Baseball Camp

Jackson got invited to go to a two day camp at Wayne State. He was so thrilled to hear that Miguel Cabrera and Torii Hunter were going to be there. Todd was asked to coach at the camp as well. Todd was only able to go on Friday because he had another commitment on Saturday. On Friday I drove Jackson and Aidan down to Wayne State. They were a little bummed that they didn't get put in the same group, but I think their excitement of being at the camp let that go. There were about 120 kids at the camp ranging from  7-18 years old. They all met on the baseball field and listened to Jeff Jones (Tigers pitching coach) talk about what it means to work hard and how important it is to love the game. He went through the schedule of the day and sent the campers off. There were 12 different stations between the baseball field, football field and softball field. The boys had to hustle between stations to get to the next. There were coaches from all over assisting and also some of the Wayne State baseball players. Todd was working on the football field with groups. I walked around from station to station snapping pictures and watching Jackson. He was getting great instruction. He had 10 boys in his group and had three coaches. When Jackson was at the pitching station Jeff Jones came up to him to chat...Jackson could not even speak. He just stared like he could not believe he was talking to him. At the end of the camp Cabrera came and spoke to the kids. His message was to work hard and play hard. Jackson sat in the front row and could not take his eyes off of him. Then it was time for signings. Jackson had him sign a baseball.

On Saturday my dad went to camp with Jackson and I. My mom came over and watched Aubrin. It was set up the same way with stations, although they worked on different skills. My dad had a good time watching Jackson at the camp and I think Jackson was equally as thrilled to have grandpa there watching. At the end of camp Torii Hunter came. He was so awesome with the kids. His answers were honest. He really stressed to the kids that they need to love the game to play the game. He shared how he found the love in the game. He also shared how he has failed many times, but how important it is to handle that failure and learn from it. At the camp the 10 hardest working campers were told they could ask Torii Hunter a question. Jackson was very proud when he was picked to ask a question. His question was "How does

it feel to play the game on the big field?" I loved that Torii Hunter looked at him the whole time while answering- Jackson was beaming!!!!! Again we had a chance for signing at the end. When Jackson got up to the front Torii Hunter told Jackson that was a great question to ask- smiles again.
 This was such an awesome opportunity for Jackson. That night he said that he felt pretty lucky. I should say so kiddo!

4th of July

The week of the 4th of July is always so busy in our neighborhood. Everyone is having BBQ's, swim dates start early and go all day into the night and kids are going to bed way too late. We did fireworks a couple different nights. For some reason Todd is always nominated to light them off. I love watching fireworks, but they make me nervous when my loves face is so close to them. Aubrin sat with her fingers in her ears most of the week, but at least this year she sat outside and watched them instead of watching  through a window.On the 4th we had dinner at Dave and Jamie's house. Then when it was time for fireworks, 4 other families joined us.
Erin and her family were also in town that week. Erin and Jayson have decided to sell their house in Beverly Hills so they had to come home and do some work on it. I told her I would take the kids for a day so she could get some work done at the house. We had fun playing at our house and also going swimming at a friends. In the evening my mom and Erin came over for dinner and picked the kids up. We look forward to their visit at the end of this month again!

Our Last Day-Day 8

Today was our last day of our trip. We were bummed that it was coming to an end, but we still had a few hours to pack in a a couple more things. We had breakfast and then Todd headed down to the pool with the kids while I got everything packed up. After a swim we thought we would go back and try to go putt-putt golfing again. This time it was a success. Although it did start to rain a bit while we were playing. The course was a Christmas course. It was cute with fake snow blowing around and Christmas music playing. 
After heading back to the hotel for lunch we wasted a bit of time in the arcade and then got ready to go to the airport (of course it was pouring down rain). Once we got to the airport at 4:00 for our 6:20 flight, we were told our flight would not be leaving until 8:40pm-UGH!!!! Todd and I had to mentally prepare to keep two kids busy in an airport for 4 1/2 hours. The kids were great. They both played on the ipads, watched a movie or we just walked around. 
By the time we landed in Detroit and I called my parents to pick us up it was 11:00pm. Both kids fell asleep on the plane for about an hour, so it gave them a little extra steam to make the ride home.
The kids were both full of stories to tell my parents, but also seemed very excited to be home and able able to sleep in their own beds.
It was a wonderful family trip with many memories made. Just what we needed to kick off our summer vacation.

