Natalie was more than happy to be done with Dyslexia Base Camp. She adored the high schoolers that spent time with them and enjoyed her Project Launch teacher, art teacher and especially the music teacher because she would give them challenges and candy when they rose to the occasion. But Natalie wanted to spend time with her friends and the day after Base Camp was over, she had AH, AB & ME over for HOURS -- they had such a blast in their Converse & the E family even had the girls over for pizza to make the mega long play date (until 9pm) even better. This is what Natalie wanted summer to be and this is what freedom felt like to her. (She also continued to be her super helpful self at the times friends weren't around to play with. For instance, Natalie took this picture of Maisie when the three of us were pulling weeds on Saturday morning while the boys were at baseball.)
Is it really close to the 4th of the July if there isn't a baseball tournament to attend? Danny's team was got to play on that fancy turf again, this time without the smokey skies. Day one was pool play and Hubby got to take him. I do love the texts we send each other from game days to help each other feel we are still involved even though we divide and conquer so often. The boys won 10-4 & then lost 6-8 but they remained positive -- something I love about how their coaches deal with disappointment! Day two it was my turn to get to watch baseball. Instead of doing yard work like Natalie and I, Hubby was a superhero fixing Kate's broken bed (turns out 5 teenagers hanging out on a Ikea bed isn't such a great idea) and working on all the garbage that goes into planning a family reunion when 40 people are coming. I am so grateful to him for being willing and capable! Anyway, Danny and I left in plenty of time to eat lunch at Cane's before warm ups. I visited the Goodwill I had spent so much money at the last time we were here and walked out empty handed. I guess I was just lucky last time but that's the way thrifting is. I got back to watch a little of warm up and was thrilled to see the team playing well. It was a pretty evenly matched game with the other team taking the lead at first. Our boys hung in there and things were pretty exciting when the time expired but it was tied 5-5 so they got to keep playing. Then, in the top of the 8th, WM got his first home run with SC already on base to bring the score up 7-5. With some great defense they won the game! And what a way to win!
Even though Danny had some amazing catches in the outfield I don't have much proof. This is the only photo I got in all the innings I stood out there to try to capture him in action. The ONE inning I wasn't ready with the camera and standing over there he had such an amazing catch the other coach didn't believe he had actually caught it and held onto it. That would have been an amazing video. I was glad we beat that team. Ha! The next opponent was ranked #1 and those boys showed us they had definitely earned that ranking. Our boys tried their best but came short 7-12. I was proud of them for never giving up and giving that team some competition.
When Michelle decided to no longer participate in hip hop dance she opted to try out tennis. After an epic shopping trip that even included Danny getting dropped off at his new girlfriend's house, we bought Michelle three pairs of athletic shorts, two shirts, and a tennis dress that is pretty awesome if I say so myself. We have been hanging out at the local high school's tennis courts and were lucky enough to be there when Hubby's coworker, S, was there playing with her mom. S even worked with Michelle on her serve before she left and we could see an improvement immediately. Natalie has some wicked spin when she hits the ball so you never know where it is going to land. She doesn't love tennis as much as softball but she's willing to go spend time with her family on the courts regardless.
Independence Day fun! Danny and his friends cracked me up with their outfits for on the 4th of July. I told them I needed a photo for whenever I was having a bad day and that I could look back on this day and laugh. Both Danny and Kate spent time with friends and brought friends back to our house to light fireworks. Hubby understood the assignment when Kate's friends needed some ice cream for dessert before the pyrotechnics and filled up our freezer with lots of choices. The girls were so sweet! Danny's friends were great too but we felt the need to keep a closer eye on them when it came to lighters. lol.
I should have had someone take a photo of the six of us together that night but we were having so much fun I didn't think of it until the next morning. You'll just have to trust me that we were all there!
My younger two children are trying new things this month! Let freedom ring! Michelle is taking cello lessons from the orchestra assistant at the middle school now. It was a joy to be with her for the first one. I could not understand the language they were speaking but it was obvious Michelle's experience with viola has helped her to know things I probably never will. Miss A said that Michelle covered two months worth of lessons in one hour and that if she really applies herself she could play both cello and viola in middle school next year (aka next month!). We are also in shock that we are at this point with our youngest but we signed Natalie up for a competitive softball team! We have loved the rec program she has been with and it is sad to say goodbye but we think she is ready for the next step. Natalie was offered to pay second base with the possibility of outfield and I wish I had a video of when she told her brother the good news. He was so proud of her and she was so happy! Natalie and I are thrilled she will be taking this next step with her great friend, A. She will be one of the pitchers and also play second base with the possibility of a little time in the outfield. We are nervous and excited and hope we made the right decision!
I had to include this picture even though it is totally blurry. Danny put on all three seatbelts in the back of Hubby's truck when I let his bestie who got his learner's permit drive himself the short distance home (with me in the front of course). Even though there was a lot of fear/caution in the truck all went well!
I am in total denial that I watched Danny play with the Vibes for the last time on Friday. I was just worried about getting out the door at 6am and what we needed for the tournament. I had also assumed they would progress in the brackets far enough that after Hubby took his turn the next day I would have one more chance on day three. But alas, winning one game and losing one game on Friday + winning one and losing one on Saturday meant it was the end of the season for them. Oh, and I think I have more proof that my camera jinxes my children: Danny did not play as well as he would have liked when I was there but he was hitting like a pro when Hubby got to watch! I'm a little too sad to say anything online about it but I'll force myself in order to share my gratitude. These coaches have been truly amazing. The dedication and care they have shown is more than anyone could ask for. I will miss having them being a part of my son's life more than I can express. I will miss sitting in the stands with the other parents so much that I cannot even imagine that I won't get to do this again. We knew this time would come because this team was formed to get these boys ready for high school baseball. I'm relying on the fact I loved watching Kate play high school volleyball to keep me from going into utter grief at this point. Funny how when you love something it is so hard to let go even though that is the most loving thing to do.
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