Rough Riders Baseball

Last night was Family Fun Friday and we chose the minor league baseball game in Frisco for our outing, since Cavett will be playing baseball in the fall and Kendrick had never been to a game yet.  After a quick stop at the library, we hit up Chick-Fil-A for a cheaper meal before going to the ballpark.  Our seats were great, but it was a quite smaller stadium from what we were used to.  But, we hadn't taken into account the direction of the sun and the location of the seats.  We sweat our tails off for the first hour and a half before the sun final was blocked by the building.  Kendrick kept getting down low in between the seats to find shade. 

Some drinks and blue cotton candy helped ease the heat and keep our mind off of it.  However, Kendrick was not into the cotton candy. 

The game was exciting and Cavett learned a bit more about baseball.  The Rough Riders were winning up until the 8th inning when they were stomped upon by the San Antonio Missions.  But the kids held in there, waiting patiently all because they wanted to see the fireworks at the end.  And, they were worth it.  Great night and I look forward to many more like this with my boys. 

The Reading King

About mid-June we started hitting up the public library just across the street from Dad's office, Hill Dental Studio.  They were having a Summer Reading Challenge and Cavett took them up on it.  We decided to use the "titles read" sheet vs. the "time spent reading" sheet (easier for mom to keep track of.)  He really pulled through.  There were 25 spots for titles on the list and his goal was to fill them all.  And, that he did.  Some were way too easy for him, some he had read many times before, and some were a challenge.  But I can't totally tell he has so many more words at sight and he has can sound out just about anything.  Bright one, he is.  Let's hope his teacher this year has patience with him in keeping him engaged and can handle the squirming while he concentrates. 

Yesterday we turned in our sheet, and to our surprise the library gave him a new, free book!  He searched and searched until he found one of his new favorite chapter books--The Magic Tree House collection.  Of course the free ice cream cone at BR was a plus too.

Hill Family Sunday

This was the second time this summer that Stephen's side of the family have descended on our house and this time I was prepared with the camera.  We had great fun with our cousins from Chicago as well as the one (and last time ones) from Texas.  Most of the time Grandmama couldn't watch, but she just couldn't resist though.  Looking forward to the next Dallas reunion for cousin-in-law, Natalie's wedding in October!

Other Uses for Koozies

BOXING GLOVES

BINOCULARS

The Original Tea Party

This year's IACA meeting took us to Boston.  We didn't feel like the kids would be old enough to get much out of it, so I flew up with Stephen on Tuesday and came back on Thursday.  It was a quick trip, but I'm so glad I did it.  I had never been to Boston, or anywhere up North (other than Washington, D.C.)  that brought the American Revolution to life for me.  It was really an interesting city with so much history.

I had bought the book "John, Paul, George and Ben" for Cavett in February last year around President's Day and thought I'd introduce a little history.  He loves the book and even quotes the Ben Franklin quotes like, "Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead."  So, when I told him that I would be going to see Paul Reeve's house and the church where he rang the bells, he became very interested.  I promised to show him all the pictures. 

I came back with a couple of other books for them.  One was "Colonial Voices" by Kay Winters.  I didn't read the whole thing at the store, but I came home and read it to them and loved it!  It's about a little boy, Ethan, who works for the printer and takes the news all over town about the original Tea Party happening that evening. On the second reading, I asked Cavett to label each person in the story as to whether they were a Loyalist or a Patriot.  Highly recommened book. 

As an added bonus, I got to spend the afternoon on Wednesday with my college music buddy, Lynd Matt.  He showed me around town some more and we hung out at the Boston Gardens and on top of the Prudential Building.

I would definitely have to say though that the IACA meeting dinners were incredible and stunning.  The first night we boarded buses not knowing where we were going.  I didn't figure I needed to haul the big camera around so I left it at the hotel.  Shame on me!!!! With a police escort we ended up at the JFK library at the University of Massachusetts.  Greeted by bagpippers, we watched the sailboats on the veranda as the sun set.  We got a private tour of the museum and had dinner in the atrium.  Pretty spectacular and impressive!

The second night didn't disappoint either.  What it lacked in terms of history from the first night, totally made up for it in the food.  We headed to the aquarium.  Again, completely private tour of the aquarium, with 80 penguins, 2 sharks, a giant sea turtle and countless fish.  Again, no camera.  Bummer.  Dinner was outside in a tent, but the temperature was perfect for all you can eat LOBSTER!!!!  Yum!!!!

