A Little Surprise and Open Houses

Last weekend we decided to do something a little special and fun for the kiddos.  On Friday we  told them that on Sunday we would be going for a little overnight  trip.  We didn't give details, but after much pestering, gave them little hints, like, "we are going somewhere fun" and "you will need a change of clothes and maybe a bathing suit".  In other words, we gave them not much to go on.  Their minds were abuzz, coming up with many options and possible scenarios.

Sunday came and we packed up and left the house around 2:30pm.  We told the children we were going to make one stop first at Cabela's, then continue onto our destination.  We wandered Cabela's, admiring the animals, and large fish tanks.  They laughed and smiled and enjoyed the little detour.  After checking out with the obligatory fudge we told the children we had a few hour drive.  Everyone belted themselves in and readied for the continued drive.  We pulled out and quickly turned into the Dundee Splash Universe waterpark right next to Cabela's.  Tom and I yelled out, "Surprise!  We are staying here for the night!" They cheered like we were THE  Greatest Parents On Earth!

The suite we checked into had two bunk beds, a little sitting room, and then a separate king size bedroom.  It was perfect for our family of six, with enough room to accommodate all of us.  Room service pizza was ordered and then we suited up for the water park.  We spent several hours floating down the lazy river and going down the water slides countless times.  Noelle and Max were pleasantly surprised they were tall enough to ride the water slides without an adult.  Violette had to ride with Tom or I, but that was fine by us.  Zane was just shy of riding them, and I was more than happy with that since I didn't think we was old enough, or water skilled enough to even attempt them.  There were other little slides for him and he loved holding onto me and cruising down the lazy river again and again.

After a few hours we headed to the room for the night.  In the morning the water park was again utilized and we all had such a great time.  Only twenty minutes from the house, it was the perfect end of summer family getaway for us all.  They are still taking about the fun they had!  No pictures were taken due to our distraction, but part of me is glad we didn't take many pictures.  Tom and I were focused on enjoying every minute with the children.  We laughed and played like kids.  It was a magical overnight trip to be remembered for years to come.

After returning to the real world, we had school open houses this week.  Max was so excited and ready to see his classroom.  Luckily he will have the same Kindergarten teacher as Noelle had.  He was very familiar with the classroom and teacher, so his comfort level was sky high.  He explored the room with a smile planted on his face, finding his name on his assigned seat with ease.

This year will be a great one for him.  He even found out his good friend and neighbor, Luke, will be in his class.  Having a buddy in class before school even starts is a major plus for a boy's first full time school adventure.  He is growing so much and I am ready to let him fly away.  

After visiting Max's classroom we headed onto Noelle's.  The big deal in second grade are desks.  Noelle couldn't wait to find her own personal desk.  She lifted the top and looked in with awe.  I smiled at the simplicity of a desk, with looked on with joy at her excitement.  This is big time in her eyes, and she's right.  Second grade IS big time!  I have no doubt she will, again, flourish during  this school year.  She is our book worm. 

Thursday brought along with it Violette's first ever Birthday Party, by herself, and her open house for Thursday school.  Aunt CC came for a short visit and even did Violette's hair for the tea party themed birthday.  She looked like a little princess and due to the timing, wore her outfit to the open house.  She was familiar with Thursday School, as Max attended last year, and excitedly explored her classroom and found her labeled seat.  This will be a good year for her too!

After much speculation, I decided to sign Zane up in the Spring for Thursday School as well.  On a side note, that means from 9 to 1:30pm, every single Thursday I will be kid free.  Let me repeat that, kid free for four and a half hours, every single Thursday!!!!!  At first I was not sure, now I'm seriously counting down the days until September 12th, their first day!  Zane dove into his classroom and started to play.  He is very excited about Thursday School, but keeps asking me, "you're going to stay with me, right?".  I know that there will be many tears for him, but I put him in the two year old class (even though he's turning 3 in October) knowing that they are very good at dealing with criers, and will handle his hesitation well.  

He's our monster for sure, but the structure this once a week preschool will offer can only be good for him.  He will be a challenge for the teacher, I'm sure of it, but in the end this can only help.  I write this trying to convince myself of our decision! 

This will be a good school year, albeit, busy,  but good for us all!  

Swim Fishy Swim

We had to get one session of swimming lessons in this summer and I was able to get all four of the children in.  Although lessons start at age 3, Zane is almost there and they let him sign up.  I had reservations about our little Zanezilla, and they were correct.  He even inspired this lovely blog post on our local Great Start Blog. (click on "Great Start Blog" to read it)

This boy is T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

Each child was in a different class, positioned around the pool.  I tried to float around the pool, making sure each one noticed I was watching them, when all I really wanted to do was sit in the lounge chair with a book and take those thirty minutes to myself.  I brought the book, to every single one of those 10 lessons, and never once did I open it.  I thought about it, but then as I glanced around the pool I would see little heads poking above the water, searching for me, wanting me to see their new skill.  I couldn't get lost in a book, their precious faces were too wonderful to pass up.

