Move in, Anniversary Day

Randy and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary this past Saturday.  It was a day filled with family, fun, and some unexpected surprises.  Just a few days before our anniversary, my mom offered to come into town to help watch the kids, so Randy and I could have a few hours together without the kids.  Little did we know, her help would be much appreciated! 

Mid-week, Helaina developed a low grade fever.  She didn't have much of an appetite, but other than the fever, she didn't have any other symptoms.  Things changed for the worse though Friday evening, when on our way back home from the park, she vomited all over herself and the stroller.  With a 102 degree temperature for about 48 hours over the weekend and a few more stomach episodes, we definitely had a sick child.  Thankfully, my mom was here to tend to the kids, and Randy and I were still able to get out of the house together. Thank you mom!

The day started by helping Rana move out of her house and into her dorm at Wayne State.  As most of you know, Randy is an alumnus of Wayne State and he couldn't have been more proud to be back on campus with his cousin.  It was quite a nostalgic day as I reminisced about my first days at Indiana State a little over 12 years ago!  It's such an exciting event but can also be a bit emotional, so I was glad we were there to help and support her.  

Rana's dorm room and her friend Haley

Proud Wayne State Graduate

Randy guided us on the campus tour...just a few new buildings since his freshman year in the fall of 94'...yikes!

Rana and her proud aunt Abla

After we said our goodbyes, we headed home to check on the kids. Helaina and my mom stayed back at our house while we spent our anniversary "evening" at Randy's parents' home.  Several family members were there to help us celebrate, and we all devoured Auntie Helen's homemade bread from the outdoor brick oven!!! Simply delicious!
Randy's parents offered to keep Zach for a couple days while Helaina recovered, in hopes that he wouldn't catch her flu/cold bug.  Such a relief and a huge help, considering we have quite the weekend ahead. (Thank you Auntie and Amo for helping us with Zach!!!)  This weekend is our last big outing of the summer...the wedding/reception of Megan and Jon.  Helaina is the flower girl, and I am a bridesmaid.  Keep your fingers crossed and send a few prayers that we all stay healthy enough to enjoy Megan's wedding weekend!

Beginnings and Endings

After 4 days of dance camp, last Thursday, Helaina had her first dance performance.  Randy was off work that day so all of us were able to enjoy her little routine.  There is something utterly adorable about three and four year old girls in tights, leotards, and ballet shoes.  Our neighbor, Laura (pictured below), was a teacher for the girls throughout the camp.  On the last day, we asked Helaina if she liked swimming, gymnastics, or dance better, and she replied, "swimming AND gymnastics."  Deep inside, I was smiling.  Looks like we'll be swimming and tumbling in the fall. 

Sassy pants

Introducing the newest Michigan resident, the future MaKayla Reid, D.D.S.  She moved to downtown Detroit a couple weeks ago and had her first day of dental school this past Tuesday at University of Detroit.  Randy and I, along with her family and my brother, attended her white coat ceremony this past Sunday.  Talk about feeling old.  It has been 12 years since Randy walked across that stage for his white coat.  We are definitely not young pups anymore, but we couldn't be happier for MaKayla and this new chapter in her life.

The days of summer are dwindling, so we're making the most of the August sunshine.  Zach was in rare form today as we spent most of the afternoon in the kiddie pool.  

Celebrations in Naptown

On Friday afternoon, we hit the road, for yet another summer adventure.  This time though, it was a girls' only trip! We left the boys at home, and drove a little over five hours to a small town just west of Indy,  Danville, Indiana.  I had been a bit anxious about the long car ride and worried that it would seem more like 10 hours than 5.  However, to my complete surprise, in the almost 11 hour journey (round-trip), Helaina was an angel.  Her and I told stories and jokes, she watched movies and slept, wrote in her activity books, and we also made a couple stops along the way.  I was so proud of her, and she was my buddy for the weekend.

The Archer Family was our host for the weekend, yes all five of them...6 week old twins and all! They so graciously welcomed us into their home, and Helaina and Aiden had a weekend long slumber party.  They played very well together the entire trip...no fighting, just sharing, and the only tears that were shed were when they had to leave each other. 

Saturday morning we were able to get over to the State Fair.  For those of you that know me and my love of fairs, I was probably more excited than the kids to attend.  It had been 5 years since my last trip, and I was really looking forward to showing Helaina all the things that I used to love when I was a kid. 

Hmmm....if only Wayne County, MI had a 4-H program...I can only dream        

Riding the train around the fairgrounds

Farmer for the day.  Such a neat, hands-on', kid-friendly activity.

Planting her seeds

Milking the cow

After an awesome trip to the fair, it was time to celebrate Katie's birthday.  Ryan's parents offered to watch the kids while we had an "adult only" birthday dinner.  I thought Helaina might resist me leaving, because she had not spent much time with them before that evening, but as I was heading to the door, she said, "ok mommy, I'll see you later." Guess I didn't have much to worry about.  By the time we picked them up at the end of the night, she was referring to them as "Grandma and Grandpa Archer".
Happy Birthday Katie!

Ride home from Grandma and Grandpa Archer's.

But the main reason we drove all that way, was to share in Megan's special day.  She is the bride-to-be. The future Mrs. Jon Theophilus...just 3 short weeks away.  I am a bridesmaid, and Helaina is one of the flower girls.  Aiden and Nolan are the ring bears.  It sure to be a memorable weekend.
The shower was held at the Bread Basket Cafe and Bakery in downtown Danville.  If you live near there, you have to go!!!  Such a lovely place, with wonderful owners and a delicious menu.  It had a delightful ambiance, just perfect for a Sunday afternoon bridal shower for a very special friend!    

