I Survived: End of Year Extravaganza and June Recap

Kody graduated from elementary school.  The process was bittersweet as he felt all grown up and robbed because he knew with the move he would be another year in elementary school.  He felt excited to reach this milestone with his friends but sad to remember that he wouldn't be with them for the new school year.  Just like his experience with Doe Run graduation were the experiences we felt most of June.  It was a close to a lot of doors and an open to many more.  Emotions were all over the spectrum, but as always we moved forward with fortitude. 

Also three of the kids participated in the the local community theatre iStage production of Beauty and the Beast.  It was a first for Issac and Kody and a fourth I believe for Isabella.  As a silly girl and a theater lover she had so much fun.  For the boys they had fun all along the way, but it is clearly not their passion.  They were marvelous though.

 

Girls Camp was a raging success, mostly.  Isabella had a great and fun time.  Her fourth year hike was a success and she was fine despite her mild nervousness that she wouldn't be in shape.  She was able to avoid any of the drama that too many girls with too little sleep encounter at this age.  As a mom I couldn't have been more proud.

Swimming for Issac is a hit.  He is happy and enjoys it and can't wait to find more time to be in the pool with friends whether through lessons or just playing.  He is sweet to watch and I love to see him happy.  He excels in swimming, running, and all things music.  He really has no vision though of how he is good at these things.  His competence in this area means relatively little though as long as it keeps him smiling.

Last visits and excursions took place.  I had attempted to visit Coal Mine Number 9 previously without success but we tried again and it went well.  It was very interesting and as the longest continuously operating Coal Mine, it was filled with history and the tour guide was informed.  Kody may have had to pee in the mine in a back dark corner because despite the warning when we started the tour, he couldn't hold it any longer.  Afterwards we went to Centralia, longest burning fire from a coal mine.  The town has been condemned and there are crazy amounts of tourists.  Despite all this I was unable to see a flame shooting from the ground into the air, which is what I hoped for.  Some areas are smoky though, and we found the old abandoned highway, that is closed to the public, but walked on by hundreds anyway.  Graffiti abounds, talent is amazing, people's obsession with genitalia is astoundingly banal.  Good things to get off the bucket list and less to regret after moving.  Successes all around.

Summer Wrap Up and August Review

The summer flew by, faster than ever before.  I don't think I did much relaxing or vacationing or pool side sitting.  I also didn't do my typical summer curriculum for the kids.  So what did I do, I think I really just played chauffer to my kids and all of their activities. But Isabella did get her braces off in there, Issac and Kody still had plenty of time to play in the back yard with the neighbors and I got a nap or two.  It was a time warp summer.

This summer we did "summer swim team" that took quite a bit of time and commitment. Also with the kids getting older they each were gone for a week or so with church activities.  Isabella had girls' camp and youth conference, Wyatt had Scout camp, and the two younger boys went to Cub Day Camp, but it lasted a whole week.  So right there is 5 weeks of crazy.  Add in tons of things to prepare for and carry out the Philadelphia Temple Open House, Dedication and Cultural Celebration.  Then we added Band Camp and athletic training for Cross Country and Soccer.  Throw in two weeks to Texas, one to the Beach, and one week of family (William and Lacey and kids) being in town and boom summer is gone.

Swim Season

 

So after two or three years of saying no to summer swim, this year I conceded.  Many have asked me why I said no and basically it is because I run myself ragged all year long, summers are sacred, lazy days.  But this year I knew the summer would be crazy instead of relaxing anyway and so let the kids choose for themselves.  Two opted to swim and it was Isabella and Issac.

Isabella swam during the daily training, but was only able to attend 2 maybe 3 meets or invitationals because she was gone so much this summer with Girls' Camp, Youth Conference, family vacations, etc...It was a good experience and she liked it, but doesn't think she will return next year. 

Issac took to it like the fish he is.  Able to attend most all of the practices and meets, he was able to really improve and became quite good.  His best friend also swims and so all the long hours of meets were one big party with food and friends for him. 

I learned that invitationals are like nothing I have ever seen in any other sport.  Swim meets are long, invitationals longer and so many bring their tents, set up camp and turn huge fields into villages.  Think one whole Saturday into the evening.  Staging the races with the kids is like trying to herd kittens, but really cool to see the system and organizations.

Both the kids did freestyle, back and then relays.  Issac hopes to get better at the more technical strokes of breast and butterfly to become good enough to swim some of those next year.  Overall it was fun to participate in and watch, but our summer was definitely more busy as a result.  But that didn't deter Kody who has determined that next summer he will join the team too.