5th Grade camp

While Sara was busy with all of the HOCO festivities, Emma was having her own fun - 5th grade camp! I'm so glad the groups are going again after a COVID hiatus, and Emma was relieved that her camp dates wouldn't coincide with cold weather/the need to wear pants (ha!).

Her teachers did a great job of posting photos several times a day - loved getting those updates!

Apparently she found a little mud. I've tried all the magic tricks with that shirt since she's been home, but I don't think it'll ever be the same.

She said the fish weren't biting, but she enjoyed some quiet time fishing.

Emma said she really enjoyed the challenge course - lots of teambuilding and fun with friends!

And no bullseye ... but very close. Emma said she landed an arrow in the red circle!

I took off work early on Friday to meet the bus when it rolled in. After telling me lots of stories and eating a little food, Emma was OUT within about thirty minutes of being home. Signs of a good time, filled with lasting memories!

This weekend she was back to her usual grind, of course - soccer and softball. 

School this week probably won't be nearly as exciting as last week, BUT she does have a 50-states test that she's sure she's going to ace!

HOCO Week 2023

Sara's freshman homecoming was everything she was hoping it would be! We went dress shopping several weeks ago (she ended up with the first one she tried on), and everything else fell into place after that. She met her date through a mutual friend at a football game. I know him because he went to my school last year, and - added bonus - he's a big Cyclone fan. He came to the house to officially ask her to the dance. 

HOCO Week itself was one event after another. To start the week, Sara got together with some of her cheer friends to decorate jeans for the Varsity game.

She was SO exited to pick up her mum on Tuesday! Can't say I really understand this TX tradition, but I guess it's fun.

Unrelated to HOCO but super fun - Sara and a few friends went to see Lana Del Ray. A rain delay made for a very late night during an already very busy week, but the girls had the best time!

Jasper Cheer participated in the West homecoming parade on Wednesday. It was fun to see lots of people we knew there! Sara looked so happy and confident.

This year, she stayed for the senior high pep rally after the parade.

Not sure how she got around all day, but the mum made it through a full school day! The girls performed at the Jasper pep rally and then at the game Thursday evening.

On Friday, Sara spent the evening at the Varsity game. We were up early Saturday for cheer pictures, followed by nails, volunteering at dance, and then getting ready for the dance! Her closest friends came over to get ready together.

We took pictures nearby ... it was HOT but at least a little breezy. These two looked so great!

The group went out to dinner at Campisi's before the dance.

Afterwards, they went for ice cream and then had pizza and a movie at another friend's house.

I am exhausted after the busy week ... I think Sara is on cloud nine and too excited to be exhausted! It's hard to believe that her first HOCO Week is behind us ... I'm so glad it was full of fun and memories. What a great start to freshman year!

September Updates

 Emma turned 11 over Labor Day Weekend, and we celebrated with ... what else?! ...

... a soccer tournament! It was a HOT one spanning three days. While her coach is still moving her around some, Emma has primarily taken over center back on the field and she's rocking it!

Between games there was down time to eat and play with teammates.

She also got in a couple of good - and much needed - naps. This kid goes hard!

We were glad to end up with only one game on her actual birthday (could have been two, but they took care of business and got a bye into the semi-finals), so we went to BWW and followed it up with ice cream cake. Sara spent much of our dinner texting with a boy ... eek.

Eleven candles!

The girls finished the Labor Day Tournament on Labor Day with Finalist medals! It was a tough final, and they had played hard all weekend to earn a spot in that game. Super proud of this group and I'm excited to watch them continue to grow. Birthday weekend hardware never hurts!

We've also been consumed with fall football and cheer. Sara is in her element and it's so fun to watch.

The girls cheered at the Varsity game a couple of weeks ago, and were total standouts. We all went and enjoyed the evening until lightening ended the game. It was fun to see lots of familiar faces and cheer on Sara under the Friday Night Lights!

Coming this week ... Emma goes to 5th grade camp, and it's HOCO week for Sara. The following week, it'll be a visit from G&G. More fun September Updates to come!!

Double Ones

We call her #1, and today she is double #1s ... Emma is 11! While there is so much ahead, we have also had so many reminders recently of all the things that are behind us, which won't come again. We are in our last year of elementary school, a place where Emma has thrived more and more with each year. She takes a lot of pride in her schoolwork, and she has great confidence in that setting. She loves being a leader on campus, and I know she'll enjoy several opportunities to utilize those skills this year. While there is a lot of growing left to do, we're seeing so many glimpses of who she'll be as Emma continues to come into her own.

At 11, Emma is still small in stature compared to many of her peers, but large in personality. She is a natural leader - which is great - and she's still learning how to navigate that strength. She stands firm when she thinks or feels a certain way, which can be both exhilarating and exhausting. I've been saying it her whole life: her skillset will absolutely serve her someday ... some days we're just trying to survive it in the meantime. She's a force for sure. Emma still feels every emotion in a real and extreme way, and that is everything I love about her.

Emma loves cheeseburgers, chicken fajita nachos, Gatorade Zero, playing soccer and softball, athleisure, Scheel's, and laughing hard at a variety of things. She loves to watch whatever sport is on TV, playing at the park after school, and making slime. She especially loves to make us laugh, which she does often (and once she knows something funny, she does it a billion times). Emma keeps us on our toes and keeps us entertained. We're lucky to be the ones who get to celebrate her today.

Happy 11th, Emma Grace. You're the best!