halloween at hess

Today was the most beautiful Michigan fall day. The weather was gorgeous and the sun was shining and it was just perfect.

After church we took Wells for his first haircut. We had very mixed emotions about this as we had grown to love his sweet, curly little mullet. We knew that cut would mean a farewell to his baby curls and we weren't entirely ready but, alas, it was time. Please enjoy the photos below, documenting Wells' before and during experience. They show the mullet in full force and his very not mixed emotions during the haircut.

31

In celebration of having just completed 31 laps around the sun, I thought I'd share with you 31 things.

1. Today is my birthday.

2. I am 31.

3. The kids slept in today until 8:00! This is nothing short of a birthday miracle.

4. We've spent this weekend celebrating with great food and great company.

5. Todd's brother, Scott, and his new fiancee, Jessica were in town visiting.

6. In the name of celebration - their engagement (yay!) and my birthday - we ate our weight in delicious meals from The Sovengard, Grove, and That Early Bird.

7. The Sovengard is particularly dreamy.

8. Delicious too. Butternut squash fries with apple butter and Westside Punch were my favorites.

cozy season

It's official. I can't help myself. When the first cool breezes roll in at the end of August or beginning of September, I start thinking about pulling layers out of storage, wrapping up in a blanket, and the crunch of leaves under my feet. I start planning Halloween costumes and visits to orchards and dreaming of apple cider.

This weekend, my family gave into all of that and we spent Saturday morning at Sietsema's Orchards and my dreams of cider became a reality. A reality coupled with a warm apple cinnamon doughnut. And just like that, we are in full-on fall mode.

first day of preschool

Yesterday was Elia's first day of real school. She's in three-year-old preschool three days a week at the school she'll be in through all of elementary school. We're excited to become part of that community. I should note that she spent her summer there at their summer day camp so she is already familiar with the building, some of the teachers, and some of the students. But this is PRESCHOOL guys! It's kind of a big deal.

She was a little shy when we got there but was excited to find her locker and classroom. After that, the classroom door opened and she gave me a big hug and ran off to jump into her day.

summer summary

Just checking in after months away from the blog. Needless to say, this summer has been full, busy, and oh so fun.

Some highlights...