Picture Day!

 Collin, 8th grade, Boerne Middle School South

Brennan, 6th grade, Boerne Middle School South

Ethan, 3rd Grade, Van Raub Elementary, Heath & Cooley

Katelyn, 2nd grade, Van Raub Elementary, Odom

Labor Day at Inks Lake

We went camping for Labor Day weekend! We returned to our favorite lake - Inks - with our favorite boating friends - the Bohmans. Unfortunately, at the last minute, mom Heather's grandma's health took a turn for the worse and she had to rush to California to say her goodbyes, but we had a great time with dad Stephen and son Benjamin. 

Here's our awesome jet ski + camping equipment setup. It's insane, but it does the job time and time again.

Baby girl enjoying her scooter around and around and around the circle. I also get us a site at the end of a peninsula into the lake. We have almost no traffic down there, lakefront access, and a perfect little scootering loop. We really want to bring our bikes, but see the above picture to make recommendations for where we could fit those! 

FRIDAY - getting settled

SATURDAY - paddling

SUNDAY - swimming hole

MONDAY - boating

It stormed the first and last nights. The first night wasn't too bad - in hindsight - because that last night was really something else. I guess there were tornado warnings nearby, and wind gusts were reported up to 40 mph. Our rain fly blew partway off, but Ryan & Collin were able to catch it, reattach it, and lash it a tree. We were a little moist, but all in all, it could have been so much worse! 

Happy 7th, Katelyn!

Happy 7th, Katelyn!

I got to sub in Kate's class the day she brought her birthday treat to share (Fri), and it was cute when she listed my subbing for her as one of her birthday presents. 

On Saturday, Katelyn got a day of just her and Mom & Dad. We started with french toast at Kneader's.

Then we headed to Sea World for her dolphin experience.

For her birthday present, she wanted to swim with the dolphins, and I've never seen a happier girl! Before we even went, she made this cute picture. 

                                             

And she was truly in heaven.

                                           

After the swimming part, we headed into the regular park, where we rode the kiddie coaster and the carousel. (It's fun to still have a little kid!)

We got Dippin' Dots (which I haven't had since I was a kid!). I was surprised at how good they were. The kids always ask for them, and I always tell them no, but no one hears No on their birthday! 

We also got to see the dolphin & manatee show, and it was the first time we noticed that the dolphins that you swim with are a very different species than the ones in the show (Pacific White-Sided).

On our way home, we stopped at Chick-fila for lunch, because if there's anything this girl loves it's chicken nuggets.

The next day (Sunday) was her actual birthday, so Saturday afternoon we made her chocolate cake.

Sunday morning she had our traditional birthday breakfast - Eggo waffle with leftover icing and sprinkles.

She's getting so big! She wanted me to curl her hair for Church, and I about cried with how grown up she's looking.

She wanted ice cream with her cake, and it had to be pink. The boys have a new joke and call it Napolean Ice Cream, and the name has stuck.

In addition to the Dolphin Experience, Katelyn also got a new bike helmet and a "K is for Katelyn" t-shirt I made on the Cricut.

For our family activity, she picked Rummy-O because, after all, she is a Morello.

Happy birthday, beautiful girl! We love you!!

Katelyn is a 2nd grader now. She is in the gifted & talented program at school, but she is also still struggling with her reading fluency. I'm sure it'll come, especially since she is still really so young for her grade. Her teacher is giving her extra help, so fingers crossed we can be done with worrying about it soon. 

She is a star soccer player! This girl never comes away from a game without scoring at least one goal, and it really is so fun to watch her. My favorite part is that she isn't a ball hog, and she often passes to team mate's who are better lined up to score after she's brought it down the field. I am so proud to be her mom! 

She also loves to swim, paddleboard, tube, and kneeboard. She is so comfortable in the water! This summer she was really turning heads in her swim lesson group, so I am hunting for a swim team for her for next year. She's smooth and fast. Her paddleboard steering has also really improved, and she & Collin love to go off on adventures at the lake or river.

She re-started piano lessons last week after a one-year hiatus. She is super motivated to practice right now, so we'll see how long until the newness wears off and I'm back to fighting with her. 

Kate still runs the show around here. She likes to lead and be in charge, and she truly doesn't know she's the youngest and should act like it. She's bossy and it drives her brothers nuts. But, quite honestly, I like not being the only nag around the house. 

She makes friends with EVERYONE - boy or girl. She is always playing with different kids at recess or picking different partners in class or in PE. She is super social, teacher's helper, and a great friend. I am so glad we didn't hold her back a year. She just is too socially mature... and has been for a long time. 

She is looking forward to getting to start Activity Days in January. Of course, she also wanted to confirm that they will do crafts AND camping. This girl is going places!