Top Seller

Cookie season was pretty intense this year!  Allie's goal was a hefty one...1,000 boxes!  Se sold door-to-door, at booths around the community, at school basketball games, and to friends, family and teachers.  Whoa! But not once did this little salesgirl want to quit (except when the temperatures were below 10 degrees...we froze our cookies off!)  She made her goal...1,000 BOXES!

 

Allie and her other buddies that reached top seller status attending the cookie celebration to receive recognition of their accomplishments.

 

 

Allie received an abundance of prizes from cookie sales this year...including super cool rainbow mermaid tail blanket.

 



 

The final prize took place today aboard the Ovation yacht on Lake St. Claire.  Allie and her sales partner, Briella, earned a this fantastic day!

 





Roomie Reunion

I'm still in shock that this event occurred.  Only ONE day of the entire year was open for the four of us to meet up and spend some girl time together.  I miss my gals dearly...and HAD to make this happen...even if it meant getting in a car for a four hour drive after coming home from Chicago just the evening before.

My girls and I spent the day on Heather's boat reminiscing about old times and catching up about new times.  Love you ladies like no other...STAY GOLDEN, girls!

More Sights to be Seen

Todd managed to take a day off while we visited him in Illinois...so we drove EVEN FARTHER and spent a day at GREAT WOLF LODGE.  Before we arrived, we made a quick stop at the Jelly Belly Factory to learn how jelly belly's were made.

Great Wolf was a super fun day.  We rode the family tube waterslide MANY times (per both of the kids request) and I even spent some time working on my tan at the outside pool.  Bowling, the ropes course, story time and Yoga were just a few fun activities we participated in.

A Road Trip to Remember

It took many days to make this decision...but we finally decided to GO!  I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself too.  Work brought Todd to the Chicago area and the kids and I decided to follow him there for a last minute vacation.  I wasn't thrilled about driving myself and the kids, however with a LOT of planning, we made it a super successful road trip to the windy city.

We made a quick stop at the Indiana Sand Dunes NPS for a little hike and then dip in Lake Michigan.  My Jr. Rangers earned a Jr. Ranger badge.

Then we continued on our way into Chicago and stopped at the Lincoln Park Zoo for a few hours.

It may have taken us all day to get to our destination, but we made some great memories along the way!

Holland, Michigan

An impromptu trip to Holland...just what we needed.  We reserved the plane, but plans fell through...so we made a last minute decision to fly to Holland.  I've always wanted to go there.  With a little researching we found DUTCH VILLAGE.  The perfect place to spend the day.

There were rides, playgrounds and even a little learning that took place.  We learned about pottery, wooden shoes and Dutch dancing.  

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten



It may have taken over a year...but Ayden DID INDEED read 1,000 books!!!  The Novi library created a challenge to encourage toddlers and preschoolers to read, read, read!  Ayden began his challenge to read 1,000 last summer.  Today he completed his goal and stood for his final photo with the book signs.  He is READY for KINDERGARTEN!  Nice job, buddy!

Teacher College

Teachers teaching teachers how to teach.  That's where I went last week!  The Teacher's College at Columbia University.  I feel so honored to have been chosen to attend.