Back to School!

The kids are back to school! Summer went much much too fast! I actually cried tears to see them go back. I wanted more time with them. I wanted to stretch out the lazy, hazy days of summer. I wanted to sleep until 8:00 a.m. each day a little longer. But, I could not freeze time, so they are back. Isabelle started 4th grade. She has Mrs. Platt for her homeroom teacher and Ms. Newman for her gifted classes (same gifted teacher as last year). Jack is in 2nd grade. He's thrilled to have Mrs. Fuss who Isabelle had two years ago. Patrick started his second year of pre-school with the same teacher, Ms. Barb. He will also have the same therapists as last year.

The other day I asked Patrick if he missed me while he was at school. He said, "no. I have fun school". Okay, so I'm totally thrilled that he likes it; but really, he couldn't lie to me!?!? He has adjusted very easily and is happy to get on the bus each day.

He and Maddy are in the same class again. They are the best of friends. You would think they were already a married couple. They are inseparable, yet can bicker unbearably. I'm so glad they have each other in class together. So, while Patrick is doing great he is adjusting to his day. He goes to school in the afternoons now, which means no nap or quiet time. I found him crashed on the couch before 6:00p.m. for the first few days of school.

Ella Jane is adjusting to the new school year as well. She is not thrilled with all her siblings leaving her every day. She tries to get her shoes on when it's time for the big kids to leave. She says, "Ella Jane go school. Ella Jane go on bus". She must ask me a few dozen times a day where Isabelle and Jack are. She naps for much of the time Patrick is at school and wakes to find him home. A few days ago she was feeling particularly crabby. I found her zonked out on the living room floor. Cute. Pathetic, but cute!

August in Michigan

All six of us went to Michigan. It was the first time in 5 years that Kevin has been to my parents house, so we were all thrilled to have him with us.

Kevin and I took the two little kids on a Paddle boat. They didn't last long. We barely got past the dock when Patrick asked to go back and Ella Jane was trying to climb out of the boat.

We had a family party to celebrate my dad's 65th birthday. Clearly, I didn't have my camera out enough since I have no pictures of Dad on his birthday. What party would be complete without a bonfire and s'mores?

Above left: Isabelle and her friend, Lauren, who lives next door to my parents.

Above left: my beautiful cousin, Karly with her fantastic hubby, Ben. Above right: my little cousin, Andy with his wonderful fiance, Heather. YEAH! They got engaged!!!! Okay, so I feel really old that Andy is old enough to get married. I remember giving him a bottle and reading him bedtime stories.

My brother, Mike, was able to come in for the weekend from NYC. We love spending time with Mike. Our visits are always nice, but way too short. He's an awesome uncle and the kids have a blast with him. Dad fashioned some very cool marshmallow roasting sticks. He took metal Kaboob skewers and duct taped them to very long, thick sticks. Although, pointy sticks in the hands of small children... risky!

Birthdays!!!

We celebrated Patrick's 4th birthday and Ella Jane's 2nd birthday with a backyard BBQ with friends and family. It's so hard for me to believe that they both have already gotten so big. Ella Jane really seemed to get into the whole birthday gig this year. She sang "happy birthday" to herself, to Patrick, to Daddy, Isabelle, Dora (the t.v. character), pretty much everyone. Patrick said, "I'm four, I'm four! I'm almost five!"



Grandpa brought some super bubble solution and huge bubble wands for the kids.

Patrick had yet another Thomas Cake. Ella Jane had a Dora the Explorer cake. We sang to each of them separately. I love to watch how their little faces light up when everyone sings to them.



Above left: Ella Jane is OBSESSED with Dora. Our friends, the Hurley's got Ella Jane two Dora dolls, which she was happy about as you can see. Above right: Isabelle hanging out chatting with her two best friends, Jaci and Abby Sutherland.

My husband is such a clown! He's available for parties, just call for pricing.

And I wonder why Jack is such a goof! Above right: Kevin, Mike Hurley, and David Jouf. Acting like boys!

More Summer Fun

Jack and Kevin headed out to Kevin's dad, Peter's, house for a weekend. Jack got to be in a fishing tournament where he got second place for most fish and caught the second biggest fish. He had so loved every second of it! I think the best part was the father/son (3 generations) time together.


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We have done so much this summer! We went to Kiddieland with our niece, Shelby and Kevin's mom and step-dad. It was a great time! Patrick went on every ride even the roller coaster and tilt-a-whirl. Ella Jane was a ride junkie running from one to another. Kiddieland is a small amusement park west of Chicago that has been around for 80 years. This year it is closing, so we decided a day there was a must. We're sad to see it go.

Above left: Shelby's and Isabelle's favorite ride. Above Right Isabelle (9), Shelby (12)



I'm clearly too tall for the kiddie rides. This one was surprisingly fast for a little kid ride.





We went to the Museum of Science and Industry with my parents. What a great place! As you can imagine, the giant model railroad was Patrick's favorite.

Wonderful Visit

All in one weekend we got to see several of our favorite people. Just two days after seeing my friend Jennifer and her family (see post below) we had Amy with her girls and Becky with her daughter come visit. It was really a wonderful time!

We had a birthday cake for Amy. Above right is Amy with Sofia (5) and Vivian (11 months)

3 moms = 7 kids. It wasn't easy getting all 7 to sit and look at the camera.

Becky and I have been friends since we were little. We first met in 1st grade before Becky's family moved out of Michigan and reconnected again in 6th grade when Becky moved back to Novi. Amy and I met freshman year of college. Becky and Amy met through me in college. Above the three of us with our littlest.

Kevin, of course, had lots of fun during the visit too. Sofia thinks he's just a riot. Isabelle is used to his silliness.

Mia and Ella Jane have become good friends already. The love a good game of "ring around the rosie", but rarely make it all the way to "all fall down" before actually falling down. It's fun to watch their little friendship.