The kids have less than two weeks of school left which means summer break is nearly here. And while we’re in hyper drive now toggling between year end activities and making summer plans, come June, we’ll be ready to party!
Last weekend we celebrated my Dad’s birthday along with Mother’s Day with a big family dinner at my parents house in Schoolcraft. Dad grilled and I made dessert - our usual routine - and we were surprised by guest visitor, Aunt Maudie (my Dad’s older sister), who was in town from Arizona. We sat outside on the porch enjoying the incredible weather and caught a rare up-close scene of a bald eagle fishing in the pond in front of their house.
On Sunday we were joined at church by Jeff’s parents followed by brunch at Terra GR. I got my usual Kale Caesar Salad and was terribly let down - it just didn’t taste good. Nonetheless, we had a great time hanging out with our family and drinking bubbles for a Sunday Funday. I finished the day with a walk around Reeds Lake where I was able to finish my audio book: Jessica Simpsons Open Book, which I thought was a super transparent look into her life’s ups and downs. I’d recommend it and would say to listen to it on audio book because she narrates it.
Up next for book club is Mad Money by Jennifer Finney Boylan and I also downloaded Michelle Obama’s latest book The Light We Carry. Book Club continues into the summer time with a much more relaxed schedule due to the golf season kicking into high gear. Most of the book club ladies also golf in league which mostly means a location change of where we’re drinking wine together.
We had a fun time at the Grand Rapids Christian Middle School PTO Auction earlier this month. While we don’t have middle schoolers - yet - we were invited by our neighbors next door and enjoyed bidding on all kinds of great packages. We snagged a handful of fun stuff including a package of 6 dance lessons which is something Jeff and I are totally into. In the weeks leading up to our wedding (nearly 10 years ago!!!) we took lessons in preparation for our first dance at the reception. Some of that work stuck with us and we’re hoping this next round will too.
GRCS Family Fun Night at the kids school was a complete riot. We missed out last year because we were in Chicago for the weekend and in the years prior it was canceled due to Covid. We had no idea what to expect and were totally blown away by the commotion. The kids disappeared the minute we arrived to meet up with their buddies. I volunteered for the first hour at the check in table and the rest of the time Jeff and I wandered the in field trying to catch glimpses of our kids while running into friends of our own. The night ended with impromptu cocktails on the porch with neighbors who stayed late for ‘just one more.’
Steelcase welcome kids to our Grand Rapids campus this month for our first ever ‘Take Your Kids to Work Day’ and it was a huge success. Both Natalie and Thomas skipped school that day to learn all about what it is we do at Steelcase and see where I work in real life. Steelcase staff treated the kids to all sorts of fun activities and treats throughout the day and the icing on the cake was the sunny and warm weather we had that day. I have to admit I was super proud to share what I do each day with the kids and they both said they cannot wait to come back next year.
Thomas has his last soccer game of the season this weekend to wrap up the Blue Bombers reign in Pre-K Pure Play. He’s come SO far since last year scoring (lost count how many) goals and passing the ball to his teammates. He keeps practicing at home on the front lawn and he keeps telling stories about the games he plays during recess at school. We’re thinking this sport may stick. At least for now. He begins golf at Watermark in June.
Jeff and I got a good chuckle at the Kindergarten Letter People Parade two weeks ago where Thomas dressed as Mr. O. - so cute. Following the parade, Mrs. Jonker’s class hosted all the parents in attendance for tea and cookies. The kids sang their favorite worship songs while Mrs. Jonker played the piano and afterwards Thomas gave us a full tour of his classroom. It was very sweet.
I had a great time with Natalie and her class at Blanford Nature Center for their year end field trip. They learned all about seeds which was right on par with their segment in science class right now. It was another beautiful spring day and perfect for being outside with the kids.
Next weekend we kick off summer with a bang at the lake for Memorial Day Weekend with family and we cannot wait. We are looking forward to leisure time by the water, a few rounds of golf and a cruise or two around the lake for happy hour. In the meantime, I’ll be counting down the days until I no longer have to pack school lunches, remember which day library books need to be returned or remind the kids about show-and-tell items. Summer break here we come!!