Second Half of July

We've stopped exchanging gifts with my parents for the most occasions, but I surprised my mom with some flowers and cashews this year.

Esme and I caught a performance of Aladdin Jr that featured 3 of her softball teammates the day before the tournament.

The costuming has a 70's theme which was really fun.  This was a summer camp like show that they prepped in less than 2 weeks.  Violet, Isla, and Ramona.

We celebrated the end of the season with a small meet-up at Urban Air with Carleigh, Isla, and Avah and their moms.

We closed it down and chatted for another 30 minutes outside. It was fun just to chat with other adults.

Parker was invited to a summer gathering of kids from his school.  He quickly found a garage door he could open and close manually (with parent approval) and that kept him busy for a while.

Even though the season is over, Esme has continued to ask to play catch and practice batting with anyone she can.  Here she is with Grandpa.

She even played a bit with Jaxxon.

Summer storms knocked out our power one night and Esme and I hunkered in the basement before going out to Grandpa and Nana's house with our food.  It ended up being the right call because it took a whole for it to come back.

The kids have been home on Jimmy's off days this summer and have taken a few scooter rides to the donut shop in the morning,

Some acquaintances from our old church moved to our neighborhood at the end of the month.  Esme and I stopped over on moving day.  Esme made a couple new friends that will be great to have so close.

Lucy's Bridal Shower

I was honored to help with another bridal shower at church.  This time for Lucy who I have known for many years and was one of her youth leaders in middle and high school.

We did a photo/guess the location game first, but the really winner was my plastic wrap "Sandwich Hunter" game.  Lucy and ALex met while working at Jimmy John's so I cut sandwich pieces from felt and wrapped them in plastic wrap balls.  I split the group in to 4 teams and the first to unwrap and assemble their sandwich was the winner!

It was a lovely morning celebrating Lucy!

Softball End of Season Tournament

The end of Esme's first softball season was one to remember!  This was a double elimination tournament.  Nana and grandpa came to watch with the boys on Saturday.  Unfortunately Jimmy had to work and missed some of the games.  I took his place helping the girls do warm-ups before games.

They had a tough first match-up and lost which was a bit of a bummer.  They won their next two games on Saturday to stay alive for the title.

On Sunday we were up against the best team in the league.  We had come short a few time earlier in the year and I really hoped this was our chance.  Unfortunately we couldn't hold them at the end of the game and had to settle for 3rd place.  But, we had some great moments including Esme's first double and Avah getting a foul tip at catcher for an out.

The coaches had some affirmations for each player while handing out the medals.

Congrats Stars!

We celebrated with DQ on the way home.

We headed back after a little break to watch the second championship game.

All star game was Tuesday and I went to cheer on Ramona and Carleigh.

I am sad to say goodbye to the season, but know we will be back next year!

First Half of July

Esme started rehearsal for her next play, Moana Jr,, in June. She has a friend from church, Khali, in her cast as well and we've been carpooling from time to time. We got $1 ice cream on the way home one night.  $1 cones from McDonalds is one of my favorite summer perks!

Speaking of theater, Esme finally played one of her theater friends in softball.  We got 1 inning played on a previous day before it was called for weather and another cancelled for storms too.

Tom and Ethan were in Sleeping Beauty with us.

Ethan and Elliott were in Matilda with her last year.  Isla also wanted a picture with her buddy Elliott

We feared it might be stormed out again, but we just got to enjoy some beautiful rainbows instead!

Jimmy had fun at work this week after the list of new state fair foods was released. He made his own version of the Uncrustaburger!  Maybe not an everyday meal, but a fun thing to try with co-workers. Kudos to his manager for giving him the green light to try it.

Esme and I visited our friend, John, and his puppies before they go to their forever homes.  Esme loved watching them play and wrestle! They are pretty cute, but I am ok with just visiting from time to time.

Fourth of July!

Happy Birthday America!  Esme really wanted to get in some more softball reps so we headed to the field early before the heat was totally insufferable.  We followed it up with a trip to the pool.  It was the ideal pool day!

We made some red, white, and blue jello cups to enjoy before our at home fireworks show!

We increased the budjet a bit more this year and some of our neighbors even came out to watch.

Hope you had a happy and safe holiday!