Totality

Happy Solar Eclipse Day!

Although we didn't see the Solar Eclipse in its totality today, I thought that was a much cooler name for this blog post than 97%.  Because 97% is what we actually did experience.

Even with that, I found the whole event to be beyond fascinating.  And that says a lot, since I wasn't exactly expecting much from the day.  If I'm being honest, I thought the hype was getting just a bit overboard.  Boy, was I wrong.  The experience was down right cool.

I wasn't brave enough to face the crowds in the 100% zone.  I did have all three kiddos to myself and had no idea of what to expect.  But after a little digging around, I found the perfect place for our crew.  The Tellus Science Museum.  I figured if the whole thing was a bust, at least we could make a day of it at the museum.

To our surprise we got the best of both....a fun solar eclipse experience and a jaunt around the museum.

We waited in a massive line to get our tickets for entry.  If you know me, I did call before in my best effort to plan, and I was told "tickets at the door only".    Umph...incorrect information, guests whizzed past us with their electronic tickets.

Oh well, the line actually moved pretty fast and we were in the doors in no time {with 4 free pairs of solar glasses to boot}.  Another thing that would have been nice to know before I searched endlessly and payed for another set.

But it was all worth it.  Look at all the fun we had pre-eclipse....

the planetarium...

gem mining...

and fossil digging.

Before long it was nearing 2:36 and we made our way out to the viewing lawn.

Watching the event unfold for the next 20 minutes was unbelievable.  The day got cooler and much, much dimmer.  The sight through those glasses fascinated us all.

We even got to take a few peeks through the many telescopes available outside.  Another pretty cool experience.

Here is the eclipses at the almost 97%.  I'm not much of a science junkie, but even I have to admit, that is amazing.

As soon as the eclipse had peeked, we packed up and made the drive back home.  I was so fearful of spending an unnecessary 4 hours on the interstate, that our crew scurried on out of there.  Luckily, it was another fear that never came to fruition.

So August is shaping up to be a pretty eventful month.  The culminating event is right around the corner...my little Lu turns 5.  A solar eclipse is a pretty neat experience to share your birthday month with if you ask me.

Happy Birthday Grandma

We had the honor of celebrating the very best Grandma {and  our favorite babysitter} tonight.  Grandma's birthday is a special occasion around here.  It's always our August birthday kick off.  Lucy and Grandma couldn't love it more that their birthdays are nearly back to back.

Grandma's favorite food is Italian so we treated her to one of my favorites, Storico Fresco.  We made sure to arrive with the early birds seeing as we had three grand kiddos in tow.

The food was divine, but if you were to ask the kids, the Sprite in actual glass bottles was even better.

Naturally the kids, ordered a heaping plate of spaghetti. The adults were a bit more adventurous, but the meatballs still remain my fave.  Yum!

And even Maggie, who claimed "there was noting on the menu she liked" managed to enjoy her meal.

Post dinner, we showered Grandma with lots of love and her birthday gifts.

Mi Amore Grandma!  And Happy Birthday {however you say that in Italian}.

Lucy's turn next...

Back 2 School For 2

We've spent the week prepping for the inevitable "Back To School" for two of three of my little Cibulas.  Lucy is making the big pre-school switch this year so she starts a whole month after Jack and Maggie.  She gets a few extra weeks with mama and her very own back to school post.

But on to the big kids.  We arrived Friday at school for their Meet and Greet.  This is always a must anticipated day.  So much so, I made them dress up...a little bit.

It was easy peasy for Maggie.  Ms. W looped this year and took her entire 1st grade class up to 2nd grade with her.  I was ecstatic, Maggie was ecstatic, and from what I can tell so was Ms. W.  She is for sure one of our FAVORITE teachers.  This will be our third year with her, as Jack was in her 1st grade class.  Needless to say, she's like family to us.

If you ask me, we hit the jackpot catching her on a looping year.

Next up, was Jack's 4th grade teacher.  I can hardly stand that my first born is in 4th grade!  What happened?

So Mrs. C is a new teacher to the school and I was hoping, wishing, and praying Jack would end up right there in her classroom.  She is a dear friend of Maggie's Kindergarten teacher and somehow I felt like I already knew her.  I can already tell Mrs. C is going to be a perfect match for Jack...and me.

