Summer Fun

I'm sure at some point in our lives my family will look back on this summer and laugh at how it all played out. Partly because Summer Break used to be a break from the fast paced days, a time to relax. Short of a few moments ours has been anything but a time to "sit down and kick up your feet". From the moment my kids got out of school on May 27th, we have been on the go. Right after school closed, they came directly home to finish packing for Disney, because had a 10am flight to Disney on the next day. We spent 6 days and 7 nights in the Beach Club Resort. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Pooh, Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale and a host of others and roamed around collecting autographs for every Princess or notable character we could find. We enjoyed multiple character breakfast, lunches, and dinners. One of the dinners was at Cinderella's Castle which is an experience in itself. But things took a different shape when a guy proposed to his wife to be. I must admit I was impressed at the length he went to provide her with a memorable experience. My only concern for him is that he set the bar so very high. I'm not sure how he will ever top that. Of course I'm speaking as a man, my wife just lit up with admiration. It was a week well spent even though there were times my kids just drove my wife nuts, which in turn made me a little crazy too. During our time there Candis and I shared our 16th Wedding Anniversary and her birthday. I wasn't sure how it would work out being there during those two dates but the Disney Staff treated her like a queen. Our Disney trip will be something the kids will always remember, I know I will considering everything we did and saw during our time there. Now I would be remiss in not mentioning the plethora of information regarding how to plan the trip and a host of great tips that were provided to my wife by my fantastic blogging sister Funkidivagirl. Thanks for all the spot on advice as usual.

The Magic Kingdom

Hanging Out with Chip & Dale

When we came home from Disney we immediately had to get ready for summer camp for the girl and a summer enrichment program for the boy. Of course she was looking forward to hanging out all day with other kids her age and playing tennis, swimming, doing arts and crafts, and doing fun activity after fun activity. Conversely, my son spent the next 5 1/2 weeks in an enrichment program that required him to do homework everyday (even a few papers) after being in class for 6 1/2 hours per day. Did I say that it was English, Math, Science, and two elective classes? Believe me this was a tough sell for us to get his reluctant buy in. Especially since this program began three years ago. It is a selective program that only accepts 30 - 35 boys per year and provides a grade report after each year. It is also a high expectation program that you can be dismissed from for various reasons. So it was work and not a playful summer as one would expect. He wasn't excited about giving up most of his summer to be involved in this program which is why it is all the more remarkable he saw it through. Myles has always been a bright student but struggled to find that internal motivation to expect more, the REACH program gave him that push. Being in a setting where they are constantly reinforcing success and personal determination is priceless. By the way after three summers he earned (13) A's and (2) B's.

Battle Ball @ summer camp

Graduation from REACH

Now as I said before the girly has done nothing but play her summer away. Last week her first camp ended and they had parents day where we went and saw all that they did during the past six weeks. They challenged the parents to a game of Battle Ball, did a dance number for us, which was pretty scary seeing little girls move around (*insert the concerned father look here), and then put on a show of their swimming talents. As exciting as that was for her, more fun is ahead as she goes to an Art camp next week to channel her inner Van Gogh. She already cracks me up with her daily portraits and designs. I know one day she'll have an art show and I'll reflect back and smile with uncontrollable pride. Her biggest worry this summer has been what to wear to camp, just like a true Diva. I wonder where she got that from?

Funny thing is with all that has transpired this summer we still have three more weeks left to round it out. I'm sure that during that time I will be hit over the head with more Summer Fun either that or the crew (my kids) will have a mutiny and throw the Captain and the First Mate (me and my wife) overboard.