Oh hi there, start of the school year!

  Can you tell that the school year has started?  And that its been just a little teensy bit busy?  Some serious catch up is in order, here, folks.  

Here's the end of August for you.

First and foremost- this kid's 16th (!!!) birthday!  We celebrated with his friends -- that same group of terrific kids he's been spending time with since 7th grade- at Proximity golf.  It was a great afternoon.  We had the whole place to ourselves and the boys alternated between the simulators and mini- golf while Nat and I had drinks.  There is definitely a part of me that nostalgically misses the "old days" of giant, themed parties in our backyard.  But another part is relaly loving this laid-back way of approaching birthdays--  per the request of my "I don't like big parties" kid.  Making him happy while making my life easier-- win, win!

AND the kids's start of school-- 8th grade for Ivy, 11th for Jack.  Its just mind boggling that we are here in their school careers.  My babies!  But what wonderful young people they are growing up into.  Both kiddos are really rocking school so far this year (from my vantage point at the beginning of October I have evidential proof-- progress reports with straight A's for both of them!)  Jack is managing 5 AP classes, swimming, golf and working a few hours a week at the pool, with a great attitude.  He is all of a sudden a very motivated and driven kid, trying to eat more protien and lift weights to be in his best shape for swimming, keeping up with school work, and even cleaning his room on occaision.  Ivy, my teacher-pleasing sweetie, continues to be conscientous in all areas of school. She is balancing swim team and riding with her most preferred hobby- reading in bed with her cat.  Both kids have friends at school and come home with positive reports of their days.  Who could ask for anything more?

Because we just didn't do enough traveling this summer... we had an uneqpected day off school, the Friday of that first week back (no power in CHUH and at Lewis in Solon, crazy!) so we decided to take a last minute trip to Hocking Hills, which has been on my list to see for  long time.  We rented the cutest rustic A-frame (pretty much camping with a roof) and headed out to hike for the afternoon and evening. It wsa sweltering out but the woods and waterfalls were magical and the fun we had all together there made it worth the drive for sure. 

It was funny, though-- the kids had a little moment of maybe realizing how priveleged they are when they were like, "this is ok but we have been to way more impressive waterfalls before, like a lot"   Which is quite true, honestly.  I mean- Watkins Glen, right?   Lucky kids.

We really loved our A- frame.  The kids shared the loft and got along so much better than they ever do at home.  Nat thought I was a little crazy to suggest we do this last minute get away but we all ended up enjoying it.  Our family thrives in nature. 

Speaking of-  late August sunshine, anyone?  Our schedules this year make it hard for Nat and I to get our kayaks out together but we did share this wonderful day on the Cuyahoga, paddling all the way through the Flats and around to Whiskey Island.  Great views of our gorgeous city.

Next up:  September!