SummaTime

It is summa summa summa time in East Texas!  We went from a WET and cool May to a hot, humid, and breezeless June. I, for one, was ready for some warmer, dryer days.

Summer around here means swimming. We've already had lots of friends over and fun times in the pool this year.  

Tate completed a week of swimming lessons, and at age 4 can tread water for over 45 seconds, float on his back, and freestyle across the entire length of the pool.  He was working on the backstroke and diving from the side by the end of the week. #minimarkspitz

We had three families over on Sunday for burgers/hot dogs and an afternoon of swimming.  I think the husbands enjoyed it more than the kids ;) [This is Nick, Ben, Mike, and Wes.]

And summer also means baseball. Cole is really loving baseball this year, and has improved his game to be one of the better players in the league.  

Our star catcher!

His team will make playoffs this year.  Unfortunately, the playoff tournament is the week Cole starts at LLYC for camp.  He is seriously bummed about the conflict, and asked to move camp.  It isn't something we can re-schedule, so lesson learned that for next year we need to get to a different town's baseball league (a lot of them play earlier and finish in May/June), or push camp to the very last session (which will run up close to time school starts).  There isn't really an easy solution. I know he will LOVE Laity Lodge, but I hate he will miss his first opportunity at a Little League Championship ring.

Summer also means our kids are moving on up in school.  As is custom in the United Methodist church, Cole was presented a Bible during church on Sunday with the other kids who are now Third Graders.

Finally, Summer also means bugs. Lots and lots of flying bugs.  Like the yellowjacket that stung Cole IN THE EYE. :(

He was such a trooper about it, and has been his usually happy self.  I posted this picture on Instagram and said, "Take happiness with you wherever you go. Or Cole. Just take Cole."  

I got this genuine smile from him after I drug him around Tyler all day swim-suit shopping and getting my hair cut.  We could all use a little of his zest for life sometimes. 

Now, onto another favorite summer pastime... 

VACATION!