Carson Is 14!!!! And a Freshman in High School!!! Let That Sink In

Carson turned 14, but first...the girls went to see The Barbie Movie with Grandma!  

Slept on the couch in the basement, that was his birthday Eve wish.  So weird.  

We started off the day like we ALWAYS do...with a birthday donut!  Next, we packed up the car with the girls and two of Carson's friends, Graham and Elliott, and headed down to South Haven for a day on the sports lake.  

Well that was fun and exausting!  Next up, family party at our house!  

Happy 14th birthday Carson.  That 13th year was a BIG one, in many ways.  Carson grew about 6 inches, and where did that little boy face go?!  Next birthday we will be talking Driver's Training and driving permits.  Time...please slow down.

Neighborhood Fun Run!!

Got some special manicure nail treatment from Aunt Sarah on our trip to Uncle Tom's! 

Carson got to drive the boat and Laney got to take Nicky out in the kayak, so it was a REALLY good day. 

Dixie Chicks with my FAVORITES!

Patrick has season tickets to the Detroit Lions this year and to say his is excited is such an understatement.  He took Carson to a preseason game to check out the seats and get pumped up!  (Like we have time to go to Lions games...hysterical)

Last day at the pool! Good-bye summer. 

High School! I'm pretty sure I was WAY more nervous than him.  But he rocked it.  Like no big thing.  It seems to be going really, really good.  We had a 3 hour Open House where we talked to counselors and met all his teachers.  He's doing BIG things...we are so impressed with him.  He joined the Crew team and gets himself to practice every night from 5-7:30 and still manages to hang out with his friends and manage his study time.  He's just rocking life right now.  We didn't know what to expect, it's like we are just frozen watching him in amazement.  

Laney's last year at the 5/6 building!  She loves Central Woodlands! 

Evie got my favorite 2nd grade teacher and she's obsessed with her.  And I'm back at her school again so we get to stick together for another year! 

Soccer team bonding. 

Dog park!  Carson's fav.  It was a day of fun with Maeve and the pups!  Dog park, ice cream, and wooden bridge walk. 

Evie's practice gets over right as Laney's is beginning.  They always run to hug each other as they pass by...it's really sweet and funny considering it's only been a couple hours since they've seen each other.  

Uncle Blake and Aunt Sarah stopped by our house before heading downtown for a family wedding.  The girls couldn't wait to get their nails done again!  And look at mean Uncle Blake shooting our sweet, innocent children with the gel blaster.  Uncle Blake!  

Movie night in the hood!

Laney's soccer team got to walk out onto the field with the MSU Women's Soccer team last weekeend and they got to scrimmage each other for the half time entertainment.  She had so much fun!  

Evie and I took a Communion Class with Pastor Bob at church.  Patrick had done it with Carson and Laney years ago, so I was happy to get to experience it.  She got to make communion bread when we were finished.  We had the nicest time, and I've never had communion explained so simply and with so much grace.  Who needs years of Confirmation when you can have Pastor Bob for an hour?  So grateful for him.  

 Haircuts!  I don't know why I think it's so cute when the kids get their haircut.  

Well, we are rolling right into this school year.  Laney has soccer practice and/or goalie training at least 3 nights a week.  Evie has soccer 2 nights a week.  Carson has Crew practice every night and a violin lesson every week.  Add in games, tournaments, confirmation class for Laney, football games and tailgates, and we are literally running around like chickens with no heads.  I'm updating this blog as I'm home with 2 sick kids, otherwise I don't know when it could happen.  It takes a village.  Patrick being IN TOWN helps a lot (last week he was out of town and this ship almost went down), and luckily Grandma and Grandpa are always willing to help too.  The kids are thriving and enjoying everything they've signed up for.  We are trying to just enjoy the business and really take it all in.   Life is good!