It's been hot. Like 90's but feels more like 100+ degrees. I went outside today to water the plants. I was out there 5 minutes. I was dripping wet with sweat when I came back in. The pool has been a life saver. In more ways than one. The kids have been in there almost every day so far. Bella has finally decided she likes the water, and is now completely independent in the pool. Of course, she still wears her lifevest, but she is swimming on her own, and jumping in , even doing cannonballs!! Cameron also spends quite a bit of time in there, along with his friends. Jackson enjoys doing dunks on the basketball goal and finally mastered the "Figure Eight". My goal this summer was to remember to just relax. Being home with the kids, I wanted to slow down our pace. I knew we would be busy with basketball and baseball in the beginning. So, when we weren't at practice or games (which wasn't very often), we stayed in. We slept in. We watched movies. We weren't on any schedule. We stayed in our jammies. We vegged on the couch with reruns of Full House. Despite having two boys in travel sports, we made the schedule work. Bella, as usual, was happy to tag along everywhere. She made friends easily and never complained. We spent a few days in Chesterfield watching the Kempsville 9U All Stars battle. Jackson's Jayhawks took home the Nationals trophy at Boo Williams in Hampton, VA. Cam after he hit a home run over the fence. Bella and I planted flowers to make our deck all pretty (until it hit 90 degrees and everything started dying). We made several trips to the beach with friends, of course. And had many sleepovers. We cooked out at our house for Fourth of July and had all of the family over. And Bella didn't cry over the fireworks this year. Jodi & I drove to Pennsylvania for Kaleb's All Star tournament with the rest of the kids and spent two nights in a hotel. We had so much fun. We wrapped up the Summer on the beach in Hatteras. Spent a week with friends enjoying this view. Looking back, it was probably my favorite Summer yet. Of course, looking forward, I'm sure I'll say that every year.
I thank God every day that I have this time off with my kids. Nothing can ever replace these memories.
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Spent the weekend cheering on the Bronco Blue All Stars in Pennsylvania. We packed 2 adults and 5 kids into my Pilot and drove 7 1/2 hours through mountains and even passed up several wineries without stopping. All to see this kid play his favorite game. Despite two losses, and three pukers on the ride home, it was so worth it.
Last year, Jackson tried out for the middle school basketball team for the first time. Each of us knew that his chances for making the team as a sixth grader were slim.
What we didn't know was that as a requirement by the coach, each kid trying out had to run the mile and get less than 7:45 to get an opportunity to scrimmage. Anybody getting greater than 7:45 really didn't even get a chance to try out. Boys getting less than 7:45 were grouped into a "B" team and kids getting less than 6:45 were grouped into an "A" team. Jackson didn't make the team. He was okay with it. We all were. He ran the mile at 7:47. So close. But we were still proud of him for giving it his all. So, Josh told him this summer, he would start running with him and get him ready for seventh grade tryouts. The other night, they started their summer "running camp". The goal was to get Jackson to run the mile in under 6:45. It was his first night running. He ran the mile at 6:44. We couldn't believe it. We contribute this accomplishment to his AAU experience this past Spring/Summer. The twice weekly practice involving lots of running and conditioning. And very competitive basketball. I am so proud of him. (And yes, I took pictures of him coming up the home stretch). Fabulous. Independent. Vivacious. Energetic. Today, we went to Busch Gardens. It always surprises me that you are so fierce and strong-willed, and yet you are afraid of so much. You beg me to let you watch scary movies, like Scream or Jeepers Creepers. Yet Daddy had to force you on the carousel (which you liked, by the way, once you realized we didn't lie to you and it didn't go fast). In your defense, and my surprise, we convinced you to ride Roman Rapids (I might have lied and said it was just a boat that floated in circles). But you absolutely loved it. Sometimes, you can be very stubborn and set in your ways. You love the bumper cars, the swings, the airplanes, and the hot air balloons. That's about it. A few things about you these days. You are THE pickiest eater. You're more of a snacker. It worries me. You love to go grocery shopping, especially since Food Lion now has these little carts for the kids to push around. Except you tend to sneak things into the cart when I'm not looking. You loved staying home with me this summer. We had a blast, and I am so thankful for this time with you. You (finally) love swimming in the pool. All of a sudden, you overcame your fears and just started swimming. And jumping in, even going under. Something I've realized about you -- you do things in your own time. You don't like to be pushed. And you are hard to persuade. Lately, we're struggling with your attitude. You are full of sass and very demanding. You don't ask for a drink. It's just "I want a drink!" If you don't get the answer you want the first time, or the second, you will ask the same question repeatedly. Over and over. And the whining. For the love of God, this is the worst. I don't remember this ever being an issue with the boys. You whine about anything and everything. And then there's my personal favorite, when I ask you to do something, ie "We have to take a bath, Bella", and you respond "Nope. I'm not doing it!" with your arms crossed over your chest and that petulant look on your face. I have to remind myself I'm the parent, the adult. Because I really want to lunge at you and....well, it drives me crazy. And I HATE to brush your hair. You fight tooth and nail the entire time. But, in the end, I prevail. But for all the attitude, your cuteness surpasses it all. You are truly unique. And you are the funniest little girl I have ever met. Everyone loves you. You make us all laugh. With your outfits. Your dance moves. The hoarding (or stealing). The way you always remember where you put something. And your mannerisms. It's the headbands, the several outfit changes per day, the duck lips, the peace signs, the way you know every word to all the songs (Drake or Florida Georgia Line), the dab, the rain boots, the eyeliner and lipstick. You're exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. You love fiercely and I love that about you. You make me see life through a different perspective. I have to remind myself to take a step back and see what you see. Your excitement makes my heart burst. Did I mention you love strawberries? Happy birthday, baby girl!
This was a great week. We went to Busch Gardens, pool parties, spent the evening with friends and family, celebrated Kaleb's All Stars win, snacked at Skinny Dip, and did a little crafting and painting. But this was such a neat little night for these boys. They were BIG enough to go out on the kayak all by themselves (in the tiny lake in our neighborhood). But still, memorable for them and for this mom.
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November 2018
AuthorMy name is Kaci. I am a working mom of 3. Wife to Josh. Mom to Jackson, Cameron & Isabella. My life is dinner, homework, baseball, basketball, grocery lists, laundry, middle school, wine, video games, and schedules. I started this blog because I love taking pictures, and I needed a place to document our life. I wanted a place to write it all down, to remember little details so easily forgotten in the mad rush that is the life of a family of 5. Through my photos and words, I endeavor to capture our story. Categories
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