Soccer Camp

I have done my best to keep Nate busy this summer...and last week's activity was Soccer Camp, which was just an hour every day to learn basic skills.  This was his first attempt at organized sports so I had no idea what to expect...especially during the hottest week of the year so far this summer.

Day 1 went worse than I expected.  He started off the morning excited but once we got to the fields and saw all of the kids and realized how hot it was (even at 9 am) he short circuited.  He went from crying and "feeling shy" to ultimately being the kid who was laying on the field face down screaming.  At one point I just made him stand on the sidelines with me and watch - I didn't want him to think we could just quit and leave - but he kept moaning and crying to the point of distracting everyone around us so I threw the towel in for the day.  After a long talk about "trying" and not giving up...and everyone is hot...he seemed ready to give it another go....but just to be sure, I also threw in a small bribe.  If he would just try really really hard all week then he could get a new Car.  That certainly whipped him in to shape.

So the remainder of the week went much more smoothly.  He at least stayed on the field - tear-free - and tried as hard as he could, given the brutal heat.  But everyday I would congratulate him on his effort and he would promptly ask "Can we go to Target now?".

The last day he got to show off his new skills for Daddy...and I remembered the camera. (It was "Crazy Hair Day" in case you are wondering about any of the strange looking children in the pics...Nate's hair had gel in it but he does not like crazy hair and even when I would try to tousle it without him realizing it this was still as crazy as it got!)

Nate & Coach Mike

Even though the week started out pretty rough (for both of us), he did ultimately get to make that trip to Target (and majorly lucked out bc the only Cars he didn't have yet only came in a combo pack so he got two).  Plus I think it was a good lesson in trying new things because you 1) don't quit and 2) just might like it.

Meet Nate's Roomates

Nate got a cool new aquarium for his birthday...and now has 3 little fishies bunking up in his room.  Meet Frank (the bigger black one), Flash (the smaller), and Matador (the spotted one).

He handpicked them and named them himself (Frank and Matador are Cars references, of course, but Flash I am not so sure about...).  

Don't tell him but Flash is technically Flash II...not 4 hours after we put the fish in the water did Flash I jump out.  We went to feed them and I heard a splash but didn't see where he went...so I was looking in the rock cave and around the filter...and then Nate yells "the fish is on the floor!!".  I grabbed him and tossed him back in, but it was a little too late  :(  Luckily, Fred was able to "take him to the doctor" and bring him back home the next day.  Phew.

But ever since that incident our new pets have been a wonderful addition.  And the sound of the running water through the tank filter is a nice soothing bonus at bedtime.  He watches them and feeds them...and hopefully soon we will go pick out some more to add to our big tank!

Family Reunion

As we were packing up to leave the beach, we got the terrible news that my grandmother had passed.  It wasn't unexpected, she had been in and out of the hospital for months, but even when that is the case it is still hard to hear.  So we came home, reloaded the car and headed to Alabama.  The silver lining was that it brought my mom's family together...we hadn't all been together (cousins and 2nd cousins) in one place in a few years.  So we got to have a fun 4th of July pool day at my Aunt's house before a long day of funeral events the following day.  I think MeeMaw would have been happy that we were all together.

Nate just decided that he was going to master the diving board...and he did, fearlessly.  My cautious kid is becoming brave.

My wild kid just assumed that since the other kids were doing it that he should too.

The next generation...all of the cousins' kids (minus 2 in CA + one on the way)

 I realized that this was going to be the first time the boys had ever stayed in a hotel...we had avoided it for good reason.  After all of the driving the past 2 days and a day full of water fun, they were a little difficult to control in a confined space....

Baby Wrestling in the hotel room

Baby on the Loose!

 Sadly, this has been the boys 2nd funeral this summer...Michael also sadly lost his Uncle at the beginning of June.  Thankfully there were so many kids on both occasions that Nate loves to play with  so he hasn't asked too many questions. We are hoping that things will be calm now for both sides of our families...thank you for everyone's prayers and kind words.

The Hicks Family cousins and spouses