Camping

Last spring and summer (during the shut down), we did a couple of nights of backyard camping in our tent with the kids, checking on their readiness to add camping to our list of family activities.  They all did pretty well, so this past week-end we took the next step and joined our brother-in-law and his kids for a week-end of camping at Komlara Park in Bloomington.

I had forgotten how much packing is required for one night of camping.

Our brother-in-law brought his camper, which was an added convenience for the bathroom, kitchen, and the extra amenities that I forgot to pack.  And did I mention the bathroom?

The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed lots of outdoor activities...like kayaking...

fishing...

boating...

playing with cousins...

hanging out by the campfire...

and, of course, s'mores!

The 4 littles probably had the most fun just playing pretend games in the tent.  They spent hours together doing that!

Everyone had a great time enjoying the great outdoors...

trying new things...

and spending time with family.

Through a solid night of sleeping in our tent and a fun weekend of outdoorsy fun, our kids proved that we are ready to be a camping family.

Truth

 

Anything can be a train if you want it to be.

Back to School

Summer break has officially ended as the kids had to set alarms, pack their backpacks, meet their teachers, and head back to school today.  There was excitement.  There were nerves.  There were questions and apprehensions and anticipation about the unknowns of a new school year.  There was happiness and sadness all mixed together.  There were all the feels...and those were just from me.

Briggs was ready to go back to school.  He wasn't too concerned about who was in his class or who his teacher was, but seemed pleased to find a few friends in his class and liked his teacher at Meet the Teacher night.  He didn't ask for a new backpack or a different lunch box, but was excited about the new school supplies he picked out with Uma (especially his pencil box) and was pumped to get to wear his new school shoes.

Briggs has Mrs. Spence as his teacher this year.  Of the 4 first grade teachers, she's the only one we have never had as a teacher.  Briggs liked that her room was decorated with Dr. Seuss, asking to wear something "Dr. Seuss-y" for his first day of school.  He was also pleased that his friends Keiko, Hudson, and Reagan are in his class this year.

Adelie was excited about the return to school.  She was a little sad that we couldn't find any of her close friends with the same teacher, but seeing her class list at Meet the Teacher night put her more at ease with the kids she knows and ones that she wants to know better. 

Adelie has Mrs. Hitchins as her teacher.  This was the same teacher Staley had for 3rd grade, and we love her!

Staley is my child taking the biggest step this year.  She is heading off to the Middle School!  New school, riding the bus, lockers with combination locks, changing classes, multiple teachers, band, kids from different schools that come together for middle school...  So many changes to be excited (and nervous) about heading into this year.

Staley has Mrs. Bishop as her homeroom teacher.  Mrs. Bishop is a friend of ours, her daughter does Stage Kids with Staley, and we've known her for years.  This was the teacher Staley wanted for homeroom, and I feel good knowing that Mrs. Bishop will be looking out for Staley and helping Staley get off on the right foot for her middle school journey.

Staley's closest friends did not end up in her same homeroom, but she has several friends in her class this year.  She was excited to discover that her best friend, Lilian, has the locker right next to hers and her good friend, Olivia, has the locker right above hers.  And with less restrictions this year, Staley is hopeful that she'll be able to sit with her friends at lunch and spend time with them at recess.  She is also looking forward to meeting kids from Goodfield and Congerville who join Eureka for middle school.

Staley was very nervous about her first day of school.  Although excited about the new school and new independence, she woke up with nerves and could barely eat her breakfast.  She had packed her backpack the night before, practiced multiple times with her combination lock to make sure she could do it, and picked out her first day of school outfit but she still had apprehension about finding her locker and her classroom, knowing which bus to get on at the end of the day, and all the new things that come with being at a new school.

Thankfully I dropped her off at the same time as her friend, Josie, so she had a friend to walk in with.  I know that made her (and me) feel way better!

There is so much to love about a new school year.  It's always a fresh start.  You put on the new shoes, pack up the new supplies, meet a new teacher, adjust to a new set of kids, and look forward to learning lots of new things.  It's always bittersweet as I watch my kids take these new steps time and again.  I love watching them grow and move into these new phases, but it's that constant reminder of how quickly time is flying by.

Seussical, Jr.

The kids just finished their summer Stage Kids class with their production of Seussical, Jr.

The Eureka cast combined with the Bloomington cast to bring this production to the stage.

Briggs wasn't planning to be in the show until his friend, Grace, signed up.  Then he changed his mind and was the cutest little Who in Whoville and a fish.  As part of the ensemble, Briggs did a great job of knowing the songs and dances and really creating his character on the stage.

Adelie was Cindy Lou Who.  Even though she didn't have any lines or solos, this was one of her best performances.  She was very expressive on stage, did a great job singing the songs and remembering the dances, and was a joy to watch.

