Celebrating Olivia's birthday!

Yes, Olivia and I went out the night before her birthday for a special "Mommy Date" birthday gift, but we couldn't stop there with the celebrating.  Everyone else wanted in on the fun.  Olivia graciously offered up her special day, to throw a surprise baby shower for her teacher, Mrs. Yunker, at our house.  Her teacher thought she was bringing her son Lukas, to Olivia's birthday party, only to be surprised by many of her fellow Congress staff members.  I think Olivia enjoyed the surprise and seemed genuinely happy about sharing her special day with her teacher she loves so much.

Lukas and Stacey Yunker and Baby in the oven


Nana and Papa were headed out Sunday morning to go see Aaron and Christy in Georgia so they snuck over the evening of her birthday and we had some Golden Buddha per Olivia's request.  She got a fashionable black dress coat that she loves wearing.

Also, from Nana and Papa, were some clothes, sheets of designer duct tape (her new thing), and a ream of paper for all her drawing and crafts.

Sunday we headed to Nottawa Fruit Farm courtesy of John and Esther.  The girls had a blast on the pedal tractors as well as the hayride and hay tunnels.  My camera battery died after the pedal tractors so that is all I have from the Fruit Farm.

Fear not, I charged my battery when we got home so I could snap photos of the evenings festivities.  We bumped back Olivia's family party so she could attend a classmate's birthday party first.  Then it was time for her own.  Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Jared, and all the cousins, and Aunt Jen all made her party more special. 

One of her many rolls of duct tape she received. 

A pottery wheel from Aunt Jen!  She's so excited.

A new fashionable ensemble. 

Cupcakes for the birthday girl. 

It was a super jam packed busy weekend full of many celebrations, but most importantly, remembering the day we were blessed with our Olivia Jane.

The Lettermen Sing Happy Birthday to Olivia!

As a young girl, my parents would take my sister and I occasionally to some of the musical performances at the Sturges-Young Auditorium in our town.  With Sturgis being such a small town, we are so fortunate to be able to have such a nice establishment that brings in great cultural art shows.  Most of the time my sister and I didn't mind going and it made us appreciate various types of music from a young age.  But our all time favorite show to go to was, The Lettermen!  We saw them a few times and when I was 12 or so, they did a Christmas show and I was pulled up on stage to help sing the 12 days of Christmas.  These are fond childhood memories I cherish.

Now as I see my daughters growing up, I want to ensure they appreciate art and music, and have similar memories to hold tight to.  I saw a few months back that the Lettermen were playing at the auditorium tonight, which just so happens to be the night before Olivia's 7th birthday.  Olivia is starved for "mommy one on one time," so I thought it was the perfect opportunity.  It would be my birthday treat to her.  I'd planned it all in secret for months.  Only for her to get sick the day before.  A low fever and sore throat.  Strep was going around her class, so we left school early yesterday and headed to the doctor.  Thankfully, he thought it was viral when her strep test came back negative.  She stayed home from school today to be safe, but was back on top of her game in no time.  So the date was back on.


Donovan, Me, Olivia, Bobby, and Tony during their show.

The show was terrific as I always remember and Olivia loved it as well.  She told me it was the best birthday ever, and it's not even her birthday yet.  They announced it was her birthday and sang the best version of Happy Birthday she'll ever hear.  Nana also bought her some raffle tickets, and hers was the second one pulled.  She chose a beautiful hand crafted pen and case made from gorgeous wood, created by a local man.  Before we left for the evening Olivia and I had been watching Titanic, with the mommy edited version of course.  It was nearing the end, but I told her we had to get going.  She begged to stay and hear "My Heart Will Go On" song before we left.  I assured her she could finish it tomorrow.  Boy was she ecstatic when the Lettermen performed that exact song tonight. 

I decided Olivia and I would have a mommy date and I would surprise her.  She knew we were doing something, but what she didn't know.  We had dinner prior to the performance, as the auditorium always has delicious food.  Olivia opted for prime rib for her first time.  The cut of meat was larger than she was.  She enjoyed it, but Andy got to enjoy about half of it for a late night snack when we got home.  Olivia had both sets of grandparents join us for dinner, which was very fun to have them together and just some special time focused on her.

Prior to dinner we hit the salon and she got her long awaited feather in her hair as well as a fresh coat of paint on her fingernails.

It was a wonderful evening and a complete surprise to my darling Olivia.  I have been blessed to be her mother these past 7 years and wouldn't change one minute of them, not even any of the tantrums or attitude filled days.  I love her whole heartedly.

