Tough Choices

This fall, Ethan has joined a club soccer team.  This means that he has soccer games pretty much every Saturday and Sunday, often a 30-45 minute car ride away.  I signed him up, mostly because he really wanted to play, and also because they have professional coaches who really "teach" the boys how to play, unlike the volunteer parents who "coach" the local league, mostly just by telling kids when to play and when to sit out.


Anyhow, is is admittedly a lot for a 7-year old, and Jason is constantly annoyed the the level of commitment expected.

Last weekend, we found out that there would be a tournament this weekend in Sebastopol, with at least two games on Saturday.  Well, Ethan's team won a game on Saturday, which meant he also advanced to games on Sunday.  The only problem: we had family plans on Sunday...the morning was "family fun day" at his school, in the afternoon we were to go swimming with some friends, and the Cortez family was coming for dinner.  We were all prepared to skip out on the games on Sunday until an email came from the coach reminding all of the players about their commitment to the team, and how he really needed everyone to come so they would have adequate subs for players to get a break (it has been super hot here).   Hmmmm.

So we told Ethan he had to forgo most of our family plans, join a carpool with another boy, and hit the field.

Was it the right thing to do?  I am torn.  After all, he is just 7, and we have limited family time as it is.  But, he did WANT to do this.  And his team was counting on him.  He was a bit sad about skipping out on the other plans, but perhaps next year, he will remember this when he has to decide between club soccer and our local soccer league.

Alaina Joins in on a Bike Ride

This afternoon, we had some downtime, and Ethan asked to go on a bike ride.  It sounded like a good idea, so we got ready to leave.  That's when Alaina announced that she wanted to ride her bike, not ride on the back of Daddy's.

No, the has been riding a tricycle for over a year, but only has recently transitioned to a hand-me-down two-wheeler with training wheels.  We weren't sure if she would really be ready, but wanted to encourage her enthusiasm, so we decided to go to on a short one, with mom and dad walking.

We were really impressed at how well Alaina did--she rode almost 2 miles--and it was a lot hotter outside than we realized.  By the end she was pretty spent--and we were pretty proud!

New School Year

Well, the past two weeks have marked the beginning of the new school year for both Ethan and Alaina.

Both kids were excited to have new backpacks and lunch boxes for school.  Ethan chose a Nike backpack AND lunch box--if he had his druthers everything now would be "Nike" or "Under Armor".  Alaina has a heart-patterned backpack and a Frozen lunchbox.

First, Ethan began 2nd grade.  His teacher has just moved here from Chicago, so we feel like old friends already!  So far, I think second grade is going pretty well.  Here is a pic from the first day:

Next, Alaina began her new preschool class, the "cow" room.  Before she started I asked if she was a little bit scared, ans she responded, "No, mom, I am a LOT scared."  But, she seemed to adjust well this week, and there have not been any tears.  Victory!

It is good to be back in the school routine!

Chicago Vacation

We had a nice summer vacation in Chicago this August.  We headed to my parents house, where we enjoyed spending time with them as well as cousin Zachary, who is 10 months old now.

While in Chicago, we connected with old friends, toured the Museum of Science and Industry, spent an evening at Ravinia, and visited the Lincoln Park Zoo.

We also enjoyed lunch with my dad's cousins (they cleverly timed one of their bimonthly visits to correspond with our trip) and had the chance to reunite with Dr. Kyle Nash, the officiant at our wedding almost nine years ago.  Time sure flies.

During our two weeks away, we took short road trip to Door County, WI.  We stayed in a condo graciously loaned to us by one of my dad's cousin's for two nights, and really enjoyed some pool time and beach time swimming in Lake Michigan--it was hot!  We also took a beautiful bike ride through Peninsula State Park.

Of course we also partook a fair amount of ice cream and custard, yum yum!  (Ice cream stops during our two week trip included: Dairy Queen, Culver's, Wilson's, Kopp's, and Margie's...the favorite--a tie between Kopp's Salted Caramel Custard and Wilson's Jumbo sundae!).

