NINE YEARS OLD!?!? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!?!

SO...we celebrated my middle child today...nine flippin' years old. "Time flies" doesn't begin to cover it...this is the same kid we used to chase down the street when he was three...he was running to nowhere faster than any of us could catch him. The same three year old that made his mother the only mother who SWEATED at music class...all the other little ones sat on their mommies' laps like good little kids...not Jake...he climbed stairs, on tables, up walls...and I sweated. The same three year old who took a black magic marker and drew all over himself and was truly proud.
But let us also remember that this three year old boy loved with his whole heart...and although he has outgrown climbing walls, outgrown the use of markers on his body, and outgrown running fast to nowhere...he has the biggest heart of any kid I know.

Tonight we celebrated Jake at the Frederick Keys game.
He got to throw out the first pitch (and what an amazing pitch it was!) He, Connor, and Kate got to participate in a "between inning promotion"...they played musical chairs...and true to form...his competitive streak won out in the end...take a look...

"It was my birthday, Mom!" :-)

Overall, the kids were wonderful and fun was had by all...Jake was all smiles the whole evening and had all of "his people" with him to celebrate.
On July 28, 2000, God gave us one of the best gifts ever...Jake Carey Wills...and we are forever grateful.

Almost somebody's birthday....

And speaking of that somebody...let's start with my almost nine year old! This weekend was our last swim meet of the season and Jake Carey was asked to be in TWO relays...his first two relays ever!! His relay teams came in third and fourth! He swam beautifully...he has just kind of "kicked it into high gear" over the last two weeks and made some remarkable times! This clip is of his leg of the relay where his team won third place!

You may have noticed the handsome "timer" in Jake's lane who leans in for some last minute advice...Connor Edward decided not to swim this year, but has been his brother and sister's biggest fan. Today he was asked to help be a timer...he was happy to jump in to assist!

Also today, Kate Anastasi shaved ELEVEN seconds off her backstroke time...we were so proud of her! As you watch the clip (she's in the second lane)...are you thinking what I'm thinking? "Bob...she can't hear you!" :-) I shouldn't tease, because speaking of biggest fans...the kids know their Dad is always there cheering them on!

We spent a lot of time around the house this week...I was cleaning and sorting clothes in drawers and closets (I took SEVENTEEN bags to consignment!!) and the kids were playing with friends...I feel like they've had more time with friends this summer and are very happy to be at home in the backyard or the basement playing "Impossiball" or "Balltag" or "Wiffleball"... there are always lots of kids around and they seem to have a ton of fun. We did venture out to a free movie this week...we saw "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and last night my parents took us to see the Fredericktowne Players production of Annie...we all really enjoyed it.

We are headed to the Keys game to celebrate Jake's birthday on Tuesday...and then we're headed to Pat and Chip's cottage on Wednesday...Robert and Kim and Wes and Mandy will join us Thursday...and we'll all be together until Saturday night when Bob, Robert, Kim, the kids and I head to the beach...we'll be back Sat, Aug 8th! I'll have tons of pictures to share upon our return...

Until then...

What a week!!

I have so much to share...

Let's start with Kate Wills...

Kate went to Green Frogs "camp" this week...her last week at her favorite preschool...it was a Nick Jr. theme and she was in heaven with her old friends and Miss Jennifer and Miss Chris...she was sad to say goodbye, but we will visit, so that made it easier. She spent the night with the Hanna-Comptons (while Bob and I got away for one night), and while they were together they went to the Urbana Library to see none other than...Max and Ruby! Miss "Alissa" and Payton are two of her favorite people, so Miss Kate was in heaven! Kate continues to beat her times in freestyle and backstroke...she'll swim both of these strokes tomorrow. She told her swim coach today, "I think I even like backstroke a little." :-)

Now to Jake Wills...

He attended Stu Vetter basketball camp this week. His team made it to the championship game in 5v5...but unfortunately lost 4-2...tough game! He got to hear Greivis Vasquez speak and got his autograph...he thoroughly enjoyed this camp and wants to go back next year (only if his request to go to sleepaway camp with Connor is denied...oh dear.)

And last, but not least...Connor Wills...