An Almost Finished Basement

The basement is nearing the finish line.  Carpet has been installed, pictures hung, and furniture moved in.  We still have to figure out our plans for the fireplace, put up crown molding, finish the stairway walls, and can light fixutres, but it's usable now.  I'm sure it will be a while before it's completely finished, but it' come so far that we really don't care at this point.  We're happy with the end result.
 

Here's my photo wall of black and whites I took of the girls.  I love being able to remember all their various faces they make.  I realized after hanging them though, that we have smiling Olivia in most of them, and a grumpy or solemn faced Mia in all of her shots.  Oh well, that is the truth in print of my girls facial expressions.
 

I also need to finish the yellow chair you see in the background.  I've sewn the fabric for the cushion, but need to stuff it yet.  I have perfected procrastination.

The billiards area with my white washed wall.  I'm happy with how it turned out.
Everyone is welcome to come check out the basement whenever they'd like and stay to shoot some pool as well.

A TRYING Weekend

The weekend after Labor day was a very busy and trying weekend in our household.  I had just started back for the first week of school, and was taking my only personal day the first Friday.  We headed up to Alpena right after school and arrived late Thursday evening.  We got up early on Friday to start working on the barn once again.  Andy shingled while I worked on building the back walls.  I sadly tried to stand one up without Andy's help since he hates when I bother him while he's on the roof.  With all my brute strength, I got the nine foot tall wall up, but it was rubbing on the floor joyce above, so I went to one end to try and tilt the bottom to slide it under the floor joyce.  Not my smartest move.  The wall went down and I used my right shoulder and hip to try and catch it.  Thankfully it didn't come crashing too hard because I did break it's fall, but my shoulder hurt for the next few days.  Normally that wouldn't be so bad, but I was attempting my first ever triathlon the next morning.  We finished up at the property late afternoon and headed down to Rosa's for dinner on our way to East Tawas.  Aunt Joan and Scott were kind enough to let us use their cottage to stay in.  I checked in for the race and tried to get some much needed sleep.  Sleep did not come easy that night, with storms, barking neighbor dogs, and anxiety building.  6:00 A.M. came all too early when I had to get up.  It was a chilly morning and when I arrived at the lake where the start was, I started dreading my decision to not rent a wetsuit, especially since it appeared that everyone else had one. I just had Andy and the girls drop me off since it was early and my heat started one hour after everyone elses.  They ran for breakfast at Big Boy.  It was a welcome sight to see a friend and former coworker from my days at the Doyle Center participating as well.  Matt Olsen was doing the 1/2 ironman.  I have no desire to ever attempt that far of a distance, but am amazed at all who did.  As my time grew nearer and my family was not around, I found myself wishing they were there to cheer me on, which surprised me because I usually don't feel I need support around to motivate me.  It was a very welcome sight when my I saw a shaved headed man pushing a stroller and two girls in hot pink sweatshirts appear.  (I forgot to pack their sweatshirts so Andy took them to Wal-Mart that morning after breakfast to buy them each a sweatshirt.)  Once they arrived I got my good luck hugs and kisses and stripped down to my bright red swimsuit and put on my swim cap.  That was my first time ever wearing a swim cap too.  As I headed to the beach I was relieved to see about half a dozen other girls just in swimsuits as well.

Look, I actually survived the triathlon and even crossed the finish line!

