1st Day of School

It is hard to believe the 1st day of school arrived. Summer went by so quickly, and we did so many fun things!  But, the time is here to get back to the grind.

Max and Megan are going to a new school due to the redistricting. They both were a little nervous before school started and worried about their friends, teachers, etc.  But after yesterday, all the worries are gone.  They both had wonderful days!  They have friends in their classes from the old school, and their teachers seem pretty great. I’m hoping for an excellent year!

2nd Grade (Megan)

My MJ.  Her teacher is a perfect fit – friendly, wants to come to her games, a hugger, etc.  Seems like exactly what MJ needs this year.  I think we will love her!  My hope for Megan is that she continues to learn at an accelerated pace. She’s more advanced than teachers and I give her credit for – and I hope I can keep my eye on that.  I hope she makes some fast friends and loves the new school so she can show her little sis the ropes next year!

5th Grade (Max)

I have high hopes for Maxwell this year.  It is his last year of elementary, and I’m hoping he learns a lot to continue on into middle school.  I’m hoping he comes out of his shell and blossoms into the young man I know he can be.  Being too shy can sometimes be a burden (I should know), so I hope he can grow out of that, and go with the flow!

 

And here is mom and dad with the crew.  Mia had to send them off with smiles, and Dad sent them on the bus too.  It was a great morning!

Zoo Camp

So I mentioned in my last post that my girls went to be with Grandma and Grandpa to the lake.  This was Mia’s 1st year of zoo camp.  Every grandkid since my nephew has gone to zoo camp at the Toledo Zoo when they were 4!   This year, the only two that went were Megan and Mia. Mostly because when you get older, the zoo camps are all day which doesn’t allow for swimming and other fun things!  Max and I went up mid week, and here’s some pictures from the day I took them to camp.  They both are still talking about everything they saw and did. Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun week!!

Zoombezi Bay

Last Sunday, the girls headed with Grandma and Grandpa Stalter to the lake, and that meant I only had one child. Yep… hasn’t been that way since 2002, when his sister was born! So, he’s been begging me for 3 years to go to Wyandotte Lake  Zoombezi Bay.  Last time we were there it was called Wyandotte Lake and therefore that is what I call it. I’m old school. Plus I remember being very pregnant and chasing a 2 year old around the park.  Yep, it’s still Wyandotte Lake to me!
Anyway, Monday I took Max and his friend Gabe for the day. It was so great. I read a book, rode in the lazy river, swam with the boys, and just plain enjoyed myself all day in the sun.  It was wonderful to sit around and not keep track of the girls.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my girls, but it was an amazing time with my one and only son!
   
Here’s a shot of the wave pool – and Max and Gabe are the far two on the left.  The waves weren’t going yet, but when they did it was a blast!  It was a great end of summer activity for sure!

Product Testing

I’m excited. I signed up for Bob Evans coupons, etc. via their website, and they sent a “customer panel” email a few weeks ago.  I filled out the questionnaire, and now I get to try new products not in the stores.

Yesterday this little package was delivered to my door via courier service.  So, for the next 5 days, I get to try some new breakfast stuffer sandwiches from Bob Evans.  Not in the grocery yet, and better than that – only 100 calories each.  So excited to try them! 

And what do I get out of this?  The cooler (above) along with once I complete the surveys about $35 in FREE Bob Evans products at the grocery store.  New products, Free groceries…what is NOT to love!

Thanks Bob Evans!

Help the Orphans!

A while back, I mentioned that Mia will be on the cover of our local Families with Children from China calendar.  She also has a few submitted pictures which made the calendar as well.  But, did you know you can order one to help support orphans too?  All proceeds go to help orphans who need surgery and medical care while still in China. 

Check out the COFCC website for more details (and notice the girls on the homepage – you may see a familiar face!)

Thanks!

