More Summer Camps

During the week of June 11-15, both kids had a summer camp for a few hours each day!! #praisethelord

Abby did Vacation Bible School (VBS) at church. She was a little worried initially because her two closest friends (Mia & Cate) would not be in attendance. However, she quickly latched on to Ella - a girl from school - and came home from Day 1 very excited and happy.

 The kids were separated by grade, and Abby's group rotated through 6 stations each day from 9-12 pm. Imagination Station (Science/Crafts), Music, Saints, Movie, Games, and Snack. I'll let you guess which ones were her favorite...…

Music & Snack :)

On the last day of VBS, parents were invited for the last half hour to watch a slideshow of pictures from the week, as well as a performance of their 3 songs. 

 Ella came home with us on Thursday for a playdate, and both girls planned to be twins on Friday - tie dye shirt, jean shorts, and ponytail. They are too cute!

 I have helped with VBS in years past, but was unable to this year. However, the co-directors (two of my good friends) and all the volunteers did an *amazing* job with everything!! Just look at this set.....the theme of VBS was "Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus." They made all of this!

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While Abby was at VBS, Nate attended a basketball camp with his buddy Mason at Shelton State Community College. It was 9-2 pm (and on the opposite side of town, so I did a lot of driving this week)!

On Day 1 of camp, Nate was pretty nervous. This was his first time doing a sports camp and he was unsure of what level everyone would be at. I assured him he wouldn't be the best, but not the worst either. (And of course I was right. Aren't moms always right!?) They were divided into age groups, and he had about 8 boys in his group. However, he came home from the first day very teary-eyed because one of the boys had been double-dribbling constantly. The coaches didn't catch it, so Nate thought he was cheating. He said he did NOT want to go back the next day because it wasn't fun.

I quickly told him he was 100% going back - because we had already paid! - and that he needed to either 1) talk to the coach about the cheating, or 2) try to steal the ball from him.

He came home with a big smile on Day 2 and said he SHUT HIM DOWN! :) I was so proud. And he enjoyed the rest of camp after that.

He came away with a camp t-shirt, green basketball, and lots of new basketball skills. So proud of him for trying something new & stepping out of his comfort zone.

Mason & Nate

#twinning

Scout Camp 2018

Nate attended his first Scout Camp earlier this month, on June 3-6th. It was his first overnight camp and he was *very* excited! 

With the exception of one boy, Nate's entire den went to Scout Camp! And Nate was one of two scouts that would *not* have a parent with him. (Greg planned to hop in & out a few times, but neither of us would be camping out at night with him.)

This was the entire group of leaders & scouts that represented Pack 7. All the younger kids had to have their parent attend, but Webelos II parents had the option. (Parents not pictured.)

 I will say, it was *very* hard for me not to know what was going on at Scout Camp the entire time. (Yes, I know I'm a major control freak.) Luckily, Nate's den leader texted to let me know Nate was doing well and enjoyed their night swim Sunday night. And then she sent me this picture Monday morning so at least I knew he was alive :) 

Leading flags & prayer after breakfast

Home sweet home

 They had a full first day! Games, teambuilding exercises, and even fishing! They had to change into their Class A uniform each night for dinner, and then after dinner Monday night they played Minute to Win It games.

 Monday night around 9 pm, I was at Book Club and got a teary phone call from Nate (he borrowed his leader's phone). He wanted me to go home from Book Club, so I could watch Abby and Daddy could come to the bonfire. Bless his heart he was so pitiful and a little homesick. He was the only one that didn't have a parent there that night (Jake's dad popped in for a few hours), so he was just really wanting Greg there. However, by the time I got home, Greg got out to Camp Horne, it would be lights out at 10 pm. So I told him just to hold on and Daddy would be there in the morning to hang out.

Luckily, the phone call cheered him up - he facetimed with Daddy & Abby too - and he made it through the night. And Tuesday morning, Greg showed up for a few hours! 

They started with Shooting Sports....

 And then they moved onto fire safety & fire building....

Coaching Mason!? :)

 Greg left around lunchtime, and Nate got to swim, rotate through various stations, have some rest time, play games at the Trading Post, and spend money on junk food at the store.

And look who showed up after dinner for another few hours of fun!!

 One of Nate's favorite parts of Camp Horne is GaGa Ball! I don't get the appeal.....it's pretty much dodgeball in a closed arena. But the boys are *obsessed* and Tuesday night, Greg got in on the action. Lo and behold, he & Nate were the final two and then Greg got Nate out. So now Greg has GaGa Ball bragging rights :)

Wednesday morning, Abby and I went to pick up Nate and I have never seen such a big smile on his face!!!! I was *so* proud of him for lasting all 3 nights without a parent. He & Jake were the only ones that even stayed the whole time! (Some kids left Tuesday night, and one got sick and left Tuesday morning). It was quite an adventure for Nate and he loved almost every minute of it. 