Andy forgot the camera in the truck, so this is the only photo we actually have from the race.  It's on his phone so it's blurry, but you can make out my red suit in the middle.  I was kind of glad he forgot the camera because no one would have been having flashbacks to Pamela Anderson running the beaches on Baywatch when they saw me running in my suit.  A blurry photo from afar in a mass of others is good enough.  Once we started I was so grateful to feel how warm the water temperature was 71-72 degrees while the air was a frigid 54.  It was perfect for swimming and the waves weren't too rough.  I headed out into the water fairly quick, and surprised myself that I was ahead of some since I had mentally prepared myself to be dead last.  Once we rounded the first buoy I was passed by many, but kept at it.  They had lifeguards on boards at various places throughout so you could stop and rest if you needed to.  I was pleased to see some girls resting as I passed each one determined to not stop.  I was definitely near the rear, but glad to see some other girls hanging in the same spot with me.  Swimming in open water was definitely a change.  I knew it would be harder, but it was a challenge.  Towards the end I started to feel disoriented and when I finally was able to stand to try and run out of the water I was light headed and dizzy.  I suddenly heard a familiar shrill voice screaming, "Go Mommy!" and knew immediately it was my Olivia cheering me on.  I needed that at the point and it gave me the strength to pull my my tired out of shape body out of Lake Huron and run through the sand to the sidewalk ahead.  Once I hit the sidewalk some walking was indeed in order.  I know realized skipping breakfast was a stupid mistake and found myself wondering if I would be able to finish.  At least the bike was up next which should be the most relaxing and what I thought would be my best event.  Once I found my bike the novice in me became apparent.  I struggled putting my clothes on over my wet suit, then couldn't believe the bike helmet (it's Andy's) wouldn't fit my now feeling fat head.  After fumbling with it for a few minutes I hear Andy screaming that Olivia wore it last.  I am not joking when I say I spent a good five minutes trying to adjust to a point where I could finally clasp it, but it was uncomfortably tight.  I was then off, finding some relief and a new rush of energy as I headed off on my 10K bike ride.  I knew it was a down and turn around and come back, so I kept waiting to see people heading back and was surprised to not see anyone.  After all, I was one of the last out of the water from my heat and there were other heats ahead of mine that I thought would be heading back by now.  As I approached the 5K mark I finally saw some heading back, and quickly realized why it had taken them so long.  The 5K mark, which I thought would be the turn around point was in fact not the turn around point.  The 10K mark was the turn around point.  I now mentally had to prepare for a 20K bike ride.  A man passed me and said, "Isn't this a bitch?"  To which I answered, "Yeah, I guess I should have trained for my first triathlon."  He laughed, and responded, "Me too, guess I shouldn't have been at the bar all night too."  Everyone on the course seemed genuinely nice.  It was a lot of gradual uphill all the way out until the hill from hell.  It was steep and long.  I almost didn't think I could make it up.  I thought about turning around early or walking my bike up, but I was too embarrassed to walk my bike with a guy riding behind me.  Thankfully he was struggling badly too.  After a long grueling battle I made it up the hill and not too much farther ahead I saw my turnaround point.  The ride back was much nicer being mainly a gradual downhill, but I was spent at this point so I didn't go as fast as I should have.  I took in the beautiful countryside that I had never seen in East Tawas.  It was a gorgeous area and road through Huron National Forest.  As I approached the town again and my last transition area, I feared my upcoming event, the 5K run.  I knew at this point, actually I was pretty certain before starting the race, that I would be walking a portion of the run.  Olivia was there screaming for me again so I started with a run on my legs that felt like bricks.  I alternated back and forth between my slow run and a fast walk.  From experience, I've learned that the two are about the same pace, but my run tires me out much more.  There were others walking which pushed down my nerves.  The spectators along the entire triathlon were nothing but encouraging.  They'd cheer you on and tell you you could do it, and it gave me the extra push to run a little further than I mentally had planned.  I even had my buddy that I met on the bike course pass me and holler, "There's my no training girl!" as he gave me a high five.  When the home stretch was within sight I picked a point that I would start running so I could try and sprint the final stretch through the ending shoot.  Of course, I heard "Run Mommy, go Mommy!" before I reached that point, and I couldn't let my girls down so I had to run sooner than planned.  It was a long gruelling stretch to the finish, but I crossed.  I didn't set out to beat anyone, only to prove to myself that I could do it.  I already want to do it again next year, and this time, I plan on training for it.

As soon as I finished I had to figure out how to get my bike out and head out to meet my family.  We loaded the bike up and headed back to Joan's cottage where I took a much deserved shower.  Then we ate a little left overs from Rosa's and had a short, but nice visit with Judy and Jim and Mike and Ruth before heading back up to Alpena.  Once back in Alpena I continued on walls and Andy on the roof.  We got the exterior walls all subsided on the lower level and Andy completed almost 1/2 of the roof with shingles.  We got up Sunday and finished what we could before loading up and heading home again.  We got home just after bedtime and were up before the sun the next morning to start my first full week back to school.

It was definitely a busy and trying weekend, but I loved the challenges it brought and the time with my family. 

End of Summer

The end of summer has brought some firsts to our family, one of which had our Olivia ecstatic.  She lost her first tooth.  I was amazed that the tooth fairy gave her $5 for her first tooth.  I never got that much when I was younger, but I guess inflation hits everywhere, even for the tooth fairy.  Andy of course thought $5 seemed like an appropriate amount for a child's first tooth from the tooth fairy.  Needless to say, she's checking all her teeth every day to see if any more are loose.


Olivia after losing her tooth, and a new short hair cut per her request.
 

Our basement necessarily isn't a first, but more of a FINALLY.  The finish is finally nearing.  Olivia and Mia wanted to get in on the priming and painting action.  Mia thought it was easier to strip naked than to go find grubby old clothes to wear, and yes, before anyone asks, her underwear are on inside out. 

