Free!

This has been our life  This is the excel spreadsheet that kept the Hamby ball season organized.  All the highlighted rows are nights that we had 2 or 3 games in different places.  We made it through -- no major injuries, no huge drama, and only one time did we go to the wrong place at the right time.  : )   I say that's a successful season.  Two of the four kids had a chance at all-stars, but we said no.  Two more weeks of practice and running was just not in the plan.  We can relax, swim, and start our summer now.

Brant helped coach Ava's team this year.  How cute are they both in their hot pink?!  The one girl I have that is so not a pink girl, got put on the pink team.  Life is funny with Ava.

Chalk It Up to the Heat

It has been so hot and dry here.  Really dry.  We don't have the mosquitoes we had last year, so we've been try to live in the shady backyard as much as possible.  With the heat, comes some crazies.  Did you know that you can draw with chalk on a trampoline?  The best part is that the black canvas the trampoline provides makes the art all the more vivd and attractive.  Then when you are all done -- you can jump on it and it's like a colorful powderpuff.  The kids looked like decorated cakes when they were all done, but another great summer day spent here in the woods.

P.S.  The art came right off when it rained that evening.  So if you try this it home it comes clean with rain/garden hose. : )

Cheer?!

Paige signed up for cheer camp.  Now, I try to stay supportive of whatever choices my kids make, but I had a pause at cheerleading.  Did I produce a cheerleader?  I'm soooo not that girl.  Paige, however, seems to love it.  She had a great time.  She even won "Best Encourager" -- a grand honor on cheer squad.  I do have to admit, she was super cute bouncing around on the court. 

Which one of these is not like the others?

 You got a love a girl that signs up for basketball camp and is the only girl on the team.  I was more concerned about the other boys on the team -- girls have cooties ya' know?  They didn't seem to mind a bit.  The coach even spurred the boys on by saying, "Come on, don't let a girl beat you!".  Ava would laugh and beat over half the boys down the court

It was a great camp.  She learned a few things and had a ton of fun.

Let Them Eat Cake

Claire has signed up for cake decorating for 4-H.  She has been busy making practice cakes all summer.  We've been passing along cakes to neighbors, church, and work to get all those calories out of the house.   

East Tipp vs. East Tipp

 The Pinto League Tourney came down to two East Tipp teams.  This happens quite a bit here in Tippecanoe County.  We seem to breed winning ball teams (or super competitive Coach Dads).  Whichever way you look at it, it's hard when you have friends on both teams.  Parents find themselves cheering for all the kids.  Ike's team came in 2nd.  They battled so hard in the semi-finals that they just had no gas left to go on for the final game. 

Still, we are a happy Hamby family just bursting with pride.  We love these boys and all of the coaches.  The coaches, make or break the ball experience.  These guys always have a kind word to go with the instructions.  They point out when the boys do good, and never ride them when they don't.  I will be a bit sad to see this season end.

Brace Face

How cute is this cool cat?!  Ava is in love with her new braces.  She choose four different shades of green bands to make them uniquely hers.  She has adjusted to having braces like a champ.  The first day, I offered to stay home from her ballgame with her.  She said she was fine and just couldn't give up her spot at third base.  I will admit the team does count on her.  Funny enough, sore mouth and all, one of her best games ever.  She made five outs on third, threw several "assist" outs, and hit a triple!  Maybe these braces will straighten out more than her teeth.

End to Elementary

 Fifth grade, is the last year at elementary school, and for girls, it's all about friends.  Paige had a brilliant year in 5th grade. We loved her sweet teacher, Mrs. Ferguson. Paige constantly tells me that Mrs. Ferguson never yells.  (Good for Mrs. Ferguson. *blah*)   Paige also formed some tight bonds with good friends.  Hoping they carry over into middle school.  Heaven help us -- that's a rough territory with a lot of drama.

Claire also had a terrific fifth grade experience.  She and her best friend of three years were finally in the same class.  I constantly asked and emailed if they were behaving together.  They never acted up in class.  My theory -- they saved it all for weekend here!  God love 'em -- they are a cute, little team.