Home again

The kids are home again! They had a great week at Lake Ellen. Tyler was thrilled to have gotten the highest swim band this year so that he could do the rope and raft. They take a swim test each year and the band they get corresponds with the roped off depth they are allowed to go in. So he was happy he wasn't with the little kids again this year.
This was Katia's last year as a Homestead kid, next year she'll be a Trailblazer and will be in the rustic outcamp. Her counselor made a surprise gift for her with all her roommates names on it for her birthday. She was touched by that.
We picked them up on Saturday, which was Katia's birthday. So once we got home, we picked up her cake and had a little party for her. Most everyone in our families were busy that day, so it was just us, my mom and aunt Bonnie. We had kind of thought of waiting till Monday, but for a kid to have to wait to celebrate their birthday- it's just not fair. Katia has wanted to get her ears pierced for a few years now. We told her that when she was old enough to take care of them and her ears, we'd let her do it. Well, we decided this year that she was ready and so we went after church yesterday and got them pierced. That was probably the highlight of her birthday- she was so excited! She didn't choose her birthstone, but instead the peridot cause it matched more of her summer clothes and she loves green:-) She bought a few pairs of earrings with her birthday money too.
We had storms here so often the past week or so. Last night was more severe though- we were in a flash flood warning and Escanaba actually had alot of flooding last night. Many streets and roads were closed and people were told not to drive if they didn't have to.
I think we missed strawberry picking this year. Last year, we stopped at Pellegrini's on our way home from picking up the kids from camp. Usually, the best time is right before the fourth here. I still have two pints of jam from last year in the freezer though.
We found out last week that Paul has a pretty severe case of sleep apnea. He'll have to get a machine to sleep with. We're happy to finally find out why he is always so tired and to know that it wasn't something serious. He had lost weight for no reason recently as well, had big mood swings, and has always had really bad leg pain. The doctor said he will feel so much better once he gets this machine. We still don't know why he has this leg problem, probably because of standing on concrete all day may have alot to do with it. But his legs have hurt him since he was young so it's kind of weird. Despite all that, he's always been like the energizer rabbit and just keeps on going and going. What a guy- he's just been pushing himself past the fatigue. He's going to really feel like a new man!
Well, that's about it for today. Love you all.