Fourth of July

Our fourth of July celebration was spread over two fun days!  On Sunday, the actual fourth, the kids got flags, cookies and headpieces.

We also decorated the driveways with chalk!

Once it finally got dark enough, we went out and played with some sparklers.  The ones we bought this year only had 5 in each box!

Alice didn't want to participate, so she isn't in the pictures.

The next day, everyone suited up in red, white, and blue to walk down to the parade!  They threw out tons and tons of candy this year.  They had tractors and bikes and even a live band on a float! 

Happy Birthday America!

later days

Other Summer Fun

I had a box to return to FedEx and needed to go to Horrocks for some more Scottish Breakfast Tea.  I invited Emily, and then Grace wanted to come, and then Juliet wanted to come.  And then, I was influenced by something and we decided to have lunch at a Japanese restaurant.

The girls all loved eating their soup with the special spoons.

We ordered a bento box and noodle dish to share, but we only had chopsticks for utensils.  

Grace did so well with hers, using her right hand no less!

Juliet was not quite as quick to learn the art of chopsticks, but she still managed to get food into her mouth.

Emily did pretty well too!

 At our last mural meeting, we checked out the wall that we will be painting.

Aunt Wanda bought the kids some summer Brain Quest books.  Alice and Grace have enjoyed them the most.

A less fun summer event was when our county had several tornadoes touch down.  As far as we know, there was no nearby damage.  We never lost power, but Alice was not a fan of the alarms on our phones that kept going off with each new warning.  It rained so much that water started to trickle into the basement via the storm door!  Parts of Detroit had flooding. = (

Last week we went to the library near Sarah.  Our first task was to drop off the recycling at her house, then we picked out prizes for the summer reading program!  And, the secret I kept, was that I had signed us up for the Kona Ice Truck event!  Sadly, it was cancelled.  And annoyingly, I didn't even get an email.

I did what I could to help ease the disappointment, and we stopped by the gas station here in town for a special frozen treat (even though it wasn't Kona ice.)  

I'm having a hard time believing it is July! Billy returns to work (3 days a week) soon, and none of us are ready.

later days

Playdate with Abby (and Aubrey)

About a week after the playdate with Zoey, it was Emily's turn to host Abby.  The twins were happy to have Aubrey too!

Between the snacks that Nicole sent and the ones we had, we had quite a selection!

Abby and Emily were the only ones who wanted to play out in the pool.  I think they had a good time.

The twins and Aubrey had a great time with the American girl dolls & accesories!

And this is what it looks like when you are already the only boy, and even more girls come over!

later days

3rd Annual Scooby Doo Day//Playdate with Zoey

Scooby Doo day happened to fall on they day we had scheduled our first playdate in over a year an a half!!

We hosted Zoey (and her mom Kristy) for swimming and snacks.

I think they were pretending to be old ladies?

Happy Scooby Doo Day to All!

later days

Year 2

Year 1

Ophthalmologist

This is the latest post in the series of William, grace and Juliet's journey with hypophosphatasia.

We had a yearly checkup for William and the twins up in Grand Rapids. It wasn't ridiculously early, but we cut it close for our 9:30 appointment between rain and construction on the interstate.  We checked in exactly one minute before our scheduled appointment time.

I only took two pictures.  One is of the new lights (red or green) that they put up in the parking garage, so that you can easily tell where to park. I am a big fan, for as long as it works.

I also took a picture of Grace, but I don't recall why.

 William and Grace got good reports.  Not much of a change, but each left with a fresh prescription and an appointment a year from now.  Juliet had a drastic enough change that they want to see her back in 6 months.  Thankfully, that appointment is virtual!  Juliet also got a new prescription, which will hopefully help her see with her changed eyesight.

later days

<what happened previously

what happend next>

Father's Day 2021

To celebrate Father's day, the kids made Billy breakfast (eggs, bacon, toast, etc.) and he read the cards that they made him.  We also bought him a new magnetic flashlight for the basement.

When we went to mooville, we picked out an ice cream cake to celebrate.  Everyone thought it was pretty good.

 We sure are thankful to have Daddy around!

later days

Mooville

We had had 2 or 3 weeks worth of beautiful warm weather, and on the Saturday we decided to go out to Mooville, it rained. Sadly, it wasn't a light or sparse rain, and it cooled things off to be uncomfortable for those of us in summer attire.

The ice cream counter was open, so we were able to enjoy a sweet treat, and we moved tables so that we could enjoy the protection of the covered patio table.  Billy was waiting for his food from the cafe inside, so he didn't come out to join us.

The rain broke for a few moments, so I took a picture.  Sadly, they didn't have any cones out to feed the petting zoo animals.  And, it was too rainy and muddy for the playground.

It was a slightly disappointing trip, so we will have to go back another day to enjoy all of the amenities!

later days