Day at the Lake

Our pastor has tried to get us up to his family's lake house the past few summers and it has just never worked out for us to go when they ask.  We finally made the trip on Friday to Lake Tippecanoe.  Oh my.  It was hard to leave.  The kids had a blast and were so spoiled by our fantastic hosts.  They have never experienced a lake like this (Taylor "Lake" and Lake Michigan are all they know.)  Sam had permanent dimples the entire day.  He was born for lake living.  Jet skis, paddle boards, tubing, boat rides, swimming, lake surfing, capri suns, popsicles, more popsicles, beautiful views, and fun people to share it with.  When the sun was setting, Sam sadly asked, "Will we ever be able to come back here?"  Well even if they hadn't planned on having us back, no one can say no to his face or voice and he got an immediate invitation to come back whenever and spend the night next time.  

Unfortunately, Saturday night Isa pointed out a few bumps that were itching her and I thought they were chigger bites.  By Sunday morning she was having a full blown allergic reaction to something and was covered head to bottom to toe in itchy raised hives.  Urgent care said it was a reaction to something in the water or a weed.  She was miserable yesterday unless she was swimming.  Good thing we had two pool parties.  She is looking and feeling better today but I wish I knew what exactly she reacted to.  Let's hope if we go back to Lake Tippecanoe, we do not have a repeat of this!

Summer Events

I love watching the kids roam around the garden area looking for things to eat or things to bring me to eat.  Not many of the peas make it into the house.  The kids all stand out there unzipping the pod, eating peas, and tossing the rest.  I need to gather some to make a stir fry but I never want to stop their fun.  Stella found the first little yellow tomato the other day.  

Benjamin went to a science camp at Taylor this past week.  Sam was sad I didn't sign him up so his friend's mom had Sam over to do science experiments with Paul (who was also sad) two mornings last week.  They had a blast.  She is one of the most amazing mothers I have ever met.

Two Saturdays ago we went to Indy for the PBS in the Park event.  The kids had a fun morning getting free stuff from vendors and hanging out with their cousins.  Super Why World...

We have had so much rain!  Jess watched our girls the other night while we were looking at a vehicle to purchase.  Her street always floods when we get a heavy rain so she made their year and took them out "puddle" jumping.

We bought a 2003 Yukon XL beast.  When you are expecting a 5th child and still want/need (who can afford to buy 7 plane tickets?) to take long road trips, getting a gas guzzling SUV makes sense.  I told the kids we are still going to drive the van almost exclusively and the shock and devastation was palpable.  They are so excited about the "new" ride.

We lost a third of our willow last week.  Thankfully it missed our house.  This is the third and by far the largest limb that has come down since we have lived in the house.  Whenever the ground dries up, a tree guy is coming to trim the rest of the tree in hopes of saving it for awhile longer.  I can't bear to get rid of the whole thing yet.

Another Fun Season Ends

We were happy and sad to see another baseball/softball season end this week.  Very happy to get rid of all the equipment in the back of my van that left no room for groceries.  Happy to have our evenings back to eat real meals instead of constant hotdogs and pb&j sandwiches.  Sad to be done watching these kids play ball with their friends.  

When we started the season, I thought we had made a big mistake in not talking Isa out of playing.  She acted as bored as I thought and kept asking things like, "How many more games?" or "Can't you cancel the game tonight?" because she cares more about concessions than softball.  She spent her time in the outfield chewing on her hair or picking grass.  However, she ended up growing in love for the team aspect of the game and loved all of the sweet girls on her team.  The team the girls played Wednesday night in tournament was mostly 8 yr old sluggers that destroyed them in the beginning of the season.  But this young little team came so close to beating them and led on the scoreboard until the last inning.  I am happy and sad to think that she wants to play again next year.  We will be running around like crazy parents trying to follow three team schedules.  But we are proud of you, Isa, and loved watching you improve. 

 Daddy and coach.  He's amazing.

 A favorite little player/friend.

Coach Jess was largely responsible for Isa's growing excitement for softball.  Jess brought her back a softball shaped backpack from the Women's College World Series for her to carry her mitt and batting gloves in.  Game changer.  Sports are more fun if you have a cool bag to carry stuff around in, right?

The boys played their tournament game last night.  This is the last year they will play on the same team.  This alone made me feel just sad last night.  They love each other so much.  They encourage one another.  They rehash great plays or hits before falling asleep.  It's the best.  Sam is going to miss big bro next year.

The boys lost their tournament game but because they were regular season champions they still got a trophy last night.  This was exciting and meant a ton to the younger boys.  Shiny trophy, yes please!  The three boys on our team that move up next year, weren't so easily fooled.  There were lots of heartbroken tears to not make it to the championship game.  Benjamin has played in this league for 4 years and this is the first year he didn't get to play in the final game. The agony of defeat.  I know it's life but it's always hard to watch tears from a kid that loves the game so much. I am so proud of his leadership on a very, very young and inexperienced team.  We asked him to play down when all of his friends moved up this year.  He did it with courage and lots of grace.

Boys, I know you think your dad is a great coach because he's your daddy.  But he is most certainly a great coach.  We were not the biggest, oldest, or most naturally athletic team of boys.  At our first practice, I was convinced we were one of the biggest underdogs. He led a team of boys (40% Kindergartners, a few 1st graders that had never played, a child with special needs, etc.) in the most wins of the season.  And he makes it fun for all of you.  Coach of the year in my mind. If they gave that award, he should get it.

Until next year...

Lalaloopsy, Strawberry Shortcake and Father's Day

Stella's friend Calais borrowed her Lalaloopsies.  When Stella went over there to play one evening, Calais had an outfit picked out for each of them to wear that matched two of the dolls as close as she could manage.  They looked adorable.  

My friend gave the girls her old Strawberry Shortcake sheets.  We don't have a double bed in the house but they have loved laying the sheets out to play on.

 Stella likes to match up the doll/animal with the matching girl/animal on the sheets.

 To the most kind, loving and devoted father a kid could ask for, Happy Father's Day.  You're top tier.