A Sad Goodbye - photos

We've known for a while that it was possible, but got the official  notice a couple of weeks ago that the Gerhardts are moving to Dallas.  We knew Ben had been looking for new job opportunities, and that neither of them were set on Cleveland as their final destination, but we've become such good friends with them that we were hoping they'd be around for a while.   Adam and I are bummed that the couple we can just call and invite over for a bon fire with no notice are not going to be around much.  We don't have any other friends (since Devin / Darah moved to Atlanta a few years ago) to do this with.   I guess it's time to make new friends!

The really sad thing is Ares.  He's devastated.  It's not that he and Eve really have much in common.  She doesn't play the same sports as he (she does swim and derby, he does, well, everything else).  This year they have the same teachers, but on opposite schedules.  They both love to camp, although Ares usually hangs out with the boys more recently and Eve stays to herself and her books.    but, the sad thing is, when we were going through a list of other kids he can become 'best friends' with, here was our conversation.  Be prepared for tears....

me:  What about _____.
Ares: No, he hates running.
me: what about _____.
Ares:  I really like her, but she doesn't play _____. 
(this went on for about 5 minutes)
me: but Ares, Eve doesn't do any of those things either.  In fact,  other than both being exceptionally intelligent people, you don't really have anything in common with each other.
Ares: Yeah mom, but with Eve, I can just be myself around her.  I can't be myself with those other people.
*tears*

Me, thinking back to the evening prior, at the house.

Ares: Hey Eve, what do you want to do?
Eve:  I don't know, what are you thinking?
Ares: how about you create a Mad Libs for me to fill out!!!
Eve:  Okay!!! Give me a few minutes!!!

(He's right, most people would look at him crazy for suggesting that.)

We'll miss the Gerhardts, but we have another month with them! One more Memorial Day camping trip!

 

 

March in Recap

How on earth can it have been a month already?   The speed at which these days go by now, is incredible.  We've finished soccer (A SUPER successful season - finishing 3rd overall in a few different leagues and tournaments), swim has continued for Atlas (who, can actually swim now, he just needs to learn how to breathe, the teacher hasn't shown him that yet), track has begun (Ares is pretty set to run the 1600, 800 and long jump - although, first meet isn't until next weekend). 
Ares turned 9!  (What!?!?!) and got a Nintendo Switch for his birthday.   His parents are the coolest, aren't they?!


These boys (yes, plural  now!  Atlas eats them too!)  put SO MANY jalepenos on their nachos and in their macaroni and cheese!  Crazy kids!

U-9 Streetsboro United played in the Upper Division after going undefeated in the Lower.
They got 3rd, I believe, and they allowed the least amount of goals in the whole league.  Go Defense!

RENT this month!  The singing was AMAZING, but I'm not sure I'd see it again

My favorite photo of Atlas thus far!



This is what Ares practiced in for Track. I couldnt' take a photo from the track, as my fingers were frozen, so I waited.  We couldn't see the kids on the other side of the track, when we were standing at the center of the football field.

Photo Dump! Jan 2018

Atlas started swim lessons

They asked me to take this photo.  Lately, they're either best friends, or they hate each other.

Downtown Logan for their winter festival.  Kind of a bore, but the kids enjoyed it for a little bit.

There were some incredible ice sculptures to look at.

The one hike we did.  Ash Cave - beautiful



This is what you get when you get sub zero temperature, followed by ice melt, followed by freezing temps, followed by another ice melt.   That pile on the bottom is about 40 feet tall, if not taller.  You can see people standing near the rock to the left of the tip.   

isn't he beautiful?  Can't believe how mature he's getting.

... but still all boy!

Grandma V took Ares to see Love Never Dies.    He was a little scared, but essentially loved it.  He watched the Phantom of the Opera on DVD the next night.

 

 

 

Atlas, Nick and Ares after they got their trophies for an undefeated winter 1 season

 

Then everyone else wanted added in.

Ropes course at the play center in Parma for Maddie and Lexi's birthday.

Ares, Mikayla, Kylie and Aubrey at the play place getting ready for the ropes course

Atlas mini bowling at the birthday party

Rock wall at the birthday party

Photo Dump Christmas 2017

Got this from a Christmas special.  The tree is behind that.  Kids can't see the tree before the parents are awake and then they get to smash through it.  They loved it, want to do it every year.   OK!   It was fuN!

Atlas looks like Elf on the Shelf here!

Ares is so supportive of his brother.   Mostly. 

THese two are the same person.

Atlas loves his new ice cream truck.   Plays with it daily.  (Ares got a Nintendo DS from grammy)

Our big gift to the boys - a laser tag system.  Can't wait until it's warmer out!

One of my gifts!!  (I also got beautiful Asian style dishes)

Adam's a goof.  There's gift cards in these. 

Pandemic.   The other day, Ares asked about China.  We named big cities, and then he threw out Hong Kong.  How did you know?  His answer?  Pandemic.   Teaching geography without even realizing.