Wedding Fun

Ryan and I haven't been to a wedding in a long time... in fact I can't even remember the last one we went to.  But we shipped the girls to Aunt Mary's for the night and even got a hotel room - since it was like an hour from the house.

We celebrated one of my very favorite ex-colleague and friend - Danielle's wedding.  So beautiful. She looks so happy!  And I got to hang out with and catch up with my old colleagues too.  Lots of dancing... lots of photo booth fun... lots of drinks... lots of laughs! 

It was great to have a night out with Ryan!  Need to do it more!

My first show

Hard starting a new job... but the test for me was my first tradeshow with BigRep.  IMTS for a week in Chicago.  I drove down on Sunday with a car full of stuff and then drove home Thursday afternoon.

Super successful show and learned a lot and was very proud of myself so knowing as much as I did.  I also got to see lots of my industry friends and have dinners and drinks with them - which I loved.

A few highlights from the week and my team!

Ryan helped fix this part!! It got warped shipping from Germany to Switzerland to Detroit. The team was so excited.

First week of kindergarten

Well we did it - we survived our first week of kindergarten. 

Greta was a champ! No tears. No fighting.  Just smiles and a sense of pride.

Mommy was a champ. No tears. No holding back. Just smiles and a sense of pride.

Tuesday was a short 45 minute day when we got to go to the classroom, talk to her teacher. 

Wednesday - first full day - We packed her lunch. Got her backpack ready. I dropped her off at Bemis. Greta was a little nervous - but one friend in 1st grade came over and welcomed her and helped. Get on the bus. Get off the bus. Made me so happy. 

Then I was a bus greeter and got to see her get off the bus and walk her and lots of other kondegarteners to the gym. And again she was happy and excited. 

Thursday - another great day - lunch packed. Bus ride was good. That day I helped that day at lunch and she was so excited to see me. I got to help lots of kindergarteners open yogurts, put straws in and hopefully make them see more comfortable. 

And Friday -another lunch packed - Lola and I drove her to school and she was mad because she wanted to ride the bus because it had kids on it and was way more fun that my car. And then we park at school and start waking to the door as she told me she didn’t need me to. Broke my heart. But she was so confident and that made me happy. 

So all in all - I would say we rocked that first week. So here’s to many more! 

First U6 Soccer Game

We had a great first soccer game. The kids did their best and hustled. It was a lot of running for them and I don’t know about the rest of them, but Greta sure was tired. 

Best part - Greta scored a goal!! She did so awesome and I was so proud! I think she’ll score more next game. 

So here’s the only 2 picture I took. 

Lola Gymnastics

Lola started gymnastics and loves it!  We go every Friday and she has 2 of her besties from Bemis in the class.  After the first class, she came out and then ran back in to give all her teachers a big hug.  She's just the best!

‘‘Twas the night before kindergarten

I’ve thought about this day for a while and a lot this the past month - the first day of kindergarten. How Greta would feel? What she would wear? Would she pack a lunch? How will the bus ride go? Will she like her teacher?

And then I really started thinking and getting anxious... Would she be scared? Would she cry? Would she make new friends? Would she be kind to others? Would they be kind to her? Would she like school?  Would she respect her teachers and staff? 

And then I really really started thinking and prayed and thought...have I tried to teach her right from wrong? Have we sent her to one of the best schools with amazing teachers? Have I been a good role model and showed her how to be kind? Would I or her teacher hug her if someone hurt her feelings? Would I love her no matter what?  Does she know I will be there for her no matter what? 

And I realized my answers were yes. And that I had done everything I could to prepare Greta for the start of a brand new adventure.   Am I ready? Most definitely not. She’s my baby and for once I won’t be there for her. It’s not like day care where I know every kid in her class and every person she interacts with and have since she’s been 3 months old. This is different. New kids. Bigger kids. Older kids. New teachers. New staff. New routine. Bus riding. Lunch in the cafeteria. Recess. Learning all kinds of new stuff. 

And then a friend from church posted this

And I realized I need to remind myself this everyday and sometimes many times a day. He will watch over her and protect her. He has big plans for my Greta and I can’t wait to be part of them. 

I will survive the first day of kindergarten and the next day and the next. 

Team Greta!

I found this super cool idea on Pinterest - I think Julie sent it to me too.  I ordered matching bracelet for Ryan, myself and Greta.  We gave them to her tonight and said that if she ever was nervous, anxious, or missed us - she could just look at her bracelet and know that we were thinking of her. And I said that daddy and I would do the same. She loved them.

Then I also got here a unicorn necklace with a G to let her know how special she was and that we were excited and proud of her.

Labor Day Weekend - Caseville, Family and Friends

A quick trip up to Caseville for some family fun.  Girls rode up with Aunt Mary and got a jump start on the fun.



Also got to take lots of fun new things for my lil man Brayden - just love him to pieces. And he loved them of course!!

And meet Hannah's fiancé and see the rest of the family. 

Then it was back home on Sunday for a swim party and fun with the Van Hevels.

And today was spent getting excited and ready for the first day of school.