Get In the Zone

(*from Hendrix's 1st time this year)

Hendrix totally zones out on the water at splash pads. It's a little bit like you don't exist -- he just scurries from fountain to fountain, engaging in water through various ways. He always has a hard time leaving but usually hits a wall and surrenders, and only with a few loud vocal objections first.

Foul

(Softball pics were delivered the day we returned after Vanessa broke her collarbone. And she scored a cool backdrop because of the pouring rain outside.)

The season is over.

This was the first year Vanessa was intrinsically motivated to play her best, consistently. Her coach got that it was her breakthrough year. We were so thankful she was placed with Coach Mike. He had a nice balance of competitiveness and encouragement to do your best. He also defended his team well when other teams were not playing by the rules. That's hard to come by!!! He challenged Vanessa.

Coach Mike was so sad for her when news came that she would have to be on the bench the rest of the season. We went to support her team even after she broke her collarbone, cause that's what teammates do, right? She enjoyed being there and became labeled the team mascot for the Red Thunder. Kind of fitting, right?!

We'll be in touch for the next steps for Coach Mike's team. :-)

Zane ended his season with outstanding game play. As a third baseman, shortstop, and pitcher, he got a few outs, and while in the pitcher position, he caught a ball and then threw it to 2nd, making it double outs.  He made it to the bases every time he went up to hit. And so he ended the season with a potential desire to play again. We're not very excited about the team he was on, so we'll consider a friend's team if indeed he plays again, hoping for consistency and communication to players just learning . . .

The Summer of '18

This summer will certainly be one remembered quite vividly. And it made its significance even before it was technically summer. Vanessa went to church camp again with her Uncle Phil's church. This year, however, they opted to try Centrikid Camp at Cedarville.

I was torn when the invite first came because I always envision camp as a place more rural and rustic, plus, I wasn't sure how I felt about paying about double for the extra bells and whistles that I don't feel are necessary for a good impactful time. Now I wish I had listened to that hesitation . . . but as always, Vanessa likes to venture to new and different things at least once, so we decided we would try it at least this year. Her excitement was evident in the devotions and prep work for the camp theme.

Leaving for camp went well. I wasn't as consumed with thoughts of worry and wondering as I was last year. It helps that she's quite confident and transparent with me. I prayed for her and dropped her off and would troll . . . oops -- I mean stalk various leaders' Facebook pages to catch glimpses of her having fun. (Most pictures in this post came from their pages. "Trolling" must have been on my mind since that's seems to be the behavior of many on social media and it bothers me.)

But then Tuesday, about midway through the day, a thought occured to me out of the blue -- How would I react if something happened to Vanessa, like an injury . . .? I quickly shut down the thought, because that's what people tell you to do, right -- stop what-iffing?!! (Now I realize God was nudging me to prepare me.)

Well the day went on and was becoming lowkey. Later that evening I had a moment to breathe and enjoyed a Chipotle burrito. Hendrix was tired and falling asleep on my lap when a call from "Phil's cell" came through. Without going into greater detail here, cause we all remember the details pretty well, but it was the dreadful call that something was wrong with Vanessa.

Fast forward to about 2-3 hours later. Vanessa had broken her collarbone. We were thankful that nothing more serious was wrong but still shocked by the x-ray, assuming how things were being communicated that she might only have a hairline fracture. But nope. What I can say is that she was a trooper throughout. She was torn about leaving but understood it was necessary. It also became very clear that there went softball, there went particular pool plans with friends, there went long summer night flipping on the trampoline, etc.

Campmates were thoughtful with well wishes and calls. Friends and family sent heartwarming gifts of treats, books, movies, activities, flower, etc. . . . all of those things, prayers and kind thoughts certainly rebrightened her summer of '18.

(Pic before seeing Orthopedist on Wednesday)

In conclusion, Vanessa said now when she compares camps, she likes the Girl Scout and other church camps way better. She likes the outdoors and needs to be refreshed  by being disconnected and in nature. And for next year, I think we're going to consider an invite she continues to receive but we've yet to accept. Maybe it took this experience to refocus priorities and understand who we are . . .

Toss and Tumble Kids

*NOTE: These are pictures from 2 weeks ago.

Slippin' 'n' Slidin' into Summer

Zane and the Big Slides

This is the first year for Zane and the big slides at Hilliard pools . . . he had a blast! I very much enjoyed my rides down the slides with him and Vanessa!

Vanessa's Elementary Education

She wrapped it up in six years, because that's the way Hilliard does it. The elementary chapter has closed for her.

Overall it was a very lovely chapter. Her behavior has been left untarnished and her evaluations have left us thankful and proud.

Memories and remarks throughout the years always reflected her eagerness and enthusiasm for learning new things, and how fun she could be. Many times she was chosen as an example and often tutored or mentored peers and younger students. She befriended the unlikely. And she was known to include others who felt left out.

Her self-proclaimed greatest accomplishments usually related to physical education or some sort of playground games. However, she tried new things and quickly determined what is fitting for her and what is not.

She went from the same specifically packed lunch every day (peanut butter on bread, red seedless grapes, yogurt, and pretzels) to Taste Test Tuesday, buying particular lunches at school (nachos; flatbread pizzas; cheeseburgers; french toast sticks), and packing a variety of lunches.

She will miss teachers, Avery personnel, classmates, a playground, and a building. All of which have made huge impressions on her life.

Vanessa's eager for the short stop in 6th grade, though. She's excited to try new things. She's excited to make new friends. She's excited for the transitions and the lockers. It will be fun to see all the places she'll go.

Battleship

There will be a lot of hits and misses this summer. We're ready to take aim at whatever though.

Mixer

"Cub-o-Matic"

Zane received his most recent belt loops and then promoted on up from a Tiger Cub to a Wolf. The cubmaster was quite creative with a Cub-o-Matic. The cub scout entered in and the Arrow of Light served as the function in the machine, transforming each cub scout to the next level.

I've never noticed Zane so wild. He got pretty silly and he and Anderson were clowning it up  big time. Very interesting . . .

What a great group!