground meetup with Mrs. O’Neil and the rest of their class – the first official in-person gathering of the school year. So hard to believe! Penni said that Amaya was a little nervous but Steven’s enthusiasm got her over the hump.

After the picnic it was quick dinner and then off to Steven’s game where he got two hits!

Sammy and Charlie spent the whole afternoon together and it sounds look / looked like they had a great time together. Lots of outdoor time, dinner together, and then nearly an hour playing with slime.

Back in the Land of Cheltenham, Steven and Amaya settled in for Sleep with Parent night. Thick as thieves.

It definitely seems insufficient to just say, “Saturday was Chase’s Bar Mitzvah”. It’s an amazing milestone, he did a phenomenal job, and we’re all so proud of him.

Besides Sammy and I, and of course the Goldbergs and both sets of Chase’s grandparents, also in attendance were Savta, Uncle Dave’s brother Mike and his family, Uncle Austin & Krissy, Aunt Anita, and Aunt Dale & Uncle Arnie. Poppy Steven was represented, too, because Chase wore his tallit for the ceremony. The rabbi even talked about it, which was a very special moment in a very special day.

Sammy got as dressed up as he ever does for the occasion and looked so handsome. He did an amazing job staying patient through the 2.5 hr ceremony.

I don’t have any pictures of the ceremony (no photos allowed on Shabbat at a Conservative temple) but Steven sent me this picture from his live stream viewing of the ceremony with Jason and Amaya! I love that they were able to celebrate with Chase, too, from Michigan. <3

Back at Sara & Dave’s house after the ceremony.

Mom and her girls.

Savta and her girls.

We all went back to Sara and Dave’s house for lunch and Sammy stayed and played outside for hours and hours afterward. Trampoline and foosball and basketball and lots and lots of food.

In the evening, the real party started. Sara and Dave had a great wonton truck come to the house, along with a ton of other catered food. All of Chase’s friends came (so many!) along with many of their parents and other family friends. There was a nice group of younger siblings that Sammy was able to hang out with. He had so much fun. I swear he was living his best life. (And he even made time to play with me, though it would have been just fine if he wanted to be off with the kids instead.)

This kid was psyched for the ice cream truck that Sara and Dave arranged.

Happy guy!

It was an amazing day! Sammy and I got back to Nana and Papa’s house and crashed hard.

Back in MI, Daddy, Amaya and Steven had a full day which included baseball practice for Steven. There were only 4 kids at practice so Amaya was able to step in and play catcher.

TV snuggles 💗💗💗

Jason picked E.T. for movie night with Steven and Amaya. He said that Steven was really into it and got it all.

This morning was our first NY beach day of the season with Nana, Papa, Charlie, Uncle Austin and Krissy. We headed over to the Goldberg’s around 10:30am to pick up Charlie which gave us a chance to see the rest of the family again and for Sammy to play another game of foosball.

Beach! After a COVID year-off, we’re back at Nickerson Beach and the cabana. Being back there, it seems impossible that it’s been almost 2 years since we visited. I’ve spent summers at this beach for decades and it’s really good to be back.

Digging big holes, as they do.

Playground time

We made the very long walk to the ocean where it was a little colder that we expected, so we’ll have to spend more time there – and brave the water – when we’re back in 2 weeks.

Rest break

Lunchtime for Nana and Sammy

Back in MI, Steven planned a full agenda for the crew. Apparently it included his continued attempt to draw each of the MLB logos. <3

Organizing, like his Daddy

Our for an early meal before Amaya’s softball practice.

And now Sammy and I are headed back to MI! It was an amazing long weekend in NY.

Wrapping up, these digital illustrations are all the rage on Facebook so I couldn’t resist doing them for Steven, Sammy and Amaya.

Have a great week!

This is one of those weeks where Monday feels like a very long time ago. Memorial Day rounded out a beautiful weekend in MI. When we were at Amerman Elementary for batting practice on Sunday, the kids were disappointed that they didn’t have time to play on the school playground so we went back on Monday. Sammy wasn’t feeling quite right so Jason came to pick him up and I stayed out with Amaya and Steven and the three of us headed to a 2nd playground when they got tired of the first.

It was another “moving past COVID” milestone for me on our way home. We stopped at Kroger to get food to grill and I was able to shop inside without a mask. It’s a new day! I was proud of Amaya and Steven for 100% understanding why they still needed masks. (In fact, I think I may have mentioned that the longer conversations are when they don’t have to wear masks anymore – but I think we’re moving past that quickly. Kids really are so adaptable.)