They each did well in their respected classes, learning new skills and working on ones already learned.  Each morning they all got dressed with excitement in their steps.  Well, most of them did.  Zane rebelled the first week, but the second week was much better.  Over all Bohn Pool puts on some great swim lessons and on the last day they had fun, hit up the water slide, played games, and jumped off the diving board.

They love the water and one day we hope to have a pool, but for now we'll enjoy swimming lessons and kiddie pools. 

That Time Again

The countdown to school is in full force.  My heart lurches a bit as I begin to embrace the reality that Noelle AND Maximilian will be gone from 8am to 4pm five days a week for the next nine months.  So much good awaits them, especially Max’s first foray into the next thirteen years of public schools, and beyond.  There’s a place inside that I hold onto apprehension, fear, and the unknown about what my children will face this school year.  And I suspect I will feel this way with each new school year, but it doesn’t stop the feelings from starting around the beginning of August and growing with each week as the new year approaches. 
I am truly going to miss Maximilian.  Besides Thursday School we have been together for the past five and a half years, pretty much every day.  He has a gift of making me smile and laugh with one simple eye brow raise, usually at a time when I need it most. His heart is so full of love and kindness, known to give the biggest hugs, randomly, just when I need it. He throws his blond head into my stomach and wraps his skinny arms around my midsection, squeezing.  He usually mutters an, “I just really love you Mom.” and off he goes.  The hugs are always special, and always appreciated.  When I’m sitting down, he lumbers his long gangly legs and large feet over to me, climbs up next to me, and usually stares at me and says, “You are beautiful Mommy.”  plants a kiss with his notoriously wet lips and goes on his way.  Total melt of the heart.  Every time.

Although from the beginning of his life, he has been a challenge, one that has kept me on my toes, and even made me question my parenting ways. Screaming fits and mega watt tantrums have been a big part of his toddler and preschool years, but have not defined them.  His big heart and fierceness to love defines him. He will be missed.

I imagine the first day, when he walks past the driveway and onto the bus.  Crossing over an invincible line of being my baby boy and into a little boy of School Age.  My eyes begin to form tears at this mere thought.  It will be easier for him, as he is familiar with the school and teachers, but still hard on this Mom.  He is excited, talking about all the fun he will have on recess and in gym class.  Noelle encourages his excitement and tells stories about the magical world of Kindergarten and all that is has to offer.  Her year was emotionally tough, but his will be comfortable, a transition much easier on us all.
The back pack and lunch are ready.  They have not been accumulating dust, as Max will bring them out and wear them around the house, talking about school and admiring the snake design and embroidered name on each one.  I have watched him on multiple occasions taking his fingers and tracing his name (unfortunately, Maximilian did not fit the 9 character maximum) talking to himself about school and how much fun it will be.  He is usually interrupted quickly by someone, but for a few moments I see a boy who has grown leaps and bounds this past year.  A boy who is ready to expand his mind and flourish in school.  A boy who is ready to ready to put a tear in the Mother Tether and forge ahead, independent and strong.

That tether is not broken, and will never be, but I envision it more like a rubber band, stretching with the growth that is life.  Reaching farther and farther away from me.  I cry silently at this, but quickly must wipe my tears and encourage the stretching.  That band can be brought back to me in times of need and times of discipline, reigning in the adventurous spirit of a little boy on his way to find more trouble.  I will have that power, but know I can never abuse it and bring him completely back in.  It’s time for him to start the slow stretch of becoming his own.  I’m here to help him learn valuable lessons and find himself.  He will never be dependant fully upon me again.  I am struggling with this, praying for guidance and wisdom as the man struggles of parenting will come over the years.  But for now, for now I will let the Mother Tether stretch just a little bit farther as Max enter Kindergarten and enters this new chapter of being a full time student. 

I will not be the only one adjusting to Max being gone.  There are two other children in this house that will be in shock the first couple of weeks without their Big Brother around to pester, and more importantly, guide them.  Violette and Max are a scant 14 months apart.  They have had their fair share of daily squabbles that are usually shadowed by the camaraderie that can been seen on many occasions.  They bicker for a few minutes, then dive into dramatic play together.  Max has helped her learn to climb counters, shoot his little bow, throw a ball properly, toss a Frisbee, do tricks on the trampoline, pour milk/water, and countless other things.  He’s always there for her in times of need and encouraging during her struggles.

