Hannah's Family Night - 1850s

Hannah's class just finished a unit on the 1850s in the South. They each took on a persona and had an unknown penpal in another class. Hannah's persona, Eva Hassey, was a plantation owner, and she was so excited to finally meet her penpal, Eli (Henry Billings). Tonight was the culmination of the unit complete with songs, dances, and a viewing of everything they created from art, to artifacts to the letters they wrote to their penpals. Hannah got chosen to be one of the presenters for the night and was so thrilled. She did a phenomenal job and we were so proud of her!

Ella's 1st Pistons Game

Jordan took Ella to her first Piston's game at Little Caesar's Arena for Valentine's Day, while Hannah and I headed to the barn.

Ella told Jordan: “I think I could score on them... not the Pistons, but the other team, Dad.”

Hannah is 9

It blows my mind that this is Hannah's last year in the single digits! I constantly think of the expression, "the days are long, but the years are short."

We have had such a wonderful time celebrating our wonderful Hannah this week. The festivities started on Sunday when we surprised the girls with a trip to Canada for a day at the waterpark. Hannah had been asking to go to a bed and breakfast with an above ground pool in Canada for her birthday... Super random. We met up with Aunt Sara, Unky Ian, Macy, Lilah, Tia Leah, Craig and Nonna at the waterpark, and it was our favorite waterpark yet. Clean, quiet, no lines, and great waterslides including a water rollercoaster. We also hit up the Shoppers Drug Mart to buy every single Canadian chocolate, and had yummy burgers at the Mamo Burger Bar.

Today, we started off her birthday with balloons, flowers, gifts, horse shaped eggs and a special birthday shirt. She celebrated with make your own rice krispie treats at school, and then we had Melting Pot for dinner. 

Happy birthday to my sweet Hannah, we love you so much!

Goodbye, Tooth Fairy.

Ella pulled out her tooth last night, and as usual, she wrote the tooth fairy a note. With the craziness of packing and moving, I completely forgot to put money under her pillow! I snuck in this AM while she was eating breakfast, and slid the money under her pillow. When she told me the tooth fairy hadn't come, I asked if she checked both pillows and she ran upstairs.

Sadly, when she came back she said, "mom, I've been thinking about something for a while. I think you and dad are actually leaving me money. Fairies aren't real...." And so ends the Bolton belief in the tooth fairy ☹️

Ella the Beautiful Dribbler

Ella has been obsessed with basketball for a long time, so we signed her up for the McCormick basketball program. She started out dribbling really well, but when she shot the ball, she could only get it half way to the net. By the end of the season, she could consistently shoot and score, and she was so proud! Here are a few shots from her last day of basketball. We can't wait for next season!

December Catch Up

December was busy! From fun in the snow, to time with friends, to celebrating Lilah's 6th birthday, to selling our house (again) and to celebrating Jordan's 40th, there was never a dull moment. What a great way to wrap up 2017!

Decorating cakes at Lilah's birthday party

Hannah's class just finished a unit on homelessness, and there was a culmination event where the parents were invited in to see everything they've learned.

40 centerpieces for Jordan's 40th brunch at The Bird and the Bread

Sharkfin pie from Mitchell's 

Dinner at Clawson Steakhouse to celebrate the big 4-0

Thankful

From New York to Denver, the Boltons are thankful for vacations spent with family and friends. Hannah and I headed to NY with Mina to visit Steph, Mike and Brian, while Ella ands Jordan headed to Denver with Softa and Zaydie to visit Mutty, the Rubins and the McAbees.

In New York we stayed busy with the train show at the botanical garden, the children's art museum, Rockin' Jump, painting at Muse and eating a ton of delicious Italian food. We also went to nearly every bakery in Little Italy to sample all of the different pastries.

In Denver, Jordan and Ella went skiing, saw a movie, swam and caught up with friends and family. So much to be thankful for this holiday season!