Week 38

Monday, Sept. 12th

Was digging through some old pictures and came across this one- Maddy's first recital dress rehearsal.  Meg and Lil both came, which today blows my mind.  I'm forever grateful for their involvement in our lives even though it has ebbed and flowed over the years as life's circumstances change.  They are treasured friends.

Renna decided to ride a two-wheeler.  A week prior, she had asked me to take the training wheels off. I did the 'hold the seat / run along side' thing for about 5 minutes until she took her first little tumble.  That was the end of that because her world literally comes to a screeching halt when a band-aid is required, or in most cases, not required.

So, on this day, I prepared to repeat the attempt to 'help' her.  She declined, confidently stating that she could do it all by herself.  Fine.  I turned to throw the stick to the dog and turned back around to see her ride about six feet.  Amazed, I ran in the house to grab my phone to video.  I came out and I kid you not, this was essentially her first run.  Click here (because blogger is not letting me upload videos).

Totally reminded me of that quote, "She believed she could, so she did", which, quite honestly, could be Renna's life philosophy.

Our first week back to dance.  Maddy's teaching Trevor's jazz class again.

A much needed, much appreciated evening out with the girls on the water in Mystic.

Wednesday, Sept. 14th

Renna is all about her bike.  Click here to see the little expert on Day 2 on a 2-wheeler.

Renna's trying an acro class this year.  We'll see if we stick with it.  It's huge and she's young, but at least Mama gets to help teach.

Maddy's in the front teaching and Renna is directly in front of her.

Thursday, Sept. 15th

I had to pick up Maddy from Danbury where she was setting up for Mystery's third tour stop.  I took a picture of the "Andy's bedroom" sky. (Toy Story)

 Renna's third year of tap.

I went to East Catholic's open house.  I met all of C's teachers and got to check out the new wing and other updates to the building, one of which is this gorgeous new dance studio.  I texted the picture to Maddy who said, "Really??  Of course they put in a studio the year I leave!"

And look what came in the mail for Nathanael!  He's a USA Hockey Official.  He went through all the classes, modules, testing (on his own!) and got his badge in the mail.  So very proud of him!!  And he was extra pleased that he beat C4 to it!

Friday, Sept. 16th

Love this little guy and his sweet, tender, doll-carrying heart.

Show #1 of Mystery in Danbury, CT.

Saturday, Sept. 17th

Another old (and favorite) picture surfaced!  That's C in 2000.  Those days with just one were so sweet.  And the first grandchild on both sides.  He was and is well-loved.

Now that there are six, I live with lots of toothpaste on counters and no one willing to admit to it!

Hockey's back in full swing, too.  We hit C's game on our way to show #2 in Danbury.

 Warm-ups.

Sunday, Sept. 18th

We had a little nappy-nap together.  I laid down for a power nap- you know- 20 min.  An hour and a half later!!!!

Week 37

Monday, Sept. 5th

We had a slow, relaxing Labor Day.  Harkness was cancelled due to threat of bad weather, so we hung  close to home, recuperating from a very busy couple of weeks.  You know- catching our breath.  

Bauer ~ 6 months

We met up with O'Connor's for a little time at the park / dog park AKA Renn's Heaven.

Lisa and I plus some of the clowns met up for a walk and to trade back some of said clowns.

Tuesday, Sept. 6th
First day of SENIOR YEAR!!!!!!!   How?  How did we get here?  He agreed to a picture but wouldn't hold a sign.  I'll take what I can get!

Our annual Saddest Day of the Year.

This boy happily burned all of his 6th and 7th grade Lifepacs.

"Mystery" refresher rehearsal.

Wednesday, Sept. 7th
We are back to Wednesday night services after having the summer off.  Lisa's double sat two rows in front of me and I spent the whole service sad it wasn't her.

Thursday, Sept. 8th

Sick doggy.

Friday, Sept. 9th
Let's get the show on the road!  "Mystery" left for Vineland, New Jersey.  I drove down with Justin and Rocco.  Lisa has taken some incredible pictures of all of our tour stops and I'll be creating a separate post.  For now, here are a few from my phone.

Gianna rode down with Lisa's crew.

Such a beautiful night on a sweet little Main Street to walk to dinner as a group.

Saturday, Sept. 10th

Show #1 of 3.

The ladies' not-so-ideal dressing room.

The teens enjoyed a hot day at Six Flags with the youth group.

About 80 kids in all!

 Trevor spent the day and night with Lucas, celebrating his birthday.

Sunday, Sept. 11th
Nope.  Won't ever forget.  That day changed our country forever.

We performed a promo scene at the church that meets in the Vineland theater and had two shows and teardown.  A loooonnnggg day.  Somehow, the kids still had energy to burn off.