Kaitlin's Princess Camp

While William did art camp Kaitlin went to Princess Camp at the Perfect Step and boy did she LOVE every minute of this week.  The week was a full of art, crafts, dance and friendship.  At the end of the week they put on a little show where the girls dressed up in their favorite princess costume and did a couple dances for the parents.  The show was called "A Fractured Fairytale"  Kaitlin did two short dance performances, "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Dream is a Wish" then they crowned each princess.  At the end of the program they had refreshments.  Kaitlin was so excited to hear they were having cupcakes.  Several of her friends were in dance camp but, her buddy, Gracie Hite from dance this past year took the camp with her.  These two had fun this week together.  I did remind Kaitlin now that she was crowned a princess that meant she had to act like one.  Lets just say that not much has changed since the camp.  Oh well, nice try at least.

William's Art Camp

This week was full of camps.  William went to art camp, Create A Masterpiece at St. Michaels.  He created 3 birdhouses and put them together to make one big birdhouse.  They also made a bird for the house.  They molded some clay into a bird shape added the eyes and mouth then rolled it into feathers.  He called it his "Cat in the Hat" birdhouse.  He had so much fun working on this all week.  He asked me all week if he could attend this camp next year.  He also drew and painted a 3-D picture of a bird house with birds.  The last two pictures was of a fish (front and back side) he did at a 2 hour camp (Splash into Color) at our local library where he enjoyed hands-on watercolor painting with award-winning artist/educator Matt Psomadakis.  Matt is also his art teacher at Robinson Elementary.  He had a wonderful time.  Won't be long before he starts 1st grade and he'll see Mr. Psomadakis again.  My how the summer has flown by. 

Williams First Season of Swim Team - Gardner Acres Sharks

What a season it has been.  William who really just started to swim last season said he wanted to do swim team this year.  So we went with it.  Of course we just paid the fee to join the team and not the $35 tight swim trunks.  Instead if he liked it and wanted to do it next year we would buy the swim suit for him then.  Since he only had 3 meets and a league meet he was fine.  Not to mention he has an awesome "shark" bathing suit and we're the sharks so that worked well.  He was so dedicated and didn't complain one bit.  He went to both morning and night practices when we could and worked really hard.  We were so proud of him and how much he improved by the league meet.  His dedication and hard work paid off.  He swam in the 6 and under meets so next year if he does it again he'll move up to 7 and up.  He did 3 different strokes and I couldn't believe how well he picked up each one.  I remember in the first meet asking one of his coaches if he even knew how to do back stroke?  He picked up the strokes so fast.

Williams times:                 Freestyle     Backstroke     Breast
June 12 - (first meet)         1:16.76        1:47.26        1:13.71
June 19 - (second meet)    1:33.31        1:30.19        1:16.40
June 26 - (third meet)        1:10.20        1:25.12        1:14.42
July 10 - (league meet)         51.76          59.54         1:06.62

He swam in two relays, Boys 6 and under 100M Free relay and they did well.  He enjoyed that and the atmosphere in the relays are wild.  Lots of cheering.  In the end he was so proud of his ribbons.

USA College All Star vs Grizzlies Game

Ok, so the game was rained out and not much to post but, the day that led up to the game was fun.  We went to Medical Pharmacy Center and had an All Star signing and then headed to the game.  William and Kaitlin got lots of autographs.  They got to meet the CWS (College World Series) MVP, Jackie Bradley from South Carolina.  Kaitlin was excited, Jackie Bradley gave her a silly band.  Her comment was Mom, look at what he gave me, he likes silly bands too.  Oh, why can't I come up with something like that and make millions?  Anyhow, in the end William thanked me for his "first autograph session"  he had fun.

Even though the game was canceled due to massive rain storm as always my husband helped make the most of the evening and we danced in the rain.  Ok, so they did I took pictures and enjoyed watching the kids play.  What fun they had and turned out to be a memorable evening.

Holiday Weekend - yeehaa

The 4th of July has became a favorite holiday in our family.  This past weekend was no different.  Good times with family, perfect weather and a chance to celebrate our countries independence.  KK and William are now getting to the age of understanding that the 4th of July is more than cookouts, parades and fireworks.  In KK's words, "its our country's birthday."

We started the weekend Friday night with Shelby's fireworks watching from the middle of the lake with Nana and Pops with a platoon of other boats (late night number 1).  We were up early Sat morning and headed to the mountains to spend the day with MawMaw and PawPaw, Uncle Wes and Aunt Kasey, Kenric and Brooke.  Were first in line for the Blowing Rock parade.  The kids got more candy than you could believe.  William said it was "better than Halloween."  We all had a great time, dancing, laughing and waving to the folks in the parade.  Madison even got into the waving.  Note to parents, always be lined up first in the parade line - more candy than you know what to do with.  We did have a break through moment for both KK and William.  Their were a number of mascots in the parade.  At one point to KKs excitement, she looked up with such an innocent expression and said "Mommy/Daddy, I'm no longer scared of mascots, yippee."  It was priceless.  William wasn't as excited but we were very proud of him.  He didn't lose his composure and stuck in there like a big boy.  Disney may not be so long away....  I better start saving now. 

After the parade, the kids played on the campground.  They are mesmerized by the pond and spent all their time fishing, hunting for tadpoles and skipping rocks.  They had a blast.  And we went on a long hike with the kids, Uncle Wes and I.   Got a bit dicey for a moment when we lost our path.  I wasn't afraid of getting lost (good sense of direction plus I had my cell phone - it worked) but I was more concerned that the kids were going to wear out and I would have to carry them out.  We found our way and all was well.  Had a big cookout and then a fire with smoores.  Left late headed to Nana's.  Late night number 2. 

On the 4th, spent time on the lake, ate more than I care to think about and took in fireworks around the lake for a 2nd time.  The display this time was more impressive than Friday night and proved to be the event of the weekend.  The kids refer to the 4000 dollar fireworks.  A group on the lake had pooled money and spent a boatload on fireworks.  They were impressive.  Late night number 3. 

On Monday, no work for me and we stayed another day and spent most of it on the lake.  Got the tube out and was pulled by the boat.  William says that was his favorite moment..  The kids were tired so we decided to spend another night with Nana and Pops.  Probably overstayed our welcome but thanks Nana and Pops!  The adults spent the night playing cards.  During conversation, we were discussing what the kids had said were their highlights of the holiday.  Come to find out that KK had told Nana, Mommy and me at separate times that her favorite highlight of the weekend was spending time with each of us.  Was very cute but boy, she sure knows how to work it!  I can only imagine what she is going to be like in her teenage years!  Hopefully, we'll post some pictures soon.