August's End

 After our little trip to Minnesota, we picked up Brutus from the kennel.  He was throwing up and peeing everywhere so we got him in to see the vet as we weren't sure what was wrong.  He ended up needing an IV for fluids and had a severe UTI.  However, the vet took a couple of x-rays and discovered a mass (the blood work results pointed towards cancer).  We decided to leave him overnight to get good and hydrated and then pick him up Saturday morning.  However, when we spoke with the doctor Saturday morning he said things had taken a turn and he believed the tumor had abscessed and if we brought him home, we'd have to take him to emergency care the next day.  Saying good-bye to a pet is never easy, especially one you've had in your life for the last 12 years...there were a lot of tears that morning but we know it was the right thing to do.  Rest in peace, you crazy dog - know you're missed.

 

Thankfully, children are pretty resilient.  Before Ryan even went to the vet's office Saturday morning to say good-bye, Phoebe ran up to me and said very enthusiastically, "Mommy, Brutus is sick and going to die!  He's going to Heaven and we'll see him again.  And I'm going to get a puppy on Sunday!"  Huh?!  Ryan rounds the corner and assures me, "Someday.  Not Sunday."  Phew.

 

All our cooler, low-humidity weather has disappeared and been replaced with sticky, sunny August.  There's no better way to stay cool than at the pool!

 

We even took a little trip on the trails once the sun started to go behind the clouds.  Phoebe opted to have her training wheels put back on awhile back - she'll be ready when she's ready so we see no sense in rushing her. 

 

Maverick had to get off his bike several times to see moths, butterflies, etc.

 



 

At least I didn't have to carry him this go round which was a nice change.

 

Friday after school, we headed to our local Farmer's Market which is on Friday evenings.  The kids found lots of goodies to snack on before dinner, we grabbed a couple of yellow zucchini to throw on the grill and got a few cinnamon rolls for breakfast the next morning.  All in all, I'd say it was a success!  After dinner, we took a walk with our neighbors to a frozen yogurt place not too far from us.  The older kids rode their bikes with Ryan and the rest of the adults handled strollers with the youngest.  Phoebe had a blast but despite the mile and a half round trip venture, the kid still didn't conk out till 11:00.  She's had a rough time going to sleep recently - just wanting to stay up with us.  So tonight we went to bed before 8:00 and will try it again tomorrow...staying strong is the hard part, especially when the offender has a cute face like this one!

 

Saturday, we headed to the 40th Annual Greek Festival with YiaYia and Papou.

 

Full of hot dogs and maybe a little feta, we headed towards the kids' tent.

 

Phoebe got her face painted.  Maverick said he wanted to but each time we tried to sit down, he promptly changed his mind.  Probably for the best, considering he wanted the same picture as Phoebe...

 

 

Tattoos!

 

They had the inside of the church finally painted. 

 

While most of the adults stayed in the air conditioned sanctuary, the kids opted for a puppet show.  Maverick almost made it half-way through the 20 minute performance.

 

 

Sunday at church, modeling one of my Mall of America purchases.

 

After Ryan's fantasy football draft finished up at our house, we took a bike ride around the neighborhood and ended at the playground for a bit.  Showing that she still has the bug-touch - this time a preying mantis...

 

Emotional Overload

Last week, Phoebe's class had a fieldtrip to the Indianapolis Zoo and I couldn't pass up one last chance to do something with her class at Shalom.  They had a great time and the weather cooperated.

 

 

Best friends Hadley and Phoebe hanging out in the dolphin arena.

 

In all our visits to the zoo, we'd never seen (or knew there was) the dog show.  The kids were impressed with their tricks!

 

Kindergartners unite!

 

We had Kindergarten Info night and got to meet Miss Gorby, Phoebe's teacher.  There are 23 kids in her class and it was a little busy in the classroom so we just opted for a picture outside of school.

 

Maverick wanted to get in on the action, too.

 

Phoebe's backpack arrived JUST in time for school to start!

 

Of course Maverick wanted to put on a backpack once she put hers on!

 

Thursday morning, after dropping off the dog and kids, Ryan and I headed to Chicago for a surprise get away.  We flew out of O'Hare (after missing our initial flight (thanks, Uncle Steve!) and an extra four hours wandering the airport (at least it was a big one!) and landed in Minneapolis, land of the lakes, no sales tax and the half-way point between Indiana and North Dakota.  Ryan had strategically planned a little trip to see my college roommate whom I haven't seen in seven years.  It was SUCH fun!  We spent most of the next day shopping at the Mall of America.  It was crazy how many people were there on a Friday and I'm so thankful we didn't go on a weekend!  It was so nice to eat meals in peace, go see a movie and just sit and chat without being interrupted.  We sure wish Zack could have made it and determined that we MIGHT just bring the kids with us next time...

 

 

Saturday we hit a farmer's market downtown for some coffee and homemade donuts.

 

We walked a total of fifteen miles on Saturday (at least that's what we're saying).  We took in the sights, ran through Polish Fest, did MORE shopping and ate Greek. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we were catching up in Minnesota, eating too much, going to bed too late, Phoebe and Maverick spent some time with YiaYia, Papou and Auntie Kate.  Based on the pictures we got, they obviously had a blast.

 

 

Maverick LOVES his Papou and had a great time at Eagle Creek!

 

 

 

Needless to say, they were tuckered out!

 

 

YiaYia introduced them to her love of camping.  It was, after all, National S'Mores Day!

 

 

 

They survived the night IN the tent and everyone was asleep by 10:00 so we'll count that as a success! 

 

I'd planned to take a couple days off before Phoebe started kindergarten but after missing the last part of the week, I only took Monday and Ryan took Tuesday.  Monday we did a lot of school shopping for clothes, lunchboxes, etc. We also had to make our six-month visit to the dentist.  Phoebe was a champ!  When given options for toothpaste flavors, she originally chose chocolate.  Luckily, she changed her mind to bubble gum before it was too late!

 

Tuesday, Maverick and I drove downtown alone and it wasn't nearly as fun for this little guy.  He kept telling me to turnaround and asking where Phoebe was...

She was home with Daddy playing hopscotch in our driveway.

 

And in a movie theater watching Despicable Me 2.

 

 And at one of her favorite playgrounds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are SO excited for this new adventure with Phoebe attending public school.  Albeit, I've got a lot of emotions about this new season in life.  I got my hair cut and colored Tuesday night and had a nice, ugly cry with my stylist.  Then cried at home, too.  Perhaps I was just getting it out of the way so I wouldn't embarrass the family in front of our neighbors Wednesday morning...  Last year, Ryan had driven through the neighborhood to check on the construction on our new house and saw people eating together the first day of school. We were thrilled that they've kept the tradition going so we could participate this year.  The weather took a crazy turn and it was a mere 50 degrees the first day of school as we waited at the bus stop.

 

 

There are two buses that run through our neighborhood for the elementary school.  There are children everywhere and we are SO excited to meet all of them!

 

We didn't get any of the cute first-day-of-school pictures but we got out the door, ate breakfast and made it to our stop on time so we'll take it!

 

 

 

 

Getting on the bus wasn't even an issue, she just hopped right on!

 

And then the tears came.  It was inevitable really but I didn't put mascara on until I got back home so I was prepared!

 

I've switched my work hours a bit so that I can pick Maverick up at 4 and get to Phoebe by 5 which means we have an extra hour of daylight at home and we have been taking advantage of it. 

 

 

Maverick LOVES coming home to see his goofy big sister and we love hearing all about her day!