Johanna Summer 2026

 Johanna's summer included a great softball season.  She did a great job making 2 outs in a row more than once and stealing all the bases she could.  Their team was 3rd seed for the tournament and they were able to beat the number 1 seed which was very exciting and satisfying.  Overall they ended up in second place!!

Loras Sports Camp was another extra hot week.  Johanna wised up and picked a couple of indoor minors.  Her major was Adventure Challenge with minors in ice skating and archery.  She was surprised how much she enjoyed archery.  And fun fact, her roommate this year was from Florida.  When we picked her up on Friday, I think we were more excited to see her than vice versa - but she was definitely ready for some air conditioning. 

Johanna spent more time with friends this summer, meeting up at the mall or going to a movie (Michelle enjoyed watching what she was up to via her venmo purchases, lol.)  She was also able to attend a Senior HS basketball camp, art camp, and was a big help with Robotics assisting Ann during UD for Kids and other events. 

She also babysat her first official baby (neighbor girl), diaper changes and all!

Walter Summer 2026

Walter had a lot of great camps this summer.  He kicked off summer with one of his favorites, Farm Camp. He was happy he didn't get pooped on this year but he did get bit by an impatient pig who knew Walter was holding on to some marshmallow treats. 

Walter went to Four Mounds Adventure camp which included ropes courses, hiking, fishing, and canoeing.  He especially enjoyed canoeing (chanting "CANOOE!") and was impressed with his counselor who "wrestled" a snake and put it in his hat!  He also went to bird camp at Swiss Valley and two weeks of YMCA camp.  No pictures from those camps but we did get him out crawdad fishing and using his new tackle box and fishing poles.

 

Walter was also very insistent about getting in some good gardening time.  He really enjoys going out to "the farm" to help Grandma and Grandpa.

We got Walter a pool pass this year but he claims we didn't go near enough. 

He rode the bus up to Washington for summer school.  He is not a big fan of learning in the summer and claims that summer should be all lazy days - which he still got plenty of.  He would often get up early to get his summer checklist done so he could relax and watch TV and play video games. 

First Day of School 2026

With Walter in 6th grade and Johanna in 8th grade, they have one year together at the same school.

Before school started, Johanna’s text chain blew up when kids realized they were able to see their “homebase” teacher early.  She was worried about not being able to check her full schedule when it released while we were in Canada.  But she was able to access it and she shares home base and many classes with one of her best friends, Reese.  

Walter did not have many opinions about leaving Bryant or starting Wash.  We knew the biggest complaint would be a longer walk and it was brutal the first two weeks with the heat (even with the early releases).

We went to open house before school started.  Walter was able to figure out his locker combination without too much trouble.  Johanna received an award for honor roll and checked out her classes with her friend.

Walter actually started school a day earlier than Johanna since he was at a new building.  Michelle and Tony both walked with him that first day.  

On regular days, Johanna and Walter walk to school together in the morning, sometimes leaving before Michelle is out of bed.  Tony still goes for his morning walk to Bryant even though there is no one to walk with him so sometimes they cross paths.  The kids opt to walk home separately and when asked if they walk with any classmates, Johanna emphasized NO ONE walks as far home as them (they all get rides instead). 

Johanna has more homework in the first 2 weeks than she had all of the first trimester last year.  So she has opted for a study hall each day and will no longer have a choir class.

Walter met a new friend, Lil, the first week which he has a lot in common with and is enjoying sitting with at lunch. Walter doesn’t tell us much about school (doesn’t remember things he isn’t interested in) but we can usually get him to remember one thing from conversation or time with his new friend.

Niagara Vacation 2026

We took our longest vacation ever (with longest drive ever) around Lake Erie to Niagara Falls. 

Day 1: Drive to Michigan.  Stay in Port Huron.  Check out Lake Huron, Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, and Blue Water Bridge.

Day 2: Crossing the border into Canada.  Johanna getting her Tim Hortons. Enjoying Niagara Falls and the cruise to the falls. Walter enjoying the Hersey's store.  Great view of the light show and fireworks from our room.

Day 3:  Back over the border to New York and a visit to the Buffalo Naval Park.  Toured USS Sullivans ship, USS Little Rock ship and USS Croaker submarine.

Day 3 continued: Drove from NY to PA.  Stopped in Presque Isle State Park where we skipped rocks, saw another lighthouse, and we all enjoyed watching Walter "not get wet" playing in the waves (he did have to change his clothes).  We finished our drive and checked into our hotel in OH.

Day 4: Cleveland Ohio Zoo.  Enjoying the animals and lanterns.

Day 5. Staying in Sandusky, Ohio where we can see Lake Erie and the Cedar Point Theme Park rides from our condo's balcony.  Tony and Johanna hit the big rides at Cedar Point.  Michelle and Walter took it easy on the rides and spent more time in the Arcade.

Day 6: A visit to Cedar Point Waterpark then the beach which the kids especially enjoyed.  And we ended the vacation with the kids enjoying the condo's pool while Mom and Dad watched a Fever game on TV.

Day 7: Leaving Ohio and arriving home after over 32 total hours in the car.