September Shenanigans

Mali ~

Heya, sweetie! What a crazy end to summer and beginning of fall. That very first weekend we had a really good visit from our friends from San Diego. They were not only here helping Courtney get settled for her next semester at OSU, but also remembering and celebrating the life of Stephen, Kathy's oldest son who passed away 15 years ago on September 1st. He was only 19 and from what they tell me, a force to be reckoned with, a light in all of those whose lives he touched. It was a wonderful dinner and then a bonfire back at our house to talk and share stories about their beloved Stephen. In the face of such a somber life event, it was nice to hear all kinds of stories about why they loved (and will always continue to love) Stephen so much. It reminded me that even in the face of death, our loved ones can live on in our hearts and memories forever.

L to R: Brandon, Courtney, Vanessa, Steve, Kathy, you,
Daddy and me

reminiscing around the bonfire

Unfortunately, the rest of this same weekend took a rather rough turn from such a good night with friends. Believe it or not, Daddy woke up the very next day and wound up back in the hospital again. Yep! I said it. Back to the hospital again. Geesh, right? He somehow developed a crazy fever and felt so bad that we even had to call the squad because he was so dizzy and nauseous he could barely stand up. Poor guy. Fortunately, he came home just a few days later and it turned out to be a nasty bug that had gotten out of hand for him. I'm glad it wasn't anything more, but Daddy definitely keeps us on our toes and has been through the ringer over the last year or so. Here's crossing my fingers that we have no more hospitalizations (for any of us) for a long, long time.

The rest of the month thankfully improved from the rocky start and even ended with a fun Family Day party finale. Here's how it all went down...

On one particularly sunny day, Daddy and I somehow got a morning together (you must have been with friends or Lao Lao or something) and decided to take our pups to Hoover. It's one of their favorite places to walk and while we missed you, it felt nice to make the doggies so happy.

13 years old and still going strong!

We can't take the cats for walks, but they definitely find ways to annoy entertain each other. 

Double G loves to bug Pip, just like any
little brother would do

You also have fallen in love with Roald Dahl's book, The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), that your teacher is reading to your class at school. You wanted to get a copy for home so you could read it there too and in fact, you even asked to go see the movie at the theater as well. I couldn't believe it! You don't typically like going to the theater so this was a big deal. It was a super movie (you, Lao Lao, and I all enjoyed it a lot)!

no picture of us in the theater, but here you are in
the arcade trying to outsmart the grabber claw

That weekend, Lao Lao took you to the farmer's market and had you pick out all food that you have never tried before. It was a fun way for you to try new flavors and expand your palate a little bit.

I think this was called a "zebra squash" but you thought it
looked like the icky "snozzcumber" from the BFG movie

Then Lao Lao and Uncle Flint took you to the Columbus Museum of Art...

nice...totally Uncle Flint's idea

checking out the dress up area with Uncle Flint

That same week, you were also chosen to be the Star Student at school. Each child in your class will have their special turn over the course of the year, but the order they are chosen is based on what good behavior you have recently shown in class. Basically, it's an entire week where you make a poster telling all kinds of information about yourself to share with your classmates. You can also bring in items from home each day to share even more about yourself if you so choose. For myself, I used to dread projects like this as a kid because I am more of an introvert. However, as you can see below, I clearly don't have to worry as much about you in that department.

part of your poster which says that your favorite things to do are play
with your friends and talk to grown ups

You are still my social little creature, but have also definitely taken more of an interest in books already this year, especially the BFG.

see what I mean? you are totally into The BFG
book, even reading it upside down!

You also attended a roller skating party for a friend (McKenna) at school and ended up with a set of vampire teeth as a prize before we left. Yay?

Jumping ahead a bit, Daddy and I are taking you to your first wedding in October and therefore, you were so thrilled to have a real life opportunity to wear a suit somewhere fancy. It's my friend Erin's wedding (who absolutely adores you) and so I am 100% positive that it will be a fun and unforgettable time. When I told her that you are excited to come and even want to get a tux, the first thing she said was, "Well, get her a tux then!" So, we took her advice...and here you are below, trying it on for the first time the same day it came in the mail. Super cool, right?!

stylin' and profilin'

And to further experiment with style, you and I laid out in the front yard one day and did silly things with each other's hair.

here you gave me a front pony tail and told me
I looked like a narwhal

just a silly top pony tail/attempt at a man bun

Your friends from the neighborhood also spent quite a bit of time at our house as well. As usual, silliness ensued.

evidently, you two were pretending to get all
snazzy for a wedding at 6pm, but first you
were going to sign autographs, LOL

Darion spent the night for the first time ever so we did some fun stuff together too. After taking you kiddos to the store for some junk food shopping, we came home and did peel off face masks. Those things are always a fun time. So creepy!

