Another Teen in the House

On December 1, Evan unbelievably turned 13! For the first time, he was very specific about his celebration. He's asserting himself and developing self-awareness! Yay!

He requested shrimp kebobs for his special dinner. 

He asked for cheesecake for his birthday cake, and Burke whipped this up. Props to Burke. This was his first cheesecake and it was so good. After singing and slicing, it became a strawberry cheesecake sundae from the Serendipity 3 cookbook (a fave NYC restaurant). 

We had trouble lighting the candle.

But then we got it lit!

Happy birthday to our not-so-little bug!

He opened some presents! 

Nana and Lolo performed their best ever rendition of Happy Birthday via video call.

Ever the active, social kiddo, he asked to have a party with his lunch table friends. These are primarily kiddos who went to his elementary school, and they have remained close. We went to Slackers for laser tag and video games.

unlimited laser tag

Caleb and Emily played some laser tag, but didn't have the same stamina for it as the 7th-9th graders. Good thing Slackers has some bouncy fun options. The big boys are aged out of the bouncing fun.

another fun game, some sort of don't-break-the-laser challenge

This looked fun too. 

It was like whack-a-mole, but you had to hit the flashing buttons.

We were so grateful that Grammy, Grampy, Steve, Joey, Christine, Caleb and Emily could join us too! Evan picked out this cake too, and Burke whipped it up from scratch. Evan and Ryan were responsible for candy application. It was so delicious.

Evan is such a sweet young man. He has big thoughts and feelings. He sometimes misses details, usually because he's distracted by a screen or something else. Evan learns lessons in his own time, sometimes the difficult way. He's compelled to talk out things that are bothering him. I am so thankful for that. He's quick to help, and happy to help. He's funny, expressive, smart, sporty, and full of energy. He recently reflected that he was excited for his birthday because birthdays are fun, and he's eager to be taller, but he doesn't look forward to mounting responsibilities that come with age, and he's not pumped about the idea of moving out of the house someday. We just love our Little E Teen. 

Fall Miscellany

Before we head into the busy holiday season, I thought I'd commemorate some more notable late summer/fall moments. 

with Governor Whitmer at a midterm election event

Ryan, Evan, and Burke took a day off of school to visit Art Prize in Grand Rapids with Nana and Lolo while they were in town in September.

Burke's birthday dinner

Ryan's first SJHS orchestra concert. He has to wear a tux now (which is does not appreciate, at this point).

A week later, Evan's fall concert with the 7th grade orchestra

carving pumpkins

They did this work nearly independently!

A lot of November involved rehearsals for the high school musical production of Mama Mia.

Burke (guitar) and Ryan (drum set) played in the pit band.

beautiful fall day by Lake Michigan over Thanksgiving break

 

Tennis, Cross Country, and More...

Our fall was pretty busy with driving here and there for cross country meets, tennis matches, and such. 

Ryan expressed interest in continuing with tennis at the high school, and chose to join the SJHS JV tennis team. It was cool to see his develop this interest, and branch out a bit. It was also fun for us to learn more about tennis, as neither of us ever played. Ryan's coach is a good coach/person, which is always a bonus. I must mention that while I believe he is genuinely happy with learning/playing tennis, and feels it's a good fit for him, I think he is also doing it, because playing two seasons of high school sports counts for a PE credit. :) 

on the courts at the high school

meeting with the coach

Ryan played doubles.

Sportsmanship: High-fiving rackets following a point.

serving

Evan begins a race, his second season running middle school cross country.

Most of these photos were taken by a teammate's parent who generously shared them. I could never have gotten these great shots with my phone camera

Go Bears!

Love this one!

Love this one too! 

Seasons are changing...

p.s. Evan also played fall baseball.

Evan on the mound...

...and up to bat.

Evan played with 7th-9th graders. His coach was new to us, and brought great energy. 

We were glad for the opportunity.

p.p.s. Ryan is also on the Academic Challenge team.

We continue to be grateful for joyful, outside-the-classroom growth opportunities (for all of us). 

🎾⚾🏃📚💜

 

Back to School 2022

Still playing blog-catch-up after a busy summer. We've been in school now for almost 3 months. Nonetheless, here are some photos that captured those back to school moments. 

Evan is ready for 7th grade!

Prior to the actual first day back, the district hosts a back to school event. Students pick up their schedules, get their school pics taken, and try their lockers. Evan was clearly comfortable and confident knowing his way around, and finding this classrooms. He also opened his locker with little effort. 

Ryan is now a 9th grader at SJHS!

While it feels like a bit of a shock that he's old enough to be a freshman, we are all happy that he is now in high school. He has been looking forward to more rigorous and mature learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

He did NOT have an easy time with his locker. It was NOT easy to open. Apparently, the students barely use them. I don't think Ryan's used it once. He just carries his stuff around with him all day, I guess.

This has nothing to do with back to school, but demonstrates how crazy time is. In August, I began letting him drive. We've only done it this once, and it was pretty much just coasting, braking, and turning the steering wheel a little. We probably need to offer him more opportunities, since the plan is to sign him up for Segment 1 of driver's training in the spring.

Back to back-to-school, taking it day by day, because it was a whirlwind change, I started my new job. I am now a math/reading intervention teacher. I am excited for more leadership growth opportunities, and the ability to do some systems work within the school. 

I am no longer on Burke and the boys' school schedule. 

I started school the week before them.

School Pics 2022-23: When we buy digital prints, we have access to all the backgrounds. They wanted silly backgrounds for the blog post.

Evan: 7th Grade

Ryan: 9th Grade

Here we go!

back to school for the whole family