Travis' went to camp

I am so behind. I've been having too much fun this summer with my kids. Forgive me. Lots of these pictures are already old, some by more than a month. But I'm trying to catch up!

So lets start with Travis going to camp. This was his second visit to Camp Albemarle. Last year, he went with his friend Holden. This year, he went with his friend Holden AND his friend Miller. The camp has this neat photo website, where parents can logon and see pictures that the camp photographer took the previous day. This year, you could save the pictures to your computer. So several of these pictures will be pictures that I saved from the camp site. I stalked that webpage every morning until the pictures were posted. Even though we couldn't call him, seeing him in pictures made him feel closer to home. He actually mailed us a letter this year also! He arrived home before it did, but its the thought that counts :).

Miller and Travis in the cabin


Miller, Travis and Holden out on the dock with the camp in the background. They wouldn't be this clean again, for a week :)


Outside their cabin and their counselor


Riley, Madelyn and Bailey, sitting around, while the boys got settled in.


Doing the rope/tree climbing activity










Can you find him?


I loved this picture. It was taken their first evening at camp. So I saw it the next morning. I am pretty sure my heart melted into a puddle at the sight of it. They were all three smiling!


Travis and his counselor at pickup day


Travis had a great week. Next summer, since he will attend as a 6th grader (gulp!), he has the choice of one week or two week camp!! My boy is growing up on me too fast.

Pool Boys

Riley points up as he says "throw me up!"









Not a great shot, because I wasn't prepared for how high he would fly...but look at the joy on his face!

Happy 10th Birthday Travis!

Dear Travis,

Ten years ago today, at exactly 13:13 on June 13th...you made me a mother when your 8lb 9oz, 22" long little body made its appearance into this world screaming like crazy. You changed my life in a way I never expected, and I have loved every minute of being your mom. At 10 years old, you are 4'8" tall and weigh about 71 pounds. I firmly believe there is not an ounce of fat on your body. You are one lean kid! You are so athletic, and baseball and running are your current favorite sports. You also enjoy basketball and golf and cub scouts. One year left of both elementary school and cub scouts! Fishing is your other love, and I think you'd fish in a mud puddle if you had the opportunity, because you love it just that much. You know more stuff about boats and fishing than I will probably ever know in my entire life, and you are only 10! You love being outdoors and being active.

You work very hard in school, and get great grades, and we are so proud of you for all that you do. You are kind and compassionate to others, and have no tolerance for those that try to bully others. Your teachers love you and constantly tell us what a great example you set for others, and that just makes my heart swell with pride. You still struggle from time to time with backaches and headaches from your spinal syrinx, and we deal with those when they occur, but very very rarely does that ever slow you down. At 10, you have already completed two 5K races with great times. Currently, you and I go running together and you chatter my ears off about anything and everything as we run along.  And we laugh together about how we pour water all over ourselves, because we don't want to stop to take a sip, so we do it while we are running and it goes everywhere.

Your first 5 years, you enjoyed as an only child. Then, along came Riley. And while I knew you would be a good big brother, and love him, I had no idea just how GREAT a big brother you would be! Riley worships the ground you walk on, and for good reason. You are so good to him. Sure, sometimes, the two of you bicker with each other, but that is rare. You take such good care of him, and play with him and tolerate his busting up your lego creations and all the other little things that he does that could easily upset you. You are teaching him all about how to play baseball, and when he starts t-ball this fall, your efforts will be noticed, I am sure.

Today, for your 10th birthday, we have a big surprise for you...yesterday, we whisked you and your good buddy Miller away to Charlotte, and you two had no idea it was going to happen. You were both basically told to get in the car and ride. Last night, we went to see Madagascar 3 and stayed in a hotel. This morning, for the day of your 10th birthday, we are going to Carowinds, which is a theme park that is full of ROLLER COASTERS and other rides and a water park also. Saturday, we will have your party where everyone else will celebrate you with us.

It's been a great 10 years buddy. I am so proud of the boy you have become, and you make me more and more proud every day.

I love you the mostest,
Mom

Here is a video look at 10 years of Travis, in 4.5 minutes. Enjoy!

Travis is 10! from Lindsey Souza on Vimeo.

Spring Baseball 2012

Today was our next to last baseball game of the spring season. Since it was a daytime game (we have had mostly night games), I figured I would take my camera and snap some pictures. The boys played great today, and us adults were all reminded of how well POSITIVE reinforcement works to booster the hearts and spirits of children. It's been a tough season, but today, the boys all seemed to remember the love they have for the game. THAT was great to see! Here is our team this season. Today, Travis was our first baseman. Normally, he plays 3rd base, but today, he was needed to play 1st base. He did an awesome job! "I got it!"...he caught a pop fly in the first inning. His first hit...he got up 5 times in today's game. This one was a line drive straight to the pitcher's glove, and got him out, but that was ok! On 1st... Stealing 3rd... He's safe! Ready to go home and make a run Look at the look on his face! After the game was over, Riley of course had to run the bases. "Run home Riley, run home!" PS: we ran our 5K today. I am not so patiently waiting for the official results to be posted before I say too much about it, but here is a picture from today...check out Travis' hair. Travis and his buddy Will

Kayak!

Mr. "I have lots of birthday money" found the perfect thing to buy...


So of course, it had to be tested out! So, into the pool it went.


Travis is thrilled. I see lots of paddling in the creek and sound in his future! Both boys had the giggles over the water popping up from the drain hole when Jay banged on the top of the kayak.


Travis also brought home a new birdhouse yesterday. That he built (with Sandra's help!) from wood they found. I just love it and can't wait to find a place in our yard to hang it!

Boys are so much fun

You roll a ball up a hill...

And let it go at the top...

and squeal in delight as it rolls down!


And when you say "scoot closer together like you love each other"...you get this:


Riley was making a mmmmm noise and saying "I love you Travis!"