NC Summer Days

 While planning our summer activities, keeping everyone safe during a pandemic was our top priority.  Luke now joins us in being fully vaccinated, and we are anxiously awaiting the time that Leah's age group will be eligible for the COVID vaccine, too.  We are not ready to participate in indoor group activities, which eliminates some of our pre-pandemic summer favorites (basketball camp, science center/robotics camp, etc.).   This allowed the kids to try some new outdoor activities, and when I saw an ad for a summer youth rowing league in Greensboro, I asked Luke if he'd like to try it.  He happily agreed and started crew 3x/week in June.  One of Luke's gifts is that he is always willing to try new things.  He didn't know a soul the first day he showed up, and quickly made friends and seamlessly fit in with the other teenagers in the rowing league.  We were so impressed with the coaching and comradery at the North Carolina Rowing Center, and Lake Higgins is only 15 minutes from our house.  Rowing ended up being one of the best parts of Luke's summer, and he spent Tues/Wed/Thurs afternoons sculling, training, and racing in regattas on the lake.  

Rowing was awesome, and Luke hopes to resume training in the Youth League after marching band season ends.  I was so proud of that kid for working hard at a new sport.  An added bonus was that we were able to watch rowing as part of the Tokyo Summer Olympics in July, and Luke taught us a lot about rowing technique and terminology that we never would have known.  

There is a pier at Lake Higgins, and Leah would often choose to go fishing there while we watched Luke's crew practices:

Not a bad way to spend summer afternoons!

Luke asked to join us fishing one day before his practice, and we giggled at the size of the fish that he caught:

Not quite the monster-sized fish that he hoped for!

Leah had better luck with bigger fish at our neighborhood lake this summer.  Here's one of her nice-sized bass catches:

Our little fisher-girl also participated in a Kids' Fishing Derby in June.  

It was a sweltering hot morning, and only 2 children (out of the 50+ participating) caught a fish.  Nonetheless, Peanut had fun and came home with a fishing derby medal (who knew there was such a thing?):

The kids also took weekly tennis lessons with Coach Matt again this summer.  They started tennis last summer and really enjoyed it, but somehow, I have no recent pictures of them playing.  

Another week this summer was filled with soccer camp.  This was an awesome way to see friends outside and practice soccer skills/training during the off season:

Our amazing youth association also sponsored a two week running club in the mornings, and both kids participated.  The goal was to train the runners to race in a 5K at the conclusion of Running Club, but during the second week, Peanut was diagnosed with tendonitis (after complaining of persistent knee pain), and the MD said no running for awhile:

Waiting at the pediatrician's office.

Another favorite part of summer was a weeklong kids' summer camp at our Town Park.  This camp was led by the ORYA Teen Leadership Committee, and included water balloons, kick ball, popsicles, corn hole, crafts, popsicles, soccer, tag, popsicles, and oh, did I mention that they had popsicles?  Leah had SO much fun and was raving about the twin pops that the kids had multiple times during the week.  She reported, "Mommy, I asked the leader where he got those special popsicles because they were the best I'd ever had, and he replied, 'The grocery store?'...".   Leah will tell anyone who asks that one of the best parts of her summer was this camp and the popsicles there.  Sometimes it's the little things...

When you show up at summer camp twinning with your friend!

The Oak Ridge Swim Club saved summer once again, as we entered a new phase of life at the pool this year.  Luke is old enough to take the swim test (which means he does not need an adult with him at the pool), and he biked to the pool from our house almost every day to meet friends.  He got a phone this summer (and will tell you that he's the last person on the planet his age to have his own phone!), and there is a texting thread of over a dozen of Luke's peers which they've dubbed, "Pool Chat".  Many, many hours were spent this summer among these teens as they coordinated schedules to make sure that they would be at the pool at the same time ("because, Mom, it's only fun if there's someone there...").  I'm thrilled that he had an activity that allowed him to feel independent, but it sure is a whole new stage teenage social dynamics that we are entering.  

