1st day of school

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Julie

4th Grade

Kindergarten

Success! I think that sums it up. I was really worried about Megan getting out of bed, but she was a champ. For 4 years, the house has been quiet as Alyssa slips out of her room and reads with me in bed before getting dressed. We have tip-toed around in TN and especially in this small house now, trying not to wake anyone else. Well, this year all of that changed. The lights were on, getting ice from the fridge iwas not a big deal, the house was awake and ready to go!

We left everyone with smiles and ready to start the day. Not sure what I will do with my little buddy for the next 2 years, but we started with traditional welcome home cookies to share over the thoughts from the first day.

Texas Awesomeness

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Julie

I have seen bluebonnets for years. In the spring, they would cover the sides of main highways to and from cities we would travel. But this year, they are everywhere. And not out in the country, but right here in the neighborhood. For weeks, we have enjoyed the sight of fields of blue and orange. We attempted to get some photos tonight. I really felt confident. I didn’t bring rewards, I just knew they were old enough to do this. HA! They tried… But you know what, we got what life is right now and this is enough. Enjoy some Texas awesomeness. More

Valentine’s Dance

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Julie

Ethan had the chance to take all three girls to the Valentine’s Dance at our church. I thought he may just want to do the older girls, but he was all in. And of course, with all three going, I just had to go shopping. I took Megan and Audrey one day and Megan went straight to her choice. She tried it on and twirled in the dressing room like a bride. No doubt, it had to be bought. Audrey’s was really my choice, but she is still compliant enough to like it. I took Alyssa one night and got a good glimpse into our future. She didn’t like what I picked and I certainly didn’t like what she picked. How long can we hold off the teenage years? We finally headed to the dressing room with about 5 dresses. One was itchy, one twirled good, one didn’t twirl, wrong color – you get the idea. She was actually trying hard to pick the one she knew I liked, but in the end I let her choose.

Dressed, tights, hair x 3 and they were off. The girls had a blast and danced the whole 2 hours, Ethan said. Megan walked into the room and headed straight to the front to dance by the big speakers, while Alyssa hung by Daddy and shared a few dances together. One of many special nights to come with the privilege of three girls.

Christmas Programs

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Julie

Alyssa did not have a traditional piano recital this year. She is taking a different kind of piano class at school and they just invited the family to watch some of the songs the class was working on. It was informal, but anytime to watch her play is worth it. I have high hopes for her piano playing in the future.

I have been impressed with Audrey and Megan’s school. For picking it out based on location, I think I did pretty good. Megan and Audrey have been singing the cutest Christmas songs the last few weeks and we finally got to see it in action. Well, Megan preformed, Audrey just stared…alot like last year as I recall. But I had my fingers crossed waiting for Megan’s class, and I am pretty sure I had a big, proud smile on my face for a solid 15 minutes. Pictures don’t do these type of things justice, so you will have to watch the video.

Halloween

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Julie

I am sure there will be a day when one of them doesn’t want to dress up, but they all love it. Each girl picked her own idea. Well, not Audrey, she had to be what fit at that age. Maybe next year… Alyssa choose a cowgirl and Megan is Toki Tori. As usual, Ethan came up with the ideas and I implemented. We were both thrilled with how her duck turned out, and she was a hit at many doors. It was not the Halloween that we had grown accustomed to in TN, but we had a good time. We walked around the neighborhood with our next door neighbors and their kids. They have been a great support to us and seem to match our personalities well. We had a bet going for the number of times Audrey would fall through the night. I think they know our kids better than us, because he won. 3 falls in one night – that’s Audrey. The night ended with a monsterous pile of candy that no one could possible eat, but I let them take a stab at it last night. More

Soccer in Round Rock

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Julie

Both girls started back in soccer. Megan was a little questionable in practice, just not really interested. But when her first game came on Saturday she was all over the place. Just a fireball. I was cheering and laughing so hard. She is fast, of course they get that from me. And she was one of the few on her team paying attention. So she could chase that ball like no one else. I think she must have saved 5 or 6 goals from going in because she would chase the player down and kick the ball out. I was so proud of her, because that is not a skill that they work on, it was just instinct for her. She did lose a little momentum when she had to sit out, but it was the best soccer game I had watched for her. Next up Alyssa.

The Party

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Julie

Five years with this girl that continually makes me smile. She is sweet, like run up and hug your leg for no reason, sweet. She is full of life. She will get up from the table to dance if music is playing. She loves to build, ride her bike, run and just be silly.

We decided on an Angry Birds themed party. I look forward to the year when I can just have a normal party and not feel the need to make ridiculous things like Angry Bird balloons. I even told myself this year was just a swimming party and a cake. But all the fun ideas that came with an Angry Birds cake carried over into painted rocks, chocolate TNT bombs, and I even ended with a watermelon carved out and painted as a pig. But God continues to humble me by making it hot enough for my icing to melt and slide off the cake and another party booked at the same time (I didn’t know I was supposed to reserve the pool). The overall conditions not in my favor and the balloons and decorations didn’t even get put up. But as always, no one cared about those things. The kids had fun in the pool (our first September pool party) and we were able to spend her day with people we love. Thank you to our family and Kedra who traveled to celebrate with us.

Her favorite Lego castle. Thank you Daddy.

Aunt Ali and Audrey

Then like always I feel like I have to celebrate again on her “real” birthday. So another cake and we decided to put up the decorations for the house.

Happy Birthday Megan

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Julie

Another year of preschool

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Julie

My little girls started back to preschool yesterday. It is hard to get one kid in school and then wait 3 weeks before the others get to go. After waiting so long, they were both ready and excited. They are going 2x a week at a church minutes from the house. I picked solely based on location, but I think the school will be good as well.

Megan, of course, had to pick out a “beautiful” dress to wear to school. There is no convincing that girl of picking an outfit based on seasons, weather or an activity. She was also determined to play a little hopscotch before school. She got out her chalk and found her rock and had a few rounds before we got in the car.

Audrey was a little hesitant when I left. Probably because she has been glued to her “bubby” since she was born and I decided to break her of that habit on the first day of school. I have a feeling she convinced her teacher to get it out of the backpack just this once. She had a good day, did not nap, but who can blame her.

Megan did great. She walked right in, scoped things out and began playing. I can’t believe this is her last year of preschool. I have to intentionally remind myself this is our last year together. I am hoping it is a great year.

Megan’s soccer

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Julie

A few pics from last weekend’s game. Megan does very well. She is fast. She can kick. She can get her foot in the small mob of girls when she wants, but she usually waits on the edge for the ball to come loose. She is very good at making friends, we switched teams after the first game, and she pays attention. I love to watch her play.

As good as any $25 picture I would have paid for, right?