Sunday, October 12, 2025

September

 September is always a busy month as we say good-bye to summer and start another school year.

Kimball had his wisdom teeth out the day before school started.  He only had 3 wisdom teeth which helped his recovery.  He was very diligent about wearing his ice packs the first day post surgery.  His swelling was there, but not too noticeable.  Same with his bruising.  He stayed home from school two days, but we figured he wouldn't miss too much the first two days of school. 

School started on September 4.  I think it will be a great year.  The kids seem to have good teachers and are making new friends.  Kimball is the celebrity.  Most kids know him, but he feels like he doesn't know anyone.  His teachers are happy to have him back and to hear about his experiences.  Kimball and Rebecah have lockers next to each other. 

First Day of School Pictures

Kimball - senior; Rebecah - sophomore

Lincoln and Annika - 5th Grade


Eden - 3rd Grade


Walking with Maddy.


Rebecah and Joseph went golfing a few different times this month.  They also participated in the high school golf tournament fund raiser.  


Rebecah sent me this picture when she saw Kimball "in the wild" at school.  She didn't see him the first few days of school, but now they meet at their lockers at the end of each day.


Eden took a page out of Kimball's book and had bread and cheese for breakfast.  She has done that a few times for breakfast and for lunch.


Kimball had a Rotary Exchange reunion in Cooperstown, NY.  It is a two-hour drive so I just spent the day in Cooperstown.  I didn't walk into a single baseball shop, but I did walk.  I walked into the town twice and enjoyed some time at this lovely park. Kimball had a good time seeing some of the other exchange students and hearing their experiences.  





Lincoln's and Annika's Primary teacher had knee surgery. While she was in rehab we went and visited her 5-6 times.  We would take games and sit with her in the screened in porch.  We all looked forward to visiting Carole.  


Annika with Julia, one of our neighbors.


One of the doctors that Joseph works with drives an old BMW at race tracks.  He had a race at Watkins Glen and Joseph and Lincoln went to be Dr. Wulff's pit crew for the day.  Lincoln had a great time.





The soccer season has started.  We are busy with practices during the week and games on Saturdays.  Lincoln and Annika have both been scoring goals and Eden's defense in really improving.  

I went to all of the open houses for the various schools and grades.  It's always nice to meet the teachers and put names and faces together.  

Kimball is in physical therapy currently for his ulnar nerves (think funny bone).  His nerves like to slip out of the cubital tunnel so he is going to 6 weeks of therapy to see if there can be any improvement.  When his nerve slips out it causes pain, numbness and tingling in his hands and weak grip strength.  So far he hasn't seen any improvement and the therapists don't anticipate that he will.  There might be elbow surgeries in his future. 

The weather has been beautiful.  The kids and I love to go on walks in the evenings together.  Too bad it is now getting dark at 7:00 and soon it will be even earlier.

Sunday, September 7, 2025

August

Our August was full of a variety of outings and activities.  We enjoyed the last few weeks of summer.

Camping trip to Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca











Trip to Ottawa for Joseph and Kimball for Kimball's birthday.






















Kimball found some Dutch food treasures!  He really misses some of the Dutch candies...licorice... which he learned to like in the Netherlands.

I took the younger kids to the zoo.  Our zoo is small so we can walk leisurely through it in an hour and a  half.














Kimball, Rebecah and I have started a new tradition of getting together each Friday night to "borrel."  That's a Dutch term to describe sitting around eating little cubes of cheese, cocktail peanuts, olives, other nuts, etc. and visiting.  I think it's a great tradition!


Kimball's 18th birthday!  I can't believe Kimball is a legal adult, but then again, I have been thinking of him as 18 for about 6 months.  He has grown into a wonderful young man!  He's more responsible and he has a confidence about him that I just love.  His birthday was fairly low key... he worked and then we had his favorite dinner at home.





Twinners!


State Fair 2025

The weather during this year's State Fair was wonderful!  We were able to walk around in long pants and still feel a little chilly at times.  We all agreed we would rather have a day at the fair in the upper 60s than in the 80s or 90s. 



There was mini golf this year, so everyone got in on the action.




In the Exposition Center there was an Ice Age display.  All of the younger kids wanted a picture with the baby wooly mammoth.



Rebecah wanted to go to Boldt Castle, so the two of us made it a day trip. Earlier in the year we watched the Downton Abbey series together and that inspired Rebecah's love for beautiful houses and finery.

On the boat to Heart Island.

Every time I visit the castle I am impressed with how the castle has been restored and how well they take care of it.
















Oh, to live in the lap of luxury!  Not very realistic in this day and age.

Lincoln likes to wrap up in his comforter in the mornings and it always reminds me of this baby picture of him.  I think he has a little more hair now than he did back then!

 

We have toured the schools, received schedules/classroom assignments, bought school supplies and backpacks.  We are ready for school to start!