Softball at the Beach

We just returned from a spontaneous and absolutely wonderful weekend of softball at the beach. This trip was not on our calendar when the summer first started. About ten days ago, Boomer mentioned to me that the Carolina Cardinals would love to have Emmy play with them again, this time at the Top Gun Summer National Championships in North Myrtle Beach. He ended with, "That would be kinda crazy to go all the way to the beach for softball, right?" As I asked a few more questions, I found out that the tournament was only a few days away and that we needed to make a decision quick. I also found out that my husband really wanted to go :) Before committing, I told Boomer that my only hesitation was the to-do list I had of summer household chores, which a weekend at home would help to complete. Right away, he jumped on the list: converting Eli's bed, putting together the new entertainment center, and disposing of an old TV. In a blink, we were loaded up in the car and making our way east. We left on Friday morning and arrived in North Myrtle Beach around 1PM. We immediately went to Flying Fish for our seafood fix: coconut shrimp for me and a lowcountry boil for Boomer. Emmy also got seafood - a big plate of popcorn shrimp. (Eli played it safe with mini hot dogs.) After our delicious lunch, we walked around Barefoot Landing before checking in at our hotel, the Courtyard Marriott that was close by. The kids were excited to go swimming, so they quickly changed into their bathing suits for a little bit of pool time. Saturday was the big day of softball, with four games scheduled for 9:15AM, 10:30AM, 1:45PM, and 3:30PM. The Cardinals went 3-1 that day, losing their opening game in a close 5-6 final score, but then winning out against the other three teams. With the rest of the evening, we had dinner at King's Pizza and then once again spent some time at the pool. Bracket play was on Sunday, and the girls advanced from the semi-finals into the championship - and then won it all! This weekend was extra special, because Emmy was selected as the MVP for the championship game. She made several outs at 1st Base, including two diving catches in foul territory. She also showcased her new slapping skills and was able to get on base almost every time she came up to bat. It was an exciting weekend, and the team played some outstanding softball. If you look closely in the team photo, you'll notice a certain tall coach in the back row. Boomer was not expecting to be a coach for the weekend but was happy to help out when the other coach pitcher needed a break. The Cardinals got a 2-for-1 deal with the Kennedys: a first baseman and a coach! We keep thinking that Emmy's 8U chapter has closed, and yet there has been another opportunity to play again. We are certainly soaking it up and enjoying every last minute!

Our church's VBS kicked off this evening and will continue every night this week. This year's theme is "Road Trip," which seems fitting after our weekend on the road. I am serving as the lead guide for the kindergarten boys, and on this first night, we had 26 - wow! I pray that God will do mighty things this week in the lives of the children and volunteers! 

The Summer of Sleepovers

Shortly after Emmy returned from the TBC Junior Retreat where she spent two nights away from home, she had a sleepover for her friend Smith's birthday. This sleepover was Emmy's first true sleepover with non-family members, where she was dropped off that evening and picked up the next morning. She loved it and had fun stories to tell of sleeping on a blow-up mattress and eating pancakes for breakfast. The summer of sleepovers continued this past week when Emmy and Eli stayed over at the Houstons'. A tradition from last summer, the four cousins were eager to spend the night together again. We planned it for last Wednesday, when there was a home Dash game so that Boomer and I could enjoy a date night while the kids were with Aunt Megan and Uncle Zack. The afternoon kicked off with seeing Toy Story 5; then they went to the 4th of July cookout at our church. There was also blueberry picking in the backyard, fort making in the living room, and walking Beau around the neighborhood. I met them at the pool the next day, and they were already asking to have another sleepover with Aunt Megan. That night, they slept together in Emmy's room, with Eli on his mattress at the foot of her bed. I heard a little bit of chatter, but it wasn't too long before both kiddos were fast asleep.

 

Over the holiday weekend, we celebrated the 4th at Lake Tillery with all of the Kennedy family. We arrived mid-day on Friday and stayed through Sunday afternoon. The temperatures topped out in the triple digits, so we spent a lot of time in the water. Although I usually stay dry on the dock, I got in the water each day and even went tubing with Emmy and Eli. Emmy and Eli love tubing and riding on the boat. They also love jumping on the lily pad floating mat. The weekend was so fun being together - all 17 of us! I know Granny and Paw Paw were happy to have all their children and grandchildren gathered together. Eli especially enjoyed the lake this time, now that he has earned his yellow band at the YMCA. After much encouragement and prodding, he finally took the swim test last Thursday. While he is not ready to attempt the green band with the additional elements of treading and back stroke, I was so thrilled that he received the yellow. His confidence and skills have really taken off, and it showed at the lake and also when we went to the Tanglewood Pool this past Tuesday. Both kids bravely went off the diving board (something the YMCA pool doesn't have!) and they went down all the slides. Meg and I enjoyed the lazy river and were even able to float around several times while the kids swam independently nearby. The rest of the summer may have a different feel now that Eli is swimming - both of us will have a bit more freedom! :)

Last bit of big news: we finally converted Eli's toddler bed! He is no longer squeezing into the small space of essentially a crib, and he now has much more room to spread out. We have made a few other decorative changes in his room, with removing some of the nursery items and picture frames. This project was on my summer to-do list, and I'm thrilled to have it checked off, although it is bittersweet to see Eli take one step further towards a big boy. 

The Friday of Summer

I've heard June described as the Friday of summer, with July as the Saturday and August as Sunday. It feels like a very accurate comparison, and just as fast as a Friday goes by, so too did June. We closed out the month with some very fun activities. At the top of the list was traveling to Durham for a AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League) game between the home team Carolina Blaze and the Utah Talons. We went with our friends the Ashburns, and Emmy and Eva had a blast seeing the professional softball players up close. Earlier in the day, the team hosted a free "Play Ball!" event, which included softball drills and other activities in the outfield of the Durham Bulls ballpark. After the event, there were several hours before the game that evening, so we hopped over to Raleigh to go to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science. We visited this same museum last year during our train adventure, and Emmy couldn't help but recreate the photo of her in front of the shark teeth. After several hours at the museum, we traveled back to Durham for the game. Karlyn Pickens was the starting pitcher, and Emmy loved seeing her, along with her other favorites like Ana Gold and Alesia Ocasio. Although the Blaze lost in extra innings 4-3, it was an exciting game and something we definitely hope to do again. 

Speaking of softball, just when we thought Emmy's 8U career had come to an end, she put on a uniform one more time and played in a tournament for the Carolina Cardinals. Boomer has connections to the coaches of the team, and they needed an extra player to fill out their roster, so we traveled to Concord to cheer our girl on. She did a great job holding down right field and batting in the 10 spot. I was most proud of the way that she interacted with the other girls. She was an encouraging teammate and jumped right in to do whatever was asked of her. I will always love sitting on the sidelines and watching her play. 

Here are a few other pictures to close out June!