Ballet Starts, School Picnic, and Aunt Angela visits!!!!

this was a crazy busy week, but we made it!!! Every day we had something going on, and it was really fun...exhausting at times..but fun. I am still amazed at all the things I can do and not really drive more than 5 miles, that is crazy to me! I was commenting to Brett that I have not filled up the gas tank for the van in 2 weeks!!! It is not that I am not leaving the house, things are just closer...ahhh, how nice. It is starting to feel more and more like home and that is good. I did feel a longing for Maryland earlier this week, maybe for the comfort of the known...but I was quickly reminded why I like it here so much with the sounds of my kids playing, talking to their grandparents, riding bikes around the block, playing at the back to school picnic, etc. All things we could easily do in Maryland, but now with the comforts of "pleasantville" around me. :) Beckett was sick this week, poor thing.....we ended up skipping school on Friday and will start fresh on Monday with another try. I know she has a hard time with the separation, but it is good for both of us. Both kids had soccer games this morning....Braydon did a great job of keeping a positive attitude and tried to participate, Brielle got really nervous and sat on the sidelines. Both kids are making friends at a fast pace, and have been playing with several others on a daily basis, makes a mommy happy!

school picture day...Y5's (I forgot to take Braydon's picture)

getting so tall!

first day of ballet for Beckett. She got really excited, and then really nervous and would not go into the class. She promised me that next week she would try.

first day this year of ballet for Brielle. As always with new things, she was scared and nervous and excited at the same time. She enjoyed it, one complaint...."it was really long"..it is an hour long class versus 45 minutes. :)

back to school picnic with some friends, The Rapaport family

Aunt Angela is visiting us for the weekend!!!! Can you tell Beckett was excited at the airport as she was watching for her to walk down the jet way. They are now all playing and not letting Aunt Angela out of their sight!

Beckett starts school..

Beckett had her first day of school on Monday, September 12th 2011. She is enrolled in the Tween (2 1/2-3yr old) program at the Children's Workshop. She was very excited about going, and could not stop talking about her teacher Miss Gloria. I wish I could say the excitement lasted, but when I dropped her off and said goodbye, she immediately started to cry. I left, being my third child..I know that it is better for me just to go...not to linger. The hard part this time, she is my baby, my last one....and I can tell that I handle these situations differently. I left and promptly returned at 3pm to pick her up, only to see her sitting with a teacher, pacifier in the mouth and tear stained cheeks. Yep, she had cried most of the time, acted very tired and not really involved herself at all. When we got to the car I asked her about her day, "i was scared mommy without you there." I assured her that I would always come back and get her. After that moment, the tiredness went away, she was chatty, giggling and playful. So, we will see what happens when I take her on Wed.

High School Football and Homework....

Friday night we took the kids to the high school football game. East Grand Rapids vs. Union. East won the game easily, but it was the experience that was fun. The last time our kids were at a football game it was an NFL game to see the RAVENS...this is so much different. I had not been to a high school football game since I was in high school. It was really cool to see the community support that surrounds this team, and this school. I think more than once, Brett and I looked at each other and were both thinking the same thing... "we did the right thing, this is so right for not just us, our kids, but for our entire family" I have thought about this move a lot lately and events like that just reassure us once more that we listened to GOD, we waited for his timeline and we let things line up when they were supposed to. There are still so many uncertainties, but we can reassure that we are in the best possible place.

watching the games from the stands

sitting in the stands, looking out.

We also entered the world of homework. Braydon is in 1st grade and we knew it was coming, but had just forgotten about it. This was his first assignment, an "all about me" chart. Needless to say, it got done....not without some whining, complaining, laughter and help. I feel like I really have this big kid, big tasks, and big fun! The homework is somewhat torture for the parent when the kid is not excited....we will hope for excitement on a more frequent basis this year. I am so proud of him and what he has learned this past couple years, he is doing so well in school and generally really likes school. Favorite subject: Reading. :)

other first day of school pics.....

on his way for his WALK to school...no more buses....it is by foot, or a ride from mom and dad now. :)

and SOCCER begins....

new chapter: our kids have never really shown any interest in team sports, hence why we have stuck with gymnastics, ballet, and karate. When we moved....i mentioned to Brielle that East Grand Rapids Recreation Department had soccer....she immediately wanted to play. First practice is tonight....we will see how it goes. She was ver excited to go. Brett was planning on staying for the whole practice.

Brielle and Beckett before the first practice. Beckett is really into copying her older sister right now, so of course....she had to bring a ball to the practice too!

Braydon also started soccer today, although once today came he was not as excited as he had been about starting. We are not trying to force but to set the example that when we sign up for something we give it our best shot and then go from there. I was really proud of him for going. After practice....he did say he was excited for his scrimmage on Saturday...we will see. :)

First Day of School 2011

First Day of School 2011

Wealthy Elementary, East Grand Rapids, MI

Braydon started 1st grade with Mrs. Doele. He absolutely loved his first day in a new school and thinks that this school is awesome! He loves that he has 3 recesses and that they have a huge playground and play area to play in. He is also excited to have his own desk and locker!!

Brielle started Young Five's with Mrs Ziemba. She made it through her first day with a brave face (few tears), and was excited to go on the second day. This has been a huge change, and transition for her and we are really proud of her for doing it. Even today when I dropped her off (second day) she was more smiley, and will to into the classroom on her own.

Here is to a new year!

Beckett starts next week at Children's Workshop, MWF afternoons.

summer comes to an end......

(ludington state park, MI ....September 1st, 2011)

summer is ending....school starts tomorrow. the past three months have

brought a lot of change for our family, all good. i think back to all the

nights we prayed about this change, and really asked God to hold our hands, guide us,

and direct us on the correct path.....we listened and we waited until it really

was the right time. timing is everything. we are starting to get settled,

more boxes have been unpacked, things are put away, friends are being made, we are finding

our familiar routes, but tomorrow marks the start of yet another change...a new school.

the kid have nerves, anxiety, and fears....but what kid doesn't before that

first day? this has been an amazing time in our lives....we are all really

looking forward to the first fall in Michigan.