Then we built a fort for you two to sleep in and it looked really cool with your constellation night light shining through the sheet. Sleeping under the stars!

this is what your fort looked like from the outside...woah, right?!

The next morning you must have been feeling all grown because you went outside with a big mug of "coffee" and watched Darion ride his bike (just like Daddy and I do sometimes with you). You crack me up, kid.

And another interesting conversation with you recently...this particular post made a lot of my friends want to work for you someday.

Did I mention how much you like the BFG? Exhibit A, below.

ran into this guy at the costume store,
the BFG is much shorter than I expected

wow, Costco! does anyone actually buy these bears?!

breakfast date with your daddy...he loves you so much!

Double G, stealing some ouside time

I do have a confession though. We completely forgot to celebrate the Mid Autumn Moon Festival this year. I think it's our first year to ever not attend any parties for it. I felt awful when I remembered. But, given Daddy's hospitalization, your upcoming Family Day party, the additional homework involved with third grade, Daddy working weekends, and a seemingly never ending revolving door of friends through the house, it slipped through the cracks. I did, however, take time to appreciate and snap this picture of the beautiful moon that night. There's always next year, I suppose. So, Happy Mid Autumn Moon, honey! I promise to try to do better next time.

And that brings us to the end of the month. My birthday. The big 4-1. Daddy and I decided to forgo any gift giving this year for each other, but Lao Lao made sure to take you out and help make your vision become a reality for what you had in mind for me this year. You wanted to give it to me as soon as you bought it (2 weeks before my birthday) but I made you wait so you wouldn't spoil the surprise. On the morning of my birthday, you woke up and immediately wanted to give me your gift before you went to school. You even asked to film me because you wanted to show my gift opening to Lao Lao since she wasn't with us. So sweet.

It turns out, you had wanted to buy me a rainbow necklace and earrings and by golly if you didn't find exactly that! They are beautiful and perfect, just like you. I was so moved that you had chosen these. I'm not sure the exact reasoning behind it, however you are acutely aware of my fierce support for the LGBTQ community so perhaps that factored into it a little bit. And of course, there is also this...

Roses and Rainbows

showing off my new necklace and earrings...perfection!

The night of my birthday, Courtney also stopped over and brought me (and all of us) her first ever homemade birthday cake. It was delicious and unbelievably thoughtful of her. We love our Courtney!

And on the heels of my birthday high, the very next day we had our (belated) Family Day party celebration! It was an amazingly great weekend and quite possibly, the best Family Day party we have had yet. Perhaps it was because we hosted it at our house and got to put to use our new patio, or perhaps it's just because we were yet again reminded of all of the wonderful and supportive people we have in our lives. Either way, it was a loving and memorable time with so many we hold dear to our hearts.

most of the kiddos at the party

once again, this time "be silly!"

Alex, you, and Joey

the pinata, a Family Day party tradition
(L to R: you, Joey, Sam, Elyse, Mia, Freddy, Alex,
Darion, Carter, Cassidy, and Kyndall)

it was really hard to get open!

you always hold back and let all the other kids get
their candy first...such an interesting person you are

not everyone was here for the picture, but we had to take it a
bit early to beat the setting sun ~ good looking group, yeah?

"ok, everyone! silly picture this time!"

even Papaw's brother Mike and wife Carol from Rittman came down
(L to R - Pat, Memaw, Papaw, Carol and Mike)

you, my child, are the absolute light of our lives

Happy Family Day, Punkin!

Ahh...I couldn't have imagined that we would end September with such happiness given the tough start we all had. However, life is full of surprises and it just goes to show that each day is meant to be embraced and lived for what it's worth. And the worth of my life, with you and Daddy in it, is priceless.

Love,
Mama

And Now We Have a Third Grader, Yo.

Mali ~

Early August, the gap between summer camp and school, you spent half days of one week with me, and the following week was "Grandma Week" ~ aptly named by you. First day of Grandma Week was pool day, second was go carts, one chill out and relax day and then there was a special haircut at the salon, the only place you like to get your hair cut now. Lao Lao has definitely spoiled you.

As for our half days together, here is a snippet I shared about one of our afternoons. You are such a little teenager already.

Finally, the last weekend before school started we took one last road trip and headed off to VA to see our framily; Brad, Stacy, Sierra, Laurel, and KK! Just under 8 hours in the car together and I couldn't think of two better road trip partners than you and Daddy!

I always want to stop at this scenic overlook but we always
seem to miss the turn off, until this trip. thanks, Daddy!