By the time we got home, Amaya wasn’t feeling well so Steven and I decided to make an adventure out of getting cold medicine and walked the mile, together, to CVS. He called this part of Beck Road “Forest Path” and told me the walk was such an “interesting experience”.

Gathering pinecones on Forest Path.

You can see that Amaya just doesn’t feel well. 🙁 (I’m happy to report, though, that she’s nearly 100% now. And we did have the kids COVID tested just to be safe.)

I still love taking photos of these sleeping children.

Steven was having a hard time falling asleep one night this week so I told him to sit with me for 5 minutes. Five minutes later he was fast asleep! He’s too big for me to easily carry around the house these days so we relied on Jason to get him back to bed. <3

It’s June and school is winding down. The 17th is the last day of 1st grade. Every school day has a theme and Tuesday’s was “Pajama Day”. Amaya really rocked that “fresh out of bed” look.

And, on Tuesday, Charlie turned TEN! 💗💗💗

Staying focused through the last few weeks of school. It’s going to be so weird, an exciting, to send SSA off on the bus on September 7th. I hope the teachers understand that a meaningful % of the kids in their class haven’t been in a school environment for 18 months. I know kids are adaptable but it’s definitely going to be an adjustment.

Hat Day

I am not the only one who gets heart-melting texts from Steven.

Over the weekend Amaya picked out a recipe to bake but I wanted to wait until she was healthier before letting her get to work. By Thursday, she was ready to roll. These knives from Nana and Papa have been great. The blades are sharp but the short handles make them easy for the kids to handle.

Using her cutting skills – pressing down from the top of the knife.

Every other Friday our housekeeper comes so the kids do school in the basement. It’s actually worked out just fine. Here, Elsa is reading her current favorite book, “The Book with No Pictures.” Boo boo butt!!

Amaya missed her Monday game bc she was sick but was back at it by Friday. (The boys had one game during the week that was rained out.) While the girls practiced hitting, Steven and Sammy chased down the balls they hit.

The coaches spent a lot of time working with Amaya on her swing and it’s getting better and better!

MY GIRL

Sammy is taking a break here, but it’s been great that the boys have had other siblings to play with during Amaya’s games

After the game, Steven told me that he needed to talk to “Adam’s mom” about something. He didn’t want to tell me what it was and waited patiently until she was free. I love that Steven knows how to use his voice. I really don’t think I had that courage at seven.

Friday night is still “Sleep with Parent Night” and this Friday night was my turn with Sammy. One of Sammy’s favorite things about sleeping with me is talking to me for an hour or two when we wake up. It’s one of my favorite things, too.

On Saturday, we got back to the JCC for the first pool day of the season. The JCC didn’t fare well through COVID. Between the decline in membership and the way that use of their fitness center changed, the JCC board made a decision to dramatically reduce the space they use and to permanently close the fitness center. I’m so happy, though, that they made the decision to keep the pool operating. And, now that we’re past the height of COVID, they also opened up the concession stand!

The JCC pool isn’t heated and is coooooold even on hot, hot days so the kids decided to try wet suits to see if they kept them warmer in the water. The answer is “yes” but they asked for full body options, too.

Looking like he’s 14…

A fry shaped like a “J”!

We got beach towels on our 2nd trip to Naples and were all excited to use them

Steve’s very first ice cream cone

First bite of the cone – which he says he likes even more than the ice cream

We had a nice quiet Sunday morning before heading to Ruxin’s birthday party. It is so nice that the kids are at an age where we can have quiet mornings again. I’m really appreciating it.

Lego Masters is back, and we’re watching as a family on weekends. Steven said he was glad he has an iPod this year so he can take pictures of the cool Lego creations.

Our builders are at it.

Amaya happily joined her dad on a trip to Home Depot.

This afternoon the kids had their friend Ruxin’s birthday party. It was a Dragons and Unicorns theme so they made crowns and wands and had foam swords for sword fights. The kids also did a hunt for dragon eggs that were full of treats inside. They had a great time.

The day wrapped up with late afternoon softball practice for Amaya, with Jason, and a quiet evening at home for me with Steven and Sammy.

And that’s our week! Have a great one!

*Blog title by Amaya