Great Expectasia: Month 1 in the USA

Since my last post, we had a day in London, packed up and flew the next morning to the US. We had three HUGE bags, so Matt SUPER KINDLY escorted us to the airport on the Heathrow Express. Flight with the kids was easy-peasy, because they're 8, 9 and 12, and as long as their ipad isn't dead or they have found a movie on the screen at their seat, they don't even talk to me. The flight attendant mentioned to me that Koby ate his ice cream before he ate his dinner. Then she suggested that I ask them to turn off their screens to eat dinner. I let her know (kindly) that there was no chance they would eat the food - other than the ice cream, but thank you for your suggestion.

We had a day or so in Michigan before all three kids went off with Bubbie and Zaydie to Grandparents University at Michigan State. They got to choose their classes in advance. Koby enjoyed Harry Potter and the Secrets of British English, History of Sparty, Sled Dog School, and he didn't love Science of Star Wars. Elie and Koby did their classes together with one grandparent and Sam had others (theater games, humor and laughter, animal diseases and the Harry Potter class) with the other grandparent. They stayed in the dorm that Fran and Tom lived in their freshman year. They ate in the cafeteria. They all had such a blast.

While the kids were all away, I drove up north with my mountain bike and stayed with Jer in Elk Rapids. The air was really bad from the forest fires in Canada during this time, so we weren't outside as much as we wanted, but we want for lots of awesome walks, a lovely hike, two great mountain bike rides (my first in two years I think - darn that torn calf last year!), we sailed on his new laser sailboat, and I played pickleball three mornings. We also went for a great meal in Traverse City and for another and a flight of beer at Shorts. It was a luxurious three days - amazing to have no responsibilities involving children!!!

After GPU Matt came in, and we stayed most of the week with his parents. We enjoyed 4th of July evening and fireworks with Jill, Ben and family and had a lovely 4th of July bbq at the Hildebrandts. We also got to see some cousins.

Next we drove up north on Thursday evening, two days before Michigania and stayed with Jer. We had lovely Elk Rapids adventures with him, including Maplehurst, the art park on the lake, and Shorts with some food truck delights. Saturday before camp we got to hang out with Mark, Paula, Eric, Matt, my parents and Bailey of course. Kids had a great time but could not wait to get to camp.

At Michigania, we didn't see our kids. From the moment we arrived, we checked in with them at meals, and they came home before bed. The boys did their activities in the mornings and then Elie did archery all afternoon and Koby did CAC (arts and crafts) and archery. They ate most meals with friends. After dinner, the boys were mostly on the volleyball courts playing all sorts of games. Elie ventured off with one of my favorite friend's kid to make a movie. Boys had to be home at 8:30. Sam spent the entire day at riding and loved every second of it. They had to be home at 10 and basically showered and crawled into bed - then snuck out before the boys woke up. We truly didn't see Sam the whole week. No conversations. They were so happy. We were happy they were happy.

Oh, and while they were being happy, WE HAD THE BEST TIME!! Matt and I played pickleball each morning with my dad, my uncle and two other men. Then I went mountain biking with my dad or my brother. Then every afternoon I played tennis with this woman I was connected with. She beat me everyday 6-1/6-2 or something close to that. I NEVER got to three games. But I kept going back for more, because it was so fun. We had the longest points (mostly because we're both all about defense and don't have much offense). I had a few games of volleyball. I went to the beach a few times. I went sailing twice with my brother - once on his new laser and once with his buddies on an ensign. We played games at night. It was just so so fun and so relaxing knowing the kids were having the time of their lives. They love the independence. They love their friends. They love the activities. What a gift.

The day camp ended, we went to Matt's parents' house and made a huge mess of their living room. We unpacked Michigania, labeled and packed Sam for camp, packed me and the boys for a week in Boston and packed Matt for Boston and a return to London. A lot of thought went into it, but it was successful! Unfortunately our flight to Boston that night was delayed, so we didn't get to Nancy and David's until after midnight (2 ubers - SO MUCH STUFF).

We had a WONDERFUL week in Newton. The kids had playdates with good friends - Sam had two sleepovers, we had dinners with a few friends, we had great conversations catching up - it just felt so so normal and wonderful. Koby was signed up for a week of flag football camp, and Elie was signed up for soccer camp with Evan. They had a great first day - even though it was in the 90s, and they were outside the whole day. Then we were at friends' and they ran around some more. After 12 hours of a day, we were heading back and Koby fell down after doing the Griddy, celebrating a touchdown in American football. I was sure he was tired from a long day and was fine - the kid falls down ALL DAY EVERY DAY. He said he can't walk. We got him home - he hopped the entire way to the car - showered and in bed, and I was sure he would be fine in the morning. He couldn't walk in the morning. No complaints. No crying. Just, "mom - I can't walk." Off to urgent care (after a lot of time figuring out our insurance). X-ray showed a fracture, but she wasn't sure where. She gave him a boot and crutches and told us to call Ped Ortho. I did and they said they had no openings for weeks. I was begging when a cancellation popped up for the next day at 8:45. The doc there saw a fracture right where Koby had pain. He prescribed a cast that does not bear weight. Koby chose red.

Wed morning of that week Sam flew ALONE to Denver to go to JCC Ranch Camp - to do their equestrian program. We have confirmation they made it, and we saw Sam in a few pics. Otherwise, we have no idea what's going on with Sam.

Sat evening that week, Matt flew back to London (delayed three hours) and the boys and I flew back to Michigan (delayed 2 hours). Lucky a friend in Newton had a knee scooter. Koby was FLYING through the airport. Sunday was spent getting Elie ready for camp - including going to Meijer with his airtight bin of the allowable size and filling it with treats that he chose (he chose some good ones). Monday morning we were to be at the bus at 8am at Shaarey Zedek. We were there! And so were 8 other kids and one counsellor. But no bus. 8:30, no bus. 9. 9:30...finally around then they told us there was a miscommunication and there was no bus - we could go home and they would updated us. We drove my parents and Koby back home and I was preparing (and getting excited!!!) to drive Elie to camp and spend the night with Shana, but then we got a message that they secured a mini bus, and Elie said he preferred to go on the bus (???!!! is he nuts!!!???) - back we went. And off they went. I got confirmation they arrived (and an apology from the camp about the bus), but haven't heard anything else!

Koby has had a chill week. Lots of playing with Papa. A sleepover at Bubbie and Zaydie's. A visit to Henry Ford Museum today (that was super cool!), lots of TV. I have been trying to stay active - some pickleball with my dad, a bike ride, longs walks and a few runs - and getting SO MUCH done.

We are currently in 4 places (Ranch Camp, Camp Ramah in Canada, Michigan and London), including 3 countries. Very spread out.

Pics out of order as usual