Five Brown Kids

It's my 19th season as a summer swim mom.  I know the schedule in my sleep now.  Scotia is an assistant coach and Blythe a happy swimmer.  They both love all the socializing!  There should be a rule that after 15 years you don't have to volunteer anymore.  Alas, I will be a timer at 3 meets again this season.  I love how happy summer swim makes my kids.  It is a highlight of the year for sure. 

We hosted our third annual Father's Day Cooking Competition  on Saturday evening when Tyrone was free.  Blythe made sorbet enhanced with extra fruit and hibachi noodles (learned at a cooking camp). Jaxon made French toast with berries and powdered sugar on top.  It was delicious and for a minute he thought he was winning.  Then Scotia laid down.  (She'd been up since 4:45 am, drove to VA for a swim meet, came home and then cooked) A chocolate crepe stack with Oreo cream cheese mascarpone filling with whipped cream and a berry compote on top.  It was fantastic.  She won!  Tyrone takes good care of his kids. 

One of Scotia’s favorite swim friends graduated from high school. They joined the family party at her house, then went swimming at the lake, grabbed fast food, soaked in the hot tub at our house and then headed home. Super fun day! 

Blythe went to a local minor league baseball game with her favorite friend. I heard the fireworks at the end were amazing! 

Taye had a short break between semesters of nursing school and has been a little homesick and wanted to come home.  So Tyrone bought Taye and Derick tickets to fly home for the week and they were so excited for a vacation!  Taye brought little gifts for everyone.  The first evening we went to the pool, ate pizza, swam a bit, tossed some football and then sat around and talked and caught up and teased until it was time to go.  So much fun to have everyone together again and see how much they enjoy each other.  Trying to make this picture happen was shocking to me... how on earth did I ever keep five kids moving along in the right direction.  I can't even think about how crazy it all must have been.  Sunday eve we had a BBQ and birthday cake for Taye at the Browns House - then we watched my  annual family video .  One of my favorite nights of the year when everyone sits on the couch together and remembers all the highlights from the last year!...

 Two mornings a week Blythe helps with carpool at school.  (She gets dropped off a few mins early)