Congratulations Megan, we love you and are looking forward to your big day!
(From left to right) Erin, Katie, Megan, and me
FYI, many people will ask after this blog, so I'll just post now...Erin is due September, 27 :)

After a great weekend with friends, Helaina had yet another big day.  This morning was her first day of dance camp.  For a mom that never danced, and I mean never, I didn't even know what a child is to wear to one of these things.  I bought something at Meijer (on sale) and picked out some shoes from her dress-up bin.  Thank goodness she's only three, because I think she was supposed to wear tights too as I saw all the other girls with them on when we arrived.  I guess I have a bit to learn in this department.  None the less, she had a fantastic time!  It is everyday this week for 1 1/2 hours.  On Thursday, they will do a short performance for the parents.  

Monroe County Fair

No, it's not the infamous Porter County Fair, but it sure is a close second.  After a crazy weekend in NYC, I couldn't have been more happy to see corn, cows, and 2-lane highways.  On Tuesday of this week, the kids and I went on an adventure down to Monroe, MI, about 45 minutes south on the Ohio border. We attended their county fair and had a great afternoon together.  I think it's in my blood, the summer just isn't complete without a trip to a county fair.   

Let's go mom! We're ready!

Both of the kids love to feed and pet the animals. Zach was practically falling out of the wagon to touch each one.

You can't quite see his face, but Zach was screaming at the rooster, "coo coo coo doo", aka cock a doodle do.

Loving on the baby goat.

Merry-go-round is heaven for these two.

Swings all by herself.

Train ride

What storm came through our house you ask? Well, his name is Zachary.  Every morning, Helaina helps me lay all of the chairs on their side, because if we don't, Zach pushes the chairs to wherever he wants to go, uses them as ladders, and climbs onto the stove, the counter, the table, the sink, or any other surface he can get his chubby legs into.  He is a tornado. We do time-outs, smacks on the hand, a firm "NO", or simple distractions, but this kid is persistent and energetic.  All boy and going to keep us busy for many years to come.

New York, New York

And just like that, the much anticipated trip of the summer is over.  There was so much excitement leading up to the flight itself that Helaina could barely sleep the night before.  We were up and out the door by 6:30 am Friday morning.  Once at the airport, we offered to carry her luggage, but she refused.  Both there and back, she toted that Dora bag around the airport like she'd done it 100 times before.    

After a quick breakfast in the Delta Skyclub, Seedy had made some connections and Helaina was able to do what most kids only dream about...sit with the pilot in the cockpit of the plane.  They were so nice, and she was beside herself steering the wheel and touching all the appropriate buttons.  Definitely a memory and picture she will never forget.

After getting settled in and then experiencing take-off (which she loved!), Helaina kept herself busy with music, books, coloring, and activity books. It was a short 1 1/2 hour flight, and she did very well.

From the airport, we took a van to our hotel in midtown Manhattan.  Monika and Mina live and work in midtown and that is where the wedding and reception were also located.  Friday evening we attended the rehearsal for the wedding at the infamous St. Patrick's Cathedral.  Helaina was able to light prayer candles and make the sign of the cross with their holy water.      

After the rehearsal, Helaina hailed her first taxi.

We took the taxi to Morton's Steakhouse where Amo Jack (Mina's dad) and Auntie Georgette hosted the rehearsal dinner. It was a delicious dinner, and we enjoyed dining with all of our family in the city.

Saturday morning was the only time during our trip that we were able to get out and see some of the city.  We were up bright and early and headed several blocks down from our hotel to Times Square.  Definitely a sight to see. Since Helaina was with us, we didn't shop or do much sight seeing, instead, we visited Hershey's  and Toy's R Us.  

Toy's R Us had a Ferris Wheel in the middle of their 4 story store.  

Pictures with the characters outside the store.  I think a trip to Disney is in our future. Helaina couldn't stop hugging them, rubbing their arms, and asking us to take pictures.

After a quick lunch and nap, it was wedding time.  Look at this view from our seat in the pew.  Absolutely gorgeous.  We've never seen anything like it.  It is open to the public, even during weddings, and the Cathedral schedules their weddings on the hour.  Check out the link above, if you're ever in the city, St. Patrick's Cathedral should be a stop on your visit.  

Helaina had a small role in the actual ceremony.  Her and 2 others, presented the gifts (bread/wine/water) to the priest.  She was very proud of her "job" and enjoyed helping Alyssa and Daniel.

Our family outside the Cathedral, after the wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Mina Freij and their wedding party

From the Cathedral, Uncle Omar and Helaina took a "bike taxi" back to the hotel.  She was snuggled up right next to him and loving every second.

We had a couple of hours of down time after the wedding, so Randy and I left Helaina with other family members and walked down to Grand Central Station...another site to see!

The reception was in a ballroom at our hotel, The Roosevelt.  Everything about the evening was lovely...the live music, the food, the dancing, the dessert, and witnessing the celebration for Monika and Mina.  Helaina tore up the dance floor and basically danced herself to sleep well into the night.  

Helaina winding down with Seedy.

Helaina and her friend, Luciana.  After dancing for several hours, they took up crawling under tables and swiping people's shoes and clothes...note Helaina's jacket and shoes with the help of her new friend.

That's all she could hand...sleepy, sleepy, girl!

We returned back to Michigan early yesterday afternoon.  We are blessed to have been able to attend Monika and Mina's special day and share in the celebration with the family.  Helaina will forever remember her first plane ride and trip to the big city.