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!