The End of Summer

Summer break always takes forever to arrive, but then it passes by so quickly.  On Thursday morning, Princess had her last gymnastics class of the summer while Champ was finishing up basketball camp at U Indy.  Princess was thrilled to have a crowd on hand for her:  Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa.  She is already asking when she can do it again.

Princess and I ventured to U Indy to pick up Champ from basketball camp.  There was an award ceremony at the end.  Champ was given award certificates for being the Knock Out champ and being on the team that won the basketball game.  He was so happy about his awards.

We had mixed emotions as we headed to our last pool party of the summer.  We love pool parties, but we were sad that it was the last one of summer 2014.  As usual, the kids enjoyed swimming in the Smith’s pool and snacked often.

After dinner, we joined a massive crowd at Back to School Night at Champ’s school.  I think the evening was a good time for Champ to find his classroom, see which friends would be in his classroom, look around the classroom, and meet the teacher.  

I finished the evening on the elliptical machine at the gym.

Friday was the first day back for staff.  There were plenty of opportunities to laugh between the teacher of the year speech all the way to the YMCA dance.  Next, there was a lengthy meeting at my school.  It was great to take a break at lunchtime to join my coworkers for a Mexican lunch.  It was good to be back amongst our dysfunctional group.  There is always plenty of laughter, usually at someone in the group’s expense.  Good thing it was a huge lunch because I stayed at school until 9 PM.  I was preparing for the year as well as getting rid of clutter.

On Saturday, I was a machine without the kids.  I cleaned the house, did laundry, made and froze 43 pancakes, baked banana bread, baked cupcakes, ran 2.25 miles, gave the playroom a makeover with the help of Vanessa, dropped off recycling, returned library books, went grocery shopping, picked up my free sandwich from Chick Fil A (thanks to Teacher Appreciation Week coupon), unloaded groceries, etc.  When the kids arrived, we went back to Meijer.  I noticed an error in my bill, and Meijer graciously fixed it.  We spent about 30 minutes at my school too.  Princess loves my school because she gets candy.

Today was a fantastic Back to School service at church.  I let the kids play at the indoor playground for just a little bit after the service.  We ate at McAllisters for lunch.  The kids love the pizza there.   Our next stop was the teacher store.  The kids played in the kids area while I made a few returns.  I had determined that I had purchased a few too many of a couple of things.  I took the kids to Shoe Carnival for the first time.  It is interesting that Champ had his eye on the brand Sketchers from the moment we walked in the store.  The store only had one Sketchers shoe that they sold in wide size 3.  So, we purchased that one.  Champ wanted to be outside immediately when he got home so that he could test out his shoes.  We played around the house the rest of the afternoon.  I went over the sermon too with Champ.  I had him set goals for third grade and come up with ideas on how to obtain the goals before we posted them on the fridge.  I found a ballerobica video on Youtube that I completed.  I hope I can walk tomorrow!

Last Wednesday of Summer

Champ was at basketball camp.  Princess and I waited out the rain before heading to my school.  Princess played with other teachers' kids there.  Princess and I visited Grandma and Gus.  The kids played a little with neighbors.  We worked on our picture projects before reading books and going to bed.

Independence Day Weekend

Final Days of Summer

While the cat is away, the mouse will play...

Once Champ left for basketball camp, Princess put on his favorite bandana, went to his room, and played with his toys without fear of consequence from her brother.

Princess and I went to the gym before heading to my school.  She was a great helper.  She loved that people gave her candy when she visited.

Don't know what that does, but it is a really noticeable change in my room.

I'm not sure this looks like we are a week away from students walking the halls.

Champ says he won dribble tag at camp today.  

We went to Champ's school this evening so I could fork over tons of money.  Then we found out his teacher for this year.

Taking Care of Business

Yesterday I was delighted to be healthy enough to be able to volunteer in Princess's Sunday School room again.  She was thrilled to have me too.  

One of my afternoon projects was to touch up the paint surrounding the towel bar that Princess pulled down when she played Tarzan.

Last night we began our team effort to put loose photos and certificates in albums.  They were mad at me when I forced them to stop after an hour.  It was a reminder to delegate responsibilities rather than taking on too much on my own.

Today Champ began another round of basketball camp.  This time 2 of his cousins, Cooper and Collin, are joining him. Princess and I went to the teacher store with coworkers.  Then she had a doctors appointment on the north side.  She had her second haircut of her life at Cookie Cutters.  The lady put a little braid in it.  We got gas before picking up Champ.  We had a meet and greet at a new doctors office that offers extended hours.  After dinner, I did a short workout at the gym.  

