Lunch with the Grandma's

I was lucky enough to have a few extra days off the past couple of weeks because of different holidays. Jackson was thrilled that I could take him to the bus stop both days and Aubrin was equally as happy that I could take her to school. When I picked Aubrin up from school on my first day off her teacher told me Aubrin stood up during circle time and said, "I am so excited. My mom dropped me off at school today just like your moms do!" Too cute and at the same time a little heartbreaking that my babe thinks about how other moms drop their kids off and hers doesn't:( On my second day off Aubrin said that after school she would like to have lunch with grandma and great grandma. So we were off to Applebee's- Aubrin's favorite. Aubrin also wanted to stop and get flowers for her.
We had such a great time at lunch. Aubrin told great grandma all about school and wanted to show her all of the words she could write down.
It was a perfect afternoon spent with three of my favorite ladies.

MSU Fair

 I always look forward to the third Saturday in September. The MSU Tollgate Center always puts on the best fair for families. Its a bummer that Todd always has a golf outing on this weekend, but its the annual Brentwood Cup (mock Rider Cup) in our neighborhood and something he looks forward to all year.
This year my mom was able to join us. After Jackson's flag football game we headed into Novi, met my mom and then headed over to the fair. It was beautiful afternoon to spend outside. The fair was packed. We ran into 6 families from my school and also Tony was at the fair with the boys. That was a fun surprise!
We spent a lot of time doing crafts. The kids made dragonflies, painted with fruits and veggies, made spiders out of egg cartons, painted pumpkins, went on a scavenger hunt... it was so fun! Jackson really enjoyed the demonstration on how to make apple cider. He got right in there and got to crank the handle a few times.
 As we were leaving we stopped at the table with all of the veggies they grow right there at the Toll Gate Center. So we picked out a few things and we were on our way.
In a few weeks we are going back to get our family pictures taken there. I was so happy to see that there will be a few great spots.
Today as the Brentwood Cup ended we spent the day with our neighbors at the clubhouse chatting, eating and celebrating our last days of summer together.

First Day of Preschool

Aubrin has been waiting for this day since her last day of preschool in June. This girl loves to be with her teacher and her friends. My kids tend to wake up SUPER early on the first day of school. So it was no surprise to me when Aubrin came in my room at 4:45 wondering if grandma and grandpa were on there way over yet to pick her up for her first day. I said no and she climbed back into bed with me until I had to get up for work. Although it was way too early, I couldn't think of a better way to start my day than cuddling with my little lady and she gushed about her first day of school.
My mom and dad stepped in and happily took Aubrin to her first day of school. Aubrin was equally excited to have them come. She had a great time meeting a few new friends, see her old friends and seeing her teachers. Although we saw Tessa this summer, Aubrin said seeing her at school was so much more exciting and she couldn't wait.

 

When I got home, Aubrin had me sit in our sharing spot and she told me all about her day and how great it was. Here's to another great year of preschool!

Packed weekend full of fun...

This weekend we filled every minute with something. On Saturday morning Jackson had his first flag football game. He was really excited to play his first game on the high school football field. The weather was absolutely perfect. Aubrin of course was more than thrilled that Luca and Reagan were there. She watched the game for a bit, but she found way more fun sitting at the top of the bleaches and giggling with her pals. Jackson did a great job playing in his first game. I'm still not totally convinced that he really wants to be playing, but he gives it his all while he is out there. After the game we rushed home because my dad was picking Jackson up to take him to his first college football game. Jackson was more than thrilled to be going to his first Michigan game. My dad picked him up at 11:30 and they headed to Ann Arbor to tailgate before the game.

 Aubrin and I had plans to head to the store. Although we have already been school clothes shopping, she really wanted to go and pick out a special first day of school outfit. She only had to twist my arm a little:) When we got to the store we shopped around a bit and she found what she wanted. As we started to get in line she said, "Mom, while we are here, can I get an outfit for the 2nd and 3rd day of school too?" Love her! I wonder where she gets these crazy shopping habits from.
Once we got home we had friends over to watch the football games. Jackson finally arrived back home at 9:30pm. He was so thrilled to tell Todd and I about the game and also to show us his new t-shirt and hat grandpa bought him. The first thing Jackson said to me was, "Mom, I went to the Big House today." At that moment I felt that we needed to jump in the car and drive as fast as we could to East Lansing, but I smiled and listed to his excitement. He was so excited that he had a total guys day with grandpa. What a great memory for both my dad and Jackson.

