Bday celebration

Super busy day (what a let-down that my bday hit on a Monday, when I have so many students), but Chad and the kids did a great job of helping me celebrate anyway. Katie made a delicious cake!! Micah even got into the spirit of things-- wished me happy birthday several times.

They all had gifts for me, and Chad brought home Chinese McD for supper-- lovely to not have to think of that, too.






Thankfully, they only put 3 candles on my cake. Still lit up pretty well, didn't it?

My Birthday Treat

Jenna's Fine Arts

Yesterday, Jenna played piano for Fine Arts at school yesterday. She's very well prepared because it was the same piece she's playing for the recital next week, but nerves got the best of her and she had several mistakes. I felt so badly for her, but she really had terrific composure even though she was very disappointed. And she sure looked pretty, too. :)

Great Wolf Lodge

Friday was a half day of school and Monday no school (President's Day), so we hit the road. And, look! Claire drove!

Carpooled with Gpa and Gma to the Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, Ohio.

For a while, Micah and Jenna were in the other van, so it was quiet in our vehicle! (Not that Jenna's usually the noisy one...) Claire played with Katie's hair while we drove.

We met much of my fam there-- for them it was a big 4 hour drive, I think. For us, 6.

Of course, we had lots of time playing in the waterpark area, but, in the evening, Grammy did storytime in their room. From what I hear, it was much better than the story time out in the lobby! During this story time, Katie and Jenna and I went back to the waterarea to make the most of the shorter lines.

The girls loved it, (altho Katie tired of it sooner than the other 2, and she enjoyed some reading time in between soaks in the hot tub :) but Micah was another matter. Much of last summer, it was a struggle to get him in pools. He mostly wanted to stand on the side and throw balls in, etc. Here at GWL, we had to force him to try some slides, etc. He did a few, and didn't cry during/after them, but he didn't enjoy them, either. He loved the hot tub (family one, designed for kids, too), esp when Boden was also in it. He just loves being with Boden.

Boden and Eric.

Jenna

Grammy with Caleb

Micah looks like he's on a starvation diet.

Sun pm we were allowed to stay at GWL until 9. Jenna and Claire were ready to be finished a little after 4pm. We all got dressed again and then did the arcade with Gpa and Gma a little while-- fun way to end our stay there. Ate a good meal at Perkins, and then we drove a little more than an hour to Lance and Michele's house-- they graciously had rooms for us in their beautiful home, and a great breakfast also!

Then we headed for the moon...

Travelers return!

Chad's parents made it back to PA... after 5 1/2 months away. Boy, were we excited! Kids made the welcome banner.

I made the dinner.

Chad made the welcome sign outside.

Fun weekend at their house-- Watched Courageous (great movie) and some Father Knows Best, etc. Played games-- 8's, 9's, Dutch Blitz. Looked at pics. Ate food. :)