We’re thinking spring (even though it snowed this week in Grand Rapids) with all of our spring sports, spring holidays, spring birthdays, spring concerts, spring fundraisers and a very fun spring break vacation earlier this month. Tis the season for spring flowers and, of course, lemonade stands! Feeling thirsty? Head on over to Ottawa Hills Neighborhood where you will find kids peddling cups of sugar and freshly baked cookies on nearly every street corner.
Spring Break vacation was a blast this year with friends in Cancun, Mexico at the Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort. The themes were relaxation, sunshine and bottomless Pina Coladas (and so many virgin strawberry daiquiris for the kids). We came home refreshed and ready for summer! Read more about our trip here.
Jeff and I hosted Easter again this year at our house with the Smith side of our family where we enjoyed brunch, an Easter egg hunt as well as celebrated both Natalie and Thomas’ birthdays. The kids were spoiled by their grandparents with Easter baskets filled with all sorts of goodies in addition to their birthday presents. This year Natalie was surprised by a bedroom refresh as her gift. Jeff and I spent Easter morning before church flipping her space with the updated items then had a big reveal later that afternoon during the party. She LOVED it.
Easter fun also included egg dying with neighbor friends as well as the annual Ottawa Hills Egg Hunt at the elementary school. Thanks to the egg hunts and the easter baskets our candy draw is fully restocked. I think we can all agree that Starburst Jelly Beans, Resse’s Peanut Butter Eggs and Cadbury Creme Filled Eggs are the best candy humankind has to offer.
We also celebrated Thomas’ 6th birthday with his buddies just before leaving for vacation with a Lego themed party. There were snacks, cake, presents and a handful of activities that all lasted less than 30 minutes. The rest of the time the kids ran around the house playing hide-and-go-seek. Turns out… I could have saved myself some birthday budget had I known they just wanted to run around and play the whole time. They all had a blast and Thomas spent the next few days building the Lego kits he received at the party.
For Natalie’s 8th birthday she asked to host a slumber party. She invited four friends to our house for pizza, cake and a movie: The Greatest Showman. They stayed up well past 11pm and possibly later (not exactly sure because Jeff and I went to bed) and had the time of their lives giggling their faces off and making beaded bracelets (most of which ended up in the vacuum cleaner the next day).
Spring sports have begun! Thomas is playing Pure Play Soccer again this season with Jeff as his coach. He’s joined by a handful of his school buddies including our neighbors Harrison and his dad Jared who’s co-coaching with Jeff again this year. They named themselves the Blue Bombers - which is better than the Blue Buttcracks… which was the boys initial suggestion. Boys!!! Thomas scored his first goal of the season last weekend and when the rest of the team broke out doing the ‘gritty’ dance in celebration all us parents died laughing.
Thomas also seems really excited for junior golf to start later this summer and both he and Natalie continue weekly piano lessons with Miss Haley. Thomas is also signed up for Run Club at school - something completely new for all of us. The program runs for 6 weeks ending with the Mighty Mile 5k Race that routes through Gaslight Village. Thomas loves running and we’re interested to see how his first official race goes.
Weekly gymnastics classes also continue for our girl Natalie this spring after recently being promoted to Gym Stars 2. Woot-woot! Her sessions move from 55 minutes long to an hour and a half which means the rest of us will have more time to spend each week at the driving range or by the pool this summer while she practices.
We’re also very proud of Natalie for her role in the GRCS Spring Program back in March. She did a wonderful job memorizing her line and presenting in front of the audience on stage. It is out of control how much I enjoy watching our kids (and the rest of the elementary) perform at these events. They are my favorite.
This past weekend Jeff and I joined Team DJ at the Vitally Gala again this year celebrating and benefitting University of Michigan Health-West. The event took place downtown at DeVos Place where we enjoyed running into friends and co-workers throughout the night.
We also recently attend the GRCS 100 Year ‘Go Forth’ Gala hosted at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. I failed miserably at taking photos during that event that night but borrowed a few from the GRCS website. We had a wonderful time mingling with fellow GRCS parents and staff, and we were extremely moved by the messages shared on stage. We are proud to be a part of this community where faith and our children are at the center of everything we do.
GRCS had a half day last month and I took the afternoon off work to join the PTO organized party at GR Skate & Event Center. The kids had a blast roller skating with all their friends - but maybe not as much fun as the moms. We love GR Skate Center!… nothing better than a spot that appeases the whole family. AND, they have good pizza!
Jeff and I are gearing up for summer golf leagues that begin this week and staying very busy with work. By this time next months the boats will be going in the water at the lake and we’ll all be (fingers crossed) wearing shorts again. PS - I fully blame myself for the snow this week… I washed and put away all the kids snow stuff this past weekend so naturally, it snowed. My apologies. Until next time!
POSTSCRIPT - Things worth mentioning…
The bubbles bar: Pursuit of Happiness - This newly opened bubbles/wine bar in Eastown is THEE cutest. They offer a good selection of bubbles (including their own label) as well as craft cocktails, wine and light snacks. A few weeks ago I biked with some neighbor friends to celebrate our friends Kelsey’s birthday. Returned later that same day with friends for a post dinner cocktail. I cannot wait to go back!
The movie: McFarland USA - A fantastic family movie option starting Kevin Costner from 2015. Feel good. Motivational. I absolutely made me teary. Available on Disney+. Thanks for the tip, Sarah!
Happy Hour at Terra GR - Did you know that Terra has happy hour every Monday through Friday from 3p to 6p?! Mostly I’m just getting the Kale Salad for $10 (normally $18 ) and a glass of Sauv. Blanc for $6 (normally $12) . Let’s go!!
The tasting room EK Wealthy - THEE prettiest minimalist interior bar design with a super fresh cocktail menu. Jeff and I visited for date night after having tacos across the street and we’re big fans.
