We had a rainy, overcast Independence Day, but that didn't stop us! We started our day at Marge's Donut Den, played some baseball, some tennis, and in general had a very relaxing day. We didn't make it to any parades or fireworks, but that was fine with us.
On the 11th of July, Aidan went to his friend Ian's birthday party at the zoo, and then we spent the day with the Dennies, celebrating Caden's 3rd birthday. It was great! We swam in Caden's grandma's pool, played with all sorts of outdoor toys, and enjoyed the company of our friends.
On the 12th of July, we were honored to attend Emily Anne Hollopeter's baptism at Scott & Cathy's church in Fenton, MI. Emily was a little star, Megan kept us all in stitches, and the after-party at Scott & Cathy's house was a wonderful time for all. We enjoy spending time with the Chrismans, Smielewskis, Boertmans and Hollopeters!
On the 15th of July, Aidan, Esme and I drove to Mason to Mom & Dad's house...and Cathy, Megan and Emily drove to Mason to Mom & Dad's house...and Mom and Dad looked after Aidan, Esme, Megan & Emily while Cathy and I went to Lansing to see the new Harry Potter movie! Thank you, Mom and Dad! It was a terrific break AND we got to see it on opening day!
On the 23rd of July, we began our day with a trip to the pediatrician's office for Aidan's 9-year checkup. It started out just fine - Aidan weighed in at 69.2 pounds, measuring 53 inches tall. That means in a year, he grew 2 inches and gained 4.8 pounds. We weren't expecting any vaccinations, but as Aidan had never had the chicken pox shot, the doctor decided to do it that morning. Aidan doesn't deal with such surprises well, and the nurse and I had to wrestle him to the table amid the screaming to get the vaccine over with. Afterward I promised Aidan that while he will still have to have occasional shots, I will never make him do it again without sufficient warning. Poor kid. In the past, when he's been prepared, he has handled his shots in a very grown-up manner.
Afterward, we drove to Mom and Dad's house and they took us to the train festival in Owosso. It was cool. There were a lot of real trains there, plus many miniature layouts in several different scales, and much to Aidan's pleasure, there was an enormous Lego layout, including several trains, lots of buildings, landscapes, etc. Very neat.
Last week, July 24-27, both children attended "camp" at Frederik Meijer Gardens, from 9:30-12 each day. Aidan's class was entitled "Garden Art," and among other things, he made a stepping stone, a flag, and a very cute sculpture from recyclables. Esme attended "Fun on the Farm," and she had a great time pulling turnips, making butter, creating a craft-foam "quilt," and learning about life on the farm - animals, games, chores. They both had a terrific time and made some new friends, too.
In August we're looking forward to spending some time with our extended family in Indiana, celebrating Wanda and Earl's 50th wedding anniversary, having some of our friends over for a cookout at our house, and celebrating Esme's 6th birthday. Jim is still working really hard on the RC Donnelly project in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. I'm plugging away at the Byers book, which is really coming along. Aidan spends time each day playing video games, reading, and running around outside playing ball. Esme pretends a lot - with her Legos, her "street cart," and her dolls, and she can occasionally be persuaded into playing ball with her brother, too! The kids get along, in general, but get sick of each other sometimes like all sibs.
In some ways I am looking forward to school starting (September 8) - quiet time during the day, back to a routine, the excitement of new teachers and new assignments...but there are also things I will be sad to see. My baby girl will be in school full time for the first time this fall, and those hours between 7:45 am and 4:00 pm are going to be really long for me! It's been good having the children home - even with the bickering! - and it will represent a new era for our family with both children away from home all day.
Aidan was so thankful for the remote-control train he received for his birthday from Grandma Margie. It is a really great toy and he's saving up to get even more track for his train.
Building his train for the first time on the morning of his 9th birthday...
He was also really thrilled to receive this circuit set from Aunt Melissa and Uncle Ryan. He's already built several of the projects, including a lie detector, a motion alarm, and an AM radio.
Laughing at the "birthday potty" joke card from Mom and Dad.
The Lightyear Blimp. :)
Impressed with Mom & Dad's gift of an Indiana Jones Lego set.
The Judy Blume book set from Grandma and Grandpa! (He's already read them all twice.)
In "training".
Perusing his Grand Canyon book from Danielle...
Some may feel they're too old for the Happy Birthday song, but they're not. :)
...and you're never too old to blow out the candles!
At this moment, Aidan was exactly nine years old - 8:08 pm, 18 July 2009.
"I built a radio!"
"Hear it? Really! I built a radio!"
Aidan, Esme and Papa in front of the Nickel Plate Railroad 725 engine. I rode behind this, Detroit to Fort Wayne, with my family when I was Aidan's age.
The engine after which the train in the Polar Express movie was modeled: 1225 of the Pere Marquette railroad.
A ride for the kids on a small-gauge train...
Dwarfed by the wheels.
Inside a caboose, Aidan climbed up in the observation area for a photo.
Last weekend, we had a beautiful rainbow here!
My dad and his tractor were in a parade, with his tractor club buddies. I wasn't there, so this is Mom's picture, but I can't resist posting this. It is quintessential Mark Hollopeter.