On the way back to Chicago we spent the afternoon with my Grandma--she is looking great for 93--and had a dinner with her and my Aunt Judith, and cousin Tonia and her family

So, we were busy!  And lucky that we had two weeks off to travel.

Big Girl Bed

A few weeks ago, Alaina made a big move--into a new bed.  She had been in the crib with one of the rails down for awhile, but now she has a full size twin bed.  I took her to target to pick out sheets. Her choice: peppa pig.    I also picked up a fluffy pink comforter with embroidered flowers.  Girl stuff is so much fun.

She has been sleeping pretty well in it, and we even decided not to put up a rail, since it is fairly low to the ground.  She hasn't fallen out yet!

The crib got sold on craigslist the next day.  She has been doing a great job staying dry at night, so we also have ditched nighttime diapers.  No more babies in this house!

7.5

Well, I guess I must publish about Ethan's half-birthday lest there be any thought of things being "unfair".    Ethan turned 7.5 last week, and we marked the occasion with a batch of brownies--his choice!

He is also growing up fast.  This weekend I took him back to school shopping.  I decided to give him a budget, and let him pick what he wanted as long as it fit in the budget.  Well, all he wanted was Nike stuff--nike shoes, nike shorts, nike shirts etc.  Luckily we have a Nike outlet nearby and he scored some pretty cool shoes for a good price and had money left in his budget for some electric red shorts and an electric blue hoodie.  Certainly not what I would have picked but he is pretty excited.  Three more weeks until second grade!

Mountain Meadow Resort

Two weeks ago, we took a week long vacation in the Trinity Alps, a little-known mountain range in Northern California.  Last winter, when looking for a summer vacation destination, I checked out a book from the library entitled "California Cottages and Cabins".  In the book, I found the Mountain Meadow Resort, and was intrigued.  It is a group of 10 cabins + a lodge deep in the wilderness.  Cabins are booked for the week, and guests can swim, fish, hike, and relax.  As an added benefit, childcare is provided 3 days a week so adults can take longer hikes, and dinner is served in two seatings: kids and then adults.  (Kids get supervised playtime while the adults eat).  It all sounded pretty good to me, and we were able to recruit our friends Sue and Ben and their two kids to try it out with us.


We made the 6.5 drive up to the place with some trepidation.  There was little information available about the place on the internet, and we were told it was an hour's drive down a dirt road to the nearest store.  The place was entirely off the grid, with no cell service, no internet, no TV and the generator was turned off each night from 11pm-6:30 am.  We had no idea how "rustic" the place would be, if the food was any good, or who we would be "stuck" with for the week.

Our fears were soon allayed, however when we checked in.  The cabins were simple, but clean.  Almost all other guests were return visitors--one, who was my age had celebrated his 2nd birthday at the property!


The setting was absolutely stunning, in a giant meadow nestled in the mountains.

 Our week flew by.  On several days, the adults took long hikes, which were quite strenuous (we weren't quite prepared for the intensity of these--the longest I did was 14 miles and per my fit bit 340 flights of stairs, or I guess 3400 feet in elevation!).

Ethan even joined us for one of our longer hikes.  On this one he walked about 10 miles and gained 2500 vertical feet.  I was pretty proud!  As an added bonus, there was snow at the top of the peak, and on the way back down dad and him got to "slide" part of the trail.

The wild flowers were absolutely gorgeous--in every different color.  I know that my mom would have loved seeing all of the flowers!  Besides flowers, the meadows were covered in butterflies.

A nearby creek provided hours of entertainment for the kids.  Truthfully, the place reminded me of Yosemite, and was nearly as spectacular, but without the crowds.  We saw almost no one other than the people from our resort in the area and on our hikes.  Incredible, for mid July!

 

The vacation had a great "getaway" factor--being disconnected really allowed us to relax and unwind.  The kids met new friends and also really enjoyed it as well.  I think we may go back next year!