Marco Paulo: So Many Things To Do, So Little Time

Again, it's been a while since the last post. Since our trip to Connecticut and the robin in the backyard we've had lots of adventures.

Last week Isabelle and I had a weekend of camping with two other dads and their kids. Jane came to visit for the day along with some other friends and we all had a blast at the lake. I've yet to find a state park here I didn't like. Lake Hartwell State Park here in South Carolina was no exception. We took two walk in tent sites to get away from all the trailer campers and had a great time. There was good food and lots of time in and on the water. There was also a little mishap on day two but in the end we had a great time with everyone.

I don't have many pictures (we were having too much fun) but this was the view from the campsite.

Before that we had a huge weekend with the school yard sale, a baseball game and cook out, and the always entertaining Fete d'Ecole at Isabelle's school. The yard sale is always a great place to get rid of stuff and pick up some new things. We followed it up with the much anticipated baseball day.

We invited the school for an afternoon of learning to play softball/baseball followed by a cook-out. It turned into such a popular event that we had over 100 people! Everyone enjoyed the games and the weather cooperated. A few soccer games broke out near the end.

The Fete d'Ecole is always fun too with a concert, games, and lots of good French food. This year I manned the bouncy house again, but there was the all the usual games like the fish pond, the table tennis tournament, and even an angry birds game with huge cardboard boxes.

Here is a video and some pictures of some of the concert. You may need to turn up the volume on the video.

This last weekend was a little calmer but still very busy. Now that the pool is open (it has been since the first weekend in May) swim team is started with practices almost every weekday. We go to pool as a family most weekends. The water is great but it will soon be too warm. Imagine that!

Last Thursday the subdivision hosted the first swim meet of the summer. Isabelle did very well and is particularly strong in the backstroke again. I started my training to be a Stroke and Turn Judge. Below is Isabelle getting ready for the 100m team medley relay. I'm standing behind her looking very official.

This is a video of her 25m freestyle. It's a little shaky but you get the idea.

Sunday Isabelle gave us our Family Day gift. Instead of doing Father's Day and Mother's Day the school has the kids prepare one set of gifts for both parents. Jane got a fancy handmade picture frame with some cool art on it. I got a little poetry.