This Old House

While at breakfast last week (see last post), we ran into our old neighbors from River Commons and gave them my cell phone number with the intent that they would pass my number on to the people who live in our old house. The hope was that our house's new owners (well, for the last 9 years) would let us come do a quick tour while I was in town. In pure midwestern fashion, the friendly owner Laura called me and we set up a time for us to come over. On Wednesday, Dad and Sebastien and I went to 51669 Old Mill Rd. I was so excited to see my childhood home again...the one that almost all of my nightly dreams take place in. (Does that happen to you too?)

Here it is, looking practically the same, except the backyard trees are bigger.

The kitchen used to be seventies brown and orange, and then in the early 90s we made it pink and blue, so imagine my surprise to see it brown again. Of course, this time it's a very tasteful beige, but it still takes me back.

The family room seemed smaller than I remember but oh so homey. Many a Christmas photos were taken Christmas morning in front of this fireplace.

The basement was 100% the same, and I loved it. It looks like the 3 boys who live there have as much fun as we did down there. Here is Sebastien, me, and Laura.

Aside from the lack of wallpaper, the downstairs bathroom is the same, down to the mirror.

 

Same paper towel holder. Ironically when we remodeled the kitchen to blue, I had wallpapered over the white circle design in blue wallpaper. It's now back to it's original to match the kitchen.

Sebastien on the stairs down to the basement. Where are all of Brian's matchbox cars on the ledge??

Sebastien in Brian's bedroom. Same carper, darker walls.

Dad at the entrance to my room. Same carpet, beige walls instead of yellow and girlie wallpaper.

Still in my room.

Upstairs hallway.

Sebastien sitting on "the rock" in the corner of the front yard. There are many pictures of me as a kid on this rock.

Christmas morning pose.

Cute pic..if only Sebastien wasn't being goofy.

Backyard.

LOVE

South Bend - Part 1

I know I promised to post as soon as we got to South Bend, but alas, it's been over a week since we arrived and I'm just now posting. We go home in 3 days. Better late than never though, right?

It's been a whirlwind trip so far. We've been keeping busy, having fun, and the kids have been angelic. (I mean, we're talking maybe 3 timeouts total in a week!)

Daddy helped us get checked in to the airport last Friday. A few yearrs ago I got Sebastien a kid's suitcase at a garage sale and he was thrilled to bring it full of his clothes. Here he is walking into the airport.

 The kids were perfect on the flight. Mommy was the only one who was messing up, since I left the DVD player charging at the next gate over and didn't realize it until we were on the jetway! Luckily the gate lady held my spot and watched the kids while I ran back to get it. Once on the plane, they ater their lunches and watched a movie and we arrived in Chicago soon after.

 They were so happy to see Papa and Grammy. Saturday morning we went to Clay Park, which is the park I used to play in as a kid. Now, however, there is a new playground there, which the kids enjoyed.

 We also went to breakfast and the kids enjoyed their usual French toast with peaches.

 Hugs for Grammy.

 Sunday was Sebastien's 4th Birthday!!

We had a litte party for him at our house with my extended family and the Cohen/Goetz family (who you might as well call extended family).

Here are the Goetz and Masse kids playing on Aunt Sue and Uncle Dave's tennis court.

 Genevieve and Claire playing with Monet.

 Birthday Boy!

 On Monday, the three of us had dental check ups. Sebastien must be a year older because he sure acted a year older. Unlike last year, he sat still and quietly while Papa cleaned his teeth.

 Genevieve also did just fine (but she did just fine last year too).

On Monday afternoon, we met up with Betsy and her 4 kiddos at the park. The kids had a great time playing!

 

 On Tuesday, we drove up to St. Joseph, Michigan to visit Tara and Lauren, my friends from high school and their kids. Unfortunately it was too windy to play near the beach (think sand blowing into eyes), but we had a nice lunch and managed to get in some indoor playtime.

We spent Thursday at Gina Goetz's house and the kids had fun playing. Sebastien and Genevieve LOVED Isaic's power wheels Jeep. Enjoy the video below!

Cousins!

The Lapinksi family came to visit this weekend and the cousins had fun playing together. Here are some shots from the park:

 Christopher and Sebastien

Feeding leaves to the goats next to the park. 

Genevieve (2.5yrs), Olivia, Christopher, and Sebastien (all almost 4). 

A few more...

Here's a few more good ones from the party from friend's cameras:

 Bella & Sebastien

 My kids at bat at the pinata.

Sebastien's 4th Birthday Party

Sebastien chose "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" as his birthday party theme this year. For those of you who don't know, that is a Disney TV show based on some of the Peter Pan characters. Below is the cake I made for him. It was fun to make. I even buried "treasure" under the X for him to dig up before he ate the cake.

 We went to Mack's Apples again for Sebastien's party and were blessed again this year with wonderful weather. Here we are heading to the apple trees.

 Some of the kids picking apples

 Sebastien and his apple bag.

 Family picture.

 After apple picking, we spent the rest of the morning at the picnic area eating pizza, cake, and playing.

Here Sebastien and Uncle Brian are off to feed pizza crusts to fish in the pond.

 Ethan, Sebastien and Bella eating pizza.

Sebastien and his friends took turns hitting the pinata.  

 

 Collecting the candy.

 Cake time!

 Opening some presents at home after the party. This one was a pirate ship toy that Grammy Patty sent to him.