Brad was feeling a little under the weather when we got there
so nurse Daddy went in to see if he could help...silly guy.

the next day we headed to the pool

and Daddy did his cannon balls, just like always

ready for a swim

you attempted to do the diving board (with
KK leading the way) but backed out at
the last second

then we hit up an orchard/winery

and Stacy and I did some flights of hard cider

while you kids enjoyed their yummy ice cream

and then things got a little crazy

and you got to help hamster-sit their neighbor's
pet (now you want a hamster, of course)

they took us on a cool hike to a really
neat natural swimming hole

you and Daddy used your goggles to search for minnows

I loved coming in to the living room and seeing you and
Stacy deep in conversation over lunch

goofballs

this picture and the one below are from our grown up evening
out for dinner on the C-ville downtown mall
(yes, we're doing what you think we are)

Sierra watched all of you little kids while
us big kids got to have a night out

snuggling with your Stacy and KK
(I love the way your eyes sparkle
in this picture!)

our crazy group on the last night there

and here Daddy and I are outside of the Beef Jerky Outlet on the
way home...it's not a road trip without some proper jerky!

I also have to mention that August held the summer Olympics in Rio. Unexpectedly, you developed quite the passion for Olympic women's gymnastics, especially gymnast Aly Raisman, who became your absolute favorite. Your excitement for the sport was both surprising and adorable. You even changed the screen saver on our I-Pad to Aly's picture. Too funny!

As summer drew to a close and school was finally upon us, you became even more of a lovey kid, giving big hugs and proclaiming, "I missed you so much!" after Goddard one day. It was a wonderful surprise that made my day.

Finally, it was the eve before the first day of school and we attended 'Meet the Teacher' and dropped off your school supplies (all except your BB8 backpack which you were so excited to show off as you marched in the first day). That night I read our traditional letter for back to school about being grateful, being kind, and being brave. I love that letter. And while I can't take credit for writing it (thank you, Glennon Doyle Melton of Momastery), I wouldn't miss passing along its beautiful message for the world. You are even becoming more thoughtful about it, asking questions and having deeper insight. The conversations we have around this letter are priceless. I just love this tradition so much.

The next morning, it was showtime for 3rd grade!! I am beyond proud to report that the first day went super! Daddy and I both got to do drop off together and you did awesome. At pick up, I asked how the day went and your reply was, "Goody!" More details came later, as usual. All in all, a huge success!

our family, all ready for the first day of 3rd grade!

obligatory (in our family, anyway) silly shot

bunny ears and peace signs

the world's biggest 3rd grader

a little something I shared with our friends on Facebook

forgot to take pictures of just you with your sign so I
snapped these two after you got home from school
(still the first day so all good, right?!)

That weekend after the first day of school I had a girls' trip to go on with some friends and so you and Daddy were on your own for a few days. Well, you two definitely made the most of it, to say the least. Daddy took you to a huge local event where you helped make lunches to feed the homeless in our area. You whole-heartedly pitched in to help put together 1,300 lunches! Whoa, right?! It was an amazing experience for you both. I am so, so incredibly proud of you!

to give you a little contrast, here was what I did...

and the following pictures are what you did...

our friend, Jay, is who got you both
involved in this great experience

from start to finish, you were amazingly willing
to pitch in in any way you could

this guy (Matt) took a special interest in you and was so
tickled to have you as his little helper all day

see? Matt was your buddy fo sho

delivering your lunches to the local shelter

We also had an impromptu dinner with Papa Joe and Patty as they came through town. It was great to help celebrate Patty's 70th birthday and meet Stacy's brother Chris (and his girlfriend and her kid) too.

And of course, more playtime with your neighborhood bud, Darion.

beanies and boots are where it's at...two cool kids right here
(plus a bonus doggie photo bomb by Suzy)

Courtney also moved back to OSU this month too so we got a visit from some of our San Diego peeps as they helped get her all settled in. As you can see from these pictures, you had a blast and absolutely fell in love with Courtney's girlfriend, Vanessa, who is here to visit for a while with Courtney.

what the heck is going on here? lol

Vanessa was so good with you the whole time
we were all together

You even got to take a trip to the Wilds with Lao Lao and her neighbor, Denise (and her niece, Essence). Evidently, you and Essence were quite silly together in the backseat. I'm glad you had a good time!

at The Wilds

Finally, August was capped off by continuing to adjust to 3rd grade and luckily declaring that Mrs. O'Reilly is the funniest teacher ever. I am so relieved that she is (so far) surpassing your expectations, and then some. You've even been motivated to do your homework (20 minutes of reading) each night with minimal nagging. Pretty amazing. All in all, a great start to 3rd grade!

Love,
Mama