First Week of Summer

Our first week of summer was extremely busy! And on top of that, Brett was in Vegas for work, so I was the solo taxi in business all day, every day. Pretty much this whole month will be busy, but this week was the worst. It will be a little better now that baseball is over. We started out Monday with Cade's swim practice from 7-9, followed by the gym, and then we went to the Outlet mall for a few things. Then we dropped my car off at the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation. While the car was getting worked on, we walked (like homeless people as the kids said) to Colonial Cafe for lunch and ice cream! We all thoroughly enjoyed the kitchen sink ice cream. Emalyn ate the bananas for us. I think she liked the banana split bananas much better than plain bananas. She wasn't wild about the ice cream, but she loved the bananas.

Tuesday was swim team again, followed by therapy for Mads, home for lunch, off to the gym, home for Emma's nap and then dance and baseball. It was a very hot day for Chicago standards (high of 96). Some of the baseball games were even cancelled because of the "dangerously high temperatures". It actually wasn't that bad at the game. Emalyn enjoyed cheering for Bubba.

Of course baby was there to cheer for Cade too. All the little kids at the basball games know Emma and her baby and bottle. It's fun to watch all the little brothers and sisters at the games.

Wednesday, Cade had swimming and Maddi had tutoring. After those were over, we drove to Wisconsin to meet the Decker's for our annual meetup of lunch, Jelly Belly and the park. We decided to take the tour this year. Left to right, Maddi (10), Jill (7), Meg (3), Abby (9 in July), Emma (19 months), and Cade (9 in August).

The whole crew again. My kids look like giants compared to the Decker kids!

We were the only ones there and got right on a train. Cade and Jill hanging out while everyone else went for a trip to the ladies room.

All aboard! The tour is a little boring because it's only tvs around the warehouse. The kids enjoyed it and now Maddi wants to be a candy maker when she grows up.

We all got a free bag of candy at the end of the tour. Emalyn even got her own bag.

Here she is trying her first Jelly Belly...and she liked it!

So many choices in flavors.

The flavors behind Cade are barf, canned dog food, and skunk spray!

And these are moldy cheese, booger and an assortment of all the nasty ones. No thank you!

Our annual picture in front of the Jelly Belly bug. Meg was already in the car and the rest of them didn't cooperate so well. Oh well, there's always next time.

Then we went to the park to burn off some sugar. Erin gave them each a nasty flavor and they were trying to guess the flavor.

All I know is that their breath smelled just like dog food and skunks after eating those jelly bellys.

Cade seems to be enjoying this nasty adventure. If they enjoy bad flavors so bad, maybe we should do a vegetable tasting with brussel sprouts, beets, egg plant, etc. Maybe they'd like that too. It was pretty warm and humid at the park but after some playtime, we drove back home. It was great seeing Erin and the kids and we hope to see them at our house later this summer.
All 3 kids crashed on the drive home. We went to the gym that night and then we crashed into our beds for the night.

We had some seriously crazy storms Wednesday night into Thursday. We woke up Thursday and found this random turtle on our patio. No idea where it came from, maybe the pond 2 streets over, but it's a turtle. They don't move that fast. We went to the gym and 2 1/2 hours later, the turtle was gone. No idea where it came from or went to but it was very odd. He was pretty big too. Brett's GG passed away late Sunday night. His cousin Brian went to the cemetary and cleaned off the headstone and things and there was a turtle on the grave sight. Coincidence? Weird, if you ask me. I looked it up to see what a turtle showing up in your life means and it means you need to slow down and pace yourself. Very fitting for our busy week!
Later on Thursday, Cade had a swim meet over an hour away. Thank goodness for a dance family that helped with Maddi again, Emalyn and I went to the outdoor meet. It was blazing hot Mon-Wed, but Thursday was a high of 60. It was 54 at the start of the meet and got down to 50! The water was so warm there was steam coming off of it. We spent most of the time in the locker room warming up between events. The meet was cut short, so Cade only did 2 events. He did great and won the 25 fly race and brought his team from dead last to 2nd place on the Medley relay. Brett flew in Thursday evening and picked up Maddi from dance and they got to hang out for a while. Cade and Emalyn were alseep when we got home from the swim meet, so they didn't get to see Daddy. Brett left our house at 4:00 a.m. Friday to go to Boston for GGs funeral.

After the gym Friday morning, we went to the library and then Cade had his last baseball lesson at Bases. I loved this picture of Emalyn copying Maddi sitting on a ball watching Cade bat. Maddi and Cade had friends over Friday afternoon and then we spent the evening with the Ball Family eating and playing together.

Saturday morning, Maddi had pictures for dance and Cade had his last baseball game of the season. I should have brought the real camera, but I did get one on my phone of him batting. He had 3 great hits and pitched well too. He has improved so much this season, we're very proud of him.

These are some pictures Brett sent to me from his Grandmother's funeral.

GG was 92 years old and her health has been declining for some time. She had Alzheimer's disease and it was very sad to see it take it's toll on her. GG was such a wonderful lady, she will be greatly missed!

