Charlie Turns 11

   Charlie turns 11! We celebrated with her friends the weekend before her birthday by hosting 9 girls at our house for pizza, cake and games. The following weekend we went to Keosauqua where we celebrated with Mason. On August 29 she had school and dance so we celebrated quickly in the morning and had a quick dinner out before evening activities.                                                                   

                                                                    11-YEAR-OLD BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW

 Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Yellow, green and pink.

 

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Donuts, Panchero’s burrito bowl.

 

Q: Who is your best friend?

A: Elsie and Josie.

 

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Dance and be on my phone.

 

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: Our Song by Taylor Swift and Victoria’s Secret by Jax

 

Q: What is your favorite treat?

A: Vanilla ice cream with sprinkles

 

Q: What is your favorite drink?

A: Water and the venti Strawberry acai lemonade with 6 pumps of raspberry, light ice and no berries at Starbucks.

 

Q: What is your favorite show or movie?

A: Stranger Things

 

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: My phone

 

Q: What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

A: Go out to dinner and have fun.

 

Q: Where is your favorite place to go?

A: Michigan.

 

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: How to Steal a Dog

 

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: Dance studio owner or neuroscientist.

 

Q: Are there any other things you want to tell me about being 11? 

There’s basically no difference

 

Q: What are you excited about?
A: I get to graduate from Wickham and go to 7^th grade

Q: What’s your favorite thing about school?
A: Talking with friends (socializing)

First Day of School 2022

 The first day of 8th, 6th, and 2nd. No one was very excited. Will was downright mad. 

Evy and the neighborhood crew at the bus stop.

First day of 8th. Not really excited about her second year in junior high. 

First day of second grade. He got put in a different classroom than most of his buddies so totally not thrilled. The first week was pretty rough. 

Char was probably the most excited of the crew. 6th grade! Her last year in elementary school. Excited about a fresh start. 

Michigan Road Trip

 

Grand Haven, MI

We started our trip with 3 nights in Grand Haven, MI. Our VRBO was located very close to downtown and we enjoyed taking the 4-minute bike ride along the marina to downtown. Lot's of cute restaurants downtown. We ate at Snug Harbor, Porto Bello, and Anna's House. The favorite may have been the cute little street kiosks that sell adult beverages. I forced the family to watch the musical fountain and walk the pier to see the lighthouse. Will bought a snorkel set on our first night and was obsessed with snorkeling everywhere.  

Holland, MI

After leaving Grand Haven we played tourists in Holland and Saugatuck. In Holland, we visited Windmill Island Gardens to see the only working Dutch windmill in the United States. My family loves these types of outings (sarcasm). We had lunch and bought souvenirs in Saugatuck - I went into at least 20 stores looking for a touristy Michigan picture frame for my collection. 

Michigan City, IN

We then spent another 3 nights in Michigan City, IN. Our VRBO was decorated with a creepy troll theme and was located in a community with fishing, beach access, and a pool. We experienced perhaps the most beautiful sunset and were able to see the Chicago skyline from the eastern side of the lake. One day we loaded up and went to the beach in Indiana Dunes State Park only to find that swimming was not allowed due to rip tides. 

New Buffalo, MI

On the last night, we drove up to New Buffalo for dinner. It's so weird because there is 1-hour time change. Will's best friend from school happened to be vacationing in New Buffalo so we met up with him for a bit at the park. 

4th of July

 

Boating, pool time and Iowa City fireworks for the 4th of July weekend. Unfortunately, it stormed pretty hard the morning of the 4th so the Coralville parade was canceled and I have about 200 pounds of parade candy to store for next year!