He spent five days and four nights at Frostburg University at Coach Wooten's basketball camp...and had a ball (no pun intended)! He and Matt were roomates and Cody and Hunter were in their "suite" of rooms. They were on courts playing games or doing fundamentals from 9am to 9pm...they were exhausted...and they learned a lot. Greivis Vasquez also came to their camp and spoke to the 600 (yes, I said 600) campers there. You wouldn't believe how incredibly well managed this camp is...and the kids absolutely loved it! Bob and I went to watch Connor play on Wednesday on our way up to Deep Creek Lake (our one night get away) and then went back Thursday for Connor's championship game...his team won the championship for his league...PAC 10...it was a great game. Connor's game improved just in the one week they were there. They are already talking about going back next year!

And now to the one week get away I keep mentioning... Bob surprised me and took me to our favorite bed and breakfast, Lake Pointe Inn, at Deep Creek Lake. We sat in the big rockers on the porch overlooking the lake...reading and doing nothing...ahhhh...we took an evening boat ride on the lake, went to dinner, and sat by the fire pit roasting marshmallows and relaxing some more...it was wonderful!

The view from our room...

The Inn is behind us...

Have a fun weekend...we plan to!

It's the weekend again...

Time is flying in the Wills' household... a couple of quick updates...

Jake's team won the quarter-finals against Mt. Airy!! :-) But then lost in the semi-finals against Charles County. :-( Overall, they had a great tournament. There were 20 U8 teams in the State Tournament and his team finished one of the top four teams...NOT BAD!! Jake Wills had three homeruns in this tournament alone!

Connor's State Tournament is this weekend...should be a lot of fun! I'll post results after the tournament is over. On a different note, Connor leaves for sleep away basketball camp this Sunday night after his game...it's at Frostburg and is for four nights...he and his friends, Matt and Cody, are all going together...he's very excited!

Kate has been in Art Camp this week with Megan...they have had a ton of fun and made some wonderful creations. She has a swim meet tomorrow and then she goes to Green Frogs (her preschool) Camp next week.

Jake has basketball camp all next week, too...anyone noticing a pattern?!?!...all three kids in camp the same week...I'm no dummy! I have lunch plans a few days, some appts, and a few books in my near future! (I'm even considering the pool BY MYSELF! Do I dare?)

Another picture I wanted to share from last week's festivities...we spent the actual evening of July 4th with some of our favorite people...we hung out, had a corn hole tournament, and set off our own fireworks...it was a great evening...

'Til next time...

the beach, 4th of July, baseball, and some very exciting news...

HOWDY!! So the facts are...Mom and Dad are back home, but Pat and Chip are now away...sooo...here's more about US! Honestly, I think I'm just going to keep this up whether or not anyone is out of town...I can't begin to get a photo album together, so maybe this will be how I document memories!!

the beach...we got away for a whole three days (don't be too jealous) between baseball tournaments! We were fortunate to have the Lacys join us...we had a great time...the first day was gorgeous and we spent the whole day on the beach...the next day was sort of stormy, so we went the movies and then Bob took the kids crabbing for three hours...this was probably the highlight of their trip! They caught a ton of crabs, 10 were keepers, so they brought them home and did what any good crabber does...cooked 'em and ate 'em!! Take a look...

the 4th of July...we always head to "The Woods" to spend time with family...my Aunt Sandi and Steve have a house there...they throw a great party and we watch fireworks from their patio...we were again with the Lacys, as well as my Mom and Dad, my cousin Wes and his girlfriend, Mandy, my cousins Jenn and Bryan and their three adorable kids, and many other fun people...this party was on July 3rd...the next morning we awoke VERY early to head home...want to guess why?!?!

baseball!! Jake's U8 travel team is competing in the State Championships, and we were due in Elkridge, MD by 9am...he's still in the tournament, but as of right now, his team is 3-0 and he has hit all 11 times he was up to bat...two of those times were homeruns!! He has a 6pm game this evening (July 5th) and has qualified for the quarter finals tomorrow night...keep your fingers crossed! (FYI...Connor will be competing in the State Championships next weekend, so stay tuned!)

And now to the VERY exciting news...did I say Mandy was Wes' girlfriend!?!? How quickly things change...for the BETTER!! Change that to FIANCE!! Wes and Mandy got engaged on July 4th!! This picture was taken the day before up at the Woods...we are thrilled for the two of them and wish them nothing but happiness. :-)