Leah and I would go to the pool several times each week, too.  While Luke selectively ignored us and hung out on the balcony with his friends, Leah made a name for herself by winning the 4th of July pie eating contest:  

She ate her mini-cherry pie faster than everyone else!

We spent many days at the pool in June/July and are so grateful to have this be such a constant part of the kids' summers.

We also celebrated Mark on Father's Day and his birthday.  Root beer floats were a hit (made with "Dad's Root Beer"), and we had a theme of Dad Joke gifts for our #1 guy:

On July 31, Millie celebrated her 2nd birthday.  We could never have imagined how much joy and fluff she'd bring to our family during the past two years.  She's our happy, affectionate, snuggly girl, and we showered her with presents and treats on her special day:

They're called the Dog days of summer for a reason, right?

WFU's campus is finally back open to visitors, and Leah and I visited the quad one day in June to pick up some presents at the Deacon Shop.  I can't believe how grown up she looks in the photo below:

Future Wake Forest student?!

July also brought a wonderful visit from our dear friends, the Dyas family.  They've been in California for a few years now, and missed their annual return to Oak Ridge last summer due to COVID.  These kids picked up right where they left off two years ago, and had a great few days together:

Another July highlight was our much awaited Winterhoff Family Beach week, but that's a post of its own (coming up soon)!  What a great summer it has been so far!

Winterhoff Beach Week 2021

Winterhoff Beach Week 2021 at Rehoboth Beach, DE was the event that L&L were looking forward to the most this summer.  After not being able to gather last year, these kids were SO excited to resume our beloved family tradition with cousins.  As you can see, everyone jumped for joy when reunited:

We had a speed bump right before our travels, as Leah came down with a 102 degree fever.  We couldn't believe it, as everyone had been so careful about not participating in indoor activities for the two weeks leading up to the beach.  Our best guess is that she contracted a virus at the pool (it's the only place we'd been!), but luckily, her COVID test was negative and her fever broke quickly, only delaying us by a day.  Once we arrived, everyone was ready for some fun in the sun and sand with cousins:

Now that the kids are older, they spent longer days at the beach.  We avoided crowds at Fun Land this year, and enjoyed having picnic lunches and staying at the beach in the afternoons.  These kids play in the water for hours, and are active ALL the time.  It's crazy to think that just a few years ago, we needed to come home for naps/quiet time in the afternoons!

"Tall Mark" with Everett.

Here's a priceless photo of all the cousins pausing to pose for a picture:

...and here's the actual reality of our crew's constant movement in the ocean:

Donut Day was BACK, and these girls were delighted have their treats at the boardwalk with Poppy.  They may be taller, but are still just as cute as ever posing for their Donut Day pics:

Jumping off the lifeguard stand.

The boys had fun on their Donut Day, too, and these pictures tug at my heartstrings a little.  They are growing up, and I have a wish that they will continue to cherish these Donut Day memories long into their adulthood:

Each year, there are activities at the beach house that the kids love to do together.  This summer, friendship bracelets, M&M stacking, tie dye, and games topped the list:

Making bracelets.

M&M stacking challenge.

Bingo with Bean.

Bible Trivia.

Family games.

Tie-Dye artists.

Making tie-dye shirts and socks.

Another fun note is that we located President Biden's Rehoboth beach house.  We drove by a couple of times, sure that we'd be invited for a pool party, but somehow the Secret Service didn't find our names on the guest list or allow us to get closer:

Crab Night is one of our favorite parts of the week, and it was a tasty and memorable event for everyone!

L&L also got to have a "bonus" Donut Day with Bean and Poppy, as we stayed longer than the rest of the Winterhoff gang.  This morning was very special for our kids, and there are rumors that grandparents even jumped off the lifeguard stand!

Thank you, Bean and Poppy, for a fantastic beach week.  We can say with certainty that these special traditions are treasured now more than ever, as we realize what a blessing it is to all be together after a year apart.