4th

Seems like I blinked...and the next thing I knew

I was watching Jack wait outside the door of his 4th grade classroom.

Last night, he had a few nervous tears,

but tonight told me:

"if you see me crying tonight, it's tears of joy...I'm excited for tomorrow".

He's different this year.

More confident.

But just as enthusiastic.

And, as tradition, he let me take his picture by the school sign.

Deciding this year, to stand instead of sit.

Maybe it's a 4th grade thing.

Ken was super excited because this was the first time he was off on Jack's first day! So they had a special breakfast together, and Ken dropped him off in the morning.

Jack was really happy to be back to school, with his two wonderful teachers and his best buddies.

I really think he's going to have a great year!

For a flashback...you can see the previous first days HERE.

Ohio...and beyond!

Whoa. Were we busy. It was overwhelming to think of blogging each day...

So, I made these collages to give you a glimpse of the things we did.

We are very blessed to have the time with our Ohio friends and family each summer...

So, here we go!

We went to The Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Another exciting trip to the Cleveland Zoo. This year, we fed grizzly bears and polar bears!

 The biggest adventure was a road trip to Washington DC with the whole Cooper clan

(minus Meghan and Joe).

We saw A LOT in just three days...

Day 1

Day 2, part one

Day 2, part two

Day 3

We stopped at Baltimore on the way home...went to the National Aquarium, and a rather inappropriate lunch at Dick's Last Resort.

Uncle Joe's Fire Station, and the Blue Candy store.

Another mini trip to Michigan to see Aunt Virginia and Uncle John, and a stop at the Children's Museum in Ann Arbor.

And...lots of pool fun!

A new tradition for our family dinner, and a trip to Chagrin Falls for ice cream and a carriage ride...and Molly came to get a mani/pedi with us for the first time.

So, we were busy....

And now, we are ready to start the school year...

Thanks, Ohio...see you next time!

Happy Birthday!

Last year at this time, I was taking these pictures at the hospital.

I can't believe that Ali & Bella's baby brother is a walking one year old!!!

(I may have a slight obsession with baby toes...and Julian took his own shoes off for me!)

Vacation pictures

All from my cell phone...
More when I'm back on my laptop!