offering

It’s definitely shifting to fall here in Michigan. I’m not prepared – I’m never prepared – but finally, this year, I’m reminded that it doesn’t get miserably cold for a while and I’m letting myself enjoy the season more. Cheltenham Drive becomes particularly pretty this time of year and, in the morning at bust stop time, the sun is still low on the horizon out to the east.

Amaya had a make-up for swim on Monday and she was the only one there for a good portion of class! I think they usually cancel classes when that happens for a make-up but Sophia said there was a teacher training so not only did she have 1:1 attention but there were two swim instructors.

Here she is, practicing her backstroke.

Jason and I had dinner plans for my work and I received this message from Steven. Just the sweetest. (I did make it home in time to rub backs & cuddle before the kids fell asleep.)

Another really pretty morning. On quiet days, I stay at the door while the kids wait for the bus. Steven’s getting better at saying goodbye from the door instead of as the bus pulls up. I think this will be important (for me!) as it gets colder out. Fortunately, with the bus tracker app, no one has to stay outside for too long.

I had another work dinner on Tuesday night and, as a thank you to the kids for “letting me go” my colleague and his wife got the kids Halloween pop its! Huge win! Of course Sammy, the bus wheeler and dealer, promptly traded his for a pyramid shaped rubiks cube. I think his favorite thing about riding the bus is making trades. (There were sales, too, but the school has said no selling/buying on the bus lol.)

At school, a few of the girls in Amaya’s class are in the “worm club”. To join, you have to find a worm, pick it up to be sure it’s okay, and then put it back safely in the dirt. Amaya loves it! On Wednesday, on the way to the bus stop, she found a worm on the sidewalk and used her Worm Club skills to transport the worm safely to the grass.

Our girl <3

One of our boys <3 He really liked this picture.

On Wednesday morning, I got this amazing email from Amaya’s teacher. I’m so proud of her for being such a great friend. When I got home from work, I had her read it out loud. I think she was very proud, too.

“Mrs. Cline, I wanted to tell you about your VERY sweet daughter. She has become good friends with Milan. Today, Milan was very sad. Your daughter gave Milan a very big hug today when she noticed Milan was sad. It nearly brought me to tears. To see such kindness, caring, sweetness, is so special to witness. You have great reasons to be so proud of her for being so kind.
—
Tammy Boomer, Thornton Creek 2nd Grade”

Amaya also made this picture to bring to Milan on Thursday. (I checked with Milan’s stepmom to be sure it wouldn’t upset her more, but she said it would make Milan feel better and she loves how sweet the girls are with each other. I do, too!)

Swim on Wednesday! This time the boys had a class to themselves for part of the time.

Amaya had a bottom tooth barely, barely hanging on so, on Thursday morning while she struggled to eat breakfast, she let me pluck it out. The tooth fairy is spending a lot of time visiting our house!

A mom I’m friends with is leading a Girl Scouts troop for the 2nd graders at Thornton Creek so Amaya and I went to an info night on Thursday evening. She’s sold! It sounds like this troop will be relatively light on engagement and expectations so we’re going to give it a shot. She already knows a bunch of the girls who are joining. I learned there is also a Boy Scouts den for 2nd graders and they have 8 boys already interested so I’m learning more about that for Steven and Sammy.

Groups of girls designed a robot together.

When Sammy can’t sleep, Jason can always fix it for him. <3

Some photos from the boys’ week at school

Love the outdoor learning. I’d have no idea about this without the photos. “How was school?” “Fine.” “Did you do anything interesting?” “School stuff.” Sometimes, at bedtime, I can get more out of them by cuddling a little longer. Steven is often very thoughtful about his answers at that time of day.

On Friday afternoon, Sophia was out picking up Nana (!!!) from the airport so I was available when the kids got home from school. Big kids – let them in, head back to my meeting. I loved these post-school bright eyes from Amaya. She also had her hair in a cute little side bun.

Nana! Amaya took these photos of Nana and Sammy playing foosball.

Toothless grin!

Like last month, Steven and Amaya slept down in the basement with Nana on Friday night. It works well with two beds in the basement guest room.

The Starbucks tradition

SSA love to do KenKen buzzles with Nana so she saves the easier ones for the kids for when she visits. They each take a turn and did great!

And then Nana and Jason worked on a crossword puzzle.

Sammy was upset because one of his favorite shells broke so Nana had the idea that they could make mosaics with the pieces. It was an awesome idea!

Here’s Amaya’s creation. As I type this, she’s coloring in the background of the cardboard.

We rounded out our Saturday with a Radddish Kids recipe – Spooky Ice Cream Pie.

Voltron with Daddy

Today, after Hebrew school, we all headed to Detroit for a visit to the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA). Even after 15+ years in MI, I still hadn’t been! We spent about an hour and a half wandering around.

Steven loved the “eye spy” displays set up throughout the museum.

He found the fan 🙂

A wonderful temporary exhibit was all about Ofrendas. (Is that the plural of “Ofrenda?”) They had many set up, all with different backgrounds and motivations. It was really cool.