Back to School...Again!

It's hard to believe that the summer is over and school has started once again.  Last week Conor and Garrett went back to school.  They had a great first week!

2nd Grade & Fourth Grade

A new pose!

The boys typically ride the bus to school, but I took them on the first day.  We went with Garrett into his class, and Caris was pulling on Garrett's arm asking him to come home.  She isn't going to know what to do without her two big brothers at home!  (True confession - I took these pictures after school, the morning was too hectic)

So, Caris, Toby and I met up with a friend (Janae) at the park:

Toby's arm is fine, by the way, it's his new thing - he likes to wrap his arm in ace bandages.

Today was Toby's turn to start school.  He's attending preschool for another year.  It was a tough decision, and sometimes it's hard to see all the other kids his age going to kindergarten this year.  We felt like it was the best choice for him, especially because of the rough start he had to life.  Sometimes, I compare it to being a preemie - he didn't start to actually move around and explore the house until age 20 months, babble and say words until age 2 years old, so developmentally he's behind, even though he'll be six in December.  I also know that in the next year we are facing another large surgery and possibly two - if his scoliosis is as severe as I think it is, he's going to need a major back surgery also.  So, it's off to preschool again.  I did shed a few tears, realizing how much he has grown, changed and learned since we put him on that bus two years ago for his first year of preschool!

He looks like such a baby on the left, doesn't he?

It's been a good week of school starting again...and even time for some silliness:

A Family Adventure

It's been a VERY LONG time since I've posted an update (so long)...but as a new school year has begun today, it's time to start blogging again.  You've noticed it's updated (new background/fonts/etc.)  I've also added a new tab at the top that will be updates related to Toby and his medical condition, etc.  

So, here goes:

This year we decided to go on a family adventure and go....(drum roll please)....

CAMPING

This was Toby and Caris' first camping trip.

To give a bit of background -  I grew up camping - all over northern Michigan and the U.P. (Upper Peninsula - for you non-Michiganders).  I have many family memories going to Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Island, Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Petoskey, Copper Harbor, Tahquemenon Falls, etc. (all places in Michigan!)   I enjoy camping - I don't enjoy the dirt so much, but I love being outdoors and the memories it creates for our kids.  Our campground usually has lots of trees, showers, and decent (not always clean) bathrooms

Bruce and I tent/cabin camped with Conor and Garrett when they were little, but after Toby was born and he came home with all of his medical equipment - AND a trach (i.e. no WATER immersion) I never thought we would ever be able to camp again.  This year we did it!

Bruce and I jokingly said we couldn't call it a family vacation, but more of a family trip or family adventure because it was going to require a lot of work and letting go of the whole dirt thing for this Type A - Clean Freak!

Most years my family (think parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, niece, nephew and extended family like grandparents, second cousins, aunts, uncles) camp in northern Michigan, and this year we joined them.  

We rented an RV, which was delivered to the campground, and made an adventure out of it.  Here are the top ten reasons we enjoyed camping this week:

Reason #10 - Hiking in the woods

Reason #9: Visiting MaMa Mia's in Mackinaw City and the Mackinaw Bridge Museum - a family tradition since I was a kid!  I didn't take a photo, but also buying eating good old fashioned Mackinaw Island Fudge!

Reason #8: The gorgeous sunsets

Reason #7: Making sand castles with Uncle Anthony, enjoying the beach and warm water

Reason #6: Watching Caris get dirty in the mornings - just seconds after putting clean clothing on her.

Reason #5: Watching Toby dance with Grandma 

Reason #4: Playing Miniature Golf and getting a hole in one!

Reason #3: Watching the Mackinaw Bridge light up and driving over it to the price of $8.00 just to have the thrill!

Reason #2: Having campfires and delicious hot smoes (s'mores)

Reason #1 - Spending time with my wonderful family!

I won't deny that it was A LOT of work - especially with Toby - all of his care (trach, vent, cathing, bathing, bowel program - lots of work).  BUT, it was fun!!  I'm sure we will do it again in the future - a few years down the road!