Magic Kingdom~ Our morning at the castle- Day 7

Aubrin and I were up bright and early to be at Magic Kingdom by 8:00am. We had a very important breakfast date with the princesses. Aubrin was so excited to get into her Snow White dress and put on her fancy shoes. Once we made it back to the castle ( wearing princess shoes can take a long time to walk to the back of the park) Aubrin said she was so excited to see Cinderella. Aubrin took her picture with her and of course asked her, " Do you sleep here in the castle?" She was obsessed about where all of the characters slept and ate. We then headed upstairs to the dinning room. It's funny what Aubrin remembered from our trip two years ago when she had just turned 3. She remembered that we sat at the same table.  Once we ordered our breakfast the princesses started to come in one at a time. They each spent time at our table signing Aubrin's frame and taking a pictures. Aubrin was very chatty and giggly with the ladies. Once again, this will be a memory that will stay with me forever. Watching Aubrin with so much genuine excitement warmed my heart. Just as we were finishing up Todd called and said they had just gotten to the park and were headed our way-perfect timing. 
Aubrin did not want to change out of her dress just yet because she said she needed a picture with Jackson and Todd first.
After we walked around and went on more rides and visited with a few more characters. Aubrin was thrilled to see Alice. This is who she wants to be for Halloween. She was checking her out from head to toe and telling me everything we need for her costume. Although Aubrin is pretty sure her name is Allison from "Allison" Wonderland. It's one of those things I just don't want to fix. Todd and Jackson had been waiting to go on Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain had been closed the last day that we had been there, so thank goodness it reopened. Jackson loved it. He wasn't a huge fan of Thunder Mountain. He said that it was too bumpy. Aubrin and I watched both. There was no way the little lady was getting near either ride.
As the day went on it got really dark. We knew that a storm was coming but the kids really wanted to try and stay for the afternoon parade. Aubrin danced in the street with all of the people, while Jackson enjoyed and ice cream cone and watched. She was a dance machine.
Just as the parade was ending it started to rain. We tried to battle through it, but they stared closing rides because of the weather- total bummer. So we decided to head back to the hotel. Once we got back it stopped raining long enough to get in some pool and hot tub time. It looked like it could possibly clear up so we decided to head back to the park. As soon as we stepped foot on the park it started POURING!!!! So we thought it would be a good time to go into a few gift shops and let the kids do a little shopping. It didn't look like it was going to let up, so we headed back to the hotel. We had a late dinner, got into our jammies and called it a night. It was our last day at the parks. It wasn't the best day of weather, but we made the best of it and have a lot of fun.

Magic Kingdom/Hollywood Studios~ Days 5 & 6

This morning we got up early and headed to the Magic Kingdom. Jackson was feeling 100% and back to himself. We were happy that the opening show went on with all electrical working! As soon as we got in the park we headed to see Mickey and Minnie. Once we got in we realized it was only Mickey. The kids wanted a picture with them in their "real clothes". We saw Mickey, but he was in safari clothes. I guess in the eyes of babes, it's not the real thing unless they look a certain way. Once again. Aubrin didn't love Mickey, but agreed to get close if I was holding her. 

Then we headed straight back to the new Fantasy Land. Aubrin really wanted to see the Beast Castle (from a far of course), Ariel and Belle's cottage. This area was being built on our last trip. All of it's not complete yet, but should be on the next 6 months. Belle's cottage was a fun experience for Aubrin. Belle told an interactive story with the kids. Aubrin was picked to come up and help her tell the story. She was so thrilled!!!! Todd and Jack went on Space Mountain while we were visiting with Belle. It didn't really interest Jack- I understand. 

When we all met back up we went on the new Little Mermaid ride and then after headed over to get Ariel's autograph. Again, Jack said he would wait to see her, but no need to take a picture with her.

We filled our day with riding more rides, visiting with more characters and watching parades and shows. During the parade Jessie from Toy Story came over and gave Jackson a big kiss. He was so embarrassed!

Jackson was so happy when he had a root beer. We are not a pop drinking family, especially the kids. But every once in a while as a special treat Jackson can have pop. He has been asking forever (probably since Kyle's wedding) if he could have a root beer. Pure happiness!!!!

Later that night at the hotel the boys found that the Tiger game was on TV. That was another pure happiness moment for my boys. Aubrin and I decided to watch a movie at the pool. Each night they showed a different Disney movie at the pool. Tonight it was Monsters Inc.  We only watch a little of it because Aubrin couldn't keep her eyes open, She was so tired!

The next morning we woke up and had a slower morning. We were in no hurry to rush to a park. We started with a delicious breakfast and then headed down to the pool. We swam for a while and then decide to venture out and go miniature golfing.

Of course when we were golfing it started raining pouring. They closed the course down because of the thunder and lightning. We tried to wait it out and had Popsicles, but it didn't seem like it was going to stop. So we got a rain check headed back and spent a little time in the arcade. Once it stopped raining we decided to head to Hollywood Studios. Jack was not feeling great the day we went so we decided to head back and see if we could do a few more things that he could enjoy while feeling better. We got in a few things, but it started pouring again. So we headed to Pizza Planet for lunch. Jackson LOVES the Toy Story movies, so he was thrilled about this. 

Then we headed to a few more shows (too loud for Aubrin) before heading back to the hotel.

After dinner we ended our evening with watching The Lion King out by the pool.  They handed out these glasses to all the kids. I love this picture!