On Sunday we went to the fall fair at Fisk Farm with the DeAngelis family. The kids did crafts, bounced in the bouncy pumpkin, pet the animals, ate a little junk and rode a horse. This is a first for the Miller kids. They were both really excited and loved it!
I love that fall is approaching. There is always so many fun things to fit into the weekend.

First Day of School

 We were all ready for our first day of school on Monday night. We all had our new first day of school outfits out, our bags were all packed and lunches were made. Jackson has been very excited for first grade and to meet his new teacher. He didn't know many kids that were going to be in his class, but he is always up for making new friends and seeing his close buddies out at recess and at lunch. Aubrin didn't start school this week, but she was so excited to spend the week with Julia. Although Julia has been to our house before and watched the kids a few times, this was her first official week watching Aubrin. 
I had such the guilty working mom feeling as I left the house on Tuesday morning. Of course I wasn't able to get Jackson on the bus because I had to be at work, so Julia came to the rescue and took a ton of pictures for me. I think that she has quickly caught on that I like to capture a moment with 200 pictures.  She said that he was so excited to leave for the bus stop and to get his day started.
When I got home from work Jackson said that he had a great day. He showed me a few things that he did at school and said that his teacher was really nice.
Aubrin starts school next Monday...more to come!

Flag Football

Tonight Jackson had his first flag football practice. Football has never been a thought for me that Jackson would play. I love to watch football, but I don't think I will be a fan of my son playing it. I know it's flag football and there will be no tackling, but with my luck he is going to fall in love with it and it will be his new passion. Oh boy!

Todd took Jackson to practice and I followed about 15 minutes behind. Jackson was a bit nervous  about practice since it was the first one and the first time playing football (organized). When Jackson gets nervous he tends to get a bit clingy to me, so Todd and I decided it would be better if I wasn't there when it got started.

When Aubrin and I got there Jackson was doing great. Listening very carefully not to miss a beat of what the coach was telling him. They ran a bunch of drills and then played a quick game. After practice Jackson said that he really liked it. As he handed me his mouth guard, I had to question him because half of one of the sides was GONE! I said, "Buddy, what happened to your mouth guard? Did you eat it, spit it out?!?" Hmmm, sure hope the poor guy doesn't get a bellyache. Next lesson: how to wear a mouth guard without eating half of it! Can't wait for his first game next week!

$0.25 Golf Balls

 This summer Jackson started selling golf balls. He started selling them with the girls across the street, but they lost interest and Jackson continued to sell on his own. He and Todd would go out a few nights a week after the course was closed and look for balls around the ponds. They were usually pretty successful bringing home at least 20 balls each time. My dad volunteers as a ranger at a course once a week so he would find balls and bring them to Jackson as well. As the summer has gone on, Jackson has gotten pretty serious about his business. He would have Todd find out when the outings were and he would  make sure to have all the balls washed and sorted for that morning. Aubrin and I have become very good at washing golf balls with a tooth brush. Jackson would then sort them by brand. Because we live next to the golf path, it has been easy for Jackson to pull his table and stock of balls right up to the edge of the path. I was amazed at how many golfers stopped and bought quite a few balls. Jackson isn't sure how to make change yet, so each ball was $0.25. Most people would buy 4 and just give him a dollar or would tell him to keep the change. The grand total for the summer has been ...$243!!!! That is a lot of money for a little guy! We asked him what he wanted to buy with his money. His response was, " I would love to have a mini fridge in my room so I can keep my juice, water and Gatorade in it. That way I don't have to come downstairs when I'm thirst." I told him that he could not have a mini fridge in his room until he goes away to college. I wasn't even going to consider it. Then he said, " Well, if I can make more money, do you think you could be a stay at home mom? I would give you all my money!" As I'm tearing up, " Oh honey, that is so sweet of you, but I'm not sure that $243 is going to keep me home and us all eating!" I love his big heart! So he settled on putting half in his savings account and the other half in his piggy bank at home. He already has a plan for next summer... sell basket of balls...we shall see!