Elementary eve

Its ten p.m. The new school clothes are in the dryer. Backpacks on the hook. Kids in bed, ready for a big day tomorrow. Me, trying to think of something profound to write on this day before the first day of kindergarten. I don't know quite how to feel. Mostly I am SO excited for them to start this next chapter. There are so many fun and interesting opportunities out there, and I can't wait to for the boys to experience them all. I always thought I would be a "slacker mom," because I hate the idea of the boys being over-scheduled, but now I am thinking of all these activities that they can sign up for: swim lessons (done), soccer, baseball, karate, gymnastics, climbing camp, the list goes on and on!
Meagan is now living with us full time, and we just got her registered for high school at Kalamazoo Central today, and I was reminded of the anticipation of a new school year, and all the new and exciting things that came with it. It's a big switch for her, transferring in 10th grade, but she seems excited. Almost as excited as I am for her. Honors english, college readiness, journalism, and geometry. Helping her with her homework might be my one real chance to put my rusty math skills to work!
Well, off to bed now, having a high schooler who catches the bus at 6:50 a.m. means our house will be waking up pretty early from now on. Well, at least Meagan will be!

Stay tuned for the obligatory "first day of school" pictures.

Graduation

Here are some photos from the boys graduation in June. Kindergarten here we come!
Connor won the scientist award, (he is always making things) and Riley won the future banker award, for saving up all of his crystals (awards for good behavior) for 2 months to get a prize of Galactic Putty.

The boys' first movie

So I got a new camera at work, the Canon 5D Mark II, which aside from being an awesome SLR, also takes HD video. It works a little differently than a video camera, so I though I would test it out. Trying to focus on two jumpy little boys turned out to be my downfall. They wanted to make a movie, so here they are, re-enacting the swordfighting scene from the Princess Bride. Riley gives it an unexpected twist at the end. Please note, Sorry to all the tech gurus out there, I did not shoot this in HD.

Some like it hot.

There are a few more things I want to post, but it is 83 degrees in our office, and my laptop is like a heating pad for my hands. So instead I am going to sit in the other room and sweat a little less profusely. Check back, some possible topics include; Jazz Fest in New Orleans, Bonfires, and Drummond Island.

Camping Extravaganza

I love camping. It is something that was instilled in me at a young age by my parents. There is nothing better than cooking outside, kicking back, watching a campfire burn, then sacking out in the tent, listening to the sounds of the outdoors. Even better if it is raining. ( As long as you have a good tent that won't collapse in the middle of the night, forcing you to sleep in the car.) I want the boys to love camping too. They have been a couple times already, and Aaron and I have been talking about taking them this year, but our schedules have been crazy and we haven't been able to get a trip planned. But two weekends ago, I had some time off, and decided it would be fun to try and take the boys camping. Aaron was traveling, so it would be just me and the boys. By ourselves. In the woods. I think Aaron said "Are you sure?" when I brought up this idea. It actually was a lot of fun. We drove to Lake Michigan, to Van Buren State Park, which has a campground and a beach. I set up our camp, with minimal help from the boys, then we hit the beach. The water was 53 degrees, hypothermia cold, cold enough to make my legs cramp up when I put my feet in, but Connor actually dunked himself under more than once! We spent tons of time digging giant holes in the sand and running up the giant sand dune that is there at the beach. The same kids that whine that they can't walk up the stairs because their legs are too sore ran, and I mean RAN, up this sand dune. Have you ever tried to run in sand? It's hard. But they couldn't be stopped.

Needless to say, after all that excitement, they passed out within about 30 seconds of me zipping the tent closed that night.

The next day we hit two more beaches, one at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, where you had to hike through the woods for a little over a mile to get there, and Oval Beach in Saugatuck, which is a great family beach. I was surprised to see there were no longer lifeguards there. It used to be one of the few spots that still had them, at least a couple years ago. After all that beach time, stopped for some ice cream and headed home. Connor passed out in his car seat almost immediately and Riley followed soon after. I would have joined them, except I had to drive. Despite the huge pile of camping gear and dirty laundry that followed us home, it was a blast and totally worth it. When I asked the boys if they had fun, Riley said, "No, because we only got to camp for one night." Next time then, we'll go a little longer. But I am definitely taking Aaron along for the ride!

Happy Mother's Day!

Every once in a while, even after almost 5 years, I think about the fact that I am a mom, and I can't believe it. I still feel like a kid myself, and don't feel old enough to be entrusted with such responsibility. But no one told that to Connor and Riley, and they seem generally happy with me. Except when I tell them they can't watch T.V. or that they have to wear that pair of pants they don't like. Then I become "THE WORST MOMMY IN THE WHOLE WORLD." Luckily my status as the worst mommy ever is a fleeting one. I can just as easily become "The BESTEST MOMMY IN THE WHOLE WORLD" for the simple act of making brownies. The boys still think they can marry Aaron and I, and lately Connor has taken to calling me his wife. We explain to them that Mommy and Daddy are already married to each other, and we can't be married to them, but they don't quite get it. But I like to think it's only because they know that when you love someone, you marry them, and they can't imagine loving anybody more than us. Maybe I'm just projecting, but it's an illusion I can live with for now. I'll take it, because one day the boys will become teenagers, and I will permanently become "THE DUMBEST MOMMY IN THE WHOLE WORLD."
Here are some pictures from our Mother's Day adventure canoeing on the Muskegon River. the boys "fished" with their fishing poles from Grandpa Rob and took turns paddling the canoe as we floated down the river with our friends Jake and Tammy. It was a nice relaxing day on the water.

2009 Earth Day with Keen and Dick's Sporting Goods in Pittsburgh, PA

This is what we did for Earth Day, an event with Aaron's company in Pittsburgh. Look closely, Aaron, Connor and Riley all make appearances in the video!