More Tennis and Horse Camp and Movies

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3 Generations of Tennis Players

As you all know from a previous post, MM took her first official tennis lessons before we left for the beach. Well, SHE LOVED IT! I was so glad to see her enthusiasm for the game that I have loved for most of my life! I certainly didn't want to push her into it, but I just wanted her to learn how to play so that if she ever wanted to play as adult she would already have an idea of it.
While we were at the beach last week, the tennis courts held a kids clinic for her age group on Tuesday and Thursday. She was so pumped about playing tennis that she could not wait until Tuesday, so I took her out to the courts several days before hand. She is amazing! I know I maybe a little biased, but even the Pro's at the beach could not believe how good she was to have only had 3 lessons in her life and only be 4 years old. She has great coordination and hand-eye coordination too! It was really HOT on the courts too, but she wanted to stay out there for hours! We finally had to say "Time Out"! She asked me, "Mommy, when I get big like you, can we play tennis together?" So cute, how could I resist! She is really looking forward to more tennis, but in the meantime. . .

Horse Camp started this week! It is pretty intense for this age group, but they are having a blast. It is Monday - Friday from 8-12. Everyday when I pick her up at 12, she is exhausted and can barely stay awake to eat lunch. I asked her yesterday which was her favorite and she told me that she loved tennis AND horseback riding - they are both my favorite! Who knows which one she will land on! But for now we are enjoying them both. And this weekend the farm is holding a mini-show for the little kids so that they can see what it's like to do a show without it being so hectic and serious. MM is so excited and looking forward to her first show which I am thrilled about considering our first experience with horse shows (that she did not do). Wish us luck!

Then to add to all the excitement of the current summer fun, we (along with friends/neighbors) are hosting a Movie Night Under the Stars (i.e. in our backyard). We have rented an inflatable screen and sound system and a popcorn machine. Guests are supposed to bring a blanket and it's BYOB for the parents. We cannot wait and it's going to be so much fun - I will post pictures next week. We have not been able to decide which movie to play though so any feedback would be great! We are looking for a movie that is not gender specific (princesses), good for all ages, clean, not scary, etc. We have narrowed it down to 3: Hotel 4 Dogs, Bolt, and Bedtime Stories. Any suggestions?

Tennis Camp, Horseback Riding, and More

All I have to say is thank goodness we only have 2 kids right now and Anna is not even involved in activities yet! This week has been so chaotic and fun and busy and it's only the first week of summer (as far as our school schedule)! I signed MM up for a tennis camp at our club for 4-5 year olds. I don't know if I would really call it a "camp" per say, because it is only 3 days this week for 30 minutes. At first, I thought, "Wow, only 30 minutes?" But after the first day, I realized it was perfect for them - it is long enough that they get a "taste" of tennis, but just short enough that they don't lose focus and get bored and THAT leaves them wanting to come back for more! I don't think I have seen one child that has not liked it and wanted to keep playing this week! Then, because of the lovely southern warm days already amongst us, our horse trainer is trying to rearrange her schedule so that the kids do not scorch suring their lessons! So instead of an afternoon lesson, we had a morning lesson. It was still warm, but not dreadful. She did so great too - she was having a lesson with little girls that are little older and she was able to follow their lead and do exactly what they did. The only issue we had was that those girls trot a little faster than MM is used to and her pony was keeping up with the other ponies at the faster pace, but MM just held on and went right along.

So, now I am trying to get everything taken care of at work, get clothes washed, etc. because we are leaving Friday for a much anticipated trip to the beach. The girls are literally counting down the days until we leave! We will be there for a week, but we have to get back by next Friday because the Rodeo is back in Fayette and we CERTAINLY cannot miss that event! I just hope we have more funny stories from the rodeo this year.

I will be taking my computer to the beach so you may get some updates, but then again, who knows! I hope I get to spend most days on the beach or by the pool!

And for those of you who could not find my instructions for "putting up" fresh veggies or just need a refresher . . .ENJOY!

On a final (and very sad) note, please pray for some family friends of ours that lost a baby yesterday at 28 weeks. The dad has always been like a big brother to me and his wife just fits right in as well. Here's the brief story: this would have been their 4th child due in August; while at the beach with the family she didn't feel so great, called her doc, was told to go to the hospital to just get checked out; they got there and couldn't find the heartbeat; they are supposed to have her induced this morning. I just ask you prayer warriors to pray for comfort, healing, and anything else that you feel this precious family needs right now, including the right words to tell the other 3 children about their baby brother! My heart is just breaking for them right now.

Tennis Pics

Chris and I after our Big Win!Cool action shot - Ha! You like the headband?!

Casino Night - nope didn't win anything!


Not gonna tell you what Chris is saying!

Tennis Anyone?

Sorry for the delay in posts, but I have to admit that I have been doing a few things for myself for a change! I call it my Prescription for a Sane Mom! So, instead of posting about my kids today, I am going to take the time to brag a little about myself!

For those of you who don't know me very well, I grew up playing tennis - and not just fun tennis, I mean the kind of competitive tennis that kept me and my family (my brother played, too) on the road all summer, every summer, traveling to every tennis tournament we could get to! We pretty much just lived out of what Tyler and I affectionately called the Tennis Wagon or Tennis Lemon (picture [and smell] this: one of those lovely Dodge burgandy mini-vans with wood paneling down the sides, full of kids and tennis gear, and smelling of old, sweaty socks barreling down the highways and biways of the Southeast) - what a site behold, but what wonderful family memories we have! I have to admit that I truly believe that this is the sole reason for our family being so close - we spent every second of our summers together as a family! People just don't do that anymore! Everyone is too consumed with "doing it all"! And even though my dad traveled, he always seemed to show up at most of our tournaments. Memories of Dad being there go kind of like this: Mom, Tyler, and I travel to the tournment; we sign in and get our match times; show up at our 1st match and warm up; look over to the courtside and there is mom sitting quietly clapping, smiling, thumbs up (regardless of how you were playing -UUUGGHHHHH); and then there pops dad pacing behind the fence. Even though he was pacing, he was always there and that is what mattered to us! Ok, well, long story short, I got burned out and quit playing altogether at the ripe old age of 13 when I realized that I had nothing in common with anyone that I went to school with during the year and wanted to be in the "in crowd". Me? I know, you can't imagine that!

Well, fast forward to today - haven't really played a whole lot (other than a few spurts of leagues scattered through the years) and 2 babies later. I've been playing on a league that plays once a week at night and have had a great time and decided that this time is for real - I want to play again! And play seriously again! Wow, how things have changed since I was playing competitively at age 11! My partner, Chris, and I decided to play in a local ladies tournament last weekend and we had a blast! Not to mention, we played very well! We lost our first match (to our teamates on our league), but then went on to win the consolation championship! I have to admit it - I've been bitten by the tennis bug again (as an adult) and I love it! The good thing about learning to play as a child? It's like riding a bike - you can quit and pick it back up so easily! Mary Mac also had her first clinic a couple of weekends ago and she has been bitten too! We cannot get enough tennis! I have a video of her that I will try and post if I can get it edited to a short video!

So, I'm going to post some pics from the tournament and the Casino Night party before the tournament started. Another aspect of me playing again is that my husband has finally gotten to see me in action and is so proud! He's never played before, but I think he is really getting into it with me and Mary Mac and is just as excited! See Sam, I told you that I am a tiny bit athletic! Ha! I'll keep you all posted on my tennis adventures as they happen - so stay tuned!