Family Ride

This summer we experienced something as a family that I started to wonder if it would ever happen.

We went on a family bike ride. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! While I thought 2017 would be the year for no training wheels for at least one kid, we didn’t end up getting there. Somehow we just didn’t get the bikes out and make it happen. But this year we not only got Sevea on two wheels but Cohen as well. Last year Cohen was looking like he could get it but he wasn’t ready to trust he could do it. Sevea was still nervous and unsure she could do it. We reminded her of all the balancing she was able to do at gymnastics and that she just needed to trust herself and pay attention to keeping herself balanced. I think this really helped. She got good at riding straight and then after many failed trips around the basketball court at school she finally was going in circles. Then before we knew it she was riding around like she had been on two wheels for years. I’m certain she could have done it sooner but we just didn’t stress it. One of those parenting battles that really isn’t worth it. Cohen on the other hand needed very little encouragement from us to try this year. I think a little sibling comparison was all he needed. Brynna even took her training wheels off for an attempt but quickly decided she didn’t feel ready. All three out of training wheels in one summer would have been crazy. With just one out of training wheels would have been a highlight so we could bust out the bike trailer that has collected years of dust. With both Sevea and Cohen able to ride confidently and with a good amount of speed and endurance we were able to go for some good bike rides. Brynna just wasn’t able to keep up enough with the training wheels so she loved the bike trailer. It was so great to get out and be active in the beautiful summer weather. We are looking forward to many more of these family rides next year.

Let’s Paint Birthday Party

I did a thing. I planned Sevea’s friend party to happen only 1 month and 1.5 weeks after her birthday. Pat myself on the back, thank you very much. Really this year I was even more on top of it than it seems. We discussed waiting a little bit after school started just in case she wanted some school friends to come. And in the end it turned out great. She had two friends from school come. The really exciting part was one friend, Sariy, joined this year who she’s known since preschool and has been in the same class the past three years but this was the first year she got to come. She also made a new friend this year, Haley, who happens to live 5 houses down the street from us. Besides those two school friends she had the regular crew of Breanna, Eloise, and Grace from daycare days and then Addie, Kate, and Kalli from the neighborhood. We had her birthday party on a Sunday late afternoon to try to unsure most if not all her friends could join. You always want everyone to be able to come but this year I spent more $$$ on her party so you certainly want it to be worth it. She’s sooooo into art lately and absolutely loved our paint class in December that we booked Let’s Paint to come host a party in our home.

The party was so much fun! I think all the kids did a great job and were said to have been one of her best classes at listening and really paying attention to what they were doing. I think it might be a characteristic of the friends Sevea chooses. Nothing worse to her than kids who won’t listen when they are supposed to. Well unless it’s to mom and dad or something…but at school, yes you need to listen, haha!

After some outside play time, painting, pizza, and of course opening presents it was time for cake. Sevea decided on ice cream cake this year and instead of DQ we got one at Cub Foods. Don’t make the same mistake as me. It was good enough but it wasn’t any cheaper and you just can’t beat DQ. Well I guess my attempt didn’t turn out too bad but just go with DQ.

Happy 10th Birthday Sevea!

School starts 2018

With one year down for all kids being in school I was hopeful the start of this school year would be an easy one.

If these smiles weren’t proof enough, I’ll say that the school year started well for all three. The bigger two were excited for the new year. Each new school year is so crazy for me because I think back to my childhood and what I remember of those grades. Sevea certainly reminds me that I’m not getting any younger. 4th grade!!! How is she in 4th grade already.

No tears or fears for the youngest. I was so so soooooo happy that this school year was a complete 180 from what last year started out like. As much as I appreciated not having to pry her off of me so I could leave, I also took that time to remember it was evidence that she is getting older and will need me less and less. Sad moment yet an evitable one. It was also proof that friends will become more important since her buddies might have been a good reason for running into school with excitement. All three are in the same class this year and it has been great.

On to another year of learning and growing for these three!

Day Date with Mom

The kids weren’t quite ready for summer to end so we took a day trip to Valleyfair. It was the perfect way to end the summer. A little quality time together and ending the day with a cold treat is one of the best ways to say good-bye to summer in my opinion.

Bowling Party

Troy and I just so happened to be running the Ragnar Relay race on Cohen’s birthday this year. Thankfully he didn’t seem bothered by our absence. He must have been too excited to notice because this boy turned 7 and that meant he got to have his first big kid party. He knew right away that he wanted to go bowling. It was a good choice for entertaining a bunch of young boys. Some of the boys had more energy than I’m used to, phew! But overall the eight boys who attended had fun and made Cohen feel special for his birthday. We just might need to go back to help him work on his bowling form. Throwing the ball down the lane was not an exaggeration. It was a fun two hours filled with bowling, pizza, cake, and presents. This boy sure had a great time turning 7 and likely won’t remember we weren’t there for his actual birthday…until he reads this I guess ;)