Every now and then, during my workday, I get an email with a link to a school presentation that Steven and/or Sammy are working on. This week, it was a “My Family” presentation. You’ll see that I am featured prominently on the cover which is the result of Steven doing a google image search for my name. Jason can’t be so easily found online.
The thrill of this presentation was that I could see Steven working in it live while I was flipping through. He was adding dates for my birth year and our wedding year but had blanks in the deck. I was able to pop into the notes section of the presentation to povide the info he needed and loved seeing Steven’s note back to me. It was such a fun moment in my day.
On Monday morning, Jason and Steven had a late start together so Jason could take him to an eye doctor appointment. Steven did great with dilation – he’s come so far – and his prescription has improved! His doctor said it’s even possible he won’t need glasses one day in the future, for his farsightedness at least. Steven says he’ll still wear his glasses, though, because he likes how they look.
After school, I hosted the end-of-year girl scout party for Amaya’s troop. It’s such a smart, energetic, friendly group of girls. I hope most of them are interested in continuing next year. I know Amaya is!
Before the activity and pizza, the girls wanted a dance party. Imagine my surprise when they requested Weird Al. He’s still popular with the kids!
Painting frames for a troop photo.
Troop 40831!
We were able to use my printer for the photos so each girl left with a completed frame. This was Amaya’s. 🙂
While we were having fun at home, Sophia and the boys went to Culvers and swim lessons.
Our sweet Amaya, wrote a comic based on Sally’s life – largely centered on the day she left us. This breaks my heart but it’s also such a gift to see how Sally stays with Amaya and how she’s processing through her grief. “You might think I’m just a cat, but I have a story to tell.”
The 2nd page shows our life with Sally, and evolves into the morning we realized she wasn’t well.
Page three takes us to later in the day. Sally was still at the vet and, while we waited to hear more from the vet, Sophia took the kids to the playground.
Page 4 shows the kids learning that we have to say goodbye to Sally and sharing that goodbye at the vet. But it ends with us enjoying ice cream together. I’m glad that, on this sad page, Amaya can still reflect the way to tried to feel a little better.
Page 5 is Amaya’s representation of what Sally had to say to us. <3
“I love my sister.” “I’m 93 in cat years.” “I love my mom.” “I love my family.” “I love the Clines.”
On Tuesday, now that the Astros have full uniforms, we finally had picture day! Can’t wait to see our boys’ newest baseball cards.
Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette came to the game! It was the perfect night for it.
Both boys did really well in the game. Steven had hits at every at bat and at least one RBI.
In fact, he was the game ball recipient for his performance in this game and through the season.
Proud boy!
Last week Steven, Sammy and Amaya commented that Sophia walked them to school this year and Jason walked them to school in kindergarten but I never walked them to school so, on Wednesday, we made it happen! Another perfect day for an outdoor adventure. It’s about 20 min each way – less if you hustle – and I make it back just in time for my 9am meeting.
After school, we all met up for a little retirement celebration for teachers including the boys’ teacher, Mrs. Bates. She is amazing and I’m so sorry the school is losing her. Steven and Sammy had an amazing year in her class.
Cookies and cat ears!
Steven is down to one pair of glasses so, with his new prescription in hand, we took a trip to his optometrist where he picked out two new pair of fames. He is adorable narrowing down his choices with “lilke”, “maybe” and “no” piles and had a very specific point of view on what he was looking for.
I had plans last night so Steven and Sammy joined Sophia at Amaya’s gymnastics class. I’m just now noticing that Steven went in his pajamas lol.
I got home from the movies and four the four people I love most in the world asleep together in our master bed. Truly the best.
The boys have two more regular season games next week but, because of my work and travel schedule, Thursday was the last one I’ll get to attend. It always seems like we’re getting right into our groove as the season comes to a close.
Both boys did great! Sammy got a hit at one of his at-bats and did a great job chasing down a ball in the field that went so far it was an grand slam for the other team. Steven got on base twice and scored once.
This game, Sammy earned the game ball. The kiddo was thrilled.
We had a special visitor at the game. May May came to see the boys play and was able to see both of them get hits. So special. <3
Friday, Sammy and I headed off to New York! Remarkably, we also went to NY together a year ago today! The same thing happened on my last trip with Amaya. I definitely have a pattern.
Sophia came early to help get Steven and Amaya on the bus.
Psyched to get decaf in the sky club. (Mostly psyched about the sky club.)
Away we go – same as we did exactly one year prior!
I worked from Sara & Dave’s house in the afternoon while Charlie and Sammy got wet under the hose. It was a beautiful afternoon.
Our 8th grade graduate joined for dinner
Back in MI, Sophia, Amaya and Steven got some ice cream at Stuart’s.
It was Friday night sleepovers all around! I slept at Nana & Papa’s with Sammy, Chase and Charlie while Amaya and Steven slept with Jason.
The boys are wrapping up school. I’ve loved getting photos of their school days this year. Truly a treat.
Saturday morning, Sara, Sammy, Chase, Charlie and I went to Dave & Busters and then out for lunch at Applebees.
Sammy and Charlie spent the afternoon getting wet again. They took turns standing on the trampoline and spraying the hose on the other one, who was on the grass below with an umbrella. Sammy was very impressed with Charlie’s aim.
Back in MI, Steven was modeling his adorable freckles.
A huge treat for me was meeting my friend Rachel in NYC to see The Music Man, with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. We’ve been going to shows together since we met freshman year of college and this was high up on my list. It was even better than I hoped and the company was perfect. Such a great night!
Back on Long Island, Charlie and Sammy had another sleepover with some bonus Carvel.
Today we headed out early for the annual SunriseWALKS event to support Sunrise Day Camp – a free day camp for kids with cancer and their siblings.
Before we left, Sammy and Papa took this picture, giggling because they were holding the box to cover Papa in his bathrobe.
The walk gang was Nana, me, Aunt Sara, Sammy and Charlie. <3 It was a little rainy but that didn’t stop us.
They had activities for kids before the walk and a little kids’ carnival afterward.
Explaining how his snake was painted.
Sammy and Charlie, walking together.
We did it!
Bubs at the carnival.
Back home, Steven got in some batting practice!
Our flight back to MI was delayed a bit but Sammy was a happy camper in the sky club and it was worth it for the fun weekend we had.
I’ll wrap up the blog with a photo of a lifelong friendship – Nana and Linda Schwartz – friends since high school. Linda was visiting from FL where she’s lived since I was in kindergarten. In fact, the Airbnb I stay at, across from Nana and Papa’s house, was once Linda’s! So special!
Have a great week!