Back to school we go!!

And just like that, they are off!  Third and Sixth (!) grade Heights Tigers.  Time sure does fly when you're having fun....

 No photo together on the porch this year for several reasons. Our poor boy was home sick for his first day of school, and his new school starts before Ivy even gets up. A change for sure.

I think I took for granted how sweet and easy it was when they were at the same school. I  knew it was temporary yet it seemed that was just the way things were, Boulevard was "my kids' school," plural, one stop shopping for conferences and events.

We've already gotten a taste for our new world order this week with two different curriculum nights filling up the second week of school, and a whole new building and set of procedures for us all to master with the Middle School.  Lots to learn for everyone!

At least this little girl gets to head off to her familiar place each morning.  She's off to a good start, happy to be in class with her friend Violet this year, though sadly separated from some friends she made last year...  As seems to be the pattern, she started the year with some strife thanks to a poorly behaved classmate... who then got moved to the other class without us even having to complain.  We are happy that she has qualified for pull out services in reading this year so will get a small break from the wild behavior of this tough group of kids.  I am just grateful that my girl is not a follower, and sticks to her guns with her belief in rules and the importance of EVERYTHING HER TEACHER SAYS.  I've never met a teacher-lover quite like this kid.    I'm not complaining!  I hope she keeps this for a long time.

 And this tall boy?  Not the easiest start for him what with being hit with a doozy of a virus (three weeks out and he's still not 100%).  He soldiered through 4 out of 5 days of his first week, not liking ANY of it. He put off the tiny bits of homework he was given,  complained about band and social studies, and generally sulked about school each evening,  and I was amazed and saddened to see my sweet boy morph into a grumpy full-on middle schooler in just a few short days...

I love this photo, the way Winter is looking up at him like, "Wait!  Where are you going?"

 Luckily, much of the sadness and ennui seems to have been more related to illness and fatigue than a permanent behavior change.  By late in week two we were seeing a few smiles and reports of friendship, details about teachers and classes, a positive attitude about homework.  At the end of week two our boy got a wakeup call when checking his grades-- when there've only been a few assignments, losing a few points on a shoddily completed homework makes a difference.  He stepped up to the challenge and spent the weekend redoing a few things to get points back.  So after a shaky start I am feeling more hopeful about his middle school experience.  There are so many opportunities for clubs and learning, and I love the way our Heights kids from all the elementaries get to come together in new ways and make new friends.  Fingers crossed for this big boy.  It's a huge transition for sure but I think he's going to do ok.

Meanwhile I had MY first day back, same as the kids. So, we were ALL a hot mess all week in the evenings, it turns out.  Our crew has a hard time transitioning away from summer vacation...

I am pleased as punch with my room arrangement and decor this year- my best ever, I think. Also, it turns out, quite possibly  my toughest group of kids, too.  But I will soldier on like my son and hope for improvement....

Summer lights

Our last weekend of summer vacation was a full of light and lovely weather.  Also, because life is a study in contrasts- a sick boy and a whole lot of pre-school stress. We did our darndest to enjoy the light.

 We purchased tickets a good month ago for the lantern festival at the Zoo, and wow was I regretting the advance purchase when Friday evening rolled around and I was tired from two professional days at work, Jack was droopy with a sore throat, and skies threatened rain.

It was pretty hard to stay disconsolate, though, in the face of baby rhinos.

 And Chinese markets.

 And amazing lanterns....

 I am glad we went and I hope we can go again next year- with everyone healthy and energetic!

Ivy spent the night with her Gram but our sick boy wanted to be at home... which is where we left him on Saturday morning so we could gallivant around town on trolleys.  We had some serious parental guilt when we got home to find the poor child feverish.  And yet-- he was in the best spot for a sickie all day, and had an excellent caregiver.

 Nat and I did have a great day ignoring our responsibilities!

I just love the City Hop.

 And Coastal Tacos eaten on the East Bank boardwalk...

 ... and walking under the Detroit Superior Bridge....

 ... and afternoon beers at hip new breweries in Hingetown

 We picked up our little sunshine for the Hop home...  She loves a good trolley ride just like her momma.

A wonderful weekend for three fourths of our family....

Since we've been back (part 1)

It's been a whirlwind!  Trying to catch up on all the laundry and animals and gardening and general life in our giant, cluttered and needy house... but mostly failing at that because we've been busy every moment going to events and going to work and getting ready for school and....

Our days have been rich and full and fun and jam-packed, and I am really missing long aimless days at the lake.  Vacation is over with a vengeance, people.  But life is still pretty good.

The way I see it, you have two choices for how to spend the day after you get home from vacation:  either unpack and clean all day, or go to the fair.

Can you guess which one we chose?

 Hot, crowded, half-price  ride wristband day... and picture perfect.  Our kiddos got their money's worth on their wristbands for sure, riding everything they could while the adults found shade and chatted....

 We did ride the Ferris wheel, of course.

 The rabbit barn was a favorite, of course.  Good thing this guy was not for sale or we'd have another rabbit.

