Days with the Dorans

  Well~ Joey was NOT thrilled that the Varsity boys were running the morning after the homecoming football game at Northwood (not close). Dad and Papa came with us so he had a little cheering section.  I had hoped to get in 5 miles before Joe's race began but there was a crazy long line for the porta-potty and I had to pee like a racehorse so I only did four. I am glad I was able to get a run in and still get there in plenty of time before the start. Joe ran well and is consistently under 18 now. He finished in 17:52 though so close to 18. Out of 146 runners he was 51 and he wasn't happy with his time but hopefully that will fuel him. I can't even imagine running that fast.  I'm so proud of him! The only thing that makes me sad is knowing this will end and I'm not ready! Not so fun fact- Papa lost his key fob at this meet and we were running all over so no way to find it. Oddly enough, I lost my key at the Grizzly (Oakland University) Invitational but someone miracu...

  The Homecoming game was fun! We went there early to watch the parade and Dad, Sean, Nana and Papa and I got some subs and did a bit of tailgating.  The parade is really pretty small from what we were used to growing up and the floats are more like just kids riding in cars... I was there for the marching band though of course and since I focused on Joe the last game, I thought today I would focus on Z.  Well... I shouldn't have done that~ Joe says to me after the game, "Did you see my solo mom?"  ummmm... What is he talking about!? Well~ I missed it but Nana and some others got pictures of Joe and the two other trumpets playing. Joe swears he told me. I swear he didn't. Regardless it was a huge mom fail. I told you, having two marchers is hard!! I'll remember this for Z's senior year though.  But... Z's video from marching band can be found HERE . I didn't do the WHOLE thing but of course I did get the dance break! The only problem is the I also misse...

  Joe's last first race of the season was a good one! He has felt a bit behind since he missed camp but if I know Joey he always finishes strong Their first meet is always at Oakland University and it's always a 4k.  He took 20 seconds off his PR there and the the team WON THE INVITATIONAL!!! It was very cool! Ali even came because it was her brother's last race. I think this may be the first meet she has ever been to! Nana and Papa came too and after the race the 6 of us went out to celebrate! This is all very bitter sweet to me. Pics from the day below and a video HERE .

  Not going to lie. Having two marching band kids is TOUGH! I mean, I did it with Ali when she did it for a hot minute but I always knew where she was. Having two marchers was crazy! Today I focused a bit more on Joe since it's his last season! I felt a little choked up for a second. HERE is a video of the show with my favorite (the dance break) at the 7:25 mark! Also saw some more pictures someone posted from a rehearsal! Love these! Ran into my old friend Ryan (super fast), I didn't even see him coming but he snapped a quick selfie and was off! His son is Ali's age and plays trumpet with Joe.

Well, if life hasn't gotten good at throwing us monkey wrenches... on the first day of school we had NO POWER! So we got ready in the dark, I had to manually get the garage door open (thank goodness I could), Jeff ran to get breakfast but that was a challenge because everywhere around us was out of power too. Apparently the only places WITH power were the schools we go to. Good news- we at least had water! I would have been freaking out if I was still at my parents' place and had no water on top of everything else. I know... first world problems. So while Sean and Zach are on new adventures and new schools, it was Joey that got to me this morning. I couldn't believe that it was his LAST first day of school (I'm counting school as K-12 obviously). It feels like just yesterday he was off to kindergarten and here we are... They had a senior sunrise thing at the high school but Joey said, "Why in the world would I want to get up any earlier than I already do?" Joe...

  Shopping for a homecoming dress is never easy. Last year we went the Amazon route which was awesome. We started that way this year but nothing fit right- it all seemed too big and it was too late to get anything else so we ventured out to the stores. That's was an ordeal in itself because most of the stores we looked at did not have dressing rooms open and I was not about to buy a dress that Ali couldn't try on. We finally had some luck at David's Bridal. There weren't many people in there and nice, big fitting rooms. We were able to Facetime with my mom too so she could have a vote in which dress Ali picked. This dress was the winner! She was super comfortable in it and bonus... it has POCKETS!!! We also got another dress that was cute (WLN colors and pockets) for perhaps graduation or a banquet or something. I have to say though- shopping was fun. And we are NOT great shoppers but I loved this time with my girl and definitely look forward to doing it again (for the ...

As strange as it is to think that Joey is a senior, Zach is in high school, we have another big change which may feel the weirdest- I don't know... I no longer have ANY kids in elementary school! That's right! Sean is off to middle school! Unfortunately, Sean's middle school is under construction so the first time he goes there it will be on his first day of school! Not going to lie- I (mom) feel a bit of anxiety about that since I had taken Joe, Al, and Zach on their first registration where they walked their schedule for the first time... opened their locker, etc. Well, of course we could not walk his schedule since we weren't in the right building but he did get his schedule (none of his besties in classes... ugh) and his picture taken. It was not bad since Sean can take the strangest of pictures! The good news is that the registration was at the Bigs' school so we DID get to practice opening lockers! In fact, we opened Ali's with ease, and then Zach's an...