We are all really looking forward to next year's trip to San Diego.  We are even thinking about renting an RV for the drive there through the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Parks and then flying home after visiting the beach, LegoLand and Sea World. 

Our Wedding of the Summer

The only wedding we had this summer took us back to Shreveport to my sister's sister-in-laws wedding.    I helped throw the Bridesmaid's luncheon with the help of my Mom and sisters at Sue-Sue's house. 

Everything about it was beautiful and perfect.  The cake, the flowers, the home, the people.  The actual ceremony was stunning.  Check out Candace's blog for that.  Kate, may you have a long and wonderful marriage!  (And don't forget Stephen's grandmother's advise)  ;)

WRC's house on Olive Street.

WECB-PMB,Jr. house on Linden

In addition to throwing the Bridesmaid party on Friday, we were able to squeeze in some great times in the 'Port.  Of course there was Superior and Monjunis to eat, but we also took the kids on a historical Shreveport tour, going by the house of my great-great grandfather, William Rufus Cavett and the house of his daughter, Willie Eleanor Cavett and several cemeteries, explored Centenary's campus and made a fire station visit. 

We finally made our first trip to Sci-Port with our cousins and Amber and Jonny, finishing it off racing an extremely strong storm to Chick-Fil-A. 

Here We Go Again...

Facebook has become my daily post of what we are up to.  I am just really having a hard time blogging these days.  Kendrick is dropping his nap and I have a huge book project that I'd like to finish before school and BSF start up in the fall.  So, for posterity and my end of the year book to remind me what pictures to include, here's the run down of where we have been and what we have done...

July 1st-Our second outdoor umbrella of the season blew over in a storm and spintered.  Returned to Costco with no worries.  They gladly accepted it.  While waiting for Dad, the boys discovered the joys of bungee cords acting like sling shots.  The flip flop was the overall favorite for catapaulting.  We will see if they take back umbrella number 3!  (I swear, the thing has a design flaw and catches the wind!)

July 3rd-  We had our college friends, Renee and Kristin over and were overwhelmed with guns, swords, and wrestling.  Boys.  5 of them. 

July 4th and 5th-We had all of the Dallas area Hills over for Grandmama's birthday.  For some reason the camera didn't come out and the only pic I got was of her breakfast.  She always elludes the camera, but then again, I'm sure she didn't want to be seen in her nightgown with breadkfast in bed. 

July 9th-11th- We headed down to Houston just beacuse.  It had been a year since we had made the trek and thought it was time to reconnect.  On our way out of town, with my cows popping out of the sunroof in the drive through, we stopped by Chick-Fil-A, since it was cow appreciation day.  We got our free chicken biscuits and hit the road. 

We swung by Stephen's office first and said hi.  Next up was our old 'hood.  It was so good to see these faces of friends we have truly missed.  I have nothing like them in my neighborhood and it is sorely missed.  Our kids miss the interaction as well.  

 

We spent the rest of the weekend with Anna, Mark and Walker catching up and looking forward to J.P.'s entrance into this world.  Unfortunately it didn't happen during the weeknd, but Anna was a sure trooper keeping up with us all. 

On the way home, we stopped by Wheelock, TX for an adventure.  The kids were asleep for most of the drive, but I know that once they woke up and we were on a dirt road, Cavett might remember it later. 

It's one of those crazy Dadoo moments when he throws everyone into the car and starts driving.  When he finally arrives at the destination, it's a tree in the middle of no where, but it has significance. 

When we got out, it was two houses--a log cabin (1836) and a large white house(1845).  It was the Cavitt homestead settled in 1835.  I had originally wanted to see the cemetery which is behind the house to confirm some dates for my genealogy book, but there were gates and "No Trespassing" signs.  Turns out a couple from Dallas who is related distantly just bought the place and is in the process of restoring it.  He said the cememtery is too overgrown and he sees snakes everyday.  We exchanged information and emails and hopefully we will get an invitation back one day. 

July 13th-We have finally finished our 7 swim lessons (interrupted by rain, toes and messed up schedules) and our teacher invited us to the Natatorium to see if Cavett could swim the length of the pool.  He did so with ease and vigor!  8 laps and could have kept going!  I was so proud.  I think we have a sport for him!  He'll start stoke clinic in the spring and then do swim team next summer. 

The summer is nearly over.  Just a little over a month left and the next two weeks are pretty full with a wedding in Shreveport, a dental (parent-only) trip to Boston, trips to and from Grand Saline for the kids, and Chicago Heizers (Hills) coming to visit.  Before we  know it August 23rd will be here!