Kevin Turned 13!!!

We have a teenager. It is official. And we have one of the best teenagers.

Kevin has grown up to be very kind. He makes sure that he brings in treats to school to celebrate other kids, like if it is their last day. His teachers all say he is kind to others, even the kids that might be left out or awkward. He thinks about fairness, and asks questions about it. You can tell that he thinks about equity. I love that about him.  He is incredibly responsible. We no longer have to ask him to do chores. He just does them, and often volunteers to help me without being prompted. In fact, there are times where I tell Gwyn and Colin that Kevin is getting a break from clean up and dishes, because he does so much. I try to remember to acknowledge how much he does.

He has selected a great group of friends to hang out with. Over the summer, he went to the lake with these friends. (Kevin was about the same age as K2 was when he first went to the lake with Rob for the first time! That was a tradition Kevin and Rob kept until we all had too many babies to coordinate it anymore!) He started playing Dungeon and Dragon's with Colin and Alex once or twice a week, and really enjoys that. He was given the option of whether or not to invite Colin. I thought he was being nice, until he told me that they just needed more people in their group. Either way, Colin is enjoying it. They also play Bay Blades together with friends. They may not always get along, but they still share friends and do things together.

Kevin still reads more than anyone else I know. He reads a couple hundred pages a week. I can not keep up with books to even recommend anymore. When he goes to the library, the librarian spends a few minutes suggesting books and series he has already read.

He switched soccer teams last year to Lou Fusz. He and about 6 other kids moved to a new team with a different coach. The experience is much better, and his skills are improving. He currently plays defense, but wants to play offense. I think the coach needs him to chase down the other team, which he is able to do. Man, that kid can run! He scored in his game last weekend, and it was beautiful! (I wish I was there to see it.)

At the lake with friends

Haircuts for the new school year

He took his friends to an escape room for his birthday. The theme for the room was "The Office." They loved it.

Ice cream cake for his birthday.

His kick at the end of a cross country meet. This meet was his best time, and he got 20th place out of about 200 kids.

Pictures from Camp Lakewood

I am going to spend some time catching up. One of the events I want to remember is Camp Lakewood this past June.

It was the first year that all three kids could go! Kevin went with his friend Alex, and Gwyn's friend Maddie also went. Colin didn't have a friend this year, but he actually was in good spirits about it. The few weeks before camp his attitude grew more and more positive.

We split up for drop off. I took Gwyn, Kevin took Colin, and Alex's mom took Kevin and Alex. The kids were in great moods and ready for us to leave.

Pick up was AMAZING. The kids were so happy. Kevin's couselor pulled me aside and told me that he was such a great kid, and a good leader. Colin was so happy that he talked nonstop. Gwyneth said she wants to return. Kevin said that he wants to return every year and become a counselor!

Kevin's experience was probably so good beacuse he kept a good attitude. He said that a couple boys were loud at bedtime, even though everyone asked them to be quiet. They laughed and got louder, and were rude to others throughout the week. But he did his best to ignore it and hang out with his friends. Colin loved his counselors, and made friends. His favorite part was the nature center, where he touched animals and held a snake. Gwyneth said that she was sad at night, but her bunk mate would read her book aloud to her. (How sweet is that?)

My favorite part is that the kids all had a session together. Each kid gets to pick four sessions, like archery, riflery, swimming, arts and crafts, sports and nature center. All the kids picked gaga ball. So that means I saw pictures of them all together. I loved that.

Here are the pictures!

Alex, Kevin, Gwyn, and Colin!

Gwyn swimming with Maddie

It rained so much that none of the kids had to walk to East Camp to sleep outside. They had their cook out and banana boats at their cabins, and still got to sleep inside.

Playing the camp game.

At the dance party.

Trying out archery.

Kevin signed up for basketball, soccer, and gaga ball. He likes sports.

From the first night. They serve spaghetti and utensils are optional. His face didn't get too messy, though.

Opening night bonfire. Also Gwyn wore the same shirt for a couple days. It is funny to see what they do without parents!

His favorite part of camp - the nature center!

Look. At. His. Face.

Gwyn's counselor, Gru, and Colin.

Gwyn and Maddie.

Gwyn's bunk made name tags. The girls chose the only two bunks that were this close.

Alex and Kevin. I try to send the kids the first week for two reasons. One is that it isn't too hot yet. The other reason is that the bunks are usually not full. Most kids go in July. Alex and Kevin didn't have anyone in the lower bunks this year.

Colin's bunk. He did have someone on the lower bunk.

Skeptical optimism at drop off.

Bonfire shenanigans.

I love her summer hair here.

Pick up day.

Colin's friend in his bunk.

Kevin's bunk.

The ride home. (We rode with Dawn and Alex.)

Something I want to remember...

...is watching Gwyneth get her picture taken for 3rd grade.

School pictures this year were taken at Open House. For some reason, the photographer let parents back to look at the pictures and approve them. Well, Gwyn was ready for pictures in a shirt her friend's mom made for her. (It is cute.)

Her first smile was all front teeth. The picture looked.... toothy. So Kevin told her to open her mouth a little bit, which she did. So she had her toothy grin, her chin pulled back and tilted down, and her mouth strangely open.  She took two pictures like this. I told Kevin to keep the last one but he said no. Boring.

Anyway, we are obviously taking a long time. However, we are also laughing so hard that I am crying and my side hurts. Thankfully the parent in line after us was nice, and gave a look of understanding. In the end, I told Kevin that we need to just let her take a picture and stop telling her what to do.

She had no smile at all. I wish I had gotten the whole thing on video.

I still think we should have kept the funny photo.