Summer Camp '22

 The girls got home today from their week at Camp Grady Spruce at Possum Kingdom Lake. They have been SO excited all summer to go back (I think Sara had been counting down since February), and could hardly wait for drop-off last weekend.

Since we are the beginning of the alphabet, we have an early check-in time. The girls love this because they get their pick of the bunks! This year, Emma was in Cabin P2 and Sara was in P6. Both had friends from last year in their cabin, and Emma's BFF Greyson was also there this year, too.

We don't have correspondence with the girls during the week, but we can access the camp's app with pictures. These ones tell the story of an amazing week! 

They swam, rode the banana boat, canoed, zip-lined, rode horses, slept in a hammock, performed skits, danced ... and came home with raspy voices! I'm so thankful that they have this opportunity to make new friends and life-long memories.

Emma didn't last long into the ride home, and both have been lounging around exhausted since. Sunshine, fresh air, and full hearts!

Tomorrow it's back to normal life ... Emma has two soccer games and Sara is babysitting. But summer camp memories won't be far away.

Summa-time

 Our summer has been FLYING by but full of fun! In early June, we spent a hot afternoon at the annual DFW Cyclone Family Picnic!

I had a lot on my mind that weekend. I had just returned from a conference in Houston, and while I was there, I'd had a call from HR asking me to move back to middle school. I ended the school year fully expecting (and wanting) to return to my school; moving hadn't been on my mind. I had several days to just think and consult a couple of trusted mentors. The following week, I went to meet with district leaders who said they'd interviewed for the position and not found the right fit, and wanted me to take the role. There have been many tears and some sleepless nights ... but for my 20th year in public ed, I'm headed back to middle school ... after 9 years away at elementary. The girls helped me move into my new office. I'm nervous and excited and everything in between. I'm remembering that change is good, and this is probably the push I needed.

We took a long-weekend trip to MN and had the best time catching up and being together. Unexpectedly, the 100 degree heat followed us there. We brought Cal a huge slip-n-slide monstrosity, so it provided lots of fun!

Of course the weekend wouldn't have been complete without some lake time!

We spent a sweaty but super fun day at the Stone Arch Art Festival!

Emma participated in a soccer contest and tied the high score for the day. She drew a crowd and even caught the eye of some officials sitting on that bus, who came out to give her a gift card for the MLS store!

On Monday morning, Sara and my parents headed off to Boston for a special get-away together. Steve, Emma, and I stayed in MN for a couple of days with Melissa, Adam, and Cal. We had to hit up the big yellow candy store (Emma's request)!

And the Mall of America. Cal was super unsure about getting on the merry-go-round the first time, but he was a pro by the second! He also rode the trucks with Emma and thought that was pretty awesome!

Meanwhile, Sara was living her best life in Boston!

She said she wasn't accepted to Harvard yet, but that she made a good impression.

My parents ended the Boston trip by spending a couple of days here for pool time and Ojeda's before they headed to Florida.

Emma was invited to play in the softball league's all star game, which was a pretty big deal after sitting out the first part of the season with a broken arm. I'm so proud of her work ethic and drive. She is loving life as a catcher, too!

On July 1st, we celebrated her soccer team's first "signing day" with a big party! Most of these girls have played together for years now. We just switched coaches and we're excited to see this team continue to improve and thrive in their first year of select!

It was nice to be home and relaxing for the 4th this year. The girls went on a little day date to the movies together. They saw the new Minions movie and had a great time - it was the perfect way to beat some afternoon heat!

We headed to our usual parking lot for fireworks and had another great show from the City of Plano. Jim rode along this year ... he was happy to be with us, and wasn't bothered by the fireworks - but he didn't love the poppers that we were doing before the show. He slept well after that exciting night!

So now we're officially on the back end of summer. The girls head to Camp Grady Spruce on Sunday, so they are busy getting their trunks ready. They are SO excited to go back this year! I head back to work (officially - it's been unofficial work during the entirety of my two week break) on Monday, and then Steve and I will celebrate our 19th anniversary on Tuesday. We have a couple of big soccer tournaments coming up, Sara has cheer camp ... and before we know it, it'll be back to school.