Monday, August 29, 2016

School is in Session

This turned out to be a very different start to the school year! An exciting year for all involved and a drastic change that may come as a surprise. This year I took the plunge and dropped down a few grade levels and am taking a different approach to my teaching. After a solid decade of teaching high school science, today I successfully survived my first day as a 4th-6th grade Montessori upper elementary school teacher. WHAAAA HUH! Yeah, you read that right! Paging Ms Kate and the teaching of all the things!




Here's to year 11 and praying the excitement continues!


As for the little lady around here, she started 2nd grade and is looking just too grown up!


The little man was skeptical at first but ever since picking him up this afternoon he keeps saying things like, "This was the best first day of school ever!" and "When can school start again" and "I wish this day would go again." My heart SMILES!


Both kids tucked in early and easily! We love when school starts!



Monday, August 15, 2016

Vacay 2016!

Prepare yourselves, this is about to rock your photo viewing stamina.

We have apparently decided that our family will circle Lake Michigan during the same week every summer. That is according to the ever reliable and truth-based TimeHop. Therefore, we now consider that week sacred and traditional! (I can already hear the family marking their calendars in blood... because, for real, we will need that type of accountability!)

This summer we revolted and went the opposite direction around the lake and started in Iron Mountain with my sister and her fiancé with a weekend of water-sporting! There was tubing, skiing, boating, relaxing, jet skiing, cliff jumping, wedding crafting, and just family-funness! Cue first of the Great Lakes... Lake Superior!

And now the threatened photo evidences. For truth, ma' people, get yourselves a coffee, a diet coke, a whatever-will-help-you-through-this beverage. Oh, ye of faint heart, STOP NOW! This is where you are still considered ahead-of-the-game!

Did I mention that my most-favorite-10-year-old niece joined us? Because she did, and she brings pure AWESOME JOY to our family, and her cousins were over the moon! If you don't know her, then you are missing out on the bomb.com!


Double trouble! Fear not, there wasn't even a hook on the end, but we all kept our distance!





Cliff jumping for these two little ones, is more of an exercise in climbing up AND down large rock formations...

But they are darlings!
Boy... ALL. BOY.

My little Honey Bear!
Flippo Family Water Olympics!

My dad is ripped! #savage

This dog has it WAY TOO GOOD!

Family bath...


Day Two: everyones a pro!
Star-Babe is down!
But she sure is pretty, bobbing around out there!
Oh the Yoop!

Sweet girlies are getting tired...
Photo credit: Mary Alice
Our families closest thing to an Olympian...
NBD... 
No one wanted to leave, our time was so short together, but we picked up these two ragamuffins (sometimes we call them Grandma and Grandpa) as we traversed the entire length of the U.P.
Cue Great Lake #2... We made a detour in Manistique and let the boy battle the break water.

Grandpa clearly loves this little guy and this picture of himself! Mwhahaha


Then on to birthday camping in St. Ignace on Lake Huron, Great Lake #3! Shout out to Castle Rock Camp Grounds, for that was the prettiest campsite with the cleanest public bathroom I have ever... I mean ever...



This is what our campsite looked out at! It was rough, people!


Then across the bridge we went, and who doesn't stop and take pictures!? No opportunities missed, no matter the temperature or amount of sand that has been your constant companion for DAYS!!


#owningit
After an amazing lunch of whitefish at Darrows and pie all-around, we made our way to the Flint area (no Great Lake in sight) and spent time with extended family! Great way to end our trip!

She followed Ivan around, mimicking his every move! Another bomb.com cousin (once removed). 
PS: If you made it all the way to the end than you deserve another beverage!
PSS: My mom's heart is so full right now!