Sunday, July 30, 2023

9 Years, 5 Months...Friends and family fun in the summer!

I got to finish up the torture of summer school...finally.  The last couple of days, we did tie dye shirts and had a water day on the last day.  I'm so glad to have time to just relax (and let's be honest, play on my iPad!)

I had a few more track meets at Rock Bridge High School, but I wasn't as excited about it after the first time.  They were really hot, and I didn't get as many ribbons.  I'm not sure if there was better competition or if I wasn't doing as well.  I continued my swim lessons and have gotten more confidence in putting my face in the water.

Our church had VBS but it included the whole family again.  Ellie played a scientist in the skits and did a really good job.  Mom and Dad had to alternate being there because of some of Ellie's activities, but it was fun to hang out with my friends. We also had a church picnic, and I had a blast playing 9 square in the air.  We had to leave early to pick up Ellie, so we missed the egg tossing contest.

I did get together with a lot of my friends after summer school was over.  Peter is moving to Atlanta for a couple of years and he had a going away swimming party.  He also came to our house the day before he moved. I was really sad when he left, but we have already talked on Messenger Kids.  My church friend Westley had a birthday party at his house and Emerson and Everett came.  We had so much fun playing on our Nintendo switches that I didn't want to leave!  I got to hang out at our house with Avonlea Leivann, Otto, and Autumn.  (I don't like calling them play dates anymore. I want Mom to say "hanging out.")  I "hung out" at Kyrie's and we played on her trampoline and tree swing outside for about 8 hours.  It was so nice to be outside!  I also went to Luna's swimming birthday party and got more confidence in the water with diving off the side.

Mom took Ellie and me to Linda's farm house.  We went swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking in her lake.  We also played a fun game called Fast Track and spent the night there.  I didn't want to leave!

Our family had a get together at Rodney's office for Mom and Aunt Lisa's birthday.  Ellie was in Washington for the Fourth of July and none of my friends were available, so it was just Mom, Dad, and me.  Of course we still made the traditional almond bark pretzels and S'mores.

Finally, we left on our family vacation for Tucson and Mexico.  It was my first flight experience and it was really exciting.  I got to have a window seat.  We got up at 3:30 to leave for a 5:35 flight and got to Tucson by 8:30.  It was a very long day, but we cooled off in Papa Rick and Nana Peggy's pool.  The next day, we went to the Arizona Historical Museum and the University of Arizona.  It was really hot but we cooled off at the bookstore.  I don't understand why they called it a bookstore because there weren't many books there!  Nana Peggy got me a water bottle and Mom and Dad got me an Owl stuffy.  I wanted to get another stuffed animal for Ellie because I thought she would like it.  Mom said I didn't need to do that and said that I was such a generous and thoughtful girl.  The next day, we went to Colossal Cave.  It smelled of bat poop and I just wasn't having it!  Good thing there was more swimming that night.  I think I just want to stay at the house.  More adventures from our trip next month!
Weaving at Church

The finished product!
A fun tag game


Playing Church charades
More art at Church

9 Square in the air


Swimming in the lake
Paddle boarding

Kayaking
Just throwing sticks at Linda's
Went to a trail and it had a park.  There was a girl there who wanted to play with me and she was really bossy.  I just wasn't having it!


Ellie, Linda, and me

Ellie, Papa Ron, and me

I always have hugs for Grandma Kathy (I can't wait until it is my turn to spend time here!)
But Mom and Dad took me out to Olive Garden (and I was ready to go back the next day!)
Gentle....
My turn to give them popcorn

I'm like a cat!
I really love Twist!
Drinking Sundrop for the first time (Uncle Mark gave me Cherry Sundrop the next day-ahhh!)
Ellie let me Facetime with Aaron
Hanging out with Kyrie
Hover board
Kayaking
Paddle boarding
Shot put