School!

Thank you so much for reading my blog this summer.  As you know from following my summer adventures, I had tons of fun.  School starts August 24th and I am super excited!  Lots of love from the Red Head herself, Rylee!  : )

Fire Island

The week blew by so quickly at Fire Island.  Days filled with soaking up the sun at the beach, jumping waves, devouring ice cream cones, enjoying coffee cake and playing tennis.  At the start of every day, Madison and I would walk to the market and get everyone a fresh bagel or biali.  Breakfast was followed by the beach, where we would bask in the sun, read our books and cool off in the ocean.  We were extremely lucky that the waves were calm and flat for us so we could relax in the water instead of worrying whether or not we were going to get crushed.  I only got knocked down once when I was getting out.  Since the water isn't the easiest to run in, my legs couldn't move fast enough to get out of the way.  The wave took me down with it, but I popped right back up not hurt, but a little frustrated (and sandy).  One of my favorite things to do at Fire Island is to curl up on a chair on the deck and read a book.  For me, nothing is better than that for relaxing.  The ocean crashing and the seagulls chirping sometimes could probably put me to sleep.  One other family activity that we all took apart in was tennis.  My sister and I played singles one day and on one other occasion, we played family doubles, my dad and I vs. my mom and sister.  My dad and I won in a tiebreaker 7-6. (Since the first set took so long, we were not able to play a second set.)  I also enjoyed all of the meals that Zayda and Terry cooked for us. (Zayda and Terry, thanks for a great trip!!) Steak, fresh fish, roasted potatoes, lobsters, crabs it was all fantastic!  The only low light of the trip was when Madison didn't do a good job of putting sunscreen on my back the first day and I got a really bad sunburn.  Besides that, it was so much fun.  I can't wait to go back next summer.

Washington D.C.

On Tuesday, my sister and I arrived in D.C. excited.  When we hopped off the plane, Sivana, Ilan and Mauri were all there to welcome us.  Our first surprise was going to Ramona and Beezus the movie.  Madison and I loved those books when we were little, and of course that meant we had to see the movie.  It was so sweet, and everyone enjoyed the movie.  After the movie, we rode to their house where we were greeted with DELICIOUS, hot, fresh pizza.  At first Ilan said he didn't want any and locked himself out of the house.  When we went over by the window eating our pizza, making exaggerated yummy faces at him, he decided that it really was good and that he must have some.  He came inside immediately and we all ate the pizza.

Wednesday was next and it was off to tennis camp for Sivana and Ilan.  Madison, Jiffy and I went with Chuck, Jiffy's boss, to the National Archives to see some papers that Jiffy had helped save from Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration.  After that presentation, we were able to have a special guided tour to see the constitution, bill of rights, magna carta and many other important documents.  The tour was awesome cause we went down special hallways and got to cut the long lines!  After our time at the National Archives, Mauri had reserved us a tennis court so we could hit with Ilan and Sivana.  I was very impressed with how both of the twins could get the ball over the net.  Lunch was homemade spaghetti with red sauce and meatballs.  (Jiffy, the sauce was great!) The afternoon was time to have some wet fun because it was so hot and sunny.  We went to a water park with a wave pool, slides and a kiddy splash area.  My favorite part was the wave pool because the waves were huge and there were rafts to float on.  There was one slide that I went on that gave me my first water wedgie.  (It was very painful!!)  Lucky me, there was a mini golf place right next door (I have been pestering my mom all summer about this), so we sprinted over once everyone was done with the water.  Mauri, Madison and Sivana all got a whole in one.  I know I had lots of fun and I think they all did, too.  Mona and Jerry came over for dinner and it was nice catching up with them.

Thursday was a crazy day.  It was the day of doing things for the first time.  I had never worn a costume out in public so we went to lunch wearing costumes.  I was a tarantula rancher, Madison and Mauri were Christmas in July while they also wore togas, Ilan was a wizard, Sivana was Snow White and Jiffy was a fairy!  It was hilarious, everyone gave us strange looks.  Jiffy had to go back to work and then it was time for ice skating.  It was my first time and I only had one bad fall.  It was very fun and I would love to do it again sometime.  That night Madison and I played tennis against Jiffy.  (Canadian Doubles: two people vs. one person.  The team of two people must hit in the singles court, while the team of one person can hit in the doubles alley.)  My sister and I lost 6-2, 5-3.  We ended up getting kicked off the court before we finished.   We didn't play our best and are looking forward to a rematch soon. 

Friday it was time to say goodbye and head back to Atlanta.  My sister and I had a great time and we can't wait to do it again.  Thanks so much for letting us come visit you guys!!

North Carolina

A week in NC.  Score Summer Soccer Invitational.  4 days of soccer, 7 games for Madison, 3 goals, 6 assists.  Bad weather, disappointment, lightning, thunder, rain delays, scorching sun, summer heat, excellent soccer!  We drove for about six hours to go to Greensboro where Madison's team had been invited to participate in a college showcase.  My sister and I lounged in the back while my mom and dad took turns driving us to Ashford Suites, our hotel.  Luckily, we got to the hotel safe and sound that afternoon on a Friday.  Everyone tried to go to bed early because we had a game early the next morning. That first day was a nightmare as there was miserable rain for most of the day and Madison's team was forced to play rain shortened games which they sadly lost.  But the following day, Sunday, brought super summer weather and fantastic soccer and as the tournament moved on, each day the hotter the weather became. It went from thunder and lightning to burning summer days full of ice cold drinks and sunscreen.  At Score, everyone was guaranteed at least four games, but after their 4th game, Madison's team kept winning and at that point in the tournament, if you win, you play again.  They made it to the consolation finals and won in penalty kicks (Madison hit the first one!).  After a discouraging 0-2 start to the tournament, Madison's team won their next 5 games and went 5-2, winning a champion's trophy.  I was very proud of her and throughout the whole tournament, she played great!