We have a little brother in the house that looks up and admires Max more than I can write about.  Maximilian is there to facilitate imaginative play between him and Zane.  They wrestle and I see the compassion on Max’s face as he gently guides Zane and restrains his strength and let’s Zane overpower him.  Sometimes I have to remind him to not be so rough, but the majority of their wrestle sessions are big brother guiding little brother.  Zane can frequently be heard roaming the house asking, begging, for Max to play with him, dress in costumes and run around the house shooting at each other.  Sometimes Max just doesn’t want to and Zane will breakdown, weeping and clearly devastated at the fact his idol doesn't want to play with him.  Oh, he’s going to waiting for that 4pm bus to come by and drop Max off, excitement will be plastered on his little face!

It’s time.  He’s ready.  We have many more years ahead of us, under one roof.  I am enveloping his new journey, encouraging the spark of excitement and putting the nervous butterflies at ease.  As he crosses our driveway into the world of School, I vow that no matter how hard my heart aches, I will save my tears for privacy.  I promise listen intently to each story he wants to share about his day, but not to pry if he’s not ready to discuss things.  I vow to kiss and hug him each morning before he leaves, and squeeze him even more when he returns. I will encourage his growth, but promise not to push too hard if he’s not ready.  I pledge to be understanding if he ends up in a bit of trouble at school, as boys will be boys.  Any trouble (they use a clip system, move it up for good behavior and down for unacceptable behavior) he gets into will be an opportunity for a life lesson and it shall not be wasted.  And finally, I vow not to compare Maximilian to Noelle and her academic level at the same age.  They are two very different children and both have their strengths and weaknesses.  I will love and celebrate him for who he is not how he stacks up to siblings or even other students. 

Good luck my dear boy!  Let your spirit take off and soar during this year of Kindergarten! 

Wordless Wednesday

Has It Been That Long?

I was thinking about the last time we ventured up to Traverse City, and unbelievably, it was right before Christmas!  We couldn’t believe it and had to change that quickly, so this past weekend we headed up to the Great North Country.  Tom took Friday off of work, we decided to leave Thursday evening once he came home from work.  The drive was uneventful, children watched movies, complaints were minimal, it was a nice calm drive.  On a side note, my minivan rocks for long trips!!!!  So much room to pack things! 

Once we arrived the foursome was wired!  They were so thrilled to see Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Alex!  Despite the late time, they were not going to bed for awhile.  I smiled as they sped around the house, finding every breakable object in reach, and rediscovering the house.  Finally, they all settled in and we drifted off to sleep, ready for a day of Roehrig fun on Friday.

Friday was our family day.  My parents and brother were off to work and we had the day to ourselves.  Morning brought unexpected rain, and a lot of it.  So we ate a leisurely breakfast and played around the house, hoping the sun would make it’s appearance and warm up the temperature.  We went out to lunch, letting the children frolic in a near by place place.  We watched the sun emerge and the temperature rise a tad.

 

We decided to head over to my Aunt’s house on Lake Michigan.  It was cool, in the mid 70s, but it didn’t matter, the children wanted the water and sand to play in.  We built sand castles, soaked up the rays, and dipped our toes in the chilly water.  It was beautiful.

Sand was everywhere and blue lips were starting to emerge on the children.  We headed back to my parent’s house.  Earlier we made a pit stop at the dollar store and picked up silly string.  The kids decided to hide and wait for Uncle to come home.  They found a spot and all four of them giggled and excitedly awaited Uncle to pull in.  They jump out and sprayed him! 

 

The plan was to take the boat out on Saturday.  The wind was whipping and the temperature barely in the 70s.  Tom and I knew that it would not be fun for the children with all the white caps on Lake Michigan.  We talked it over and decided to forego the boat outing.  Not sure what to do, my Dad brought up taking a drive out to Sleeping Bear Dunes.  Yes!  I have never, nor Tom, been there, and it being voted The Most Beautiful Place in America, we had to go!

I couldn’t believe how close it was.  Only about a 40 min. drive from their driveway, this treasure was in our reach and ready to explore.  The following pictures speak volumes!

The sun was pristine, the water a deep blue and the sky dotted with clouds.  It truly is beautiful, to say the least.  I can’t wait to make another trip back there, to explore the dunes more, and drink in the treasure of Michigan.

Back at home Uncle and Max dappled in some street hockey and then we had a s’more bonfire.  The children were exhausted from the days nonstop events, but all had smiles and happiness all over their faces. 

Sunday we packed up and headed back South.  Sad to say goodbye, but we all know it won’t be too long before we’re up there again, bringing needed chaos to the calm of the Goodhue house.