Robotics

Ryan joined the middle school robotics team. It's a great fit for him - collaboration, organization, problem-solving, writing, computers, and more. It's a really valuable life experience, and Ryan is taking full advantage of all it has to offer. He has gotten compliments from grown ups about his focus, self-directedness, and confidence. We're so proud of him. 

There was an all-day meet near Kalamazoo a couple weeks ago. This was quite a new experience for all of us. There are 3 teams from his school, and his team was the most decorated. This little Joe Bots guy was part of their pit display. I thought he was so cute!

As part of their team display, they had interviews with each team member. I caught Ryan's segment on screen.

Evan was a very patient spectator for this long day. He enjoyed watching the robots, and brought things to do when he needed a diversion. 

Ryan was not part of the 3-person drive team. He was there to take part in team interviews with judges, complete scouting reports of other teams' strengths and weaknesses, and cheer on his team.

He has another all day meet in a couple weeks, and then the intense robotics schedule should calm down a bit. It has been a great experience for him, and I think we all learned something right along with him.

Halloween 2019

We kicked off the season with a trip to our local pumpkin spot. This marks the first year that Evan didn't really dwell on the scary elements of Halloween, and reported no nightmares. Getting big, these two!

I remember so vividly the boys playing on these vehicles at the pumpkin farm as toddlers/little boys. This year, they ran in there to play, but in a very different way. They climb and jump off the vehicles, instead of sitting in them and pretending to play trains, etc. I had to ask them to pull back on the climbing and jumping, and to be careful for the little ones who were playing trains, planes, and tractors in the way they used to. My big guys. My sweet memories.  

This year, they both worked pretty hard to scoop out the guts. Ryan did little to no objecting and gross-face making. Evan made it clear that it was slimy and difficult, but pressed on.

Ryan's cat design and Evan's "gopher" face

Evan's classroom is across the hall from mine, so I snuck in to his Halloween party to say hello and take a couple pictures. I'm so lucky and thankful to share a school with him.

We are growing fatigued of our neighborhood, for various reasons. So, it made sense, this year, to spend Halloween with my parents at their house. We went over for dinner. Dad had spooky sounds playing, and they had warm cider. Burke and I walked with the boys, and we trick-or-treated in their neighborhood. We all had a lot of fun, despite the cold, wind, and misty rain. 

Special Agent 

[second year in a row]

Jim Harbaugh

[U of M football coach]

🎃 Happy Halloween 2019 🎃