It is definitely summer in Texas - temperatures nearing the 100s every day. Although, we have been pretty lucky overall this summer. We’ve had rain and even some cooler temperatures, so we can’t complain too much. We have been doing some swimming, which definitely helps keep us cool. Our favorite place to swim is Grandma’s house. Always full of fun and cold treats! Cara calls them swim parties and has a requirement that we have at least 12 this summer. Our favorite swim parties are when our cousins are there too.

I have been attending several camps this month. Basketball camp at UTD with several of my friends was a lot of fun. It was a full-day camp filled with all things basketball. I hope to go again next summer.

I also attended a science camp and PE camp through the school district. Cara went to Little Chefs and FROZEN camp! She really loved those. We also both attended Vacation Bible School at our church.

We have had a few other fun outings as well. We went bowling, made another trip to the Perot with Grandma and Emily; went to the children’s museum at the Arboretum, which was tons of fun; and went on a family hike. We went to a Frisco RoughRiders game the night that they honored Mike Coolbaugh, who died when a foul ball hit him. He is the uncle of one of my friends who I have known since I was 6 months old.

We wrapped up our flag football season last week. It was a fun season and I enjoyed learning a new sport. Our team did ok and managed to make it to the finals in our bracket. We didn’t win that night, but we tried hard. I made two touchdowns this season and managed to get a few flags. Baseball season is right around the corner! We have started practicing along with hitting drills in the backyard.

We have continued on with our Boys Book Club this summer. We read Indian in the Cupboard and How to Train Your Dragon. Our last book for the summer is Fantastic Mr. Fox. Dad is teaching me how to play chess.

Cara has been enjoying summer. Her cheerleading team has been practicing this summer and last weekend attended cheer camp. My cousin Emily also cheers and Auntie Rachel is her coach. They went to camp together. We jokingly call them “Lucy and Ethel” since you never know what they are going to get into together!

Cara also is participating in her next gymnastics meet this weekend. She loves gymnastics and is doing really well. She has been working on her cartwheel all summer and is getting it down. She also is working on handstands and back bends. I am attending gymnastics as well, but will end my class at the end of August.

It was also a month of extractions. I had four teeth pulled to make room for adult teeth and hopefully help my teeth come in a little straighter. I went to see an orthodontist and he commended the teeth pulling to hopefully reduce the need for braces. My cousin Abbie also had her tonsils out. It has been a rough week for her and her throat.

Grandma and Aunt Beth are enjoying their annual trip to Canada. Cara asked if Grandma would find her a “real mermaid tail that she can swim in.” Funny girl … everyone knows there are no mermaids in Canada. Dad had his big conference in Las Vegas this month. It was a long, but good week for him. He continues his weekly radio show, The Soul of Enterprise on Voice America. I have asked if I could be on the show! We will see if that works out.

Cara will start kindergarten in just a few weeks! I can’t believe it. She will be at the same school as me, Marion. She seems to be excited about going. I remember my first day of school - so does Mom.

That’s all from me for this month. The next time you hear from me I will be officially a third grader and Cara in Kindergarten.

Love, Sean