San Antonio 2010

This summer we went to San Antonio for vacation. It was, by far, the BEST family vacation we have ever had. Despite the LONG car ride, we had a fabulous time. Here are some of the pics to prove it.

The girls before we left on day 1

The girls on Day 2 after a brief night's sleep in Tulsa

The girls on morning 3 in San Antonio

The girls in front of some cacti at the Alamo

The girls and Daddy at the Alamo

Mommy, Em, and Tori at the Riverwalk

Emmalee at the restaurant where we ate lunch

The morning of Day 4 at Sea World (the real reason for the trip)

Tori making her best fish face

Emmalee making her best fish face

Emmalee touching the baby crocodile

Emmalee seeing Shamu for the first time

Day 5 before we headed home
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We had a great time, and I really hope we get to go back soon!

T Ball 2010

Emmalee played T Ball again this year and had several friends on her team, along with her awesome coaches from last year. She had lots f fun and actually made it through the season without having a cast. Sweet success!

Batting in her "girlied up" T Ball shirt...

Hanging out on first with her BFF Lucy

Waiting patiently for the ball to come directly to her...

Getting ready to bat, with enthusiasm

The team getting their certificates at the end of the final game

Saying Good Bye

When Emmalee started preschool in Richmond, I never expected her to make such good friends with two little girls in her class. They went to school together for two years, and then Emmalee switched to Chillicothe, while Evan and Mira stayed in Richmond. It was a hard transition, as they played together lots and had so much in common. I felt completely comfortable allowing Emmalee to spend time with the girls, because their parents took her health concerns just as seriously as we do. We tried to continue the friendship over the one hour distance, but then life took a swerve...

Earlier this spring we found out that Evan and Mira's dads (the girls are cousins) were being transferred to Atlanta. Emmalee was heartbroken, as was I. I had gone through the exact same thing at the exact same time in my life. We had the opportunity to celebrate Evan's birthday with her just before she moved, which allowed us some time to visit with Mira as well. It was bittersweet time, as the adults all realized the seriousness of the final moments, but the girls just enjoyed spending time together. Now we tell Emmalee she will have two great pen pals in Georgia, which will also give us a reason to head that way on vacation some day.


The girls just before we left the party (Emmalee, Evan, and Mira)
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Life is full of lessons to be learned, especially at Emmalee's age, but few are as difficult as saying good bye to your two "first" best friends...

Dance Recital 2010

This was Emmalee's third recital and Tori's first. It happened to fall on the last day of school, and it was a rainy, stormy night. I wasn't sure how tori would hold up, as she had to stay with virtual strangers backstage while it was thundering outside (not her favorite sound). She, however, did amazing, as did Emmalee. We LOVE Shapes Dance and Acro out of Carrollton, and we really feel it has been one of the best things we have done for the girls, as their confidence has soared, as well as their interpersonal skills. On to the pics...

Both of my beautiful dancers before the show started

Not only is she pretty and sweet, but photogenic as well...

My sweet sunshine...

Tori dancing to "You Are My Sunshine"

Emmalee "Singing in the Rain"

Tori in "The Good Ship Lollipop"

Emmalee in "Celebration"

Tori LOVED the finale, especially when all the confetti fell from the ceiling

Tori, Daddy, and Emmalee with all the pretty flowers

A very tired dancer and newly graduated kindergartner
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We can't wait to see what 2010-2011 brings in terms of dancing...

Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned in Kindergarten!

Emmalee on the first day of kindergarten

Emmalee (less than thrilled to be posing AGAIN in front of the sign) on the last day of kindergarten
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Emmalee's first year of school has gone by much too quickly. It is so hard to believe that she is going to be in first grade next year, which is way more grown up than just being a kindergartner!!! She has learned so much this year and has grown in so many ways. We are very proud of the student and friend she has been over the past year and look forward to all she has ahead of her in the future. Here are some of the life lessons she learned over the past year, as well as some of her kindergarten accomplishments:

*She learned that teachers really are looking out for the best interest of their students. We COULDN'T have asked for a better teacher!
*She was a Terrific Kid in September for being Thoughtful.
*She was the STAR student in her class.
*She got "Caught Being Good" numerous times, and won a special award from Mrs. Brobst, the principal.
*She qualified for the gifted program test, but we decided she might benefit from waiting another year or so, as she is really hard on herself.
*She LOVES art and is very advanced in her skills.
*She learned that not all kiddos have the same rules and expectations at home, but the rules/expectations we have set for her have made her an asset in class.
*She learned that kids are not always nice, but it is important to do what you know is right instead of popular.
*She learned that sometimes adults make mistakes, and the ones that matter most make sure they apologize when they do.
*She learned that she is truly gifted in the area of writing.
*She learned that reading to others can be just as fun as someone reading to her.
*She learned that to be a good friend, sometimes you have to sacrifice for them, as well as be there for the important times, like her best friend Lucy's baptism.
*She wants to be a veterinarian, artist, and mom when she grows up.
*She learned courage, strength, and bravery in the face of adversity from her P.E. teacher, who is battling ALS. She also learned to be appreciative for what you have, because to someone else, that might just be the one thing they wish they could do just one more time, again from Coach K.
*She amazes us every single day at what she has leaned and what inferences she makes just from the world around her.
*She is truly a miracle, and we couldn't be more proud!

So Long Soccer

Soccer season has finally come to an end. We played six games in the fall and six games this spring. Emmalee has really wavered as to whether or not she enjoyed it, as she is really not an aggressive kiddo and soccer is relatively aggressive. She has, however, decided to go out again next season and to attend a camp this summer put on by a British soccer team. Here are some pictures from our final game of the year.

Sitting the bench with Daddy while Mommy coached the field

Uncle Eric stopped in to watch for a minute. That really meant a lot to Emmalee!

Kicking the ball in for our team

The whole team after getting their medals

Emmalee and Pappi after the game was all over

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It was an interesting experience as a first time coach and soccer mom, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Pershing Park

Emmalee's Kindergarten class went on a field trip to Pershing Park on May 10. She invited Daddy to go along with her, and he actually took two different days off work to attend, as the first date was cancelled due to weather conditions. The weather was questionable on this date as well, and they only got about half of the trip in before the rains hit. They went on the boardwalk in the morning, then visited different stations set up by the Conservation Department when they got back to school. Emmalee had a great time.

Emmalee and Daddy before the trip

Emmalee posing in her Partners in Education t-shirt