This season of life is busy. From one prepping to apply for college admission to one still in diapers, the challenges to keeping it all together is proving to be daunting on some days and so rewarding on others. It's summer and I do find myself telling Ryan almost daily that I have turned into "that mom", the one who feels so out of control with the lack of routine in all of our lives.
Colin is working for our friends who own a pharmaceutical company and he is lifeguarding this summer. Both jobs have been a perfect fit - they have allowed him to still vacation and do mission work as well as earn money to pay for things such as car insurance and the many, many trips to fast food establishments that every teenage boy longs to enjoy! Colin swam for our swim team and Colin is also diving into college....he is steadily researching colleges and possible careers he would like to learn more about.
Pryce is lifeguarding this summer! I was super proud of him for taking the initiative to learn more about lifeguarding and the certifications needed to obtain a summer job. He signed up and then Colin decided it wasn't a bad idea so he signed up too! It's been great for both of them and we all love hearing the many stories they share about unruly guests at the pool. Pryce participated in swim team this year and placed in the top 20 which earned him a spot at the Allstar meet. He is contemplating swimming next year for his school! Pryce is prepping for his first year of high school....and, I am prepping for my first year without him with me since he was six years old! Goodness, I am going to miss him!
Mason-Kate is spending her summer in the ballet studio. Mason-Kate auditioned for her ballet studio's Company program. She was one of 32 who auditioned and she was one of 16 who were chosen. We are so proud of her! She has always been very graceful and so pretty to watch on stage. She also swam for our swim team....most importantly, she LOVED being with her friends each day - these friends were rezoned for a different school so MK has missed seeing them during the school year - and, in typical MK fashion, she blew everyone out of the water in her backstroke and landed herself a spot on the Allstar team and placed second out of the top 20 swimmers in the CSRA. She has a natural talent in the pool and it is amazing to watch her each year!
Maddox is spending her summer counting down the days until she turns 8 years old! She just can't wait to be older. In her spare time she did swim on the swim team with her siblings and she landed herself a spot on the Allstar team as well! Her backstroke is very speedy just like MK's and we loved cheering her on during each meet! Her biggest accomplishment for swim this season was learning to legally swim breast stroke....she nailed it! She has enjoyed just hanging out with her friends and her sisters this summer and being home with me. My hippy baby loves to be with her mommy!
Maryn is just a hoot. Goodness this girl is hilarious at all times and just a little love. Her biggest accomplishments this summer....she is sleeping through the night without a Pull-Up!!! And, she swam on the swim team with her siblings! I signed her up - four years old is the youngest age for a swimmer on the swim team - I knew she would be bored stiff watching her siblings at practice. She jumped in and never looked back! She was able to swim the length of the pool without any assistance....this girl is amazing!
Chapman is loving having her siblings all home this summer. They all adore her and laugh so much at the antics she adds to their daily lives. She is swimming too....last year she was scared of the water but now she puts her floatie on and cruises all around the pool like a pro! She loves to be outside even though it is a million degrees. She loves to be held at all times. She tantrums like nobody's business. She is now sleeping in her big girl bed in her own room with Maryn. She has graduated out of OT like a boss. She is the first to give a kiss and the last to give up on something she desperately wants. She is the definition of a girl....sugar and spice and everything nice!
To keep it real, this summer has thrown me for a loop. Having one in diapers and one talking about leaving the nest - it's a stretch. My mind goes from college applications to potty training in three seconds flat....and I truly feel inadequate to conquer either one. Being that I am a routine kind of gal, this non-routine summer is tough.
