Shannonogans: Baylor basketball camp and the Cracker Toffee Seven

We headed to Waco the last weekend in July for Baylor Biddie Basketball camp with several other friends. We were staying at Birdie and Papa's house and had a week mapped out of all sorts if activities. My Midway girls' group, and Wendi, our honorary Panther, and all of our children got lots of togetherness during the week.

We woke up Monday morning and went to basketball camp for 2 hours. Papa Snuf stayed around the make sure everyone was in the right place, had their overpriced Gatorade bottle, etc. It was great to have an extra set of eyes around and be an advocate for our kids! Justin, Levi, Brooks, Barrett, Stacey, and Wyatt were in the younger group and Caleb was in the older group.

We started off with a swim playdate at Mary Beth's house that afternoon. Kacey, Julia, Allison, & Amanda also joined us.

The Browns constructed this for our snack. Amazing!

Complete with gummy fish

After the kids ate that up they feasted on the tons of goodies that Mary Beth had out for everyone. And it was all gone by the end of the afternoon.

Caryn, Katy, Shannon, Lauren, & Kacey

Birdie came to play lifeguard and help my non-swimmers

Still eating

Forming a running crew

And at times hiding under tables

The Michaelis' pool is great for large groups

The hot tub seemed to have a gentler crowd

The Jurgensens moved right down the street so Katy took everyone on a golf cart ride down to her folks house

Tuesday we met for lunch at The Sub and toured Baylor. Before we left we had some super heroes running around.

A really large baby

And a male cheerleader

Lexi had a small feather and a bottle of water to paint Birdie's toenails. My mom never did stuff like that with me, probably because I didn't want to. But yet will sit tirelessly for her granddaughter.

Having a snack and cool down after practice.

We ransacked the Sub and found some yummy Chick fil A to eat.

We went to the bear pit. The bear was asleep.

Julia couldn't get out of the picture quick enough

Sic Em!

Brooks took this of the mommies

One of the many trips to ramp up our wardrobes with green and gold was at the Baylor bookstore. We came home with two wigs. Derek loved all the Baylor gear we came home with. I quickly searched for some Rice gear, which isn't easy to come by in youth sizes, to help make up the discrepancy.

That night we had a girls' night out, ladies only. Kids all stayed with their loving fathers and grandparents.

We went to Chuy's for dinner

Somewhat accidentally coordinated in our clothing

We then headed back to Caryn's house to hang out. Stacey let me know 5 minutes before by asking if I was excited about my shower. My what? Surprise! My sweet and thoughtful friends threw a little celebration for Levi and Lexi. I know they worked hard as it's a little awkward when you get kids they way we did, fast and furious and without warning.

The theme was "A Few of my Favorite Things"

Um, yes please. What's a Shani celebration without cookie cake??

Still love this book. Get teary eyed every time I read it to my kids. Gave it to another friend about to adopt.

Love the creative thoughtfulness! They each filled out a list for both Levi and Lexi on things they wished for them. They are precious and will treasure those words and what truth they would proclaim over my children.

And they gave a donation instead of a gift. They were speaking my language with that one too!

I mean, I couldn't get over the banners. Nor could the kids when I brought them home. They kept running their hands over their names as I told them that "people that have been praying for you" made these. Oh the many times they have met someone who had prayed and prayed for them. They never tire hearing that phrase.

Yes we did. Love this photo! Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own!

I include these awkward trying-not-to-cry faces to remind myself how much it meant to me. All of it. The giddiness of their faces when I walked back to the room. It meant so much.

I love that they gave towards our adoption ministry to help support more adoptions!

Reading some of the wishes with laughter.

My favorite children. On my favorite cake. With my favorite ladies. My eyes still red from emotion.

My friends my take me off their google reader, but I loved the getting ready photos more than the perfect smiles ones. We were all laying on our bellies, staying under the banner, trying not to expose ourselves, etc.

We tried sitting as well.

And then standing.

Then we raced into comfy clothes to play "Our Favorite Things" game. Everyone brought 3 things that was a favorite of theirs, then we drew numbers, swapped a bit, and came home with three new things.

We all took photos of what we brought. If I had thought about bringing a book of CD then the game would have been different. Didn't even cross my mind!

We stayed up way too late just seeing how we could pray for one another, see where we were with our lives, laughed some, cried a lot, and slept little. It was worth it. It took me about three days to recover but it was worth it.

Wednesday we went swimming at Jurgensens' pool in the afternoon. Mary Beth and my mom joined us as well.

Thursday was the final day of camp. The parents were all going to watch. We all put on our gear.

This was the first organized sport for Levi. By day two he was over his frustration and enjoying it. He can't wait to go back. He is a much better dribbler now.