The Accidental Boilermaker

 We were at the cottage last weekend. Nate, Jameson and I drove up on Friday. We enjoyed a nice evening that included a trip around the lake in Grandpa Paul’s new boat plus a dip at the sand bar for Jameson.  Saturday morning Jameson went fishing with Grandpa Paul before the rain arrived and Nate and I left to pick up Evelyn from camp.   Back at the cottage Amanda and the boys had arrived. Saturday was a raining day, some fun happened outside but not much. On a whim I brought our rainbow loom rubber bands and three mini looms as a potential indoor activity. They were a big hit.  The kids got to make their ink quills which wrote quite well.  Grandma Pat wanted a picture with the girls. Nate thought it was funny how well color coordinated we were.  The kids had fun helping Grandpa move pieces of dock up the hill to store near the house.  Lucky for Jameson, Aunt Amanda brought some fun games to play.  Sunday promised no rain, but cooler temps and not...

Last week was another busy, fun filled week. We had piano on Monday with some extra kitty love.  Wednesday Nate dropped Evelyn off at Camp Roger. She had a wonderful time and made some great memories. It was a little strange to have her gone for 4 days. Jameson got a lot of extra screen time.  Jameson picked putt putt as his Wednesday activity. It was so hot. But we had fun and both got two hole in ones.  Thursday Jameson chose to go swimming. For as hot as it was the pool wasn’t very crowded so it was a very enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. 

 Our last full day of fun, we went to the zoo. Nate was even able to take the day off and join us. We didn’t quite make it through the whole zoo, but Hans did get to ride the train.

 Thursday our fun activity was Science Central. The giant slide is back so that was probably everyone’s favorite but we had lots of fun overall.

 I forgot - we tie dyed t shirts on Tuesday. On Wednesday we got to see how they turned out. Mimi’s was the best for both design and color. Her shirt isn’t on the line though since she left to go back home.  We took some pictures.  We went to the park and splash pad. It was so busy we didn’t stay very long. Jameson stayed home and played Catan with Aunt Katherine.  Evelyn and I went to VBS and Meredith, Katherine, Nate, Jameson and Hans went to the cider mill. 

 We went to a Meet the Machines event at Electric Works. Electric Works is a new space in downtown Fort Wayne that repurposed an old General Electric factory.  This was our first trip there and it is a pretty cool place. The machines were fun. There weren’t that many but the lines also weren’t that long. Jameson taught Aunt Katherine how to play two person Catan.  While Evelyn and I were at VBS everyone else had a bonfire. 

Sunday we had a graduation party in Kokomo to attend. When we got home, Mimi was here. Evelyn and I went to VBS in the evening. I volunteered to work with the preschoolers this summer. Jameson was signed up for VBS but he did not want to go and we decided it was a battle we didn’t want to fight. When Evelyn and I got home from church, Katherine, Meredith and Hans were here.  Monday we just took it easy. Evelyn, Jameson, and Hans ran around. We made ice cream. Oma and Grandpa arrived in the afternoon. Evelyn and I went back to VBS along with Hans in the evening. 

 It’s been a fun filled whirlwind of week.  I’ll start with Father’s Day and work my way backward. We all slept in because we were all tired. But after breakfast and gifts we went on a nice bike ride. In the afternoon we went to a soccer game. It was an international friendly between the Fort Wayne FC and the Chivas de Guadalajara U23 team. Fort Wayne won. Even cooler was Jameson had the opportunity to be a player escort. He’s in the white jersey and bright blue shorts   It was hot but still a fun time.  After the game we made hot dogs and s’mores using Nate’s new smokeless fire pit. It worked quite well and did seem to produce less smoke. And because of the design we can safely use it on the deck. Nate said it was maybe his best Father’s Day to date. 

 Summer activities have started! Evelyn had basketball camp in the morning. A friend from school was also able to attend which was fun. It was jersey day for the last day of camp. She is also playing on a summer rec team. Only a few girls signed up, but Evelyn was brave and said she’d play on a co ed team. It’s her and 6 other boys but Nate said her first practice went really well. Jameson tried out for a soccer team that’s a step up from rec but not quite full travel.  I’m not sure when we will hear back from the coaches but he starts summer rec soccer later in the month.  Yesterday was global day of running and the Big Run 5K organized by Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet donated $5 for every race participant to GOTR, so we were there to thank runners and try to recruit coaches for the fall. I still got to run with Evelyn and Jameson. Jameson ran 27:21 and was 8 out of 18 boys 14 and under. Evelyn (and myself) ran 31:08 and was 3 out of 16 girls 14 and under. I was 17 out of 43 in...