Hailey Finally Relearns How to Ride Her Bike!

Hailey, Hailey, Hailey. We taught her how to ride a bike when she was in kindergarten or first grade. I'm sure the post is on this blog somewhere. Well, fast forward about a year or two and she needed to go to the next bike level because she grew and she couldn't pedal with her knees up to her chest. 

She's got this!

But, she refused. She did not want to ride the new bike and give up the old one so she simply chose not to ride a bike anymore. She missed the 3rd grade bike rodeo at her school (where they need to pass to ride their bike to school). During winter break during her 4th grade year, we told her that our Disney Adventures trip to Australia included a bike ride around the Sydney Harbor and over the bridge. You'd better learn, we said, because we all wanted to do the bike ride. She didn't listen but she tried when we were in Sydney and the guide promptly pulled her out because she was a danger to herself and others. Luckily, it was a Disney trip so the awesome guides took her back so we could enjoy the ride. 

A few months later, we were in the Maldives for spring break and the primary mode of transportation there is bikes that every villa gets. We had to order her one with training wheels so she could ride with us and not hamper our daily activities. She didn't care that she was 10 years old and riding a bike with training wheels.

Fast forward to the 5th grade - there were no trips to require her to ride a bike but there was a phone that she wanted and friends that were now making plans to meet up at the park or at each other's houses. Relearn how to ride your bike, we said, and we'll get you that phone. I guess that's all it took because just a few days later she went out to practice and quickly relearned how to ride her bike. Sure she got a phone but really she got something a lot more valuable than that - freedom. 

She now rides her bike almost every day to her friend's houses, to the park, to town. Thankfully, she relearned how to ride at just the right time so she could enjoy her summer with her friends. And she sure is!

So easy!

Her sister and her even went for a bike ride to the park

Father's Day 2025

The one time all summer that we know we will be in Michigan is Father's Day weekend. It's usually a good time to go because soccer goes into a lull for a bit before it kicks up again and the girls are usually free too from their activities. 

The crew and Auntie Do Do's cooler!

So despite not having been to Michigan in over 6 months, we were able to steal away for almost 48 hours (for me and the kids). Tom went up a bit early to get the place ready for us and my Dad who always comes up. This year, we invited my brothers and their families too to celebrate all the Dads so it was a big crew. 

The weather heading up on Friday wasn't great. Lots of rain, but once we arrived, it seemed to clear up enough for the kids to play some yard games and us to sit outside for a bit. Tom smoked a brisket and we ate well (all weekend long, actually). 

On Saturday, in usual fashion, Tom, Austen and Papa got up early and headed to the golf course. This year, they played Hawks Head which is by our house. They said the course was really nice and a bit easier than the course they had played the past few years in Benton Harbor. The rest of us (minus the brothers) went shopping in downtown South Haven then hit Virtue Cider to sample their ciders (I had the blueberry) for a bit before returning to the house for more yard games and more food and drink. 

We took lots of pictures, took walks to the beach and admired the sunsets. People joined in on puzzles, indoor games, outdoor games and had a good time giving each other a hard time (including Papa who might've gotten everyone up an hour earlier than need be on Saturday due to Michigan being in the eastern daylight time zone).

Sunday was another relaxing morning with lots of food, gifts and cards before heading back home around noon because Peyton had to work late that afternoon. 

Hoping we get up there again sooner rather than later so I can clean out the fridge and the kids' closet since they fit into none of their clothes up there anymore! Just need the time to do it in between the kids' still busy schedules!

Just the girls minus Hailey!

The big cousins!

Papa and Austen on the golf course

Peyton's Makes JV Cheer and Lands Her First Job

First Day of Work

It's been a few months of lasts for Austen and Hailey since they both "graduated" from their respective schools so lots of content to post about for them lately. But, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention all the exciting things that have happened to Peyton during this time too.  

First, she made JV cheer again for her sophomore year. She wasn't too worried about tryouts and certainly didn't practice as much as last year but knew that since she is one of the few that has tumbling skills on JV, that she would make it. She's come so far too - last year she could only basically do a round off. Now, she has a round off backhandspring, standing back handspring and is working on a standing back tuck. She says she's very good at jumps and is an excellent main base for stunting. She may need to work on smiling though (and she wishes she was a better dancer but for not having really any dance practice, I think she's pretty good). This year, JV will compete so they didn't take as many cheerleaders as in previous years. She's also working on making Varsity next year because they get to travel to Dallas for their competition if they qualify. 

In between her cheer practices/camps (of course it's already started for the fall season), Peyton decided that she wanted to get a job because there were many things that she wanted to purchase this summer. So she took the lifeguarding class and went on some intereviews at our local pools and ended up taking a job at the country club pool at the end of our street. So far, she really loves it and it's been good for her to not be sitting around all summer. The social aspect is a plus as well as being outside and getting some UV rays (with sunscreen on of course). She's met some great people and is making money doing something she loves. I call that a win! So happy she's still swimming too even if it's not her first love anymore. 

Summer is off to a busy start with cheer and work but that's how she prefers it. Keeping busy.

Hailey's Lasts at Prospect

Our last child has finally ended their career at Prospect Elementary school. We started at that school in the fall of 2013 with Austen (Hailey was not even born yet) and finally reached the end in the spring of 2025 with Hailey. That's almost 12 years of consecutive time at Prospect. 

Elementary school seems so long while middle school and high school just seem to fly by perhaps because our kids get busier as they get older. Since it seems like we've been there for years (and we have), I can't say that I wasn't looking forward to being done with Prospect although we've had really great years and some great teachers there. 

Hailey was better about the end than I thought she'd be. It started in early May with a visit to the middle school for step up day. The incoming 6th grade girls then got together for a meet and greet at the local park complete with some getting to know you games and fun. Then it was time for her last Daddy Daughter Dance with Tom. A few awesome moms from our grade set up a special dinner for all the 5th grade girls at one of our restaurants in town before the dance. Then all the 5th graders walked on down to their red carpet debuts for their Hollywood themed dance. So much fun and Hailey looked very grown up! Of course I had to do her hair several hours beforehand due to the fact that I had to leave at noon to take Austen to a soccer game in Wisconsin and I wouldn't be back in time before she left for her pre-dinner. This was actually quite hilarious as I tried some bendable rollers in her hair the night before. However, I put a shower cap on her head for her to sleep in with the rollers (came with the rollers) and that effectively made her hair and all the products in it sweat so she woke up with wet hair and condensation in the shower  cap! I could not stop laughing although I had to redo her hair in the morning. Despite this memorable moment, she looked great and had a good time with her Dad and her friends. 

The lasts came to an end last week with her "promotion" ceremony for our 5th graders at Prospect on Thursday afternoon. Austen and Peyton were both present with Tom and I to see Hailey receive her diploma. 

And while she's not exactly excited about middle school, she did not cry leaving Prospect. I'll take that as a win for my child that doesn't love change. Congrats to Hailey on finishing out 5th grade strong and qualifying for both advanced math and advanced language arts in middle school (the only one of my kids who qualified for both entering middle school - the other two only qualified for advanced math entering middle school). 

5th graders!

Dad and Daughter - Last Dance!

Girls and Dads!

A Few Friends

Hailey and Her BFF Bree with Diplomas

Hailey and Katerina Getting Clapped Out of Prospect

We Love our Hailey!

Congrats to Our Girl!

Peace Out Prospect - It's Been Fun!