With the start of school right around the corner we are doing our very best to soak up every bit of summer. Last week we returned from our annual U.P. camping trip with family (if you missed it you can read all about it on our latest post here), but we’re back at it this week and haven’t skipped a beat.
Natalie begins school next week! Her backpack has been ready for weeks and we’re excited to meet her teacher and visit her classroom on Monday. I think more than anything else she’s excited about learning to read. We visit her school playground often and has already claimed the building as ‘her school.’
Thomas begins preschool after Labor Day weekend and he’s pretty sure of what to expect after the earful from his big sister. He’s also ready and rare’n to go with his backpack and is already familiar with the teacher and classroom after Natalie’s attendance there the last two years. Both kids are having a blast this summer spending lots of time outdoors with family and neighbor friends. The transition back to school is one we’ve all been looking forward to.
Last weekend we were treated to a super fun night of wine tasting with friends at their home in Forest Hills. The smoked T-bone steaks and extremely well planned wine tasting game was so much fun but the real winners of the night were the kiddos who made their own dance party and provided the best entertainment at the end of the evening.
Also last weekend we visited Frederick Meijer Gardens for the first time since the shut down and spent the majority of our time outdoors roaming the gardens mask free. I simply forget how spoiled we are to have such an incredible place so close to home and always end our visits thinking we should go more often. It’s a membership we’ll always make the most of despite the concert series being cancelled this year. We’ve got higher hopes for 2021.
We also made our first visit back to the Watermark pool a few weeks ago and are pretty impressed with the recent updates to the facilities including a new restaurant, play area, basketball courts, outdoor dining space and locker room facilities that are still yet to be completed. Grandma Kladder joined us for the afternoon and we had a blast. Another awaited update to the club includes the refurbished driving range - something Jeff’s eager for. Again, things are looking up for 2021.
While we’re on the subject of golf, the Women’s Association hosted our first of three outings last month with the theme of 18 Shades of Green. Our team dressed in camo and had a ton of fun winning absolutely nothing! Not even a raffle! Alternatively, my golf partner Jamie and I finished overall first place during women’s league this year and we’re thrilled about that! The remainder of Wednesday nights this golf season will be fun league plus two more outings this month and next. I chair our August event which is a Mardi Gras theme!
Another fun event we joined was the Christmas in July party in Georgetown Shores and holy moly was it a riot! Our friends Josh and Emily have parents who live on the lake and allowed us all to tag along with them to the party. And a Merry Christmas it was… complete with FBRs (fast boat rides), champagne toasts, late night pizza delivery and a much too early bedtime by yours truly.
Some of the Mommas of Ottawa Hills Neighborhood gathered for a ladies only pool afternoon and had the best time together. We snacked on Donkey Tacos and apps, drank jalapeño margs and caught up on life. I learned all about the game of dibble dabble and this party also ended in late night pizza ordering. We are still very much loving our neighborhood and sharing life with the other moms in the neighborhood is certainly a big part of that. I’ve been thankful for their advice and guidance most recently as Natalie enters her first year at GRCS - they are experts!
Looking ahead at the coming weeks we’re excited to spend more time out on the lake with family, enjoying the outdoors and you guessed it… golfing, hanging by the pool and drinking wine!
