The Crafts

Anyone who really knows me understands how much love I hold in my heart for competitive swimming. I grew up swimming for a rec team, then club, and high school, and eventually in college. I always hoped my own daughters would one day swim but then our town lost their swim team. By the grace of God, and lots of hard work, we were able to reform a team this summer, and I was able to serve the team as head coach. I truly enjoyed every minute of coaching this summer. We watched kids gain confidence, improve their times, and genuinely have a lot of fun. I'm beyond grateful to everyone who made it possible. Even better still, Kate and CJ joined the team and I got to watch them develop a love for swimming that rivals my own. Summer 2019 I will get to watch three of my four girls swim when Natalie joins the La Porte City Waves. I'm swooning over here. Now to get Maddie ready in another year or two...

This amazing, smart, talented, book-loving, art-loving, strong, stubborn, independent, beautiful girl turned NINE on August 30th. And she sparkles like the sun! Nine reasons why CJ rocks on her ninth birthday! 1. Everything about her is bouncy. Bouncy perfectly describes who she is as a person; even her hair is curly and bouncy. 2. CJ loves, like really deep down loves, to read...while walking, eating, riding in the car, avoiding responsibility, etc. 3. She is creative to the core.  4. Claudia adores creating cards for friends and strangers alike.  5. She is stubborn like her mama. 6. She is great at reading people and knowing what makes them tick. 7. Her organizational skills, when she so chooses to use them, are on par with Martha Stewart...or any other type A.  8. She shares my love of adorable 80’s relics like Lisa Frank Trapper Keepers and plastic charm necklaces.  9. She is smart, thoughtful, and important We LOVE you, Claudia! Happy birthday!

First day of school! It's been 11+ years in the making but the day has arrived. All four girls are in school. I am alone for four hours a week. This may not sound like much but typically I am alone in my house maybe twice a year at most. I felt a small twinge of sadness when I walked away from the school empty handed and sans children but it is time. All of the girls are happy with school, with maybe a slight exception for Natalie, who has been so attached to me lately that she can't stand the idea of being away. Sweet and smothering. Maddie was so proud to have her first day of preschool. She's watched a lot of sisters go through those doors, and finally her time arrived. I need to get a picture of her backpack because it is adorable. Maddie had to wait an extra week and a half after the the older girls started school. Above she was posing on their first day, not her own. Natalie started Kindergarten. She is as smart as a whip and has an unbelievable wit