Who is headed off to camp?? Not this guy really??

That's right - 3 nights of SLEEP AWAY baseball camp at Loomis Chaffee - gifted to him by Betsy Van Gemeron.  Betsy has supported boys at Canton baseball for the past 10 years.  She turned the tragedy of losing her son and husband in a tragic plane accident to a beautiful gift of growth to young little league players.

It was exciting to be chosen at the end of the baseball season, but now I can hardly believe its happening!!  He had his packing list and here he goes!

They were on the first floor and each baller got a room to themselves.  That part was a little unexpected as we hoped they would have roommates - being their first time alone its nice to not be completely solo.  Yes Nick seems unphased by his solo room.

Mom on the other hand wasn't quite ready.

Over the next few days it was great hearing his little voice a few times on the phone as he called in or let me call him.  We were even able to orchestrate him meeting up with us at swim Championships in West Hartford - not sure what our swim team would look like without Nick Leadbetter swimming the fly!  

Nick was there with 8 other canton ball players, some older, some younger.  The wiffle ball games were their highlights, late night movies, fun young counselors and the growth that comes with being away from home.  He raved about the meals and the ice cream after each one - he surely doesn't need to skip any meals! 

Lobster - gotta have it at least once!

Yup - steamed and ready to go in our belly!!  Perfectly consumed on my folks back patio!

DELICIOUS

One more meet before Championships

That's right - our last meet at the JCC in Bloomfield - these guys are getting the hang of this swim team thing!

Here we go team!

Loved seeing the sisters on the same relay team (by design)

These guys worked their butt off during meet time

Swimming in the rain

We knew there would be days like this - and thankfully there were only a few

The kids loved it, they could hardly see the pool

Pretty sure I would have rather been IN the water!

The umbrella was helpful, a little late, but helpful!

Can we have a meet at our pool??

Before the seasons began the coaches had a league meeting and tossed out the idea of having a senior invitational at our pool, we tossed out an event list and put a date on the calendar.  As the day got closer, I got a little more stressed, toss in some crazy weather and we moved the date to Tuesday. 

It was AWESOME

I loved seeing some much action at our beautiful pool!

Andre was our MC and kept the meet going

Cassandra rocked the fruit take to keep the kiddos healthy

Kim and I managed a quick photo op with Ava

Here they go!

So glad we were able to pull it off

I will never forget Fiona swimming the 100FLY!!  Seriously awesome.  All the events were mixed so boys swimming against girls and girls BEATING them!  

I got a hold of the Megaphone for the beginning - see Kasey racing around the in the background??

End of the night Ribbon collection was a favorite activity and possible with the work of the parents!

We had a rain out one morning - no practice and THIS is how we got to spend it - all in bed!

A Saturday from Pump to Wisneski's! If only we could combine!

This is the stage of the summer where I became full up on decision making

what day, rain delay?  

Inside outside, 

whats for practice, 

whats for dinner.  

From working at the gym to leading the team to covering down on home there were many times I didn't want to decide ONE MORE THING.  

The constant different headspace I required of myself on a daily basis were exhausting.

So, lets have membership appreciate day and rock a pump launch!  

Want to remember beautiful Beth and 36 weeks pregnant rocking the Pump shirt and tackling the triceps track - love her, Ken being early and setting up outdoor speakers and a Mic and Nathalie cheerleading me through the idea to have it outside.

It was a success and folks loved it - couldn't have asked for a better day too

Biggest thanks is to this guy - puts so much into our Zoo

So 2 days ago, Diane texted me, saying  -  if you have time on Saturday....... Yes please!  I was thrilled she wrote - they were just getting back from a week on the cape and had a night in CT before heading back to VA - so happy to get US and the kids together for an afternoon

Got them all!  Crazy how far they have come!

This crew too - 

Amazing to be at Waynes Mom's house and see everything they have been through from the storm - trees fallen, yards dug up.  Just a quick storm left a lasting change.

That being said, we were so thankful for a few hours, great chats and DELICIOUS HOT DOGS!

Swimming to the 2nd meet

I want to always remember the sound of the pool at the early morning practices - my strong swimmers getting stronger with each lap.  Refining their stroke, building their endurance.

8:30 comes the Flutterers - 

they are strong swimmers as well, but haven't made the final hurdle into Flyers - 

They are refining, 

Building

Something about good social kick board time that I just love

Now lets head to Avon - they are a MUCH bigger town AND have a high school swim team - which means their summer league is pretty big and rather competitive.  My Dolphins felt it.

These faces are ABSOLUTELY adorable

Almost as adorable as this one - seriously love - Thank you TY for snapping this photo.  being a coach meant to me (maybe I should change this) I don't get to have my camera out snapping photos all meet long.  Therefore this will be the season my kids don't have a video to catch up with - but this photo is a treasure!

Loved this idea from Cassandra and rolled with it - each meet meant at leader board from the winners that night - LOVED seeing kids photos on FB pointing to their name - 

Adorable - 

heart warming - 

confidence building.

Simple summer stuff to remember along the way

Flossing on the boat the the boat parade - gets you votes!

Seeing Benecio at the Jam fest rock the drums, keyboard and base Guitar!

Drew and an afternoon at home just him and Nora - God Bless Nora

Picking flowers from my mothers garden beats any flower stand around!

First swim meet

Let me say this first - I tried to be prepared.  However the first swim meet had me overwhelmed - with everything.  I felt like the whole time I was like -  

Oh yes, lets start warm ups - 

crap, there are too many kids in the pool, 

o.k., age croups, 

o.k. lane markings.  

o.k. what did I forget.  

Yes, line up the relays - yes both sides of the pool yikes what have I gotten myself into!?!?!

Thank goodness I wan't alone!  

Best part of it, was those kiddos and their little nerves.  I love how they would come to me for questions and in the million things I was working on or thinking about, I always tried to stop and here them.

My favorite story is my swimmer I thought was year round, turned out to be her first race.  She was terrified.  We talked, really she talked, I encouraged - she got in the pool - nerves and all - Placed first and couldn't be more surprised and proud of herself.

Seriously my favorite time was being able to tell my kids that they are going to be awesome!  Just try hard!  Seriously, aren't they adorable??

These boys are my back bone - whatever I put them in, they swim it and swim it well!

Its tough being 6 in the 8 and under category - and this kid really has no idea how awesome he is.  He doesn't like not being best - won't be much longer kiddo  -  just stick with me.

And Yes, I had hims swimming Fly - All Leadbetters swim Fly

Our family enjoyed a night at flat bread and I was too exhausted or releases from being overwhelmed to even know what to order.  It was a great feeling. and a late night - incredibly worth it.

15th Anniversary

15 years - seriously where has it gone.  I can say that now, but when we sit and think about it - we have don'e some pretty amazing things with those 15 years and while it feels like it was gone in a flash I would like to think we made the most of each day.  We enjoyed the night finding an amazing local winery that is actually pretty darn awesome.

we ended with a delicious dinner in Litchfield just the 2 of us, maybe looking 15 years older than our wedding photo, but not much right??

I put on my wedding dress and hung out with the boys  - snapping a photo to remind myself of exactly where we are in this moment - some still in our suits - playing cars in dress room - and yes, they said - nice dress!