Where has the Summer gone?

The official school package came in today's mail. It is hard to believe that there are only 32 days left till the kids start school! Where has the summer gone? We have been busy but it does not feel as though we should be over half way through the summer. I am sure that part of that stems from the fact that for the first 3 weeks of summer break we were dealing with rainy, dreary weather. Now that has changed, and we are spending as much time as possible outside, and then running back inside to cool off in the AC!

Things have been rather low key since I last posted. Brenna spent a week at a Cheer Camp run by the Plymouth Recreation Department. She is very excited about cheering for the Plymouth Vikings this Fall (her 1st cheerleading experience) and she wanted to try camp to see if she could learn a few things. Now I know nothing about cheering, so this, like so many other things lately, is going to be a learning experience for me too. Camp was held at a local gymnastics facility. She learned some "poses" such as "High V", "Low V", "Dagger", and "Broken T". She learned a bit about stunting and even got to be the "flyer" on the top of a small pyramid. She was worn out at the end of each of the 3 hour sessions, but really loved it.

This week is soccer camp. Brenna, and a few of her friends, are participating in a program run by British Soccer. The kids were broken down into their skill levels and grouped into one of four countries. Brenna is on the team for Spain. Each night she has had some homework to do. The first night she had to look up facts about Spain. The second night she had to explain how each of the principals of the program (respect, integrity, sportsmanship, etc.) could be demonstrated on the soccer field. For each completed assignment, the kids are awarded points which will be tallied at the end along with other points awarded, to see which country wins the World Cup. It has been a hot and muggy week, but she has really been enjoying the program.

I had every intention of showing up earl today to get some pictures of her playing, but that did not work out. Lucky for me, I was there for the large Camp picture, and was able to get one with my camera.

A close up of Brenna (middle) with her friends Enzo, Austin, Sandro and Julianne.

Andrew started in a Summer Hockey clinic a few weeks ago. I wanted him to get some time on the ice before the season starts in October. (Quite frankly, I was worried that he would forget everything that he had learned to date!) We were extra excited when his friend Ben decided to join him this time. The boys are pretty much at the same level, and they are always together on the ice. It is quite cute.

As it turns out this was a good program for him. Things finally seem to be clicking for him. He is actually moving on the ice now!!! I had to make another trip to the hockey store and get him the rest of his gear. In addition to the knee and elbow pads from last season, he now has shoulder pads, real hockey pants, and the rest of the gear. He looks like a little linebacker out there! (I would have used the name of a hockey posiiton, but I do not know any of those yet!)

We will be headed off to Maryland on Friday for our vacation. We are starting the "2009 Colvin Summer Tour" in Scranton, PA with a visit to Mike and Jean's (and of course, the Moosic Diner). Then we will head down to Todd and Jenn's for a few days. After that we will head back over to Hampstead and join the Hordesky clan for a few more days. We have to check on the house again and meet with the realtor while we are there as we plan on putting it back on the market this Fall. (Wish us luck.) We are thrilled that Nancy, Mike and the boys will be coming to see us in Hampstead for the day. We have not seen them in over a year! The week will end with a few days on the Eastern Shore with the O'Hara family, as my Sister is getting married on the 8th. Almost everyone will be in attendance (except my two oldest nephews) and I am really looking forward to seeing everyone again. It has been too long.