it’s warm. finally.

Monday was one last morning with the Bitcherie before it was time to travel home. There is nothing like Bitcherie weekend.

While I was traveling home, the kids had a full day that started with a dance party.

Next up was a parade! Their first, I think. The highlights were the marching bands and the candy they got from parade participants.

Madison and the kids wrapped up the festivities with lunch out, mini golf and trampolines.

Then I was home! I’m not sure what excited the kids more – seeing me or the knowledge that there were presents waiting. Probably presents.

Books for everyone. We read all 5 almost immediately.

SSA each got a little creature in a tree that needed to sit in water to “hatch” or whatever it does when it grows and breaks through it’s casing.

Tuesday was a hard reentry. For me, at least. 🙂 I came home to a Samscicle who wanted to play magnatiles with me and it was just what I needed.

Seasonal shoe shopping! Allegedly, Steven has the biggest feet. WHAT?!?! Verified in triplicate, but I still feel like I need to see it for myself. And those shirts? The last of the kids’ gifts from Louisville.

Flower shopping after school. Someday I’d love to get a small garden going. I remember my dad’s garden and I’m married to a 6th grade city gardening champion so it only makes sense.

We wrapped up the work/school week with Cline Beauty Salon. My hair was straight from a haircut on Thursday and Sammy was so excited to do my hair. Everyone got in on the fun and the results were spectacular.

Photo credit: Sammy <3

The best.

Saturday was a lucky day with our t-ball game just prior to some torrential downpours. It was also busy. It started with my tap practice. Followed by t-ball. Then Sammy and Amaya had tap practice – only they didn’t because I had the wrong Saturday. Ooops.

Amaya started her day ready for summer. <3

Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette came to this t-ball game. Still much better than soccer was. Amaya’s genuinely not interested but she does her part – probably for the snacks. (In fact, the boys said they want to do t-ball again. Amaya doesn’t want to but commented that she’s said it means she won’t get post-game snacks lol.)

While Grandma Sunshine was there, we took the opportunity to swap out car seats so that she’s set for summer sleepovers with SSA. Whoo hoo!

Practice! Off they went without complaint. The focus is getting them to throw correctly. They’re getting there. Sammy still tends to throw sidearm but he’s working on it which is the whole point.

After the game I rushed the kids off to dance, only to get there and realize I had the dates wrong. So we came home and dove into Moana while we waited out a thunderstorm. (Side note: Today Steven said that he “wouldn’t like to live on a lake because of tsunamis, hurricanes and water spouts.” 🙂 )

We all got in some great cuddle time during the movie.

I had time to continue work on Jo’s Garage and had two very helpful helpers along the way.

After dinner I made cinnamon toast for the kids only we ran out of cinnamon after Sammy used most of what was left (a lot). Amaya had a meltdown but her brothers came to her rescue, sharing some of the cinnamon off their own toast so she could get a fair share. It was really sweet.

Bedime stories. Steven borrowed one of Sammy’s nightgowns and said, “This is great! I don’t even have to take pants off to put my pull-up on!”

Today SSA and I headed to Camp Mass, a Tamarack Camp, for future camper day. Tamarack operates the day came at the JCC which is where the kids will go this summer and how we found out about it. It was such a great day and an incredible camp.

Running off to get the day started.

Introduction to the day

After introductions, we headed off to the lake to try canoeing. A first! Amaya opted out but the boys were ready. Steven got a little nervous as we were getting into the canoe but warmed up pretty quickly. Even Amaya decided, from the shore, that she wants to try it next time.

Bracelet making.

Waiting for the hay ride. Gotta love that knee pop.

Hay ride!

After 90 minutes of free-time activities we met up for lunch. It was camp style just like when I was a kid, complete with bug juice.

I’d guess there were 30 or 40 families in attendance. After lunch, all of the kids went off to a carnival event while the parents had an outdoor Q&A session and a tour of the bunks. I was really proud of SSA for going off without me. That wasn’t always easy for them but, after a quick look back at me, they were right in there with the other kids. When I went to meet them later, all 3 were off doing their own thing and having a blast. It was a great day.

A view of the lake.

We wrapped up our weekend with dinner on the deck, grilled by Daddy, with the new umbrella and picnic table he put together this weekend. The Clines are ready for summer!