While the Boys Are Away...

 Mom and The Kids (+ a Meme) will play!  Matt had the opportunity to go to Destin with a group of friends for a golf trip the last week of summer break.  The guys left on Wednesday afternoon and would return on Saturday. I decided to take a vacation day that Thursday to take the kids to Holiday World.  It was the only weekday Karson didn't have volleyball practice (7th grade orientation was that night).  With school rearing it's ugly head, we knew this would be our last opportunity to go.  Shannon, her kids and Mamaw Vicky went too.  It was nice having both grandmas there - extra eyes are nice.  However, our kids are so independent at this point, there isn't much "watching" them which meant the grandmas got to sit and visit most of the time.

 

  Miles bravery level still isn't where the other four kids are at - roller coasters and thrill rides aren't for him.  He still enjoys the smaller, kid rides and of course, the water rides.  I had to part ways with the group for the beginning of the day so he could ride the less frightening rides =).

I'm certain Miles would spend most of his time riding the Raging Rapids.

 Holiday World's best feature is the water park.  Once we all got in our swimsuits, the older kids headed straight for the Mammoth. Miles and I headed over to the Splashland.  The day was overcast which was nice for the main park but made it rather chilly in the water park.  We still had a fun time, and I even managed to get Miles on the Jungle Racer.  I was surprised he wanted to do it since it's about 5 stories high (toboggan style lanes on mats).  We did it, and he loved it - but only wanted to do it that one time which was fine with me since I was freezing.  The older kids resurfaced about 2 hours later - it takes that long for the Mammoth.  They wanted to do the Zinga but opted out when they realized the line was almost an hour.  We headed over to Bakuli and the lazy river and closed our water park time at Kima Bay.  The kids were looking blue by this point but still having a blast.

 

We went to Thanksgiving Land so the girls could ride the Voyage coaster and all of us could ride the Gobbler Getaway.  Dippin' Dots were a must by this point in our day.

 

After the show, the girls wanted to ride the Legend roller coaster.  Isaac wanted to go with them but didn't want to ride.  Miles was ready to go over to Holidog Funland, and Evan and the grandmas had a hunkering for some funnel cakes.  We all parted ways We wore our camp shirts so we could easily spot our crew.  However, they are all inseparable anyway. We wanted to slow our pace and check out a show so we headed over to the REAL COUNTRY show.  The kids sat on the first two rows.  We sat a little further back =).

 After the show, the girls were wanting to go back to the Legend roller coaster to ride it again.  Isaac wanted to tag along but didn't want to ride.  Shannon was going to go check on times for the DIVE show.  Miles was ready for Holidog Funland, and the grandmas and Evan were wanting some funnel cakes.  We all parted ways again. On the way to Funland, we passed one of those basketball shooting vendors.  Miles had been begging for a chance to play and since we were wrapping up our day, I thought...why not?  I paid $5 for him to get two shots.  They were nice enough to let him stand on the counter - it's quite a distance to the goal.  He barely missed the first show and swished the second shot.  YAY!  He won a ball and selected the UK one.  We headed over to Funland, him dribbling the whole time.  He was proud.  When Isaac showed up at Funland, he was wanting to play one of the vendor games too.  I told him I wasn't going to pay money for a cheap prize and told him he could try for a basketball too.  We headed over to the stand.  I was super nervous.  No mom wants to see her child disappointed, but Miles shoots ball ALL.DAY.LONG.  He's got a "money" shot.  Isaac shoots occasionally.  Fingers and toes crossed, we stepped up to the counter and paid our $5.  I told the clerk that the last person had let my younger son stand up on the counter and asked if Isaac could too.  He said, "let him take a shot first and we'll see."  He took a shot and didn't get very close, so he allowed him to stand on the counter and shoot.  He hit the rim of the first shot, and thankfully, they gave him one more shot, and he nailed it.  Whew!  He loves Indiana and picked out a Hoosiers ball.  I was tickled both boys won bballs.  It was the perfect end to our day.  We headed back home late that afternoon.  It was the perfect end to our summer.

Final Year for K!

Is it even possible that I have a 6th grader?  WHAT?!?!  Not long ago, I was walking Karson into Plano Elementary for kindergarten. Seven years later, she is walking in the doors for her last year in elementary school.  I was warned by multiple mothers about how quickly it goes.  They were right - it flies by in the blink of an eye!  This year is bittersweet in the fact that it is the last year all three kids will be under the same roof.  AND, to make matters worse, the next time Karson and Isaac will be in school together, Karson will be driving.  Ahhhh!

First day as Plano Panther - August 2007 - Isaac wore his backpack in support of his sister.

