Cub Scouts Blue & Gold Ceremony

 Congrats Cub Scouts!  Another year accomplished.  Nathan graduated from Bears and Owen graduated from Tigers.  It's been a fun filled year, full of experiences, friendships, and accomplishments.  

Troop 2 Spring Campout

 Dawson is thoroughly enjoying Troop 2.  They went on a campout to Chain o' Lakes.  It's rainy and muddy but they went and it sounds like it was a great time.  They built raccoon traps, explored, built fires, and spent time in the beautiful springtime nature.  Kim Burrow, the one leading the camp said:

We had lots of fun and mud.  We finished several requirements and more mud.  All of the boys came back without the ranger's help, but with plenty of mud.  Did I mention the mud?  I am just glad the rain mostly came while we were in the tents at night.  We saw some racoon friends and heard a barred owl asking "who cooks for you?".  All in all it was great event.

Another Licensed Driver

  Yes, This kid got his license.  Look out Fort Wayne.  Cooper is ready and excited to start driving!  Congrats Cooper!

Owen's Leo Soccer Team

Owen went out for soccer this spring.  He plays all the time at playtime at school and he plays with Nathan a lot.  He is really good, better than he gives himself credit for.  Go Owen Go!

Dawson Plays Tennis

 Dawson joined the Oak Farm Middle School Tennis team this spring with Coach Doug.  He's done a handful of lessons in the past, but never been on a team.  He and some friends joined the team and it has been an incredible experience for him.  It has built his confidence and given him a skill that is his own.  They've practiced almost every day after school and the matches have begun.  He is thoroughly enjoying tennis!

GRIN State Master's Swim Meet

 So I did a thing!  I competed in a State Master's Swim Meet at the IU Indianapolis Natatorium.  What in the world!  The team convinced Cara and I to go, so we did it.  We went down to Indy the night before and got a hotel.  We had a blast just the two of us, catching up, talking about life, and sharing stories.  Real true fun.  

When we arrived at the Natatorium the next day, we were both on edge.  Visible shaking from nerves and being cold, high levels of anxiety.  What in the world was I doing?  I felt so much out of my comfort zone, so inadequate and new at this sport.  It all just felt so overwhelming.  To hop into the pool for warmups felt awkward, freezing, uncomfortable.  However, once swimming, things began to feel more natural.  No different than the Jackson R YMCA pool, right?  I tried to tell myself that.  

I was always in the first heat in a lane near the edges, a sign that I was the rookiest of rookies at this crazy sport.  But I did it, and I did it all.  I did it and it is something I never dreamed I was capable of.  Never once believed I'd be competing in a state swim meet as an adult.  It never would have crossed my mind, not ever.  Yet here I was.  I'm so glad I had Cara with me.  We had each other through the experience.  

I competed in several races.  I did several 25 yard races, some 50 yard races, and the biggest challenge for me was the 200 yard freestyle that I signed up for at a moment that I was feeling daring.  A huge challenge for me.  I don't know what I was thinking to sign up for that.  But I did it, and everyone cheered, and I was proud, and felt so incredibly accomplished.  

This swimming thing again is something I never ever once thought I'd be doing at age 40.  Sometimes I still ask why in the world do I get up at 5am to hop in cold water and force myself to run out of breath?  Its the people.  Its the team, the challenge, the feeling of accomplishment after that hour of swimming back and forth and completing the sets.  Its been an incredible journey for my own growth and feeling of self worth.  I can learn anything at any age.  

ISSMA Jazz Fest

 Jaxton & the Garrett Jazz Band attended the ISSMA Jazz Fest.  Here are the musicians looking proud!

Losing Teeth

 Owen is losing more and more teeth.  He is looking cute!!

Cub Scout Little Libraries

 The Bear Cub Scouts built little free libraries last fall.  Now we are installing them.  This first one is getting installed at the Leo-Grabill baseball sports complex.  Lots of people pass through this area so it hopefully will be used a lot!  Nathan and Hunter and Cameron installed this one (with some dad help).  The second one got installed at the Leo Riverside Gardens park.  We had lots of Scouts working on this one (and dads) and the boys are super proud to be able to be a part of this project!

Greg's Birthday

 Greg is one of Nate's best friends, and best Simplx workers.  We share the Lake House with Greg too.  It was his birthday and we celebrated him at Simplx today.  Nelly made a newspaper for him and we celebrated him being an "old man!"  Happy Birthday Greg!