First Day of School

She's a fourth grader now (scared and excited all at the same time). 

Summertime Sadness

Steve and I did our best (well mostly Steve) to make the last week before school a fun one.  The kids went to the movies, the park, visit with Grandma, Six Flags (twice), the zoo and MSI.  Also they took their first Metra ride (commuter rail) to get to the city.  All in all, it was a tiring week but I think they had fun!

Hiker Grrrls

This past Saturday ended all of the girl scout hiking I had planned this summer (3 hikes total).  We walked about 2 miles at each outing.  Even though there was much groaning about a 7am hike, these girls did it without much complaint....  Progress made....

Camping 2014

We did our annual camping trip to Devil's Lake this week.  It happen to fall during the boys birthday (the 22nd) so instead of hiking we went to Mount Olympus Amusement and Water Park in the Dells.  The boys were appropriately surprised and happy.  We didn't get a hike in but the water park walking wore us out anyway.  It was a great trip!  

Not So Bummer Summer

My and my other leader for our girl scout troop are doing a Not So Bummer Summer challenge with our kids that basically encourages them to do new things, get exercise, explore, etc over the summer.  I also planned hiking every month with the scouts.  Even though Gretchen grumbles about it, she's happy once all the kids get there!

4th Grade Mafia

Gretchen had a sleepover for her birthday.  I was so tired from it that I forgot to post the pic.  These girls are gonna be running things one day.  Lord help us!

4th Grade Mafia

Birthday Girl!

Well year 8 was not easy..... it felt like she's 8 going on 18 all year long.... but luckily we had several moments where she behaved like an 8 year old which made me happy.  No need to grow up too fast in my opinion.... the world isn't going anywhere that you can't go when it's time!  Sigh.... We love her to pieces and can't believe she's grown so fast right before our eyes!

My baby is growing up!

Gretchen is doing her first week of Girl Scout Camp this week.  It's resident camp so I drop her off yesterday and don't get her until this coming Friday.  Sigh.... She was practically pushing me out of her camp site to go home because she wanted her independence.  It made it easier to leave since she made me a little mad but I miss her already.  I know she is going to have a great time and that she needs to do stuff for herself.  I wish I could secretly watch.....

Girl Scout Day at the Capitol

Me and two other insane adults took Gretchen's troop to the Capitol on Friday.  The kids were really impressed with the Capitol building.  They climbed up to the top to see the dome and we peeked into the Governer's office.  There was an expo too for the girls to go to but we had done the badges that they were putting out so the girls opted to dance as there was a DJ playing all their favorite songs and then some.  The highlight of the expo was the balloon drop!

California Adventure

For Spring Break we took an actual vacation:  flew to Anaheim on Sunday and came back on Friday. Sunday we hit the Discovery Museum (its in the shape of a cube) and then some swimming at the hotel, Monday we hit Disneyland, Tuesday we went to Legoland, Thursday we went to the other Disney park California Adventure and Friday we headed home.  It was exhausting but fun. We left Six Flags early to hit the Hollywood Sign and the Star Walk but traffic was so bad that we ended up just looking at it from the car..... I don't think the kids would've been able to handle it.  Gretchen though is now tall enough to ride all of the roller coasters so she and Steve hit almost half of the ones at Magic Mountain.  She is the little daredevil though her and Evan were just as freaked out as Sean on Disney's Tower of Terror.  All in all we had a great time.  Evan is already asking what we're doing on our next vacation.  We told him camping... he did not seem as excited.  Hard to top this adventure I guess....  Check out the exhaustive pics here.

Finally got to meet Mickey on our last day at Disney

Cookie Time

Gretchen sold Girl Scout cookies this year to earn money for a trip to Key Lime Cove and to go to Fall Encampment.  As her mother, I helped of course with cookie sales and pestered my friends at work.  I know there are some who think parents shouldn't help but it helps pay for stuff.  As the troop leader, I'm already pumping money into the troop so if I can alleviate that... I'm gonna do it.  Every year Gretchen does more and more selling.  And of course, I make her stand outside in 22 degree weather (not on purpose of course) so I think it all balances out.....

Happy New Year