 I love our tradition of visiting this fair every year with our friends. 

 I also love goats.

 Friday highlight:  Swim team end-of-season party.  It was a blast.  The kids had a great time breaking the "no floaties" rule as they had the pool to themselves.

 Awards we given and pizza was eaten and the grownups had a great time alternately chatting with each other and being the paparazzi for the kids.

 Our boy cleaned up with a few more ribbons (which went to 25th place for championships). I think he was pleased.

 Here you see some of the older team members dragging coach Dan into the diving well.

 One of the best moments of the night:  As everyone was packing up to leave, here's Jack hanging with the 7th graders, chatting it up under the lights.  Later learned that Aaron and Sophie were giving him middle school advice, and Sophie offered to tutor him if he took "Global Issues" for MSSP...

When did my awkward little boy turn into a social butterfly with older girls offering to "tutor" him???  The swim team has been great for him socially-- lots of time to develop relationships slowly and feel confident.  Also it doesn't hurt that he was one of the biggest point scorers for the team this season so everyone knows who he is. 

Personally, I've really enjoyed meeting the other "swim moms" and a few nice conversations at the party.  I hope everyone continues in the fall so I don't lose these new friendships!


Saturday:  Good day for the lake!  Met my mom  and Pip at Rocky River Beach where we could have stayed for a week, it was so nice.

 Ran into some friends and the kids played and played...

Then, off to Penitentiary Glen by night for the "Super Star Party."  Which really was super.  A sweet little event in a wonderful place that we always forget about. 

They've added a new area called "Nature Play," which is where we started our night.  It is a fabulous resource, full of wonderful natural interactive opportunities.

 Our kiddos jumped right in and responded the way they always do in nature-- with calm and focus and even some positive interactions between the two of them.

 As it got dark the "star party" really got under way.

Face painting of the little dipper...

 Crafting constellations...

 Viewing raptors by night...

 And the highlight of the evening:  a night ride on one of the mini steam trains.  Clacking through the darkened wood, the smell of burning coal, waving to other trains, weaving over tiny bridges.  Magic that makes us all feel young.  I love these guys who volunteer their time and their beloved trains to light up the lives of so many people.

We also spent a good deal of time watching for shooting stars (everyone saw at least 3!) and looking through telescopes (we saw Saturn! AND a globular cluster!), and waiting to look through telescopes, in lines full of happy people who were so very excited to be standing in that field.  You call it a party, and it becomes one!  We had a great time.

 Sunday:  Lake day take two!

This time, Fairport Harbor, for paddle boarding and a meet up with new friends.

We spent the afternoon with one of Nat's co-workers  and his family.  Had a great time getting to know them, and the kids got along pretty well, as you can see.

We were there for a good 5 hours.  We settled in to sandy chairs and ate sandy nachos and sandy ice cream and got a little bit sunburned and it was great.

Not pictured:  Monday and Tuesday, where we had no time for the lake as we were busy shopping for school clothes, going to various meetings, and spending a lot of time at school.  Jack had his first East Side Kickers practice Monday, Ivy had an all-day playdate on Tuesday, I started my Mindfulness class, Nat was "Super PTA Man"...  Phew.

After two days like that we needed a vacation.

Enter a day trip to Put-in-Bay.

 A great last hurrah before school...  This island that exists solely for leisure...

 The kids loved the ferry ride (and Winter got used to it eventually).....

We rented a gold cart for the day and everyone loved that.  Something about a golf cart just underscores that you are doing recreation...

 We went all the way to the north end of the island.  Here it is.  Looks like the end of an island, doesn't it?

 Then doubled back and visited the Perry's Victory National Monument.  We met a nice papillon who played with Winter while we went up two at a time to take in the view.

 Got to go up with my boy.  I don't spend nearly enough 1-1 time with this young man.  He's a pretty great person to spend time with, it turns out.

We enjoyed seeing all the way to Canada (the Canadian islands are just 5 miles away).

 Then, to downtown for ice cream and the sights...
Winter charmed everyone she met, practically holding court on the gazebo by the ice cream shop...

 At 3:00 on a Wednesday, the scene in downtown Put-in-Bay is pretty calm and family friendly, it turns out.  We didn't stay too long downtown though because the kids wanted to swim.
This tiny little rock beach didn't look like much but the water was so perfect.  Especially out past the buoys, it was deep and calm and soft, like swimming in a hug.


The other families at the beach were super friendly and super tolerant of our dog, who insisted on taking her fetch toy back to them instead of us, nearly every time.

We closed the day with beer (root and otherwise) and fries at Joe's Bar, which was the best possible choice.  The fries were amazing and beers were just what we needed.  Felt like we were in the middle of an ocean vacation in the Carolinas... two hours from home on a last-minute day trip.

 And... back home in the soft shining light of the evening.

A nice ferry ride chat with my boy...

 ... and a sleepy ride home for three little ones who had a great time partying it down at Put-in-Bay.

Next post:  Back to the real world.  Kind of.