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.

another one bites the dust!

Another one (school year ... that is) bites the dust. Oh my gosh - just like the rest of it, the end of the school year was fast and furious! We're already into summer and I missed documenting some key pieces - but here they are, better late than never. I'm in Houston for a conference (which means plenty of alone time in a hotel room), so I'm finally getting around to blogging about the rest of our spring. Here's the photo fump!

I was so proud of Sara - she was selected to be in the video that was shown at our district's annual service awards banquet. She talked about the service her bus driver provides, noting that the driver is kind and complimentary. So proud of this articulate girl!

The girls dyed Easter eggs ... not sure how long they'll want to keep doing so, but they wanted to this year so I'll take it!

We'd previously gone with Emma's team to a Plano West softball game, and she and I made it back for one more. She loves watching the big girls play! Last week, Emma and her teammates went to the high school's softball camp ... Emma's really hoping it's her name in one of these paws some day.

Jim continues living his best life. He loves a car ride.

Steve went away for his annual draft weekend with college friends, so the girls and I hit up Target and Scheels, among other hot spots!

Emma's soccer team ended their season, and said goodbye to their coach. After lots of tough conversations and decisions, the team decided to move together to a new coach. They'll be signing for select on July 1st, and we've all been happy with the move.

More than anything, we're just glad these girls all stayed together! It's not common for that to be able to happen, and I don't know how long it will last, but we'll take it one year at a time. We love this group!

Near the end of the year, Sara was inducted into NJHS. She works so hard at school, and we are just so proud of her.

It's hard to believe she's just got one more year of middle school and then we are on to high school. I couldn't ask for a better kid!

The girls and I had an early Mother's Day outing to see Mean Girls. I lost my $%*& a little bit on the ride down because traffic was ridiculous (between Mean Girls, a Mavs game, and a Cold Play concert), but we made it into the theater with enough time to buy souvenirs and wine ... so all was good. It was a GREAT show!

And ... finally ... Emma got her cast off!! The doctor said her break healed perfectly! A new bone grew in to replace the one that was broken, and he said everything looked great. What a relief! She had to wear this brace up until yesterday, and moving forward she'll wear it during soccer (she has a smaller cuff one for softball) ... but she's back to all normal activity. She'll have another check-up in August, but all looks good. I'm proud of Emma for being so brave and strong!

Now it's SUMMA TIME!! I'm still working, but all of life is a lot less stressful! Emma has had softball camp and pool time with friends ... Sara has been riding her bike all over town - to the library, Starbucks, etc. - with her friends. We need the down time and it feels so good! We are staring down 4th and 8th grades ... the first day will be here before we know it, so just trying to soak up summer in the meantime!