Relaxing with the Boys

Sunday/Monday, September 13/14, 2015
One of the benefits of staying with the boys in Huntington Woods is that we don't have to drive as much or as far.  In fact, we can pretty much "hang."  Now that is nice!!!!

Because we weren't ready for church early, I decided to drive Ken over for choir practice, then come back and get the boys so we could attend the service.   Since only about a mile and a half journey I figured that would work out real well.  EXCEPT the zoo was having a 10 K and using the streets in Huntington Woods including the ones I needed  to drive on to make the quick trip.  We ended up doing a lot of zigging and zagging to get out to Woodward and across and the same for my return trip.Luckily it was drawing to an end so by the time the boys and I had to go we could get through much easier so we made it in time.

After church the boys wanted to change before we set off for a bit of an adventure - a trip to the cider mill.  We decided to go to the Franklin Cider Mill

which is a bit closer than the one we took our kids too when they were growing up.  Sadly it isn't the same as it was in the old days when the cider mill was in the country and little free samples of cider were available while watching the cider being squeezed.  It was a huge operation that included walking along the stream that drove the water wheel that ran the cider press.  Now the wheel is enclosed in a small area where you can see it but it is hard to picture the connection to the rest of the operation.  And now very little of the press is open for observation and that is behind fencing.  But we were able to watch since they had just finished to loading of the mash and were just starting the press.

No free samples were available but we could get a little bottle, glasses and some nice warm plain donuts to enjoy down by the stream where a few log seats were available.  Everything is far more compressed so it is not as relaxing an experience but we did enjoy the taste of fall.  And it is located in a very pretty area with lots of trees hiding many of the gorgeous homes nearby.

From there we drove over to Woodward looking for a new and different restaurant to have lunch - a experience for the kids.  And we did - we took them to the ever packed Pancake House that has exceptionally good food and some very interesting offerings.  Even that late into the afternoon the place still had a line but we didn't end up having to wait long.  The boys loved it!

We returned to the house where Jason did his homework for American History - he recorded a 5 minute interview with Ken about his memories of 9/11 and his perceptions of the political atmosphere at the time.  He had a lot of good questions to ask.  He didn't record me but I did share my brother's experience just missing the plane that flew into the towers.  While he was doing that Scott was busy doing some last minute reading of a novel so he could do a written review for English.

The boys then enjoyed playing their instruments together and hanging out in the basement while Ken watched the Lions play and I read.

Monday morning we had the boys up by 8:00 so we could do last minute picking up and have breakfast before the cleaning lady showed up.  Then we drove out to Groveland Oaks to go for a hike on the nature trail

and to wander the campground enjoying the beautiful day.

 It was almost empty which made the walk especially peaceful since we were the only ones out. It was especially nice to have them reminisce strictly on their own about experiences we've had together over the years at this campground.

We then took them over to the Red Devil in Holly for an all meat covered pizza per their request.  The pizzas there are exceptionally good and they managed to devour the entire large pizza.

When we returned home, Scott was off to work on his English assignment some more while Jason and I enjoyed several games - Farkle, Yathzee, and Qwirkle.  He beat me in the first two and I won by a couple of points in the last one.  Then he was off to his Cross Country practice.

I relaxed with my book and then fixed supper followed by a trip to Rays for ice cream - a must trip when we are in Michigan.

The boys then enjoyed some more jamming in the basement while Ken and I relaxed.

Beth and Dean have posted pictures from Mackinac Island.  Judging by them they are getting some gorgeous clear blue sky days and having a wonderful time hiking, biking, taking the carriage ride and just plain having a good time together,

A lovely sunset view from the terrace of the  condo where they are staying

PS  I'm not sure this little video will work but also heard from Janet via FB.  She shared this darling video of Karsten naming the colors as she hands him cards.  His language skills are starting to take shape.  Right now he is 23 months old