Dive Season 2014

Madeline really loved participating in dive team this summer. Our pool competed in division 1 this year, and Madeline participated in every meet. I find that amazing considering we live in the Northern Virginia region where all sports are ridiculously competitive. She put in a lot of hard work and learned many new skills. She placed second at one of her meets which was a definite highlight. She was also surprised with the team rep's award at the end of the season banquet for, as the rep explained, "Her willingness to help out, politeness, enthusiasm, risk taking, and resilience." Yep, she said all those things about my baby. It definitely made all those 7:30 morning practices worth it!

Summer Camping

With summer swim and dive team commitments completed, Kent and I were excited to have some weekends to fill. We squeezed in a much anticipated weekend camping trip along the Shenandoah River.

After loading up our car, we arrived at our favorite campground, only to find they had changed their pet policy. We quickly made a plan B and with patchy phone service, we were able to reserve the last site at a campground an hour drive away. It turned out perfect: a huge site right on the river with tubing and (flushing) bathrooms!!

We hung out sans electronics, played with the dog, waded and explored the river, cooked dinner, made s'mores, and relaxed. It was fantastic.

Madeline read, and read, and read. She and I retired to our sleeping bags early so we could read peacefully through the evening.

All in all, we had an incredibly relaxing and restful weekend. We will definitely go back. I am looking forward to camping along the river with the fall foliage around us!