Camp, Museum, and Lake

Wednesday we ventured to Seymour to pick up Champ from Springhill Camp.  The first thing I noticed about Champ was that he was wearing the same shirt that he was wearing in the pictures from Monday’s day at camp.  We got to watch Champ participate in a circle of campers singing songs.  It was great to see him singing along.  Next, the large group broke into their smaller tipi groups.  Each child was called to the front of the circle.  One of the counselors shared a strength for that child, how he exhibited the strength that week, and how the strength positively impacted those around him.  The child was then given a certificate.  I love Champ’s smile as he walks away with his “listening” certificate.  I can tell that he is beaming.  The group posed for some pictures.  Champ talked the whole way home about camp or lead us in repeat after me songs.  We stopped by McDonald’s on the way home.  

After arriving home, I began the task of sorting through Champ’s bags.  I determined that there were a lot of life lessons to be taught.  The bags that I sent for wet or dirty clothes were completely empty.  Instead all wet and dirty clothes were in the mix of clean clothes.  I sent him  with one bug spray bottle, but he returned with 2 bug spray bottles.  He didn’t wear pajamas at camp because he said he didn’t see any in the suitcase.  I went over with him again where the side pocket of the suitcase was.  I smiled when I opened his spiral notebook and saw the message:  Camp Day 1 Awesome.   

We ran an errand before going to my spin class.  The kids hadn’t seen one of those classes before so I was happy to expose them to another form of exercise and model once again the importance of exercise.  Champ thought it was a horrible idea to be on a bike and go nowhere.  Princess thought it was boring because we only did bicycling the whole time.

When we came home, we wandered over to the Rich house.  Rich, Thomson, and my kids had a dance party inside while the moms were outside talking.

This is what Champ writes about camp:
I liked camp alout.

l Liked archery i got 2 blues 1 black and i missed one.

I Liked the blob you jump on the squishy 1st full yellow rectangle then you crawled to the last full orange rectangle you cross your feet and arms and lean forward and someone as heavy or big as you they do the same thing you did.

On Thursday, I began the day by being the best student in my ballerobica class.  It was great to talk to the instructor as I worked out.  Then Princess had gymnastics class.  Mom and dad came over to help me get organized.  In the late afternoon, there were a lot of neighbors out playing.

Friday morning I tried to help Champ organize his room.  After lunch, we headed to the Children’s Museum.  We began by going to Playscape.  Next, we went to the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit.  It was a fascinating exhibit.  I loved how kids got to make a model terra cotta warrior and add it to the army.  We also saw the performance of Mulan Jr. before heading to the carousel and Science Works.  In the evening, we joined the neighbors talking and playing.

Today we began our day at Chick Fil A.  On Cow Appreciation Day, both kids received coupons for free mini chicken biscuits from a game.  We used those coupons this morning.  The kids loved the breakfast treat.  Next, we headed out to Raccoon Lake.  We took a brief stretching break at the playground in Danville.  Champ did a great job of reading directions to get to Aunt Linda’s house on Raccoon Lake.  Of course, a highlight of the day was spending time with so much family.  The kids loved taking turns helping Uncle Mike drive the pontoon boat.  Uncle Gary was bravely sitting in the back with many little kids and loving on them.  Champ and Caleb sat in a raft that cousin Brad pulled from a speed boat.  Cousin Brad is known as the cool cousin.  Brad took Champ out on the raft a second time later.  Brad was also the person that took many kids out on a jet ski, but I didn’t let my kids go on it.   

I did, however, feel brave enough to let my brother drive me on the jet ski.  Matt loved going fast.  There was one turn that I almost fell off, but I managed to hold on.  Soon after we both fell off when the jet ski tipped.  My laughter was continuous as we treaded water in order to figure out a plan.  I didn’t feel reassured when Matt said that Brad told him the directions were on the vehicle, and Matt started reading them.  Matt managed to flip the jet ski over.  I got on the jet ski and promptly fell back in the water as Matt tried to get back on it.  Then we tried to have Matt get on the jet ski first.  Next, we both fell off the jet ski when it tipped again as I was boarding it.  We somehow managed to both get on it at the same time and drive off.  It was a much needed laugh.  When we docked, Brad told us the way you are supposed to get back on a jet ski.  Maybe that knowledge will come in handy another day.

I was also silly enough to get in a raft with Brad while Uncle Mike drove the speed boat.  That was crazy!

The kids enjoyed swimming in the lake.  They loved playing with cousins, eating nonstop, blowing bubbles, etc.  Champ loves to be with little kids.

 Caroline 

 Clayton

 Parker 

On the way home, we stopped again at the Danville playground to get out our wiggles.  Champ managed to get a splinter before I even got out of the car.  We also stopped for waters and a restroom break at a gas station.