I’ve washed my hair everyday since last weekend and the smell of campfire is just now going away. This can only mean one thing… Fall is coming and we are ready!
Labor Day weekend at the lake was a mixture of the perfect summer weather and some cooler 70 degree temps. But the chillier than normal weather didn’t didn’t phase the Kladders… the kids still tubed (until the Dads got the tow rope sucked into he motor ending in an epic story about neighbors with jackknives), we broke out the board games (something usually reserved for winter gatherings) and we played 9 holes of birdie ball around the yard.
The kids started school three weeks ago and it’s been great to get back into our usual routine. Natalie is now in 2nd grade and usually reports back about art and music class - her favorites. She started cheer (so fun!), a Fall junior golf program through First Tee and continues with her weekly piano lessons. Natalie’s also back to full speed with two arms again after getting her cast removed just before the first day of school. She’s added her discarded purple cast to her old pink one in her bedroom and both now are being used as door stoppers. I hope the collection ends with two.
Thomas is full-time now in Kindergarten with the same teacher Natalie had when she was in K. It took Thomas a few days to get through a new drop-off routine (he does outside recess with the older kids before school versus getting dropped at his classroom door each morning). But we’ve worked out the kinks and mornings are now smooth as can be. Thomas begins Fall soccer this Saturday and he seems more pumped than usual. He tells us he’s been practicing on recess at school with his friends. Jeff is coaching again this year and Thomas has waged a deal with him: for every goal he scores we then go to SkyZone as a reward. Visions of more broken arms immediately haunt my dreams. I suggested a Tootsie Pop instead.
In addition to the restart of our Fall schedules we’ve been soaking up all the summer weather Michigan’s got left. We squeezed in a third visit (which is a record for us!) to the Watermark pool before it closed last weekend and we’ve enjoyed some INCREDIBLE boat rides with friends. A few weeks ago neighbors hosted us on Reeds for a Sunday Funday cruise around the lake. We got stuck in a rain storm, watched the sunset, picked up pizzas from Roses and revisited some Jock Jams classics.
I recently took a night away with Mom friends at Pickerel Lake and came home with sore abs from laughing so hard. It was the worst day of weather (that one day where all it did was downpour) which cancelled our river float plans and kept us indoors. We pivoted hard and quickly scheduled brunch at Little Bird before heading north to an evening we’ll title: Cabin Fever 2022. We played games, mixed up craft cocktails, ate chick food and laughed extremely hard. I love these women.
Work is ramping up this Fall for both Jeff and me. I spent last week in Chicago for a video shoot project that’ll go towards a Fall-Winter campaign rolling out soon for Steelcase. And the transition from summer to fall schedules for Team DJs will keep Jeff busy as well. Between the kids activities and our own, we’ll have a full next few months.
We’ve still got a solid 4-6 weeks of golf left in us despite leagues ending for the year. Jeff made it to the final four in the Watermark Presidents Cup Tournament and plays his next match this Saturday. Those new golf clubs are serving him well! We’ve gotten out 3 times now with the kids for family golf after church on Sunday afternoons. I’ve been savoring these fun times together as a family.
This month we’re looking forward to Thomas’ first field trip of the year to Robinettes, a Lions Football game, a Girls Weekend in Chicago and watching the leaves start to change. Fall, ya’ll! Hoping to make good use of the porch fire-pit as this weather cools down. Cheers everyone!
POSTSCRIPT - Things worth mentioning:
Grove - We checked out the newly opened Grove a few weeks ago and thought the refresh of the space was great. We sat on the patio (the perfect summer night) and had incredible service. Their new menu is small focusing on sharable plates that are locally sourced. Here’s my Yelp review.
Star Wars - Last month we started the Star Wars series with the kids for Family Movie Night. The kids LOVED it and so did we. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen the movies and it’s a riot to rewatch them all together.
Whole Foods - GR now has one! I visited last week and was surprised at how plain the space was. Perhaps I’m used to the fancier ones in the big cities (Chicago & NYC) but one thing remains the same… the hot bar! I can see visiting again for a work lunch out with co-workers but will remain steadfast to my Meijer stores.
