The Parrillo Family

Both Eloise and Sadie were sent off to Girl Scout Camp for the week along with their bestie cousin from Elmhurst.  You'll note the two Situpons that were made by Noonie.  Here they are (above) on their first day.   And below is Wednesday:  Wacky Wednesday.  Which...as you can see Sadie was all about.  Eloise?  Not so much.   Of course, they learned songs and did crafts.  Seems like they liked it!

Earlier this month, I posted a video of our left-handed-hitting Eloise legging out a single in softball .  Just today, we received these photos from our friend Krista who took them of the whole SMG team.  Up top, Eloise is playing 3rd base in the field. Down below, she's keeping cool - and being a goof! And Krista even got a good shot of Frankie who was passing the time while he waits his turn playing sports! I love that Eloise has played softball - it is a great game and there's lots of fun being part of a team - especially with friends from school. 

There is a long, proud tradition in both the Parrillo and Moran families of swimmers and being on the swim team during the summer.  Well...long in as much as both Nat and I were on the swim team when we were kids.  Nat was a good swimmer and swam through High School.  I on the other hand was the akward kid in the ill-fitting speedo who was on the team because my sister (Vic) was really good at swimming and my Mom wanted us both out of the house at the same time.   Despite me not loving (or being any good at) the swim team, I *do* have lots of fond memories of working at the pool during the Summer.  And so, too, does Nat.  So, we both keep Summer swimming in a special spot. And that's why I think we're both excited to see Eloise take on something new:  Swim Team. Last night, she had her first meet and swam in three events.  It was awesome.  And it was really neat to see Natalie engaged and helping her understand how relays ...

It included a birthday party to see the Incredibles 2 at the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove.  And the usual breakfast cupcakes.  Sadie is six and she's incredible.  Funny.  Goofy.  Caring.  Loves animals.  Loves her siblings.  Is quick with a compliment.  And with a shoulder to cry on and an arm around you to embrace.  Here's SD on the morning of her birthday: She was lucky to have her cousin from Elmhurst sleep over! The day included some pampering:  here she is getting her toes done.  Look at that side smile?!? And we had a party for her, of course.  Grammy delivered with Gummy bear-inspired cookies. And she was surrounded by cousins. Here's our crew: She shares a birthday with her great Uncle Frank, too!  What a special treat!

Eloise is in her second year of softball and she's really improving at the plate.  Check out the video above to see her hit a single and tries to get out of the box quick as a lefty.  ( Batting lefty = playing the long game in softball, right??? ) If you are reading this in your email and don't see the video above, click here . She doesn't exactly hustle down the line like Pete Rose, but she sure looks the part, doesn't she??

My, how much she's grown.   That's her, on her very last day of 2nd grade.   Here, below, is her on her first day of 2nd grade last fall.  Remarkable the change, isn't it?  Same outfit, but tighter sweater and shorter skirt! Eloise has always been a good student.  But this year?  She really excelled.  Between a great place at SMG and a really great teacher, Eloise's growth over the school year has been remarkable.  I'm so excited to see her grow.  And I'm excited to see her spend some down time this Summer. Here she is, down by the curb, waiting for the bus on the final day:

We got Summer off to a pretty solid start with some lake time up at Grammy and Grandad's Lake House in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  The kids played (with their cousin) on the floating 'yoga mat', rode on the boat and loved life.   Totally reminds me of my childhood, spending Summer days up on Paw Paw Lake in Michigan. Eloise can control one of the Stand-up Paddleboards and took SD along for a ride.