Open house was at Plano last Sunday.  We got to meet the kids new teachers. Karson  began her school career with Ms. Rather and will end it with Ms. Smith.  These fine women have been at Plano the entire time my kids have been there which is pretty cool in my opinion.

Isaac's 4th grade teacher this year is Ms. Kirk, and Miles's 2nd grade teacher is Ms. Turner.

Wednesday morning was a rude awakening for us all. I made sure all the kids had early bedtimes the night before, which always helps with the transition.  Matt had left them back to school notes, and I made cinnamon rolls which makes everyone happy!

The traditional first day of school signs.  I didn't realize Miles's sign would be so light - you can hardly see it in the pics.

Printed leggings are her thing these days.  They are comfy and she loves them.

Nana took the kids shopping on Tuesday and got the boys some new shirts. They were excited about wearing them the first day of school.  I was tickled too because I hadn't had a chance to take them back to school shopping (not that they'd go with me anyway).

My sweet little Panthers!

We managed to get to school fairly early, and I helped them carry in their weighted backpacks.  It's truly amazing how many school supplies are needed for the beginning of the school year.  I know they will use everything, but it's a lot.  I think I spent around $100 for all three kids.

All three made it to class - looking forward to an exciting school year!

Karson and her buddies made it on the front page of the school website.  Love these girls.  I sure hope their friendships remain strong during their middle school years.

Middle School a Year Early

Have I mentioned that my daughter Karson is an overachiever?  Just the other day, she was telling me that she couldn't wait to get back to school so she could see her KPREP scores.  GASP!  I am on the Isaac track as far as school is concerned - the later, the better.  I am not ready for the craziness to begin but need to get ready 'cause it's tomorrow.

Karson's drive and determination never ceases to amaze me.  She has been attending South Warren Middle's volleyball team open gyms the last couple of months.  She wanted to go to the basketball open gyms as well - however, since they started at 2:30 and were over by 4:30, that wasn't going to work with our schedule (this was during the end of school).  Many days the kids don't get off the bus until close to 3:30. By the time she got home, ate a quick snack, changed clothes and got to the gym, it would almost be over.  Volleyball was also hosting weekly open gyms at 5:30 p.m.  Since Karson loves volleyball (I have the damaged gutters and roofing shingles to prove it), I figured, she could participate in those.  Sports conditioning and training are all fairly similar, and it keeps her active which she loves.  For about two months, she has attended one open gym each week.  Along with the open gym schedule was the listed time(s) for team try-outs which landed last Tuesday.  Karson told me a while back that the coach had told the girls about the try-outs and how hard it is to make the team.  She was certainly convinced that her game needed enough improvement and that making the team probably wasn't going to happen.  She told me her serve wasn't where it needed to be and how many girls were better than her.  I told her that many of the girls were also older and stronger than her too - very few girls attending the open gyms were in 5th grade last year.  In fact, I only knew three of them.  The day of try-outs arrived.  We were told to come and pick the girls up at 8 p.m.  If they made the first round of cuts, they would be invited back on Wednesday night for a second and final round.  I was nervous for Karson (probably more nervous than her).  Girls started trickling out around 8:15.  The coaches pull each of them aside individually and talk to them about their decision.  This takes a while when you have over 30+ girls trying out for 10 positions on each team. Karson finally emerged with a big grin on her face.  Whew.  She and one other 6th grader made the first round of cuts.  We were tickled for her and headed over to Chaney's for some ice cream.  The second night was even more nerve-racking than the first.  Karson told me she was more nervous about trying out for a second time than being on stage (she recently performed  at SKyPAC in the lead role of Jim Hawkins  - our largest crowd was 221 people).  I skipped church on Wednesday night so I could be prompt picking her up at South.  My heart and mind were in knots waiting for the news Wednesday night.  All the parents were congregating in the parking lot waiting for their girls to come out.  One by one they started coming around 8:15 - no Karson but lots of sad girls and tears (and even sadder parents - ugh).  Waiting is agony.  I saw a group of her friends (going into 7th grade) come out - they were super excited and one asked me "where is Karson, did she make it?"  I said, "I have no idea, she hasn't come out yet."  A few minutes later she was coming out the door with a big grin on her face.  She'd made the team.  Her friends scooped her up and said "Dimples made the team."  It warmed my heart that they embraced her so warmly.  She is the youngest one of the team but is honored to have been selected. And, 321 text messages after the first night made me realize my daughter isn't young anymore =/.

     There was a parent meeting immediately following the first night of practice where we received the practice and game schedule.

I'm not sure what Karson was more excited about taking the team or her new uniforms which arrived TONIGHT.  Look out opponents, number 7 is ready for action.  She's thinking she may be a middle hitter but hasn't received her position just yet.