Swimming

So, what have we been doing all summer?  Mostly swimming.  We joined a local pool like last year.  We have spent a lot of time with Mia’s friend Molly , and her mom Teri.  Max has seen many friends from school and his basketball team.  Megan has seen school and soccer friends.  Kids see their friends…and I see mine. It’s really a win-win.  I swiped these from Molly’s blog… cause I just don’t take the camera to the pool.  After gently reminding Teri that she hadn’t done a swimming post…I guess I should follow suit!

Molly and Mia

And, here’s Megan with them too… She is great with helping to entertain them when she’s not on the high dive or going down the slide.

But the highlight of the summer came 2 weeks ago when my little one decided to show off her swimming skills when I wasn’t at the pool.  Megan didn’t feel good and Teri took Mia and Max.  When she dropped them back off, she asked if Mia was swimming, and I said no…well apparently she was swimming without the vest, and using her arms and legs. 

So, the next time I went to the pool, Mia showed me as soon as we got there.  Here she is swimming to Megan. I’m so proud of my baby – taught herself to swim!

Disney Day #9 – Last Minute Epcot Fun

 

 

Knowing we had to leave for the airport at 1:00, we packed everything the night before and had our bags ready to go.  After taking them down to the concierge, who had an awesome service of taking our bags ahead to the airport….love that…we ate breakfast and walked over to Epcot for a last minute morning of fun. (As a side note – why is Mia holding up her arms? She saw some other people taking pictures “holding” the big ball, as we call it.  So, I guess she thought SHE was holding it up! too funny)

We caught up one last time with the Connelly family, and tried our taste of Cokes around the world.  The kids were mixing them and trying different drinks.  It was fun.      After an Epcot morning, we headed back to the hotel, grabbed lunch, and boarded the Magical Express to the airport.  We had a wonderful vacation, probably by far the best Disney one ever.  It helped to have other families to vacation with, and have fun with, and we can’t wait until the next reunion.  I only hope it is not another 4 years!  

Disney Day #8 – Back to Magic Kingdom

We headed back to the Magic Kingdom, with favorite rides planned.  I took the big kids to Buzz and Space Mountain, etc.  while Scott suffered enjoyed the character lines.  Mia had been looking for Daisy since we got to Disney.  Everywhere we went she was upset because Daisy wasn’t there.  THANK GOODNESS Daddy spotted her when we arrived!  My girl was so excited!  And what would be a stop for characters without “Annochio”?  She loved seeing him too!

 

After a morning of fun, we met at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the castle to eat and see the princesses.  We all agreed it was a great thing to do – eating while overlooking the Magic Kingdom was awesome!  And, of course in Mia’s eyes, it was amazing to see all her princess pals. Megan would never admit it, but she liked it too.  She’s in the pictures, right?

 

Can you believe the presentation of the food?  And did I mention Disney considers a 10 year old an adult?  Yep… Max ate this whole thing!  I guess it was great for him to be an adult on this trip. Most of the kids meals wouldn’t have fed him!

Anyone who has been to these events knows all the princesses come to the table and greet you, sign autographs, etc.  Mia was so happy her 2 favorites were there – Ariel and Belle.  We had told her Ariel was on vacation because where you usually meet her, they were tearing it down and building something new. So, when Mia saw her – “ Mommy look she’s back from placation!”  Love that girl.

Max was happy when the lunch was over.  Can you tell ?

And who did we see on the way out of lunch? Yep, another favorite Snow White.  We had to get her autograph and picture.  Mia said she needed to meet Snow White for her friend Molly.  I love when she thinks of others. I think Molly was happy to get a text picture at that moment!

Disney Day #7 – Back to Hollywood Studios

The first stop of the morning was the Animation Studio.  We watched the movie and then sat at actual art desks the animators use.  Megan was thrilled.  We learned how to draw Pluto at our class!  While we were arting, Mia waited in line to see Fantasia Mickey and then we headed to our favorite ride again (Toy Story Mania).

Max, Meg, and Dad  rode Star Tours, and some other things while I took Mia to see Beauty and the Beast, the stage show.  Mia was so happy to see her favorite princess.  And, she was unhappy when Belle was wearing a blue dress…and was much happier when “Belle changed into what she always wears”.