This week we’ve been lucky to have Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy visiting us! It’s a nice long visit so everyone has been able to settle into a routine together.

Grandpa Homey arrived first on Friday, 8/26. Everyone was so excited to see him and to get busy playing (and reading) together.

On Saturday morning we decided to go to Maybury Farm to show Grandpa Homey our animal friends.

Daddy got to work on Steven’s sunblock. He was definitely well protected.

Steven was trying to push Amaya on the little tractor.

Sunday was a lazy day at home. Lots of time for rides on Fudgie and reading with Daddy.

These are really cool shirts we got from a former Borders colleague who works part time at a local Ann Arbor bookstore. It’s Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel, Caps for Sale and Charlotte’s Web!

After the kids went to bed on Sunday night, Grandma Betsy joined us along with Jason’s stepbrother David and his kids, Sullivan and Cecily. On Monday morning, Steven, Sammy and Amaya woke up to their cousins in the house and everyone was ready to play together. We were lucky to have David, Sullivan and Cecily with us until Tuesday morning.

The kids were thrilled to see Grandma Betsy!

Playtime on the deck!

Steven is working on his letters.

September 1st starts Childhood Cancer Awareness month and we wore our shirts to support Grace. Did you know that only 4% of all federal funding for cancer research goes to all childhood cancers combined? Very, very few new drugs are developed for kids with cancer and so many lives are lost. It’s not fun and it’s not easy and it needs more attention. Team Cline stands with Grace and all of the other childhood cancer warriors. <3

Spreading the word at the zoo. #MoreThan4

Sammy has really taken to Grandma Betsy. This morning he stood at the bottom of the stairs and said over and over again, “I’m waiting for you to come downstairs, Betsy. I’m waiting for you to come downstairs, Betsy. I’m waiting for you to come downstairs, Betsy.”

Here they are cooking together.

Watching family videos on the iPad.

The whole gang getting in on the action.

I got home from work early on Friday so we took the opportunity to go for a walk in the  neighborhood. It’s always nicer when we have a 1:1 ratio.

Grandpa Homey and Steven were buds.

Steven brought Amaya a rock.

Steven and Grandpa Homey, chilling with diggers.

Oh, and a school update! Sammy and Amaya have really taken well to going to school. Amaya hasn’t cried at all and seems very comfortable. Sammy cried a bit again at drop off but was fine before Megan even left the room. Steven is having a tougher time. After pick-up he’s happy and says he had a good time but he’s still crying at home before we leave and for a little while after Megan drops him off. We’re letting him take a stuff animal with him to help with the transition.

Here’s some artwork they did on Tuesday.

Saturday we went to Royal Oak to Arts, Beats & Eats. Sammy spent most of the time walking by Betsy’s side.

My attempt at a selfie with the kids while they ate lunch.

The highlight was a puppet show in the kids area. SSA are definitely at an age where they were able to engage. Steven and Amaya were even laughing along at some points.

It was a long morning for the kids. We didn’t get home until 3pm which is only 30 minutes before we’re usually done napping. We let them sleep until 4:15pm but only Amaya actually slept. Sammy had napped on the car ride home but Steven hadn’t and he was a hot mess when it was time to get up. These kids definitely still need their naps.

In the evening, the boys got some much needed haircuts. Daddy did a great job!

No haircut for Amaya yet!

Today we went to the Michigan State Fair which is held at Suburban Showcase, only 10 minutes from our house.

At the Boy Scouts booth we got smores! Amaya ate the whole thing. Sammy at the graham crackers and chocolate. Steven only ate the graham crackers. He did not like how messy the chocolate was. Kind of like the frosting on Megan’s baby reveal cupcakes.

Outside watching one of the kiddie rides. SSA are holding stuffed animals they got from a state trooper in the Michigan State Police booth.

So much to see!

There was a little kid ride around a train track and Steven really wanted to go on the “train” so we bought 3 sets of tickets and decided to give it a shot.

Steven picked the blue car and Amaya picked the pink car. Sammy got a little bit nervous and ended up sitting out this ride but Steven and Amaya jumped right in and had a great time!

After Sammy saw Steven and Amaya on their ride, he decided he wanted to give it a shot, too! I was so proud of him for trying (and also proud of him for sitting out rather than feeling pressured to do it). My sweet Sam Man.

It’s been a wonderful, wonderful visit! We can’t wait to see Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy again soon!

Steven, Sammy and Amaya are loooooving Magnatiles right now. Here are some photos of their creations.

An airplane.

Nana’s house.

Steven this week!

Sammy this week!

Amaya this week!

We’re so lucky to have the grandparent fun continue for the next two weeks! Nana and Savta visit on the 9th and Steven has a sleepover with Grandma Sunshine the week of the 12th. Have a great one!