Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

We had some fun events planned for my Dad and Kathy's trip. Two of the highlights were going to the AquaSox game (minor league baseball) and going to see the Indigo Girls at the Zoo. The baseball game was fun because it is really family friendly and there was a lot for the kids to do. It also happened to be Star Wars night so we saw a lot of interesting people dressed up. Extra bonus was that the AquaSox won!
The concert was really fun because it was such a beautiful day with another very family friendly crowd. We couldn't believe how many families with kids were there. My dad was the lone male of our group, as Addy's friend from school and her mom joined us, and Brian and Cameron did not. We had a good time, although I don't think the girls loved it as much as we moms hoped they would. But we got up and danced for the last songs and the girls were clearly having a good time. It was a great way to spend the first weekend of summer.

Visitors!

It's been a busy and exciting month. On Addy's last day of school (June 22nd- I know it's late!) we got to welcome Papa and Kathy to kick-off the summer with us. It was a wonderful trip as there was a little bit of everything. It is always fun to watch them hang out with the kids. They were incredibly impressed with Addy's monkey bar skills and Cameron's focus on baseball. There was a lot of batting and catching in the backyard with both kids and some good walks by the beach and in the woods. We had a great time at the farmer's market and got to enjoy some wonderful summer foods, including peas and raspberries from our garden! And of course the reading, the reading, the reading! Kathy bought the kids some wonderful new books and she and Addy finished an entire chapter book in less than 2 days. The kids have been reading their new books every day since.

School Carnival

The end of the school year is approaching and last Friday was the carnival at Addy's school. Unfortunately it was a rainy night but we still had a great time. The kids loved going to each event to try and win tickets. Brian got to work the cotton candy booth for a bit and I volunteered at the football toss booth. The kids absolutely love this event and look forward to it all year. I think we spent more than 30 minutes for them to decide what prizes they wanted to use their star tickets for. It was another fun (and exhausting) event, less than 1 week left in the school year.

Girls Scouts Ceremony

Addy's end of season girl scout ceremony was last week. I can't believe how much they did this year (it shows with all of her badges!). Her troop sold over 5,500 boxes and Addy sold over 300, doubling her number from last season. Addy learned a lot of new songs this year and during the ceremony got  to lead everyone in the Penguin Song. They already have a date on the calendar in the fall for another camping trip and she can't wait.

All Stars

Both kids are now officially done with their little league season and it was a really fun and memorable year. Brian was the assistant coach for both teams so it felt like we were always at the field. Addy's season ended with a tournament and I think it was the first time we've ever kept score and the girls did awesome! It was a lot of fun to watch them bond as a team throughout the year. Cameron continues his love of the game and I'm pretty sure he asks to play catch or hit some balls every single day. He is well on his way to the 10,000 hours it takes to really master something and it shows.
Addy really improved from the beginning of the season. She has started hitting the ball hard and shows promising signs of a future pitcher. If we can get Cameron training to be a future catcher we could have our own baseball/softball clinic all summer long in the backyard. Love watching these kids build a love for the game.

Go Mariners!

Last weekend we took the kids to see the Mariners play and we ALL had the best time! First, it was just a very exciting game, lots of hits, home runs, even two triples for a Mariners win! Lots of action to keep this impatient mom entertained. But, just as exciting, the kids have such a strong understanding of the game now that they were full of great questions and were able to follow the action and understand the plays. It was great to see their perspective on the game and their excitement for the players. Before the game started, Cameron got to do the speed pitch booth where he got to throw some balls as hard as he could. They were all strikes and he topped out at 30 miles per hour. Not bad for a 5 year old! As if that weren't enough, it was Felix Herndandez bobblehead night and since we got tickets through Addy's school their name was on the big screen. Everything went our way and there was no whining by anyone! We truly had the best time and I'm already looking forward to the next game.