Saying our Goodbyes and Feeling Melancholy Today

Melancholy is such a surreal state of being.  It's like you miss something, but not completely.  You're sad that something is gone/over, but at the same time you're not sure you would really want to relive it, if given the chance.  That's how I feel about my time in Illinois.  There were some really challenging times over our five year stint living there, but at the same time there were some sweet spots.  Those are the things I will miss, and feel nostalgic for.  So....I know you've heard me gripe and complain and whine about all the things I would never, ever miss about Illinois.  But today, I am feeling melancholy.  It's hard being in a new place,   and not quite sure where you fit in, feeling anxious about your place in the world, etc.  Sometimes looking at these pics reminds me...I will find some sweet spots again.  It just takes time.

This was where I worked for 3 years.  The Writing Center...weird, but I will miss this a lot.

The Writing Center is located in the Learning Commons.  It was a really, ugly building and layout, but a pretty, great job nonetheless.

The courtyard at IVCC...watching the seasons change out here on my way into/out of work every day...it will be strange not having that touch stone.

Avery's friend Camille (black tshirt) had a birthday party and as part of her party they had a "farewell" for Avery.  It was so nice of her and her Mom to share the day with Avery.  They even included Maryn in the festivities, and got them both some great keepsakes from Illinois to remember their buddies and time there.  They were some of our favorite friends. 

 Silly girls, they've been together since 1st grade.  I really loved Avery's group of friends!!

We had a pizza party/bonfire with s'mores for the girls in Maryn's class at school (literally the night before we left, amidst boxes and mayhem).  I think when all was said and done, she was glad to say goodbye to these girls, and have the closure that she needed.  I'm not sure how much she will miss some of them, but I think she saw this as a great "bon voyage".

These girls are super crazy...I was their troop leader for girl scouts for a couple years and it pretty much ended my career before it began!!

Angela really became Maryn's BFF over the past year.  I think they will miss seeing each other everyday and going over to each other's houses.  Angela lived across the street, and her family really became our favorite (if only decent) neighbors. 

Maryn is (finally) feeling the LOVE!!

Avery Turns 11!

Our very own Avery Jane Brown turned the ripe, old age of 11 this year!  Wow, can't believe that one!  She is a middle school-er this year too, so it just seems like all of a sudden we have all the BIG kids, er pre-TEENS in our house.  It's really quite strange.  Ask Mark all about it, he LOVES having pre-pubescent daughters under one roof...especially a really, small roof...especially sharing one room in the aforementioned small house.  LOL!!  But, I digress!!

On to the birthday celebrations!

Avery invited the Griswolds to come up to Midland to hang out for the day.  We went to a place that had a "fun-zone" of activities.  We did a laser maze, glow-in-the-dark bumper cars, and mini-golf.  We had a blast!!

Don't you just love our 4 year old?!?  I love Mark's expression in this pic!

After the games, we went back to our house and ordered pizza and had cake and ice cream.  We also did a family "photo booth", complete with photo bombs galore!  Avery loves mustaches, so this was perfect and so fun!  I am still laughing today when I look at these pics, it was just one of those gut-busting good times.

Thanks so much to the Griswolds and the Grandparents for making the trip!!  This is one of the best perks of living in MICHIGAN again!!  Whoo hoo!!

On Avery's actual birthday, she opened a pretty awesome present...tickets to the Alton Brown LIVE show coming to Midland in November.  She was pretty stoked (and okay so were we) about this present!!

Parker starts Preschool!

My BABY!!  I can't believe it's time to send her off into the cold, cruel world...already!!  AGGHHH!!!

But seriously, I am sad and happy and have mixed feelings about Parker starting preschool.  She's my last child to do any milestone, and so naturally everything she does for the first time or the last time has all these attached emotions to it.  It's just really, really bittersweet.  Sniff, sniff.

Anyhoo, she is THRILLED about starting at Chippewa Preschool!  She loves her teachers, she loves the toys, and the snacks the most.  So far, she hasn't made any real connections in terms of buddies, but I don't remember that happening at this age with my older two either.  I'm sure that will come.

Here she is on the BIG, FIRST DAY!!

 Getting her new tennishoes on..."I don't like these shoooooes, they're toooo tiiiighttttt!"  LOL!

 Parker, look over here and say CHEESE!  (A series of shots where we never actually get her to look straight at the camera...sigh.)

Wait, what?!?  She's looking!!  When I went back and studied her expression and the way she is holding her hands in the pic, it about made me cry.  She just looks a little stressed, doesn't she?  I don't know, maybe it's all in my head.  I think she felt the anxiety of being separated from me a little too that day.

 A Princess backpack!!

 Walking into CHIP-UH-WAH!

 Mrs. Carpenter...awesome teacher!!

Mrs. Carpenter:  "Welcome to preschool, Parker! How are you, today?"
Parker:  "Uh, where's the toys?!?"

First DAY=SUCCESS!!!  Now the challenge comes in getting her to LEAVE the school without having to do a major full-body extraction!!  LOL!

Miss Parker Turns Four!

Parker insisted we go to Chuck E. Cheese for her birthday again this year.  She loved it so much last year, and has since seen the commercials for it reminding her of the place "where a kid can be a kid!"  So, we decided to make a trip down to the Detroit area and met up with cousins and grandparents for an early bday celebration.  It was really fun...not too crowded, and an excellent salad bar, if I do say so myself!!  I'm getting so old, LOL!

Parker and Cole on the simulation roller-coaster.

Afterwards, Grandma picked up the infamous "puppy cake" from Heritage Bakery (5 mile and Newburgh), that Avery had on her 5th birthday.  Parker's favorite color is blue, so this was PERFECT!!  Thanks so much Grandma!!

Cutting the head off the puppy and serving it to my 4-year old...a little intense for a bday party, dontcha think?  LOL!  And yes, since I moved to Michigan my hair done went curly!  Weird, yes!  Maybe it's all my "hormoneys"? (Big, Fat Greek Wedding).

This is Parker on her actual birthday...she wanted her "favorite meal" for lunch, so we hit up the local McDonalds in Midland.  It has a playland that is actually pretty clean!  Score!

We had a party for our family and invited the Pennocks (Mark's cousins who live here) to come over too.  I think Parker loved it!

My little birthday princess...who can stay mad at her for very long?!? She has stolen all of our hearts, dangit!

Maryn and Avery are responsible for these cute decorations...they did a great job and Parker was thrilled.

I made her cake...I must admit I am getting a little bit better at this now...still not great, but better!

In the backyard opening presents because our house is SO small!

Overall, a great birthday for a great 4 year old girl!!