The Munce Family: August 2018

Monday, August 27, 2018

We've got a kindergartner in the house!

Wow, in the last week it feels like Sully has grown up about two years. He finally got the hang of the no training wheels and started kindergarten- like a boss. I have been a disaster. I started crying during my weight watcher meeting the day before his first day and have been on an emotional rollercoaster ever since. I keep seeing this newborn image of him and remember how hard we fought for him and how he turned our world upside down. And then his relationship with his sisters, who miss him so much already while he is gone, it is so quiet around here. He, however, has handled the transition with ease. He gave kindergarten two thumbs way up, he is excited to meet new kids, loves being served hot lunch, and recess. We are three days in and I cross my fingers each morning that he carries on as he has as it is the only thing carrying this emotional mama through the transition.

Way to go, Sully! We are so proud of you.

The night before his first day- two thumbs way up.

Ready for fun!

Our attempt with all three.

Sully at school.
Sonia Sotomayor Elementary
Spanish Immersion

Family photo op.

My babe, all grown up.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Door County and Wisconsin Dells

We snuck in one last vacation before the school year started and ventured to Wisconsin. We logged some serious miles as our first stop was Door County which is about an hour and a half north east of Green Bay, aka 10.5 hours of car time. The kids did surprisingly well between snacks, videos, iPads, etc. but we were so happy to finally arrive.

We stayed in an old refurbished farm house with no wifi and no tv. It took about 24 hours of getting used to, but once we did, it was really great. The house was on several acres of land and there were trails and a large area to gather around a fire pit. We felt like we hit the AirBnB jackpot. We explored many of the villages during our 5 day visit, every town was so charming and quaint. The only firm agenda items were Sully practicing without training wheels and cheese curds, both happening at least once each day. The views (both bayside and Lake Michigan side) were breathtaking, it was the perfect spot to disconnect and spend some quality time as a family.

We told ghost stories by the campfire, at Milky Ways under the Milky Way, took an auto ferry to Washington Island where we stopped at a lavender field and visited Schoolhouse Beach (a spot with giant rocks instead of sand), we shopped in orchard stores where Sully said "mom, I took so many cherry samples (easily 20 ;))," and then the cherry pit spit, the Cana Lighthouse adventure where Piper had to promise to walk up and down all 97 steps without being carried- and she did it! The Greatest Showman was our soundtrack for the vacation, notable songs include Greta's fave 'A Million Dreams,' and Piper's 'Never, Never!, and last, but not least- the American Flag game. Our family's version of 'I spy,' but its who can spot the most American flags. Every time Dave would see one, he would say 'American flag' and at first everyone loved it, but by the time the week was over, he would say it and even Piper would say 'ugh, dad, we aren't playing that game anymore.' We both got a kick out of that.

We ended the trip with three nights at the Wisconsin Dells. The verdict is still out in my mind as to wether that was a good choice :/. We started out great, taking in all of the parks and fun, routinely playing too hard and staying too long, and then expecting the kids to behave during a restaurant meal (rookie parenting move). There is no shortage of things to do, and that is an understatement. The real bugger came the night before we were to depart, at the last waterpark we played at. Sully and Greta were playing while Piper napped on me on a lawn chair. Dave came out with a bloody Sully and a worried looking Greta; Sully had just had his two front teeth knocked out. It was very dramatic, a first aid visit followed by a couple of phone calls to our dentist (who was amazingly responsive). All is fine and good, it was just a hard way to end the vacation.

Back to life, reality, and our house. We were so happy to see our house.

Pit/potty/park stop during the long drive...right before Greta discovered 'cockabirds.'

Farm house trails.

Al Johnson's tourist trap (a supper club with donkeys on top).

Sister Bay

Greta sing songs the day away to 'A Million Dream.'

Sully and Dave- constantly exploring together.

1 million dollar view-
looking towards Green Bay from the northern point of the peninsula.

Pancakes at Julie's.

College rendezvous at Peninsula State Park.

Bailey's Harbor - Lake Michigan side.

Bike riding lessons on Gibraltar Road.

Washington Island lavender fields.

Milky Ways under the Milky Way.

Cana Lighthouse

I may have got to 15 feet. Easier said than done, folks.

'Candid' family photo around the fire pit (haha Greta) ;).

Piper in front of our farmhouse. Fave photo of the vacation.

Piper 'running' with me.

Worth the drive to find the 'Margaret' mural.

180 degree change to Wisconsin Dells.

Too much jacuzzi fun.

Last photo with everyone's teeth.

Afternoon snooze with my baby girl.

A couple of hours after the accident,
all cleaned up and medicated.

Clean bill of health from the dentist.

Sunday, August 19, 2018

More summer fun.

We are squeezing all of the fun out of summer we can get with Wild Water West outings (a first for me, which was a success thanks to Mag), well checks, final speech classes, golf camp and rounding out Miss Jaspers. As Sully winds down summer, he is finishing so many things we have been a part of since he was a little little boy. In the last couple of days he has been reaching for my hand and when we connect, I have to pause at how big his hand feels in mine. He is getting to be so grown up- he even requested tie shoes today.

For me, work lunches and social gatherings have kept me busy, so busy, maybe too busy. I am so ready for fall and to get back in to some routines and family time.

All in all, its been a great summer. The kids are growing fast and have been lots of fun. Kindergarten is just around the corner (I can already feel my tears).

Munce/Oliver crew at WWW.

3 feet 10 inches tall and 42.2 lbs.

Clean bill of health.

Thunder Road.

Besties (so close they are stepping on each other).

Karate buds, and soon to be school buds.

Last day of speech.

Supporting Ashlee.

Old co-worker crew.

Trail run date.

Kinder-camp.

Muncesters reunite.

After much planning, anticipation and excitement, the Winters clan made the trip to Sioux Falls from St. Louis. Every time I travel to visit them in St. Louis, upon my return home, the kids ask where I live and ask Stacy if they can come to visit us. So, being the Super Woman she is, Stacy made it happen. We had lots of activities planned and we had so much fun.

The kids went to a Washington Pavilion camp in the afternoons while we had spa and gym sessions. The mornings were filled with veg time, outdoor fun, lunch at Grandma Banana's, and a neighborhood camp. We also went hiking at The Good Earth State Park (not the best idea after a late night of trivia, but fun, nonetheless). We barbecued, roasted s'mores, and took in the local sites in the evenings, we even got a sitter a couple of night so we could get out without the kids

Just when it seemed the week couldn't get any better, Leanne and two of her kids joined us on Friday for our last 24 hours together. We took the kids to Falls Park and explored before coming home to let the kids destroy the house and for us to chat nonstop about our latest happenings. It was fast and furious, but it was worth it and really fun to have them come to our city and see our day to day life.

Some notable moments from the week:
a mouse in the house, 90's trivia, scavenger hunt at Good Earth, 3 hour hair apt, gas smells, 9 round, Piper dislocates her arm, burnt taco shells = firemen excitement. I can't wait for the next reunion.