After Emma wakes up from her nap, we will get Maddi from dance and then go get ice cream to celebrate the end of Cade's baseball season. Then we have lots of errands to run. Quite a way to spend Saturday night. Brett flies home Sunday just in time for Maddi's end of the year dance Showcase. I'm so thankful my kids are all so awesome and helpful with Brett being gone. They really are amazing. They are always helping with Emalyn, getting food or drink for her or entertaining her wherever we are or in the car. I love those kids and I'm proud to call them mine.

3rd Annual Backyard Campout

Saturday night we had our 3rd annual backyard campout. We followed in the tradition of dads and kids sleeping out in tents and Moms and little ones in the houses. It poured down rain right at 3:00 when we were planning on starting the party, but the rain moved out quickly and the rest of the night was perfect weather. It was a race to see who could get their tents up first.

Brendan working on his tent.

Brett and Maddi working on their tent.

The Heimbuch's joined in the camping this year too. They've always come over but never stayed the night.

The little kids weren't much help, so they stayed out of the way and enjoyed the swings.

The McDonald's making some progress on their tent...

...the Ball's with not much progress yet.

The Heimbuch's are the winners. Dave just bought the tent and the sales guy said it was one minute set up and I'm not sure that it was a minute, but it was really fast. Guess they've made some improvements in tents over the years. We got our tent 13 years ago for our wedding.

Time to eat our traditional campout dinner of pizza! Ellie and Emma thought they were so big sitting at the bar. Those girls are so adorable together!

The bigger kids eating their pizza.

Someone was very tired after dinner. We have been so incredibly busy the last few weeks and baby girl was worn out.

We managed to get a smile out of her! She went to bed pretty much right after this picture.

Little Dawson is 10 months old. It was his first campout! He is such a cutie and so happy. Ellie was loving all over Dawson.

Cocoa and her best friend/worst enemy "Molly".

Dawson found his way into the toy box.

Brendan and Dave...

...Anne and Rebecca.

Time for a talent show.

Cade was first with some yo-yo tricks.

Then he got silly with the "creepy" boy baby doll.

He got a little crazy with the baby and found himself in time out :(

Maddi finishing a front handspring.

Grace doing a back handspring.

Grace and Maddi enjoying their ice cream. Maddi has been having a hard time with the fact that the Balls are moving at the end of the month. She has been working on writing a song for them. It's a very catchy song and so very sweet.

The whole crew minus sleeping Emalyn enjoying ice cream. Cade had already inhaled his ice cream and tried to get some more just for the picture. Nice try anyway.

We also had our traditional microwaved smores and burned off some sugar jumping on the trampoline.

Time for glow sticks. We ended up moving the party in the house because the bugs were getting pretty bad. I think everyone was in the tents by 11:00pm. Rebecca and Dawson stayed in our house with Emalyn and I and Anne was at home with Ellie and Andrew. Everyone stayed the night out in the tents. Jack woke up at 5:45 a.m. and started jumping on the trampoline. Everyone else in the tents woke up shortly after that except Maddi girl. She slept until after 7:30 a.m. We were all eating breakfast (donuts and breakfast casserole) at that time and we all saw her wake up and come out of the tent. It was soooo cute and funny. She popped out of the tent and looked around like "Hey guys. I'm up. Guys. Where is everyone?" She saw us all sitting at the kitchen table watching her and she joined us with donuts.

Emalyn and Ellie joined in the fun and even had a juice box of their own. It was a very successful campout! The Heimbuch's went home after 9:00 a.m. and then we all showered up.

We had tickets from Brett's work to the 1:00 p.m. White Sox game. This is our only picture from Brett's phone from the game. It was kids day and they gave away free jerseys. We had a great time at the game even though they lost. It was an early bedtime for everyone to rest up from the busy weekend and to prepare for our busy week ahead!

Last Day of School

Friday was Maddi's last day of 4th grade and Cade's last day of 3rd grade! I seriously feel like the school year just started. They look so big and grown up and lately several people have mistaken Cade for the older child. The boys a giant and I think the braces make him look older too.

Miss Maddi is growing up but is still the sweetest little girl with a very tender heart.

It wasn't her favorite year, but she made it through. She had some struggles academically, emotionally and socially, but she is one strong little girl and she tried so hard and really made a lot of gains in every area. We are so proud of her for always trying her best and for always treating others with a kind and gentle heart. The odd school years (1st and 3rd) have been her best, so we are really hoping 5th grade follows that trend and she has some good friends in her class and has a wonderful year.

I know a little girl who is going to be very happy to have her "sissy" around for the summer...

...she will be very happy to have "bubba" home too.

Cade had a wonderful school year and had the most fabulous teacher. It was the first teacher who has really pushed him to the next level and he loved that and certainly needed that.

He has changed a lot this year and is becoming less interested in Legos and video games. He's all about sports, watching them and playing them. He has been quizzing Brett with stats about players during the basketball playoffs. He has had a great year academically and also with sports. He recently made the advanced swim team for the summer swim team. He is the only 8 year old to make that level. He'll be practicing from 7-9 every morning, so he's going to be worn out. We are so proud of Maddi and Cade and are looking forward to summer time!