OC Baseball Camp

The kids have enjoyed softball the past few summers, so I asked if they would like to try this camp. I have to work part time, so I thought it would work out well for all of us! 

It didn't quite turn out as planned. Avery turned out to be the only girl (after we were told there was others) and that is apparently a BIG DEAL.

After the first day, she cried the whole time saying it was hot, horrible, it wouldn't get better, she would hate it every single day, and she was NEVER going back. I just let her vent while I sounded empathetic.

The next morning she pretended to sleep in thinking surely I wouldn't make her wake up and endure such torture again. I did.

The coaches were great at encouraging her, pointing out her strengths, and making her feel like she was just as good as the boys!

She ended up having a great time. Of course, she couldn't admit it, but I could see and hear the confidence and excitement grow each day!

Her favorite was batting and she's pretty good at hitting it about every time. She ended up getting two awards and winning some baseball cards. She enjoyed rubbing that in Zane's face, but he recovered by buying (with his money) a Thunder plaque. I wish I knew how to slip this girl some emotional Xanax when it comes to being in situations where she feels inferior. She's naturally good at sports, but very self-conscious and self-critical. We'll have to work on that. 

Zane on the other hand has never been one to take things seriously.

If there is a race, he doesn't mind prancing and coming in last.

 He is more about the socializing, but I was able to capture a few shots of him in action!



He is cool and confident with wearing the same pair of pants everyday but is a tad sensitive when people call him a girl.

I'm pretty sure this kid would be fine with never playing sports, but I love how he is so laid back and will try pretty much anything.

Oh How The Years Go By

7 years ago

 I had a super happy baby that was sooo cute and tiny!!

 I now have this smiley crazy long haired wannabe rock-star 7 year old!

You have grown to be my little sweetheart! You started off the school year thinking you were smaller than most the kids and that girls were mean because they would chase you and pull your shirt. You now talk about girls quite often and you think you are one pretty cool dude. I love how you enjoy talking with a friend on the phone while playing math games online with each other. May all your phone conversations for the next 10 years be solely about math! I love how you will try anything, rarely whine, and will still give hugs and tell me how much you love me! I love you like crazy, even if you do forget to change undergarments, wear the same holey jeans everyday, hate combing your hair, and allow your sister to screw you over in absurd deals!

You and your birthday plans crack me up. You wanted a surprise chuck-e-cheese Thunder sleep-over birthday party with lots of friends and lots of decorations. You got the majority of what you wanted!

We had the friends meet at our house before going to chuck-e-cheese in order to yell surprise when you came through the door! Clearly, you weren't impressed...

You indeed got to see the mouse...

but were less than thrilled with only catching two tickets!

 I was only brave enough to invite 3 extra crazy boys to sleep out our house...

 and this was the extent of the Thunder decorations at your party!

 Oh wait, we found a bean bag and Rumble poster you made a few months ago!

I don't know about you, but that is the awesomest surprise chuck-e-cheese Thunder sleep-over party I've EVER seen...and I didn't have to drive anyone home at midnight, so it was a success!

Worst quote out of your mouth "I only have 9 more years until I can drive!"

Camp Kesem!!!

 Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew and their goal is to bring magic to families that need it.

Monday at drop off the kids were very nervous and not happy about us signing them up. It's the first time they will have stayed somewhere where they didn't know a single person. However, the minute we got there, super pepped up and excited OU students came and told us all about the camp and showed us around. The kids immediately forgot I was there! Here they are making name tags. Everyone had a nickname and if they called someone by their real name, they would have to kiss a tree. Meet J-Lo and Mario... 

 This is a free camp for kids 6-16 years who have a parent who has had or is going through cancer. Several states have this camp, but this is Oklahoma's first year. Livestrong funds the camp and OU students help run it along with a couple national directors. The ratio of kids to counselor doesn't exceed 3:1, but they actually had more counselors than kiddos this year!

Before camp, there was an online questionnaire I had to fill out that was all about how the kids are doing and how they cope. The kids also had to fill out a two page questionnaire...

Apparently, Zane is worried he might get a swirly at camp! Ha. The staff are trained in counseling, grief and mourning, communication, anger management, etc.

Click here to learn about this camp!

 I was super excited to see them Friday during the family picnic lunch to hear all about it! The counselors and kids all seemed to have had a great time! As soon as we got there, we heard how awesome of a dancer Avery was and how funny and sweet Zane was. So glad they loved it and didn't have any problems!!!

 I will be sent a link of all the pictures they took, but I have heard they tie dyed, did paintball, paddle boats, swam, had a dance party, archery, made pillow cases, friendship bracelets/necklaces, talent show, made boats, and went fishing. They also came back with a lot of silly camp songs and hand-shakes!

 This is Squirt, Tiana, JuJu Bean, and Tiger Lily (above) and Swerve (below)!

There was 5 girls and 3 boys that showed and there were 7 female staff and 2 male staff! They are hoping it will continue to grow each year! 

When asking the kids what their least favorite part was, they both said "Cabin Chats!!" Before bed, they sit in a circle and take turns talking about anything on their mind- from thoughts on their day at camp to their experiences at home. When I asked why they didn't like it, Avery said "almost everyone cried during it!" I asked them what they talked about and Zane just kept saying "stuff" or "a lot of things" and Avery started crying a little saying "they asked about how I felt about daddy and I would say I dunno and they would say it's ok, you can talk about it, and I would get sad because I didn't want to..." So, apparently, these are indeed my children...maybe this whole "cabin chats" concept needs to make it's way into our home!! 

 We absolutely LOVED this camp!! They will have two little afternoon reunions during the year, and will be back next summer! If you know any kids that would be eligible to go to this camp, look into it and share the news!!