Hi everyone,
Well, the school year is in full swing as you'll be able to tell from my lack of posting. Max's team suffered their first loss of the season (though it was so close it went into overtime...they would have won if not for a bad call by a ref). Their record is now 3-1. This week will most likely be a win.
I had the CASA fundraiser last week and it proved to raise the most money out of our five years of the event. People came out in a huge way to support abused and neglected kids in Kent County. Work is full of change too. We're at the tail end of a complete remodel of the entire 6th floor that has spanned a summer and we continue to add to our workforce. Last count was 44, and I welcomed a new designer to my team last week. All good changes. I'm flying to New Jersey again for the day next week for more meetings that offer promising assignments. If you had asked me 10 years ago if I'd know about spinal fusions and vertebral compression fractures, I would have laughed and ran the other way. Now I watch open spinal procedures and help write educational materials for doctors. How did this happen and where did my overalls and paint brushes go? Oh the unexpected paths we take...
Ryan is enjoying a new season at Milestones too. He's in the midst of transitioning to full-time pre-school. He loves it and would have been there weeks ago, but we're just finishing up potty training. We're now having more accident-free days than the alternative. He gets two Jelly Belly's when he's had a success. One for what he produces, the other for washing his hands. For some reason, he loves the white coconut jelly beans. All this transition has also brought some defiance issues (he's a big boy and knows best) and night terrors. We hear it's normal, but still are keeping a close eye on things. He started swim lessons on Saturday as well and did great! All in all, he's super happy, curious, and always explaining the world around us to him. He tells stories in such detail that it would blow you away. Most are about firetrucks or traffic. His love of all things transit does not fail. Today I referenced a car that drove by and he was quick to point out it was " a truck mommy." He's 2 and a half and I'm already wrong. Can't wait for the teenage years :)
That's all for our little clan. Hope you and yours are doing as well.
Love,
Court, Max + Ryan
Ryan on the vistors side at Northview game. We always sit on that side so we don't have to hear parents complain and the kids can run around.
Part of our regular cheering section: Uncle E. Auntie K, Eric's Dad George and my newly retired Dad, joined Ryan to cheer on the Wildcats. Note the firetruck....even at football games!
Wildcat Stadium at sunset. It ooks as epic as our win was that night.
Ryan got to wear Daddy's headset after one of the games.
My parents are prepping their house for sale, which means I officially got kicked out. Here Ryan plays with my sweet music making machine.
Happy boy!
One of Ryan's favorite neighborhood playmates, Tessa.
Our child was the only child soaked head-to-toe the day we took him to Meijer Gardens. It's amazing how many parents will try and keep their kids dry while they play in a WATER FEATURE.
We have a photo from a year ago of Ryan doing the exact same thing...amazing how he's grown.
Does this look like a line backer's stance or what?
Over Labor Day we had our first family camp out in the backyard. Ryan loves the s'more .
Sweet Max.
Also over Labor Day, our friend Charity hosted a beach cookout for everyone at Lake Michigan. It was so windy people were surfing like California, but it was a blast.
As if the candy that day wasn't enough, we decided ice cream was a good idea to, so we hopped over to Grand Haven and got some Temptations!
We also got to check out the big train. Ryan loved it!
This is what potty training look slike most days.
And this is what Ryan's plumber's crack looks like.
(Just heard Ryan yelling back from his crib to Max as he goes down the stairs "I love you too!")
Ryan has done great at his chores of helping Max mow the lawn. He also likes to let Cali out, set the table, and clear his plate.
