Harry Potter at Midnight

When Brett and Cal were younger we started the tradition of attending the Barnes & Noble midnight release of the newest Harry Potter book.  It was a lot of fun.  There were a lot of Harry Potter activities and the sorting hat would put us into houses when we arrived.  There were always hundreds of people there many dressed as their favorite Harry Potter character.  The boys enjoyed the events very much and Cal would usually fall asleep on the way home holding the book.  He was also usually the first one to finish reading it, although many times Doug would read the book out loud to the two of them before bedtime during the next few weeks.

As the last book in the Harry Potter series was released in 2007 Meg and Cam never got to experience the midnight release parties.  Thus, when we heard there was a new J.K. Rowling book - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - we knew we had to attend the midnight festivities with them.  It worked out well for us as we were able to stop in South Bend after our day long trip to Michigan yesterday.  Walking into the store it was like stepping back in time except with different Heinisch children.  There were Harry Potter activities, a sorting hat, lots of fans dressed up and even a whomping willow in the middle of the store.  We counted down the time to midnight and cheered when the clock struck twelve.  Doug predicted we would be in the van at 12:35 from our previous experiences and he missed it by only one minute.  No one feel asleep on the way home,  but other than that it was reminiscent of years ago. Cal even asked today to read the book first.

Michigan

We have tried for the last two summers to take Meg and Cam to Michigan to visit some of our favorite stops and haven't been able to make it work.  We finally had a free day today and decided to make the trip.  I was very concerned at first that it would be a wash out as it started pouring around 9:30.  God must have smiled on us, however, as it stop at 11 and never rained again.

Our first point of attraction was Windmill Island.  Cam and Meg enjoyed it as much as we have in the past.  Since the flowers were in full bloom, it was advertised as peek week.  The best part was that the kids were free.  After we walked through the gardens and listened to the organ we toured the windmill.  The history of it and learning how a windmill worked were definitely highlights.  I have now been there enough that I am no longer nervous walking out on the balcony.

Once the tour was over we went to lunch at New Holland Brewing Company.  This is Doug's favorite restaurant in Michigan.  Cam and Meg liked it as well.  We were able to find Brett a Headless Horseman t-shirt to add to the Mad-hatter one we bought him last year from the brewery.   We shopped in Holland after lunch, but didn't buy much except for some fudge to try.

We drove from Holland to Saugatuck.  We first rode the chain ferry across Saugatuck river.  We took a walk before riding back.  From there we spent a good portion of the afternoon shopping.  Meg, Cam and I all found shirts that we liked and Doug bought a few bottles of wine.  We got popcorn for everyone at the Sugar Rush, and ice cream at Kilwin's.

Oval Beach was our next stop.  The water was cold, but nothing like New Hampshire.  Cam was the only one who wanted to go swimming, but we stood at the shoreline tossing a ball to him.  One benefit from a cloudy day was the small crowds.  After Cam swam we went to South Haven next to walk along the pier to the lighthouse.  With only a couple of hours of daylight left the sun peeked through the crowds for the first time today.  What a beautiful way to end a wonderful day.

Back to School

Today's focus was back to school.  We decided, however, that before we went shopping we should have lunch at Olympia.  It was delicious as usual with Meg adding a chocolate shake and Cam a GHS sundae to their meals.  After lunch we headed to Target for back to school shopping.  Cam was able to find all of the supplies on his list and Meg picked up some folders and such.  Our next stop was MC Sporting Goods.  Cam found a pair of Nikes to replace his worn out tennis shoes.  Meg looked for soccer cleats, but they didn't have the ones that she wanted.  We had just enough time to run into GameStop before piano.  Cam found two games that he had been looking for.  Unfortunately, one was missing the disk, but they were able to order it for him.

Piano went well.  Doug picked Meg up from there for soccer practice and Cam and I went to his back to school party at Andre's.  It was a pool party.  I was afraid they would have to move it inside because of the weather, but the rain was very light and the students didn't even seem to notice.  I stayed at the house mostly reading in my van.  I am nearing the end of my book and really want to finish before I start school.  I did get out several times to check on him.  He was having a great time.  It is amazing the difference a year makes.  Last summer he was unsure of his new classmates, but not now.  We are blessed that he has adapted so well.

Once we got home everyone decided to eat dinner at Oakwood.  It was crowded, but we got in right away and were able to eat outside before the storm rolled in.  It was nice to unwind after a busy day.

Elkhart Count 4-H Fair

Today was a busy day with soccer and tennis.  We did, however, find time to squeeze a couple of hours in at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.  We had elephant ears, soft pretzels, ice cream and pizza for lunch.  We toured the animal barns and commercial buildings before the midway opened.  Meg and Cam both rode the Crazy Mouse and played several games - each coming home with a new stuffed animal.  We all had a lot of fun, but I believe that this may be our last trip for awhile as the costs have increased tremendously.  Our two hour excursion cost over $100.  We decided that next year we would much rather go to King's Island instead.  Now we just have to convince Doug of that.

Indiana Juniors

Cam participated in his last Indiana Juniors of the summer.  It was held at the Round Barn golf course in Rochester.  He and my parents left early this morning armed with a new driver and a lot of practice.  It all paid off as he finished with an 82 giving him a second place finish.  He was thrilled as the top three earn medals and points on the leaderboard.  He is now 14th overall in the 10-11 year old boys' age group.  Great to see his hard work pay off.

Soccer Conditioning

This week is the week that all soccer players dread - conditioning week.  Meg has been going to tennis in the morning as well.  Thus, she is completely wiped out by the time she gets home.  She has performed well, however, in the mini olympics that Doug sets up for the girls during conditioning week so far.  The girls seem to enjoy the competition and it makes it more interesting than just running for time.  I have also been going to help Doug time the girls.  I am one of the soccer assistants this year as are several others.  Hopefully, Doug finds that beneficial to his team's success.

Library Board

Tonight was my last library board meeting.  I was appointed to the board over a decade ago and have spent the majority of my time as president with the last two years as treasurer.  I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the library and am most proud of the recent remodeling we have completed especially the outside landscaping and the meeting room.  I feel confident in our new director and have always found Gisela to be an awesome children's director/assistant director.  I told both of them that I was resigning from the board, but not from the library.  I still plan to help, but now only as a volunteer.

The actual meeting was pretty uneventful.  Afterward, however,  the library director made me raspberry cheesecakes which were delicious and gave me a very nice note of appreciation.   I thought it was strange that no one on the actual library board thanked me for my years of service.  In fact the only time it was addressed that I was leaving was when one of the them told me that I had to train the new treasurer.  I did not respond to that as I had offered to do so in June, but no one took me up on it.   With soccer, school and Cal leaving for college I won't have time now.  Needless to say it was time to be done.  No matter how I feel about tonight I will always be very proud of all that I have accomplished in the last ten years and look forward to the new challenges that life has to offer me.