My reward for going to all of Madison's soccer games, rain or shine, morning or evening, was going to a WATER PARK!!!!  The park was called Wet 'n Wild.  (It wasn't as good as White Water, but it still was fun.)  There were slides, a lazy river, wave pool, raft rides and much much more.  My family mostly stayed on the raft rides and in the lazy river.  One ride we went on, we almost lost our lunch, it pretty much went straight down and we were in a raft going super fast.  (We never went on that ride again.)  All in all, it was a fun trip and Madison won a trophy, so I think everyone was happy and had an awesome time!!!

I Won!

Rylee holding her trophy with her coach Scott!

I can hardly believe it!  Yesterday, July 11th, Rylee Hafitz won her very first tennis tournament at Hit Atlanta.  Overall I had to play three matches.  I was lucky and got a bye in my first round so no matter what happened I got to play a match in the regular draw.  In my first match, I won 5-7, 6-1, 15-13.  It was long and I almost lost, but I was able to play through it and win.  The second match I had was easier, winning 6-3, 6-3.  After that win, I was elated because it put me into the finals.  (That was the first time I was in a final.) Sunday, July 11th came and I had to get up extra early for an 8:00am match.  I won the first set 6-2 and was playing great, then the other girl came back and won the second set 4-6 and we played a tough tiebreaker 10-8 which I won.  I had won the U14 girls Hit Atlanta Summer Sizzle tournament!!!  (I was ecstatic, but who wouldn't be!)  We celebrated by going to Waffle House for breakfast. (Yum!)

Earlier in the week, Anita, one of my mom's tennis friends, brought us some vegetables from her garden and told us to make salsa with them.  There were tomatoes, jalapenos, banana peppers, cucumbers and several other veggies that had come straight from the garden.  Today my mom and I decided that we should make the salsa.  It was great.  Thanks for bringing us the vegetables, Tante Anita!

July 4th

What a day!  The fourth of July was filled with excitement and joy.  I think the whole family enjoyed the 4th.  To start the day off, we woke up to Breakfast at Wimbledon. (Not really.  But that's what they call it.)  Rafael Nadal vs. Thomas Berdych.  (Everyone, besides my dad, wanted Rafa to win.)  After three short sets, our dream came true and Rafael Nadal was crowned the champion.  (My mom, sister and I were so happy because WE LOVE RAFA!!!)        :-)  

Following Wimbledon, it was movie time.  Toy Story 3 was next on the agenda for the day. My sister and I had seen numbers one and two and we had to see the third one.  The movie was cute, showing comedy, action and a smidge of drama and romance.  My sister and I laughed throughout the whole thing.  Watching it in 3D didn't really make a big difference.  If you have seen Toy Story 1 and 2, definitely go see number 3.       

After the movie, we had a nice holiday meal of hot dogs, baked beans and tater tots. (YYUUMM!!)  Later we drove to Decatur where they put on a fireworks show for us.  We arrived around 8:30 for the 9:30 light display and Daddy & I played gin rummy to pass the time.  After an hour of waiting, the sparks flew and we watched fireworks galore.  Halfway through the show, we saw a fire from all of the ash that had fallen from the fireworks.  Luckily, there were fire trucks right there to put it out.

A short car ride brought us home where we lit our own sparkler.  At first, it would not light.  My mom tried everything and finally with the help of my dad, it caught and we all stood a safe distance away from the sparkler.  When it went out, we all showered and fell asleep.  It had been a long, but fun day!

Fantastic Friday!

Friday = Wimbledon.  The week had just flown by, and before I knew it, it would be time to fly home.  I was so excited for this day.  Madison & I had waited and anticipated attending Wimbledon for so long and we were super excited.  We wanted to get there early and see EVERYTHING!   Matches did not start until 11 or 12 (depending on the court), but we still wanted to get to the courts early.  We had Centre Court seats and Debenture Lounge tickets.  We got there around 11:30 and we strolled around the complex.  I never realized how big some of the small courts were because it was on TV.  Madison bought a program and a shirt, I bought a Wimbledon shirt and a key chain and my dad bought a hat.  Before settling in to watch some tennis, we made our way up to the lounge to find sandwiches, a salad bar, roast chicken, desserts, drinks, and of course, strawberries and cream.  Everything looked and tasted great.  The first match on Centre Court was Nadia Petrova vs. Justine Henin.  No one in my family likes Justine too much, so we went to our seats towards the end of her match.  My family was dying to see Lleyton Hewitt vs. Gael Monfils.  We love both of these players and we didn't care who was going to win.  Gael didn't play his best, so Lleyton won, but it was still an enjoyable match.  Roger Federer followed them.  My dad is the only one who roots for Roger, as my mom, sister and I think he wins too much.  And of course, what did he do, he won.  Since the three matches of the day finished ahead of schedule, we were treated to some mixed doubles as well, with Brits Jamie Murray (Andy's brother) and the teenage sensation Laura Robson (she is Madison's age!).  They played Vera Zvonareva and Andre Sa and the crowd cheered them on with much gusto.  The Brits did not win, but it was quite fun when the crowd oooohhed and aaaahhed.  The whole day was incredible and I must say, I think it was my favorite part of our whole London adventure.  I am so glad that I was able to attend Wimbledon.

(This picture is of Madison and I next to a directional post with a map of the Wimbledon grounds.)