Just look at this cuteness that was waiting for him on his desk.  {And in Ms. W's defense, she had something equally as darling for Maggie, but it was snatched up before I could grab a picture.}

It felt great to be back in the halls and see all the familiar faces.  I just adore our elementary school.  On our way out we spotted our family brick that we purchased last year in honor of the new building.  Another wave of giddiness.  I just love how it turned out.

Before we knew it, it was Monday morning.  Rise and Shine kiddos...it's back to school for two!

And of course, we never arrive empty handed.  Jack and Maggie both picked out the same treat for their classmates.  Every kid needs a pencil and who doesn't love emojis? Obviously, these are Maggie's.  Jack's were the same with "4th Grade".

{Lucy picked out a set for her friends too.  I promise to share on her first day.}

If you can believe this, I cried my eyes out when these two walked out the door.  It just doesn't seem to get any easier.  Then I waited for my littlest Lu to wake up.  Thank goodness for one more year left with her.  Can you imagine the basket case I'll be next year?  Geez, let's not even think about it.

Until then, I have a feeling this is going to be a GREAT year!

Cool River Tubing

We are making our final check off of our Summer List.  I have been dying to shoot the hooch for years now.  It just seems like a right of passage living around here. 

The kids were completely on board, so we loaded up with the Carper family and headed a good hour north.  After a bit of research, we realized hopping on the river from Helen was the way to go.  A much cleaner part of the river, completely cost effective, and even a quaint little town to roam around in after our adventure.

I can't remember exactly, but I'm thinking it was about $7 a person.  This included the tube {which had a bottom in it}, life jackets, and a wristband to ride the slide mid way through our float.  Such a deal!

Once we all had our tubes and were life jacketed up, we boarded the bus for a short 15 minute ride.  I highly recommend paying the extra $1 or so for the sticks.  They saved us on several shipwrecked occasions.

Jack and his bestie tied up together and were pretty much on their own.  The water was very shallow and it was a straight shot, so we felt comfortable letting them take the lead.

Maggie tied up with me.  As much as she wanted to be side by side with her bestie, her cautiousness got the best of her so she played it safe.  I can't deny, I had a pretty cute view.  Love that Magpie 💕

Lucy, who hardly has a dash of caution in her body, tied up with Maggie's BFF instead and off they went.  I wish I could say the two little girls floated down the river without a problem.  However, they had a few S.O.S moments with the rocks and what not.

Luckily, Mrs. Carper was riding solo and was there to save them. To the point she had to ditch her cozy raft and drag it up river to get the girls.  Meanwhile, Maggie and I floated on down the river without a care in the world.  I did have a tinge of guilt, but what was I to do?!?

About half way down the river, we made a stop at the slides.  These things must have been some ancient years old, but the kids loved them.  They each {minus careful Maggie} went down about 10 times.  Us mommies even gave it a whirl.  Total flashbacks from being a kiddo on the beach...way fun!

We got back on our tubes and finished our shoot down the hooch.

We arrived back about an hour and a half later.  The river brought us direclty to where we had checked in.  We utilized the locker rooms and change into dry clothes before checking out the town of Helen.  They were super clean and beyond convenient.

Starving could not even begin describe how hungry we were.  The German Bakery was calling our names.  The cafe had us completely immersed in the German culture with appropriately dressed wait staff and authentic German food.  We dined on giant German sandwiches with meat fresh from their deli.  It was so delish!

By the meals end, I'm pretty sure the kids were tired of being reminded of their German heritage.

Finally with full tummies, we were ready to explore the town.  The village is a replicate of a German town with a few cute shops, lots of good treats, and several touristy gift shops.  As you can imagine, we got sucked into it all.

I bought a traditional German Pickle Ornament at the Christmas Shoppe.  My fellow German, filled me in on the whole tradition.  How could I have not know all these years?  Christmas should be fun this go around.  Thanks G {Mrs. Carper}!

We filled up on sweets at the Gingerbread House Candy Shop and brought a variety of beef jerky home.  Who knew there could be so many jerky shops in one town?

After a full day of floating, roaming, and shopping we headed back home.  We made it back just in time for bed.

Such a fun filled day and a bittersweet goodbye to summer vacation.  So thrilled to add this to the list next summer!