A Ton of Fun in 2021: Week 30 Recap

Monday found us gearing up for Allen County 4H Judging. Olivia took her sewing and cooking project and Isaac took his laundry project, but gardening waits until Aug. 19. Olivia did her sewing project first and said it went well.  She had to take a cooking test first before they judged her project portfolio. She didn't get judging sheets back for either, so wasn't sure how she did. Isaac talked to the laundry judge for the entire time Olivia did both projects. LOL. We found out the next day that Olivia was the sewing alternate for State Fair and Isaac was the State Fair selection! So I guess Aug. 3 we are headed to Columbus!

After the 4H judging we were all packed up to head to the Lakehouse for Cedar Point and Soak City on Tuesday. The hope is that because we go on a weekday it will be way less busy. I'm too cheap to get a $15 locker, so I had to carry my keys around (annoying) and go out to the car and get my phone to use our drink pass (annoying), But at the end of the day, it was great and we talked Grandma Barb into coming over around 4 to join us at Cedar Point.  Olivia had had enough, so she talked Grandma Barb into heading back to the lakehouse.  Isaac and I started riding every roller coaster, but he started with Top Thrill Dragster.  I waited in line with him, but told him I couldn't go on that first as I needed a warm-up coaster.  So he did Top Thrill by himself.  I then waited with him in all the other lines to ride. Jeremy had a work trip on Wednesday, so he surprised us around 7 by coming into the park. We enjoyed the evening riding all the rides with not too bad of wait times at all. 

When we got back home, Isaac wanted to go camping and has been begging to sleep in a tent in the backyard. Thank goodness Paw agrees to this crazy idea, because I'm certainly not sleeping outside. No thank you. Olivia and Maw slept inside too, but the boys slept under the stars all evening.  

This weekend the kids were invited to the Hamilton's to enjoy the birthday festivities of both Morgan and Grady.  Complete with a WATER bounce house, they had an absolute blast.  Morgan was turning 4 and Grady was turning 10. We left Jeremy at home so he could do his homework, but we had an absolute blast. 

GAHHHHH, we are so excited that the Olympics are starting. Karin and Mandy decided it was the perfect excuse to throw a party. Complete with kid games, themed food, and coordinated clothing, it was so fun to hang out with our dance family friends. Even though we found out at the party their girls were choosing to move to another studio and focus on gymnastics more (insert sad face), we are still happy that dance introduced them into our life. We had a great time at the party even tho we watched very little of the Olympics and just talked most of the evening!

Sunday night ended with Fam Jam Swim Night at the Ottawa pool for our church. We've never been, so we were excited to try out a new pool.  We headed over and the kids found friends right away and ditched us. Jeremy hung with Isaac and went off the diving boards and slides.  He lost his watch in the bottom of the pool and two girls found it and came to tell their mom's who happen to be sitting right next to me.  So we decided to play it cool and let him freak out about it when he discovered it.  Olivia asked him what time it was so he would notice it was missing. We all giggled as we watched his face turn white and freak out.  We didn't let him suffer long before we finally told him we had it.  

Week 8, Day 36 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Today was the end of Olivia's birthday week. Does anyone else take the entire week to celebrate? We always have, so this year is no different. Because my parents weren't around last week to celebrate, we decided to have a celebration today after 'school' complete with balloons, cake, and presents.

As I've said the past few days, we are winding down. Isaac and Olivia had spelling and vocabulary tests to take today, but other than that, some math for Isaac. So today was filled with games, painting sun catchers, and gym at East Harbor State park.

For the most the kids played and I graded today.  Last day of the semester for ONU, so I'm busy grading capstone projects and final projects from an IMC class I taught this semester. These are books from groups of their plans of what they did for their projects. Unfortunately they can't be evaluated in just a few minutes. So I told the kiddos to find stuff to do.  Mom had some sun catchers she had put away for a yucky day- since today is 39 degrees and 24 mph winds, today qualifies. We had them sit up at the table to complete. They seemed to enjoy doing them and they'll look great up here on the windows.

Since mom had bought decorations and a cake for Olivia's birthday, we had to find a way to get her out of the house so she could decorate.  I asked Olivia to bike with me while I ran. She agreed, even though it was FREEZING, and off we went.  Three miles later, she begged to return home to heat.  She was so surprised to walk in and see everything. (It's also why she looks like she does!) Happy last day of 8th birthday week Olivia!

Week 7, Day 31 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Happy Birthday to my favorite female student.... Olivia. Yes, I am declaring her as my favorite female student.  🤣

As you can see from the pictures, Isaac declared on the white board that there was NO school today in honor of the national holiday of Olivia's Birth.  Every year we decide on a theme around spring break (first week of March).  It takes me that long to prepare.  This year Olivia decided on a "stuffed animal" theme and was going to ask everyone to bring their favorite stuffie to the party.  Well, turns out, only the stuffies were allowed to attend.

We did get our cake from the AMAZING Rachel's Cakes who once again outdid herself.  We are so impressed, that no one would eat the elephant.  He's sitting in my fridge.  Jeremy said it's too cute.

Maw and Paw were able to come over and join in the party fun.  They also got her some Canvas for her many art projects and the new shiny bike to ride at their house. We ordered Texas Roadhouse and it was delicious. Super happy with Olivia's dinner pick.

Got to FaceTime Poppy and Grandma Julie tonight too. How fun is that?!  They got my STEM-loving daughter something she has wanted so bad- a microscope and slides.  She's all geeked out.  That and a 400 piece Noah's Ark puzzle that she is equally excited to start working on. So sweet of them to always send something even though they're across the country.  Love them for always being virtually present for the kiddos.  🥰

Finally, I want to mention how outdone I am by my Facebook family.  I put a simple request out there last week that if anyone had an extra minute and could send a card, we'd present her with all of them on her birthday.  Wow, did you all deliver!  She was so incredibly excited by so many who sent cards and goodies to the house.  I just want to say THANK YOU all for being such kind friends during this, most certainly, different birthday party.

45 Days of Summer- Flying Pool Tricks

Standing on the shoulders of giants

In academia, we say the phrase, 'Standing on the shoulders of giants' all the time. It means that our work is build off the wonderful foundation of those who have went before us. I can't help but say that phrase in my mind after looking at these pictures. 

We went to a family member's home to celebrate our cousin Sammy's tenth birthday. My kids are fish. We have a pool ourselves, so swimming is a must in the summer. But in a moment I see Isaac scrambling up his grandfathers back to his shoulders and his grandmother quickly moving behind him, just in case he should....gasp... fall backwards into the water.  Teehee.  Isn't funny how as a parent you're like, "they'll be fine if they fall back" but as a grandparent you worry?

At any rate, as you can see from the pictures they became pretty good at jumping or FLYING off the shoulders of giants. Grandparents who have been swimming for most of their lives, sharing and teaching them how to leap off their shoulders (because quiet frankly, they're getting too big to throw!). The kids loved it. These pictures were taken as we were just starting to do it. I should have taken some at the end when they really started to fly. 

Happy birthday to Sammy! Hope you had a super duper birthday.