End of the School Year 2021 and Summer Happenings

This post is kind of a hodge podge of sorts.  There are pictures included from Colin at school, to summer activities through the middle of July.  

Colin's 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Gantz, didn't post too many pictures this school year.  I'm guessing it's maybe because the kids were always wearing masks?  Whatever the reason, I decided to save this one to my phone because there weren't many posted last school year.

Colin must've been asked to do this for Mother's Day.  It's sweet 😊

We now have this self portrait of Colin in our possession, but here's the post from his school's virtual art show.  He did such a good job!  He's so talented.

Here are some pictures that were sent to us from the Big Walnut Basketball Camp in early June.  Colin had a front row seat with his travel baseball buddies - Aidan, Mason, Lucas, and Lennon.  I love how they're good buds!

Mason came over to swim - he's always a good time!

The kids just laugh at him constantly.

Some of the baseball siblings showing their support - the morning game was chilly and wet!

Yes, hell has frozen over and pigs can now fly...Danny joined Facebook.  He says it's because of his involvement with sports and being able to reach everyone and be included.  Ha, I think it's a coverup. 😉

Scarlet just chilling and looking so cute!

Awww 😍

The Marinellis came over to swim on the 4th of July.  I'm so glad the kids have been buds since day 1.

Aidan from Colin's baseball team invited us all to the Clipper's game for his belated birthday party.  We had a great time.  It had been a while since we had all been at a game together.  

Colin and I got Dippin' Dots

Colin tested out his pitching speed

I signed the kids up for a cake decorating class one Saturday.  It was held at the Art Barn and their classes usually fill up quickly, so I didn't ask the kids if they wanted to before signing them up.  They were both hesitant about going, and I'm not sure they had the best time, but I think they enjoyed it a little.  I was confused because they normally love decorating cakes at home!

They made fish cakes!  I think they turned out really well.

While the kids were in their class, Danny and I grabbed coffee and walked around Westerville's farmer's market.  We decided we'd head back to Westerville for dinner and enjoy Jimmy V's pretty patio.  We had fun!

Ahhh, sweet summer, how I love you.

Birthday Bonanza

With family birthdays in April, May, and June, a post devoted to birthdays seemed appropriate.  Read on to see what we did to celebrate.

The kids made Ohio State pictures for Danny's birthday.  They turned out so well!  He has them posted up in his office now.

We weren't able to celebrate Colin's birthday at Glen's Sports Barn last year due to COVID, but we made up for it this year!  We made our way to the barn a couple of weeks early to avoid baseball conflicts.  We invited friends from school, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse.  There were lots of kids!  And they had lots of fun.  For most of the time, they enjoyed playing dodgeball.  They played a little basketball and some catch on fly.  They barely wanted to stop playing for pizza and cake!  They all had a great time and we're thankful for everyone who helped make Colin's birthday extra special.  

 

During the weekend of his actual birthday, Colin's baseball team had a tournament.  We went to a teammate's house that night for a party & got home really late.  Danny and I were up into the wee hours making a surprise for Colin!  His reaction when he opened the door in the morning was, "Whoa...jeez!"

Ready for his game on his birthday!

13 days later, we did the same thing for Cadence!  She knew it was coming so her reaction wasn't as funny!

Cadence also had a tournament (out of town) during the weekend of her birthday.  She opened gifts before we headed to Zanesville for the weekend.

We had to get her birthday photo before we headed out the door!

Since Colin had games that weekend as well, I took Cadence to Zanesville.  She was being goofy before her first game started.  She refused to take a selfie with me.

Cadence didn't want to do anything special with her team for her birthday (I guess she didn't want all the extra attention), but her teammates were sure to make her feel special.

I called the hotel ahead of time and mentioned that it was Cadence's birthday.  I asked if they'd do anything special (I was thinking maybe a card and some cupcakes) for her.  Boy did they go above and beyond!  Not only did they get cupcakes, they also got her so many balloons and other decorations, party hats, a fun pillow, a diary and fun pens, and way more things that I can't even remember to list.  The Hampton Inn in Zanesville made her day!

Since Cadence didn't want a party for her birthday, I asked her what she wanted instead - she wanted Gracie to come spend the weekend with us.  So that's what we did!

That Friday we grabbed ice cream from Little Ladies Soft Serve.

There was a balloon artist there while people stood in line for ice cream.

The next day we surprised Cadence with her ride for the weekend.  Danny and Colin went to pick it up from the airport Hertz rental car.

It sure was fun!

Her next request was Star Lanes for arcade games and bowling.  Gracie brought matching outfits for them to wear.

After that, we took the long way downtown, checked out the shops, and went to campus and spent some time at Ohio State.

And grabbed some doughnuts at Buckeye Donuts.

On Sunday morning, we grabbed breakfast at Northstar Cafe and spent some time at Easton.

We made her favorite Nestle Tollhouse bars and sang Happy Birthday that night.

Our nanny was on vacation that week, so I took off Monday and Tuesday from work.  On Monday, the kids and I spent some time at the dam and went swimming at Alum Creek Lake!

We met Rhonda at Bob Evans near the outlet mall in Jeffersonville and Gracie went home from there.  We had a really fun weekend with our cousin!