Six Happy Clammers: June 2009

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Off To Camp

Yesterday I drove Katy up to Live Oak, about two hours away, to the Episcopal Church camp, Camp Weed. Before you ask about how I could send my child to a camp with such a name, it was named after Bishop Weed. Anyway, she is gone for four days and three nights. She was a bit nervous but really excited too. I'm not worried about her, she's very good at making friends, very social etc. Within about five minutes of our arrival, a girl walked right up to her and said, "Hi, my name is Melody." Katy told her that her name was Katy. "Do you want to be friends?" she asked. "Oh yes," said Katy. And that was that. Fifteen minutes later, I showed Katy how to work the shower and she whispers, "I think that Melody did exactly what her mom told her to do!" I said, I think so too, didn't she do a great job? Katy said, "You were right, it was easy to make friends." I was like, well, I didn't think it was going to be THAT easy, but nice smart girls always find someone nice to play with. Katy just smiled... She was beaming from ear to ear when I left, had her bathing suit on, ready to go for her swimming skills check. I drove away, headed for my two hour return trip home. It was very quiet in that car! It's hard to believe she will be 9 in a couple weeks and she's going into fourth grade. Yikes!

Here's the bunk, she picked the bottom, just like at home!

Maybe I should try these signs at our house to cut down on the sand around here...

The view from her cabin...really beautiful property up there, huge live oaks, open expanse of grass...

Plates indicate who is on top and who is on bottom. When I left, no one had claimed the top bunk yet, but there was still time... Each cabin sleeps about 40 kids. I think there were about 15 kids when I left so I don't think it was going to be near full, but that just means better counselor to kid ratio. And speaking of counselors, Katy has the same counselor that Sarah had last year, Lucy. She was really sweet and Sarah liked her a lot. I recognized her right away and she remembered Sarah as a sweet girl. (How could she not, I was standing right there!?)

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dance Recital 2009

On Friday, June 12th, Isabelle and Sarah had their year-end dance recital at Chiefland High Auditorium. The theme was "An Evening To Remember". Both girls did a beautiful job and we were very proud parents in the audience. Sarah has an uncanny sense of confidence on stage, definitely not inherited from her mother. And surprisingly, Izzy overcame her nerves and once she was up there she was great! And of course, it didn't hurt that they were two of the loveliest girls there that night. If I do say so myself.

Isabelle first danced to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in her beautiful blue costume. After intermission, she pulled out her tap shoes and a hot pink skirt and black sequin hat with giant pink bow for "Boy From New York City." I will just say that that girl sure knows how to pop that hip. Definitely doesn't mind showing a little attitude, fo sho!

Just before the dress rehearsal, William had had enough of the girls getting all the pictures. He'd brought his cowboy hat for the occasion, a little costume of his own. What a cute pair...

Growing up she is! Almost ten years old and becoming such a lovely young lady. Waaaaaah. It always shocks me a bit to see her in makeup and hairdos, as she is my most tomboyish of all my girls. The night of the second recital (they had to do two full recitals), they both wore their hair down, enough of the updos, Momma!

Spotted Momma from the stage at the finale...The smallest in her class, but beautiful as she can be!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Gator Softball Camp 2009

For three days, they toiled in the sun. It was a lot of work, for sure, and a lot of heat. Numerous cups of Gatorade and water, visors galore, orange and blue--it was a bat cracking, sweat-producing, technique-learning blast! And a big happy THANK YOU to the ladies of the Lady Gator Softball Team, who finished #2 in the country just last week for showing up at camp every day! It was a true motivator for everyone and they were just awesome about autographs and pictures galore! It was a super-positive experience and I know my girls will remember this one for a long time!

Savannah and Francesca Enea (Left Fielder and great hitter) who is one of their very favorites!

All the girls with Michelle Moultrie, also outfield and super nice!

Probably the family favorite, Aja Paculba, because the announcers do cool stuff with her name... Aaaaaaaasia Pah-COOl-Bahhhhhhh! In fact, when I woke Sarah up the second day, I said, Get up, it's late and Aja's waiting! It worked too, she was up and dressed in no time.

And of course, with Tim Walton, coach of the mighty Gators softball team! We're counting on a great team to watch next year, too!

And when I can figure out how to get the pictures out of my cell phone (my camera is dead :( ), I will put up pix of Megan Bush, Kim Waleszonia, Alicia Sisco, and Kelsey Bruder!