Our girls hard at work.  The basement is looking good and carpet is ready to be installed in less than two weeks.  We can't wait!  I'll post pictures soon after I'm sure.
 

We spent most of Labor Day weekend working on the basement.  Initially we were going to head up to Alpena to work on the barn, but decided to stay home and get projects done there instead.  We couldn't be all work and no play, so Saturday we headed to the Toledo Zoo, our personal favorite.  Thankfully we got there early enough to beat the mad gobs of crowds that were flooding in when we finally decided to leave.

They have a fun, educational, interactive kids play area.  Part of it is like a stream with little waterfalls that the kids can take their shoes off and walk through.  They encourage the children to build dams and try to stop the water to learn about the traits of water.  It was a lot of fun.

There also is an area to climb up to a fun playground and a view of the stream.  Mia mastered climbing up this rock face to get to the top all on her own.  I've always said she was part monkey.

See, here she is posing with her long lost relative.
 

Daddy's girl at heart.
 

And as of today, we have another first.  The first day back to Jackie's for Mia (she was thrilled) and....

Olivia's first day as a first grader! 

I'm sure it will be another terrific school year.  We hope everyone else has a great start to their school year as well.

Mirror Images

Children are so enthralled to look upon themselves in the mirror.  I caught Mia doing this a few weeks back and remembered some of my favorite photos of Olivia when she was much younger doing the same in this mirror.  I thought it was the perfect opportunity to snap some similar pictures of Mia.  Of course Mia's expressions are much sillier than Olivia because that's our meatball, Mia's personality.


Mia, July 2012


Olivia in July of 2008
 

It also got me thinking about how looking at your children, you can see so much of yourself in them.  Sometimes the good and even the bad.  I hear Olivia's word when she's frustrated or yelling at Mia and it sounds just like me when I get upset with the girls.  It makes me cringe, but at least I am aware and working on breaking both Olivia and myself of that habit.  Mia's goofy personality is so me as well.  Her defiance and wanting to do things her way are tell tale signs of my childhood, although from what I hear, Andy's too.  Both girls are so unique from one another, which I love.  They can fight terribly one minute, but be so sweet the next.  Most of the time they truly look out for each other and it melts my heart.  I don't know who they got that from, because I don't recall ever being that sweet with my sister in my adolescent years, and I know Andy wasn't either.  It's a joy to watch them grow and develop their amazing personalities and see reflections of both Andy and myself in each of them.


 

Let's try our grumpy face on for size.

More Work on the Barn

We headed up to Alpena again for a short weekend to get as much done as we could.  Both Andy and I were elated to see concrete on the ground.  This trip we were minus one child.  Olivia went with Nana and Papa to a time Share Resort in Illinois for a long weekend, so we just had Mia to be our helper.  Per Mia's request we got up early and went in to "Big Boy" (spoken in a deep long drawn out voice) for breakfast and then back to the barn to start working.  Andy's main goal was to get the roof all on and tarpapered.  I wanted to do something and feel useful, so I went through the quick crash course of Andy Feyes' Wall Building 101.  During the beginning of my lessons I thought it was going to get ugly, but I bit my tongue and everything went smoothly there after.

Mia really was a great helper.  She would quickly get me screws, my hammer, drill, or fubar whenever I needed them.  She wasn't usually too far from my side building walls, unless she was napping.  I was hesistant on how it would be with only one child.  Granted with two we get a lot more fighting, but they entertain each other so well.  I was worried that Mia would command so much time and attention, but she was perfect.

My first finished wall.  The door is on the far left, with a window framed in towards the center.  Not too bad for my first time.

At the end of day one, we ran into town for some dinner.  Andy of course told Mia she could pick where we ate since she'd been so well behaved, so of course her answer was, "Big Boy."  Alpena amazingly can support two Big Boys and is only the size of Sturgis, so we opted to go to the other Big Boy this time.

Andy is almost done sheeting the roof!

My big helper Mia!

Andy manually carried each sheet of plywood up the roof.  He's beat from all the physical labor, but wouldn't let me help much with the roof, aside from climbing up and down the ladder to take him tools.  Which is probably a smart choice since I am accident prone and couldn't carry a sheet of plywood up to save my life. 

The end result of our short weekend consists of two 24 foot walls up, one of which has subsiding on it, and a completed roof with tar paper.  Also, it meant a late drive home and getting home after midnight, but we feel like we accomplished a lot in a short time.  Two weeks until our next trip up.