April was all about Natalie. Not only did our eldest turn a whopping SIX years old last month but she also learned how to ride her two wheel bike, lost her two front teeth and played in her very first soccer game. She is crushing it!
We celebrated Natalie’s birthday for an entire weekend with a series of events including a family brunch, a friend slumber party and a special date night out with Jeff and me just the three of us. My parents drove up from Schoolcraft on Saturday morning to watch Natalie play soccer followed by brunch back at our house. Natalie requested a strawberry cake and when Meijer Bakery (my usual go to) told me that they don’t make strawberry flavor I took on the challenge and created a special strawberry punch bowl cake for our girl. It must have made an impact because she chose to draw her birthday cake scene for her weekend report at school the following Monday. My heart melted.
Later that night after the family cleared out Natalie hosted three of her girlfriends for a slumber party. The girls got to stay up late watching Raya and the Last Dragon (the new Disney movie) and eating snacks. They wore matching PJ sets and there was no shortage of sugar during the party. A good time was had by all.
For her special date night out with Jeff and me earlier that week Natalie chose a movie night at Celebration Cinema. She picked Raya (which resulted in her movie choice for her slumber party later that weekend) and we shared a giant bucket of popcorn and gummy bears for dinner. She was on the edge of her seat the entire time and it was precious to be able to spend the one on one time with just her and us.
Tulip Time was in full swing this month and we enjoyed the flowers with our friends the Krier Family who visited the event for the first time this year. We walked the park and did not hesitate to snap a couple family photos before strolling down 8th Street for a bit of shopping - mostly at The Peanut Store for candy. We checked out the carnival and the kids had a riot walking through the fun house - their favorite ‘ride’. Holland was alive with visitors and we were glad to have made reservations ahead of time for New Holland for dinner on their patio.
Early signs of summer include the the opening of Jersey Junction in Gaslight Village and the ever present dirt ring around our bathtub from the kids each night. Natalie is up and running on her two wheel bike with Thomas not too far behind her. Once they’ve both mastered their rides we’ll be able to bike to Jersey Junction on the regular for sweet treats this summer.
Golf league kicked off for both me and Jeff this month and moving forward we have no shortage of time designated to golf on our calendars. Between the two of us, you’ll find a Kladder on the golf course 6 out of the 7 days of the week. Jeff golfed in his first outing of the year last weekend and mine is next week. Giddy up!
We were thrilled to return to church on May 2nd for the very first Mars Hill Grand Rapids gathering at ECC. It has been a long time coming and it was such a joy to worship amongst friends again. Prior to the service we walked to the GRCS parking lot for a food truck dinner (Tamales Mary and Kona Shaved Ice) organized through our neighborhood association and then walked the remaining one block to the church at 5p. The weather was spot on for an outdoor gathering (too hot almost!) and it was great to see lots of familiar faces. We are eager to see where MHGR goes in the coming months and in the meantime just happy to be attending church again with our community.
Mother’s Day last weekend was full of many joyful moments including the little surprises organized by the kids and Jeff for me in the morning. We later took Jeff’s Mom out for breakfast at Anna’s House and then headed to my brother and sister in laws in Schoolcraft for an early supper celebrating my Mom. The kids made stepping stone pavers for Grandma (our gift to her) using ready made kits from Michaels - she loved them. Being a Mom rocks and I’m extremely grateful for the other Mothers in our lives. We’ve got nothing but gratitude and respect for all the tough mothers supporting us.
Looking ahead we see nothing but summer fun in our future! The kids are less than three weeks away from their last day of school and we are getting pumped for the official kick off of summer over Memorial Day Weekend at the lake.
POSTSCRIPT - Things worth mentioning…
The duck nachos from Long Road Distillers - Ohemgoodness… YAS! Shall I say, better than Vivant?!
Tupelo Honey - We were finally able to make it out to Tupelo Honey downtown for all kinds of fried food goodness and we were not disappointed. I’d like to go back for lunch sometime and sit outside on their patio.
This squeegee from Amazon changed my life. That, and my neighbor suggested I make the switch from brand name window cleaner to the simple 50/50 vinegar and water solution. No streaks! #SpringCleaning
These are the fun stepping stone kits I got for my Mom for Mothers Day to make with the kids. They were super easy and she loved them.
Right now I’m reading Greenlights by Mathew McConaughey and it’s made me like him even more than I already did. Very interesting guy which quite the background.