Karson cannot wait to get her hitting shirt because her name will be on the back of it.  She is in her third full week of practices - every single night for two hours.  She's handled it all like a champ which makes me happy because she has about two more solid months of it.  First tournament, Summer SlamFest, is this weekend.  Wish her luck!

Kobe and Lebron

"Mom do you think Lebron will still be playing when I'm in the NBA?" - Isaac Deaton

Talk about a lofty goal (literally and metaphorically)

I have a hard time relating to the idea of playing professional sports, maybe because I'm a girl?  I never had high aspirations of being a professional basketball or softball player - I saw myself as a lawyer, prospector, teacher, etc.  However, I have noticed most boys have big dreams of playing professional ball. I'm not sure when Isaac became so turned on to basketball - maybe because he played last winter or because he's trying to find a connecting point with boys his age.  He's become a big fan of the Indiana Pacers and follows NBA stats and scores.  With all that being said, I have also noticed that he likes the idea of being a basketball player more than actually playing.  Miles, on the other hand, did not want to play basketball last winter but is constantly dribbling and shooting.  He has two Nerf goals in his room - I hear clu-clunk, clu-clunk (that's my best spelling noise for a dunking/shooting) all day long!!! He also loves watching NBA clips on youtube and spends a lot of time outside shooting on our big goal.  Both boys attended basketball camp at South Warren High School last week.  Miles was pumped about going.  Isaac not so much. We tried explaining to him that camps and clinics will help him get better and better.  I'm not one of those moms who cares if my kids play sports because they are time consuming and large time commitments.  However, sports definitely teach you many things - teamwork, confidence building, setting goals, patience, persistence and all that good stuff.  The truth is that all kids aren't superstars, most are average.  The dividing point between our boys is that Miles is highly competitive and works really hard at becoming a better player.  The first day of camp, the boys ended the day with a friendly scrimmage.  When Matt picked Miles up, he was sweating, huffing and puffing, red-faced and totally angry with his team and how they performed in the scrimmage.  Obviously, the "friendly" game became much more passionate and competitive to him. Isaac, on the other hand, simply enjoys playing and doesn't seem to care either way - he's going to shoot a hook-shot from half court for fun.  I love how Isaac seizes the moment and doesn't take things too seriously - he's my creative brained child - maybe he'll become a sports agent (if the NBA doesn't pan out).  He can rattle off trades and statistics faster than anyone.

Shoe Tying Fool

Mark Thursday, July 17, in the books.  It was a monumental day and moment for the youngest Deaton in our family.  Early that  morning, Miles and I had come to blows about him being old enough to start tying his shoes.  He's a stubborn little guy and hasn't wanted to learn - truly no different than the other two at that age.  I told him that by the time he starts 2nd grade, he should know how to tie his shoes.  He can ride a bike with no training wheels.  He can swing with no help, swims underwater and jumps off the diving board like a champ.  Tying shoes should be simple for him.  Anyone that has a stubborn child (and most of us do), know how challenging teaching them new, tricky tasks can be.  We started with the basics of just crossing the laces over and looping them - easy, right?  Wrong.  That step took forever.  I had to take the kids over to my parents house and told them what happened (Miles was in mood and so was I).  Dad grabbed some loose show laces and pulled Miles aside for some one-on-one training.  I went to work that morning and by the time I came home that afternoon, he was almost a pro.  He was super proud of himself, and I was too. He's getting more and more complex with his skills, even mastering the awesome double-knot.  Proud of my stubborn lil guy!

Follow ME - Happy Campers

Karson is our camper.  In fact, yesterday her aunt MacKenzie asked her if she was ready for school, and no surprise here - she said 'yes'.  Karson likes being busy and having something to do.  It's no wonder she likes to go to camp(s) all summer long.  She started with volleyball camp at the beginning of June and also had the opportunity to go to SWHS's basketball camp mid-June. Camp Recap

She most recently attended a volleyball clinic at Warren East High School.  My sister took her and Elizabeth one Saturday to Raider Country.  Karson cracked me up when she got home because they had given all the girls Raider Volleyball shirts - she said, "when will I ever wear that".  I knew what she meant by it, but isn't school pride a funny thing - she's not going to wear anything other than Spartan stuff.  I told her she could wear the Raider shirt as a night shirt.

Two weeks ago when Matt and I went to Chicago, Karson was at Taylor Christian Camp with the Greenwood Park Church group.  The camp theme was centered around vikings and based on Nehemiah's call to be "more than Conquerors". I grew up going to Taylor and am thankful that my daughter has the same opportunity to connect with God and fellowship with other Christians in this capacity.

