Peyton and Hailey Start 7th and 3rd Grades

On Monday, our girls started the 7th (Peyton) and 3rd grades (Hailey). Austen will begin after Labor Day due to construction on his school but he's in full sports mode right now which is nice not to have to do school AND sports. More on him in my next post but back to the girls...

Peyton wasn't as nervous as last year or maybe she was more nervous. Because of COVID they really haven't had a normal year - they had to wear masks, couldn't use their lockers, didn't dress for PE and there was no hot lunch. So this year has been new to a lot of the middle schoolers. Her lock gave her some trouble and we've had work orders drawn up to get it fixed. She thought it was her and she couldn't do it but it's definitely the locker (during curriculum night last night, I tried along with the social worker and neither of us could get it open). There were nerves about dressing for PE from all the girls. But Peyton reported there was a long line to change in the bathroom (which the PE teachers frowned upon because they really don't have enough time) but Peyton said it wasn't that bad. I'm sure she'll get used to it and it's a right of passage anyway. She's liking the ability to buy food from the cafeteria and today was her first day buying lunch (not just snacks). I met all her teachers last night at curriculum night and told her how lucky she was that they are so young and fun, and really have a vested interest in wanting the kids to do well. I think she's going to have a great year!

Hailey on the other hand was not thrilled with her teacher assignment for the 3rd grade. It's the same 3rd grade teacher Austen had and probably not one of my favorites. In all fairness, the teacher was going through a divorce at the time but trying to be positive, I told Hailey that I thought her and her teacher would be a perfect fit because they are both sarcastic and funny. And wouldn't you know, she called me from her "watch phone" as soon as she was steps out of the building on the first day of school to let me know she loves her teacher and that she is so "nice." Plus, it helps that many of her friends (boys/girls) are in her class too. Third Grade is also a special year because they finally get to ride their bikes to school too after completing the bike rodeo (a school test on bike safety). Well, Hailey's old bike is too small and the next one (Austen's old one), she is not comfortable riding yet so need to get her something that she feels confident riding. Working on that as most of her friends like to ride their bikes to school. She does like the independence of walking to and from school too this year and it's even better when her friends are with her.  

I think they both are off to a great school year. Cheer practices have started. Hailey has gotten some soccer practices/games under her belt, and Peyton starts swimming again after Labor Day. Off to a great year!

Summer Comes to a Close

Things are starting to wind down for the summer. The girls finished their first and only camp last week - it was a camp at our local humane society. They loved it and tried to get me to adopt a new pet every day that I picked them up.  Luckily there no new felines or canines in our home (yet). 

Their fall sports have picked up this week with cheerleading and soccer starting. Swimming starts after Labor Day so we'll have to throw that into the mix too. Then the girls head back to school on Monday after a soccer tournament this weekend for Hailey. Summer is surely winding down and the craziness and reality of having three kids in 6 sports this fall has begun.  

We tried to make the most of our time in Michigan this summer and researched new activities to do with the kids. We found a cute breakfast/coffee spot in St. Joe and then enjoyed kayaking on the Paw Paw River where we cruised past some lovely homes and a scenic golf course (Austen was in Heaven and even picked up a few spare golf balls). There was some great wildlife on the river including lots of turtles that would jump off their logs into the water when you approached. We saw two swans as well. We weren't expecting to see those in the middle of a river in Michigan but it was a nice surprise to our day. It rained a bit too unexpectedly so we took cover under a bridge and entertained ourselves by racing each other through the pillars and around. Tom and Peyton won but Hailey and I would have if Austen (captaining his own kayak) hadn't run into us! 

We also had our usual group of friends up in early August for our largest group each summer - 16 adults/kids. We went to Lake Arvesta again so the kids could play on their giant inflatable obstacle course in the water and head down their waterslides. We played volleyball and pickleball, and then the boys also ventured off to play the frisbee golf course which took them around the acres of property into some wooded areas. Sunday the weather wasn't great but the boys still all went to the beach to get in some father/son football games before we all called it a day with ice cream before heading home so all of our high school kids could be well rested to start their fall tryouts for sports on Monday. 

It's been a hot and lazy summer. Not too much traveling or crazy sports schedules but what I've found is that we all like it best when we are busy - just doing something. Like us, our kids don't like to be idle (well, maybe Hailey does). 

The stash of golf balls he found along the river

Swans in Michigan?

She didn't paddle much but she had fun going for a ride!

Kayaking!

Friends since 1st grade (the boys on the left) and their siblings

Diving, Boating, Games & Beach

It's almost the end of summer and all we have to show for it are some great tans! Aside from a one night trip to Indiana, we've just been heading to Michigan for some long weekends with some camps thrown in there too. 

All summer long, Hailey has been working on her dive. I think she finally has it too.

 

We also rented a boat and did some swimming. Lake Michigan was a little rough that day so we rolled out our lily pad (floating mat) in a protected cove and the kids jumped on and off the boat, floated on the lily pad and played in the water. We figured out Hailey gets a little sea sick from boating so we gave her a Dramamine which knocked her out completely for a bit. But she recovered after a good 45 minute power nap and had fun playing in the water too. 

P behind me in the captain's chair

Dramamine kicks in

Just chillin'

We also found some time this summer to hit a Chicago Red Stars and Chicago Fire (soccer) doubleheader as well as take in a White Sox baseball game. The White Sox won and we got to see a lot of fireworks for some home runs while the Red Stars game showcased the debut of 17 year old Jaiden Shaw for the San Diego Waves. We also got to see Gaga Slonina, the 19 year old goalkeeper for the Fire who days later was loaned to Chelsea in a multi-million dollar deal. 

Papa and P

Selfies at the Sox Game!

Red Stars/Fire Doubleheader

So while we haven't gone anywhere per se (except Michigan) we've kept busy all summer. We even got Sadie to get down to the state park beach in South Haven through a handicap accessible ramp. She loved the water and the sand. Fell down a few times and got wet as the waves approached her and she wasn't quick enough to move her body and get out of the way! But she really enjoyed her walk there and it was good therapy for her too. In fact, we all enjoyed it except when I stepped into what was quicksand and sank down to my knee into a giant hole that just kept filling in with sand. I had my Tori Burch flip flops on (I wasn't going to lose those - they are $50 a pop!) and almost lost it in the sand but I just kept digging and digging to get my leg loose enough so I could bring up my flip flop too. Kind of crazy and I'm glad it was me and not one of my kids. Anyway, another good adventure for our summer of 2022 and exploring more of southwest Michigan. 

Sadie and me after the quicksand fiasco

Sadie enjoys the beach