Winshape Camps for Communities: Best Week Ever

I had never even HEARD the name "Winshape" until recently, but now that I have seen what it is all about I am so happy to have gotten in the know and especially grateful Preston got to experience one of their "Camps for Communities" this week.

The Truett Cathey (of Chick-Fil-A) Family has spent years putting together day/overnight camps, retreats for marriages, retreats for pastors, sponsoring foster homes and even doing missionary work internationally under the "Windshape" banners.  From what I understand, it's a pretty big deal to get one of these camps to come to your church and Temple had it for the first time last year.  My readers know I like to keep Preston busy in the Summer (he is asleep upstairs now though...) and so we decided to check out this great day camp.

There was a long list of activities to chose from, and Preston selected 1) Secret Agent 2) Wacky Scientist and 3)Fast Food.  (If you know Preston none of these should come as a surprise!) So he spent time doing these activities that also tied back into God's word.  I went to his exhibition this morning and I think you can tell he was having fun.  He and I won the cookie decorating contest for our snowman...he was pretty pumped...especially when he got to eat it!

We all got free Chikkalay for lunch and now I am gearing up for night two of the Sound of Music.  Thanks family for coming out last night.   I am going to try and get some good pics one of these nights of performance...

4th weekend in Dallas

Our weekend trip to Dallas was "semi" spur of the moment.  We really didn't have much else going on, and Preston LOVES the Great Wolf, so we decided to go over for a long weekend.

The GWL is crazy expensive on Summer weekends so we decided just to do one night there.  Since you can get in at 11:30 on the day you arrive and actually stay the ENTIRE next day one night is PLENTY in my book.  So, Jeff the trip planner was kind of off the hook for this one and I spent a LONG time looking for something to do in Dallas on the 4th that was not crazy busy or crazy HOT!  I came up with the Fairmont downtown as they had a highly rated pool that even was showing a "Dive-In Movie" at dark.  Score!  Then, we just stumbled upon the super cool Klyde Warren Park as we were driving into the hotel and it was just perfect.  There were food trucks set up and we had some delicious food.  And the boys LOVED the Splash Pad.  SO grateful Jeff is such a good Daddy because it definitely took TWO sets of eyes to keep up with them at this busy park but it was worth it.  We didn't make it to the bitter end of "Frozen"...but we have it at home :)

The only minor (could have been MAJOR!) mishap we had occurred on Saturday morning as we were leaving the Fairmont headed to GWL.  Someone had opened the back glass on Jeff's Tahoe--I guess the valet--and we didn't know and the back window flew open as we were on speeding onto the freeway.  Jeff instinctively pulled over...where there was NO shoulder....and it was a scary few seconds until we decided to heck with whatever flies out of the car we've got to get out of the road!  In all seriousness, it was one of those moments that you literally pray with all of your might, and God pulled us through for SURE!!

I don't know what it is about the GWL, but whatever their formula is sure does work with my boys.  They LOVE IT!  Now, were there some lines?  Sure.  However, Jeff and P rode the big slides for over an hour this morning with essentially no lines.  Are there some unpleasant things that happen when you  mix babies, swim diapers and even big kids who eat too much candy and then go swim?? YEP!  But these things happen anywhere with kids so it isn't a huge deal to me.

It was maybe a tad selfish to sneak to Mi Cocina last night for dinner but I really didn't want a Wolf Burger.  It was awesome.  After we got back to Great Wolf, Daddy and John Cole did some exploring while Preston and I did the "MagicQuest."  Preston was MUCH better (and more into it) this time and I actually sort of enjoyed it too.  There is a LOT of stair walking and I was in high wedges and was not sad when he was ready to call it quits...

Without a doubt the coolest thing about the GWL are the bunk beds.  Seriously, NO FIGHT putting kids to bed.  They were so cute all snuggled up with their wolf pillows.  Wish I could bottle that sweet moment!

We hit the waterpark, did a little more MagicQuest and colored some super cool tshirts before we left today.  Boys were done and quite frankly so were Mom and Dad!  We also really enjoyed our lunch at Meso Maya which came recommended by Kk and Kevin. Thanks y'all.

Its Sound of Music week!  Opening night is Thursday!  Hope I can get some pictures to post.  Until then....

Ch-Yo-Ca Part 2

Just wanted to do another post to add some "closure" to Preston's awesome week at Ch-Yo-Ca.  He is already talking about going next year, but REALLY has his sights set on spending the night in two years.  I don't know if Mommy will be ready for that....

Shown is the large group, song practice the last day and Preston with his cabin "Boys Lodge 2."  And lastly is a shot of his ART AWARD winning painting of Jesus on the cross.  You KNOW this mama was proud!

I don't know how much he absorbs of the Bible classes, nor do I know how much he will remember, but I do know this is an amazing place with the sweetest people who LOVE the Lord.  It would almost be hard for some "Jesus" not to rub off :)  So, until next year.....

Greetings from Camp Ch-Yo-Ca

Preston is REALLY enjoying his second year at Camp Ch-Yo-Ca in Calhoun.  I am really enjoying getting to see pictures of what he is up to as they have a photographer taking pics all day and they post them online.  Of note:

1) I had a proud Mommy moment when I picked him up yesterday and they told me how much they are enjoying my P. Shown is him riding on the shoulders of the counselor named "Preston" and rumor has it they are both favorites at camp :)

2) The Bible story was The Good Samaritan on Tuesday and Preston gave me an expert play by play of the action.  I was also proud that day he told me he shared the Smarties he found on the ground with one of his new friends...

3) Thanks fam for all of the mail to him.  He says you have to do a dance when you get mail, but he got so much yesterday he had to do the "chicken dance!"  He loves it and I appreciate you effort.

LOVE THIS PLACE and so grateful it is right down the road. Hopefully I will get some more shots from Thursday and Friday :)

Summer Happenings

It has been a very eventful June thus far!  The boys and I are LOVING our Summer schedules...we've been sleeping pretty late these days...and LOVING fun in the sun!  We have had  a visit from the snowcone truck, Preston has attended two camps and swim lessons, John Cole has had swim lessons and is swimming like a fish, Preston has been golfing, fishing and tubing with his Daddy, John Cole and I have been on multiple occasions to pick blueberries and of course we have been fixtures at the Squire Creek pool. The BIGGEST thing that happened this month, however, is that our Pop got a new aortic valve!  We traveled to Houston to be with him during the surgery--and did some fun things too--and I am happy to report although he is not back to 100% he is recovering very well.  Please continue to pray for both he and my mom as they journey together toward his complete healing.

Hope your Summer is off to a great start.  More later....

Memorial Weekend Beach Trip

Instagram pics will have to suffice because we packed LIGHT for the weekend!  It was lots of driving, but this beach bum thought it was worth it to get two glorious beach days.  The weather was perfect, the kids were GREAT (really, very good) and we all got some R & R.  So grateful for this family time and HAPPY SUMMER!

T-Ball 2014

So proud of my little slugger!  What a difference two years make...you should have seen his last at bat tonight.  Confident and solid...he is getting so BIG!  Props to Jeff for not only being the coach but for spearheading this entire section of the league.  Over 120 kids--lots of things can go wrong--but he did a great job.  See you next year Dixie baseball...I'll have TWO sluggers next year...can't wait :)