Boy was he STINKY when we picked him up, so I made him shower as soon as we walked in the door. Once he was clean, he settled in with his favorite things for lunch - Jimmy John's, his iPad, and the blue blanket.

Oh how I missed this boy!!! I have NO idea how I am going to survive when he goes to college....

Memorial Day Weekend

For the 3rd year in a row, we spent Memorial Day weekend at my little sister's house in Charlotte. My parents joined us as well, so we were only missing Lora/John/Otis. And oh how these cousins missed their sweet Otis!!

When Gibson asks you to put on a cape, you do it :)

Nate got quite the workout playing Superman!

Abby and her real-life baby doll, Charlie Kate :)

 We celebrated Gibson's 3rd birthday that night, and started off with dinner at a local Mexican place. CK looooooves her some rice!

 Gibson was NOT thrilled about the "Happy Birthday" song and sombrero!!

 He opened presents when we got home from dinner, and this Paw Patrol microphone was one of his favorites. It was cute for about the first 10 minutes...… :) #soloud #ohmyears

 This sweet boy loves Skye (the pink dog) from Paw Patrol more than anything right now. I was proud of Bec for getting him a Skye/pink cake! Gibby was SO happy!!!

 Sister pic and photobomb by Nate 

 Saturday morning was a bit rainy, so we skipped the pool and headed to the local mall to do some shopping. The main stop was at the Apple Store and Nate was IN HEAVEN!!! He has been asking to go to an Apple Store forever, but we don't have one in Tuscaloosa (just Birmingham). Bec made his dreams come true and not only took him to an Apple Store to let him play with iPhone Xs and ask 1000 questions about them, but also purchased TWO so he could play on them all day! This seriously was the best day ever for my little techie.

 Both Bec & Mike got iPhone Xs, so Nate wanted to be involved every step of the way....talking to the salesperson, synching the phones, setting them up, etc. He was SO happy!

 Abby & Anderson got to play in a little area with iPads, where they created their own songs & beats. Very cool!

 Gibson & Abby are pretty much obsessed with each other, so it was no surprise when Gibby wanted to carry around Abby's purse. Who cares that it almost dragged on the floor and hit his calf every time he took a step!? :)

We had lunch at Chick-fil-a (because the iPhone X synch took much longer than we expected), and then finally headed home. Bec was super sweet and let Nate play on her phone most of the afternoon. One of the features he loves the most is the amazing camera. He had fun experimenting....

#favoriteaunt #fornow 

His favorite setting is called Portrait Mode

 We went in with Lora and purchased a Spider Swing for Gibson's birthday. Once Mike got it installed, the kids were playing on it non-stop!!!

 These gooftballs barricaded Nanny in CK's room while she was giving her a bottle / putting her down for a nap :)

 A little after-dinner fun....Klondike bars (courtesy of Poppy) and a cousin bath for Abby & Gibby.

 Sunday was the big day.....we rented a pontoon boat! The weather wasn't *quite* as warm as we were hoping, but at least it wasn't raining!!

 I felt bad CK was left out, so I added her to the picture :)

 These two.....I swear there is never a dull moment :)

 Nate attempting to teach Greg how to "floss"

#hysterical

 Finally, it was time to head out on Lake Norman! The kids were not loving their life jackets, but were happy to get going so we could go tubing....

 Gibson was the first to go tubing, and picked Nate & Abby to go with him. He was good for the first minute or so and then it was TEARS!! So we switched it up a lot and many of us went for rides. So much fun! (But man was I sore the next day!)

 Just a *wee* bit windblown after all of his tubing! I think Nate had the record and went tubing 5 times. Oh to be young again....

 After everyone was tired/sore from tubing, we anchored the boat in a little cove to go swimming. I was a little chilly (and so were my wimpy kids), so we stayed in the boat while Bec / Nanny / and the 3 Staton kids swam. 

Captain Abby

Abby loved this pop-up changing station at the back of the boat!

Look at sweet Gibby! He was so tired after a long day.

 That afternoon included lots of naps & relaxing, followed by more playtime outside and a pizza dinner. We left Monday morning, and Abby wanted to get in one more hug from her favorite 3 year old. Sweet cousins!

As always, a big thank you to Bec & Mike for hosting our crazy family! We love you guys and your sweet kiddos so much!