Nothing is more comforting than knowing your child's camp couselor who happens to be one of my best friends, Millie Caffey.  I was 100% certain she would be in great hands all week long as I know Millie thinks of Karson like her own child.  We often compare notes with each other on how similar Karson and her oldest Haley are.

 Karson has made some strong connections the last two years with some new friends. The camp has a ban on electronics for obvious reasons, and I know Karson would have no desire to have her iPod with her during the week.  However, she uses her iPod to take pictures - so for that purpose, it would be nice if she could have it at camp.  I may start sending a disposable camera with her to capture fun camp memories - thanks to all my facebook friends who have tagged me in the photos posted.

Karson was completely worn out when we picked her up Friday afternoon. Overnight camp weeks are grueling even for the young energetic.

Karson has mentioned more than once this summer that she CANNOT WAIT until theater camp.  Her joyous week finally arrived.  I'm still trying to figure out she and I convinced BOTH brothers to participate - they are more slug-like in the summer months.  I was thrilled because I got to spend the entire week with my kids - even better - spending time with my kids while I'm at work.  Cool.  Treasure Island was our third an final week of camp at SKyPAC.  To quote our education director, "It was a bittersweet week - more sweet, than bitter."  Nah, we've thoroughly enjoyed having all the kids in the building each week.  They bring an amount of energy and excitement into the air which is easy to soak in and appreciate (and reminisce about the days in your childhood when you had no worries, loads of fun and all the time in the world).  Treasure Island was our largest group of participants in summer camp - 50 total.  Our camp is produced in conjunction with Missoula Children's Theatre.  I cannot brag enough about this touring company.  They are top notch and produce a FULL-SCALE musical in one week's time.  Two touring/artist directors come in for the week - audition and cast the show, have rehearsals daily, teach  lines, stage songs and movement and also provide the campers with three workshops.  It's truly amazing.

Day I auditions

Karson was aiming for a lead role, and lo and behold, she got one.  She was cast as Jim Hawkins.  She had 16-pages of lines to learn on the first night of camp.  I asked her multiple times during the week if she wanted me to run her lines with her - nope, never, not even one time.  Isaac was cast as a villager to which he replied, "I was under-used."  My YouTube video crackerjack felt slighted in his less important role.  His music teacher Ms. Cothron cast him in a large role as a seven-legged octopus in the school's spring musical - maybe all that fame went to his head =).  He really is quite animated, but like I mentioned, we had 50 kids at camp that all needed roles.  Miles was cast as the sweetest little Seagull you've ever seen.  He was happy as can be with his part and did not want a speaking part under any circumstance.

The kids were super excited that their cousins were also at camp - Elizabeth was cast as a Ruffian and Evan was a Villager with Isaac.

Isaac in rehearsals with the Villagers and Sisters.  He's looking a little annoyed.

Rehearsals with the Ruffians, Pirates and Long John Silver.  Karson was in rehearsal every day and for long amounts of time.  She was worn out.

Lots and lots of rehearsals each day.  It takes a lot of time, energy and patience getting kids ready for a show.

Girls? Pirates? Ruffians? just wanna have fun!  Karson became good friends with the young lady directly to her right named Emma and hung out with her most of the week.

Thursday and Friday are mainly spent on-stage doing multiple run throughs and dress rehearsals.

Miles was singing songs all week long.  One night in the shower, I heard him singing  "it's the pirate thing to do, it's the pirate thing to do, have no fear little buccaneer, it's the pirate thing to do."  His buddy Samuel came to camp - cutest.seagulls.ever!

 I love dress rehearsal!  Seeing the kids in their costumes and make-up is such a fun occasion.

Isaac liked his look so much, he told us he was going to sleep in it (hoping it didn't wipe off).

WOW!  What a performance.  I was stunned by how many lines Karson had and better yet, nailed.  She admitted this show was stressful for her, but she handled it like a professional and did an excellent job.  I know I'm biased, but this show was my favorite of the three weeks - loved the songs, the story, the set and the TAD's.  It was a bittersweet week being our last one  - maybe that was it? Who knows?

Our fearless Education Director and Miles's BFF, Zac Bush.

Karson and her on-stage nemisis Long John Silver - we sure hope to cross paths with Chris and his lovely wife Jess again soon. SKyPAC kiddos were blessed by their professionalism and overall 'love of theater' energy last week.

 

Each camp week I compiled photos to put into a video to share on our SKyPAC YouTube and social media sites and with all of our campers.  Enjoy.

I'm sure my family would win the award for largest amount of tickets sold - this isn't even everyone - love all these people and how much love and support they constantly show us.

One fine looking group if I do say so myself!