Staley was the Young Kangaroo, sidekick to the Sour Kangaroo in the show.  She had a few short solos within songs and made the most of them.  Although this wasn't one of her biggest parts in terms of lines or solos, she said it was one of her favorite shows to be in.

With each show, my kids have more and more friends that they want to get pictures with after the performance.

They love meeting new friends when the casts come together and further establishing relationships with friends from different schools/grades/towns.

The family atmosphere of NTA and the joy my kids find in preparing for and performing each show makes me appreciate this little organization all the more.

Like always, the kids had so many people come to watch them perform.  Briggs' friend, Dava, came with her mom one night...on Dava's birthday!

Their summer baby-sitter, Miss Olivia, came to watch them.

Of course, they were also supported by grandparents...

Miss Vickie...

great aunts...

cousins...

and friends.

It was a fantastic show with my fantastic kids.  I love watching them continually grow in their skills and find joy on the stage.  So proud of them all!

They Say...

Adelie was asking lots of questions about cancer and why people with cancer lose their hair.  As we were discussing this, it came up that sometimes your hair grows back differently after you've lost it.  Adelie seemed very concerned with the whole conversation, so we reassured her that she is healthy and does not need to worry about getting cancer.  She replied, "Oh good, because I wouldn't want my hair to grow back differently.  I really love my hair."  #warpedpriorities

The other day Briggs came out of the playroom and announced that he had just cleaned up the whole playroom by himself.  Getting him to clean up, especially without help, is often a struggle so I was praising him for cleaning up without even being asked.  He replied, "It was a really big mess and all the toys kind of overwhelmed me."  #soundslikehismom  #ioftenfinditoverwhelming

We have been watching the Olympics as a family most evenings.  The strict judging and picky commentary during gymnastics and diving have become a source of conversation (and comedy).  The other day, Adelie said, "I wouldn't be a very good judge because I'd just give everyone really good scores."  #sotrue  #tookindtobeajudge

We were driving a few friends home from Stage Kids and Briggs was talking about his grandparents.  He was explaining that he doesn't call his grandparents Sandy and Paul or Cathy and Mark, but instead calls them Grammie and Grandpa and Uma and Papa.  He explained, "We don't like their real names, so we just gave them different ones."  #iguessthatswhathethinks

During our Olympics viewing, Adelie kept commenting on all the gymnasts' sparkly leotards.  The US team seemed to have different leotards for each different portion of the competition.  At one point, Adelie asked, "Why are they wearing different leotards again?"  To which Staley replied, "Probably because the other ones are being washed."  #laundryismyolympicsport

Even as they get older, I love these little glimpses into how they see themselves and how they see the world.  

Truth

I have come to realize that I can either have creativity or a clean house, but never both at the same time.

#ichoosecreativity

Good-bye, July!

With only a another week until school resumes, we have continued to try to fill our summer break time with fun activities and time with friends.  July was full of fun!

Adelie, Uma, and I went to a Fancy Nancy tea party put on by the library.  It was fun to get dressed up for a special activity with Adelie.

The girls and I took Uma and Grammie to see 'The Little Mermaid' play at 5 Points in Washington.

Some of the girls' big kid friends from Stage Kids were in the show.  One of their Stage Kids' directors and singing teacher played Ursula.  We all loved the show!

My college roommate, Tara, was in Eureka twice for her son's travel baseball games.  I loved getting to spend time with her.

The kids have all had special time with grandparents this summer.  Adelie had a special day out with Uma getting a manicure and pedicure, as well as shopping for school supplies.  Staley went shopping with Uma for school clothes and supplies.  The kids have enjoyed special movie days and outings with Grammie and Grandpa as well.  We are so lucky to have grandparents that are a vital part of my kids' lives on a regular basis.

The kids have also enjoyed fun opportunities to spend time with cousins.

My friend, Christie, and her girls were in town for a few weeks so we scheduled LOTS of play dates, late night walks, swimming fun, and even a sleepover.  When our kids were all together, putting on shows was always part of the plan.  So much creativity!

Briggs and Lucy got to have a special sleepover together at Grammie and Grandpa's house...

...while Caroline had a special sleepover at our house.

Zach took the girls to an outdoor performance of 'Oklahoma.'

One of their old Stage Kids' friends was performing and they loved watching her.

Briggs had so much fun with some of his best friends at Dava's birthday party.

(Notice that he is surrounded by his closest friends...and they are all girls.)

He had a great time swimming and playing with friends.

We met my college friend, Jenny, and her kids at a park in Springfield for a full day of playground, splash pad, park, and picnic fun.

Our summer isn't all sleepovers and swimming and special activities, however.  We've also had plenty of time at home for playing...

building...

reading...

creating..

and outdoor fun.

Oh, summer!  It's been lots of fun, but I'm so sad that you are almost over.  Good-bye, July!!  You flew by too fast!