Wesley's Two Weeks as a Only Child

While bigger kids enjoyed camp, Wesley lived his best life as an only child.  He spent a lot of time with Ms. Therlon, doing all the things they like to do (such as visiting the dirt bike shop, taking his metal detector to the car wash to look for treasures, visiting his BFF in Dublin, Gabe, etc...) We stayed some time at the Farm so we could relax out there and also attend Pine Forest VBS.

The animals sure enjoyed the time at the Farm.  Enda insisted on following us on our nightly walk (which is very hard for her but old gal just can't seem to resist) and Ginger got in a ton of cuddles.

The second week of his only-childhood, Wesley and I attended another VBS and then lots of different nightly activities.  He had a blast (though missed his siblings and wants to go to camp next year.)

(Sidenote: he rocked a mohawk all summer. If anyone can pull it off, it's this kid!)

Not a bad way to spend some time this summer!  Soaking up all the attention and enjoying life.  :)

Summer Camp for the Bigger Kids!

JB first attended summer camp last summer and came home already talking about the next year.  He absolutely loved it (and we saw so much growth in him after just 2 weeks up in the mountains of North Carolina - free from parents, siblings, and technology).  It was a no brainer that he would attend again this summer (and hopefully all the subsequent summers until he can be a counselor.)

We had talked to Maryn about it for a full year and she adamantly said she would NOT be attending.  However, we had already secured her a spot last summer and paid in full.  No turning back!  Fortunately, she and I attended the Mother/Daughter weekend in May, which put BOTH of us more at ease about her camp experience.  The women who work the camp are amazing!  We had a special time together.

Although she enjoyed the weekend, there was still a lot of hesitation (and some tears) leading up to camp.  We took just the big kids (Wesley stayed with Ms. Therlon) up to Asheville the night before - just like we did with JB - for some "big kid" time and it generally went well...with Miss M a little quiet and apprehensive and clingy.  

And then the next day arrived.  We dropped of JB first and he did GREAT (although he did admit to some nerves. Totally normal!)  James got a lot of "Happy Father's Day!" since, once again, we left them on Father's Day weekend.

Then...Sissy's turn.  One of the hardest things I've done is watch her quietly cry while we walked away and left her. Heartbreaking. And the only way I could do it (besides James encouraging me at my side) was with the knowledge that she was in a great place with great people and embarking on a wonderful new adventure that would serve her so well as she grows and matures. (Didn't mean I didn't cry on the way home).

Despite a couple of sad letters (e.g. "please come and get me TODAY, I am crying myself to sleep every night..."), we had a ton of photo evidence that Maryn (and JB) had a blast at camp. They even got to spend one day together!  And Maryn had a sweet older friend from Dublin who looked after her.

The two weeks went by quickly!  And then it was time to head up and pick up our bigger kiddos!  OH, THE EXCITEMENT!!

We grabbed JB first then headed over to the girls' camp to pick up Maryn. The boys were very excited when they saw her (and I was excited I didn't see her in tears!)

Reunited and it felt so good!  And we even had minimal fighting on the way home!  As we watched the closing ceremonies at the boys' camp it dawned on Wesley that a lot of the boys are his age.  He announced - very emphatically - that he would be attending camp next summer. (Mama had wanted to wait a couple of more years).  Looks like Summer 2025 we'll be dropping them ALL off in North Carolina!

Macon Bacon Game

While we don't go to as many baseball games as JB would like, our family does try to hit up one or two a year, however we can get them.  And a fun game to attend: the Macon Bacon.  GovStrive has bought tickets for the past several years, but this time we have season tickets at two tables right on the 3rd baseline. They are a hot item in the office, and they are scooped up quickly!  

Our family had the tickets last weekend and so we headed up to Macon with Ms. Therlon.  The weather was not yet too hot and the seats were amazing!

(Other than you had to seriously pay attention to each and every swing.  We almost got hit a couple of times, and JB and Mr. Ron even caught a foul ball!)

It's a small, historic stadium, but the staff does a GREAT job of having fun during the game.  This time Wesley even went on the field for a game of musical chairs!

The players are also super nice and welcoming. These college boys play so many stinkin' games throughout the summer, but still make time for the fans. Even the opposing team came over to say hi (and also gave M and W a ball, since JB had caught one!)

At the end of the night, all of the players lined up to sign balls and other swag.  The kids were so excited. You would have thought they had a Babe Ruth ball to show off back home.

Love all these summertime memories with the kiddos!  And proof it doesn't have to be big or fancy for a great time.