A Better Day

Today was a lot better day at the garage sale.  We sold everything that I was worried about having to store if it didn't sell.  By the end of the day it was a lot more cleaned out and we were able to organize everything better.  This year Doug did make a suggestion that really helped.  We sold all of the clothes for a quarter except a small table that were individually marked.  It saved a lot of time marking them and I believe that we sold a lot more.

Tonight Meg had her last day of conditioning week.  The IHSAA changed the rules just last week so that players could use equipment this week, but Doug had already planned on conditioning and felt that they needed it.  There was an incentive to make at least four practices and do well in the runs.  Doug ranks the players based on this and then they get to pick their uniform numbers for new players or shorts sizes for returning players depending on where they were ranked during conditioning week.  Meg is hoping to pick number 11, but she'll have to wait until next week to find out.

Cameron spent the night at Evan's last night.  They hadn't seen each other since Cam's slumber party at the end of June.  They played Wii and made Butter Beer.  He really enjoyed it.

After soccer Meg went with Kaitlin to the movie Paper Town and back to school shopping.  Since it was just Doug, Cameron and I we decided to go to Mad Anthony's.  Cal had to work.  Once we got back we packed for Bloomington.  It was a busy day, but productive.

Back to School Pool Party

Today was the worst day we have ever had at a garage sale, which was disappointing.  There were some highlights to the day, however.  The first was when Meg and the Fitgeralds showed up via boat.  Rich pulled into the boathouse and Brooklyn suggested that they tie it to Dad's dock.  Rich was confident that it would be fine, but after a little while I heard, "Hey, the boat's in the middle of the channel."  Dad grabbed the kayak and Rich headed out to get it.  Cameron offered, but I didn't want him to try it.  They finally got the boat back to the boathouse and lo and behold it wouldn't start.  Dad ran everyone back to the Dicks.  Rich did get it started later, but only after Dad posted it all on Facebook.

Cameron claimed the second highlight of the day.  Tonight was the Back to School Pool Party for incoming fourth and fifth graders at Bethany Christian.  It was held at his teacher's house and I was thoroughly impressed with it all.  I left to shop for school supplies while he was there, but came back a little early to see how it was going.  He had pizza for dinner and enjoyed swimming.  He met a few new students and enjoyed seeing his new teacher.  I was completely impressed with her.  Her classroom is set up in a Montessori fashion and works with each student individually.  The more I talked to her the more confident I became that we have made the best decision for Cameron.  My favorite quote from him after the evening was, "Everyone at Bethany Christian is just so nice.  I am going to have to get used to that."

Never Again

Today as we worked on the garage sale I vowed "Never Again."  I have said that before, but this time I do mean it.  It is a lot of work to get ready for and since we have it at Mom's I have to rely on Doug to bring everything there and the Heinisch children to help.  With conditioning week for Meg, Cameron having golf tournaments, Cal working and Brett in Bloomington I didn't have the help I normally do and it became overwhelming.  Thus, I will remember next year that this will be the last of the garage sales for quite awhile.  Maybe if we move, or I stop working then I will rethink it!

The 4-H Fair

This morning we were up and off to the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.  Cam and Meg had a lot of fun last year and wanted to try it again.  The rides weren't open yet so they enjoyed a soft pretzel and snow cone while we checked out the merchant tents and young McDonald's farm.  The more we walked, however, the more the heat started to get to Meg.  It had been an extremely cool summer with a lot of rain, so none of us were ready for the heat and humidity that returned this week.  Cam wanted to ride several rides, but Meg realized that she wouldn't be able to.  I was worried about her getting a migraine especially with soccer conditioning tonight.

Therefore, I decided that it would be best to take her home to rest and cool off and Cameron and I would return at 6 p.m. when Grandpa Cutes had to work.  I was glad that we did as she was able to make it to conditioning without a problem and Cam and I were able to talk Grandma into coming back with us.  Cameron had a great time trying the rides.  The Crazy Mouse ride was probably his favorite, but he also rode a swinging boat and several fun houses.  In addition he had a great time playing the carnival games.  He won a cheetah at the balloon dart.  He played the color game multiple times, but no luck there.  We did have time to also check out Grandpa's booth at Doors and Drawers and ran into Mike Pancoast as well.  Dad talked us into bringing Meg's Tinkerbell to the glue booth and there were actually able to fix it.  I had tried several times and so had Mom.  Thus, we were really impressed when Cameron tried to pull the wing back off and it held.  We toured the animal barns on the way out and Cam found an elephant ear that was delicious.  Although it didn't start off that way, it definitely turned out to be a great day at the fair!! 

The Big Winner

Cameron played in the last Elkhart County Junior tournament of the summer.  He hadn't played much as he was in camp all last week, but that didn't detour his confidence.  The first three holes did however as he had a couple of bad breaks and found himself three down.  That is when fortune hit.  Cameron chipped it in for birdie from twenty yards off of the green and everyone cheered.  After the fourth hole the score was even and the match became a little more intense.  Cam held it together however, and found himself still tied for the lead with the last hole remaining.  A couple of great shots and Cameron was declared the winner by one stroke.  He was ecstatic and my Dad was more than proud.  With this win he not only got the best trophy he had ever seen, but he also landed a spot in the tournament of champions!  Not too bad for a ten year old playing against a group of eleven year olds on their home course.  

Still Trying to Catch Up

Cam was still exhausted this morning.  After church I talked him into a Mountain Dew and he felt better.  Meg spent time yesterday catching up with her phone and her friends from around here.  She was so excited to tell everyone about all of her camp adventures.  She even saw some of the Camp Crosley kids at church this morning.

Cam and Cal were able to play golf today.  It was a hot one.  Doug went running first thing in the morning to avoid the humidity, but he was still soaked when he got home.  Meg unpacked, talked to Brett and texted her camp friends.  Doug helped me with the garage sale.  We got a lot done, but there is still much to do.  Meg and I will be back tomorrow to set up more.  Hopefully, we'll make a good dent in it then.

"Best Week Ever"

We were at Camp Crosley by 9 a.m. this morning to pick up Meg and Cam.  We were one of the first ones there and thrilled to see them.  It has been strange to have them gone all week, and I really missed them.  Cam was ready to go when we got him.  He had had a lot of fun, but his allergies/asthma really bothered him, so he needed a break.  Meg also had fun, but had absolutely no interest in leaving.  We weren't surprised as that is her reaction every summer.  We spent time at the camp store before we left to pick out their new shirts.  

On the way home they both talked non-stop about everything that they did.  I don't think Doug or I said much at all or even needed to ask questions.  They filled us in on everyday and every activity.  They hadn't seen each other a lot, so they had a lot of questions to ask one another.  There also was a new pond with some awesome activities that we couldn't wait to hear about.  Meg got a lot of phone numbers of her cabin mates and promised to text one as soon as she got home.  

Unpacking is always daunting, but this year it was a lot easier.  Meg did a great job keeping her items organized and dry.  This made the process go faster.  I still washed everything they take to camp and dried what I could just to get rid of the cabin smell and make sure no insects followed them home.  They both had food and candy left.  Their new shower caddies worked very well for them both.  

Glad that we have been able to provide this experience for them.  They have both enjoyed it very much over the years.  There is always something new each year and I know they will remember going for the rest of their lives.