Soccer Celebration

Emma's team, The Hurricanes, wrapped up the Fall Soccer season coming out on top. Their team is undefeated! Emma even scored a goal in the last game this morning!

The last two games Emma volunteered to be a fill-in player on the opposing team because there weren't enough players. Emma gave her all at every practice and game. Her coach awarded her the Best Listener Award because she was diligent in practicing the tips he gave her.

Jamie and I were proud to join the team in an afternoon of pizza and celebration. With a break in sports, I don't know what Emma will find to occupy her time. Perhaps we can continue working to improve her skills for the spring season.

I am so proud Emma didn't give up or get upset being the only girl on her team. More that anything, I am proud of her for always being a good sport and just having fun every week! Way to go Emma!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

As you may have noticed, I've edited my blog with a little Holiday cheer. I've added some of my favorite childhood Christmas Carols. I talked the kids into writing out a "Wish List" of five items they would really like to see under the tree this year. The following are the lists, unedited, for Emma, Taylor and Miles. Some things are too cute not to post.



Emma's reads:
1. A manger set
2. A Nintendo DS
3. A new Sims game on the Xbox 360
4. A EasyBake
5. A Diary of a Wimpy Kid make your own book orange & yellow


Taylor:
1. Gift Cards
2. New Scooter
3. New Backpack (Messenger Bag)
4. Books
5. More video games (XBOX 360)


Miles:
1. Mouse Trap
2. iTunes gift card
3. Gift cards
4. New Backpack (Messenger Bag)
5. New trucks and board

I guess Miles had a hard time deciding on his "top" five.

I hope this helps for those family and friends who are planning on gifts for the kids. There are only 49 days left to Christmas!

Voting Day!

I went out yesterday and took part in this historic election. I was afraid I would not be able to vote this year due to the move. I registered just in time to cast my ballot.

What a crazy time, what a momentous election, and how wonderful so many Americans took the initiative to get out and vote! Even if the one's I voted for lost the election, I am proud I got out to the polls.

I was so inspired and fired up I had Jamie take my picture with my "I've Voted * Have You?" sticker. I felt empowered to be a woman, and thankful I am still able to voice my opinion. I was reminded of the picture of Rosie the Riveter, how times have changed . . . and stayed the same. We can do it. We can make a change!

Lunch with Emma

Every Monday I show up to Emma's school and eat lunch with her. We sit at a special table in the back of the cafeteria and enjoy each other's company and some really good food. I usually go out and bring her Chick-fil-A or a sub sandwich from Lenny's. Today, I brought her a lunch, made with love, from my own kitchen. As you can see, Emma has a very big sub sandwich. Some things take two hands!

I love spending time with Emma. It makes my day so special. I always get a few waves of 'hello' from her friends. The teachers always smile when they see me enter the cafeteria. Most of all, I know how much it means to my little girl that I set aside time just for her. Now the boys have started asking
me to join them for lunch. I don't know many middle school kids who actually want their parents to come have lunch with them, but at least mine still want me around, for now.

These are the pictures of my lunch with Emma. Beautiful, I know . . . perhaps next time I can post some of Emma with a few of her close friends. Enjoy your Monday!

Sunday at the Park

The first Sunday of each month, my Sunday School class plans a get together for the families. Yesterday the weather was so nice we went to a local park. The kids had a great time playing on swings, socializing, and fishing in the pond. The group of kids are all around the same age as the boys, which leaves Emma feeling a little left out. After learning to put a real worm on a hook and having Daddy remind her how to cast, she spent most of the afternoon by the edge of the pond.

Jamie and I enjoyed just being together and outside. We reminisced about past camping trips and weekends spent grilling at the park. The climate is so mild in Texas, aside from the scorching summer heat, we could go camping like we use to and life seemed so simple. More than anything, I enjoyed being with my family. I feel like we get so distracted with going and doing so much we hardly have time to enjoy one another.

Halloween

Emma and I were the only ones in our family who dressed in costume for Halloween this year. Our church puts on a Fall Festival for the community every year to co inside with trick-or-treating. It is a great way to give back to the community and provide a safe place for kids of all ages to play and get candy.

Miles, Taylor and I helped out at a mini-golf booth run by members of my Sunday School class. After an hour cheering on the little kids, and the not so little kids, we met up with Emma and Jamie. Emma had so much fun riding the mechanical wave/surf machine. The boys spent most of the night waiting in line to ride the gyroscope.

We finally made it home in time to go door-to-door with our neighbors. We ran into some of Emma's classmates and got a lot of good candy. By the end of the night, this little mouse was ready for bed. I can't wait for next year!

Book Parade

Emma's school, like most public schools, does not participate in celebrating holidays. BUT every year around the end of October (a.k.a. Halloween) they have a book parade! I was privileged enough to be at the school and watch the children from every grade march up and down the halls of the elementary school in costume. I wish my batteries were charged, I could have taken some really great pictures.

The kids have a month to plan. They have to send in a request for approval to their teachers. Of course, the characters must be accompanied by their books. There were little girls dressed like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, teachers and school staff dressed like Junie B. Jones and Cinderella. Some classes decided on one story and made costumes to match for the whole class.

Emma and I are reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. She wanted to be Hermione, one of Harry's best friends. As you can see from the picture, she makes a pretty cute Hermione. The parade started just after the first bell. It was the perfect way to start my Halloween.