I blinked!

September ended and October came and went ... we've been consumed with a lot of cheer and softball, and plenty of fun. Near the end of September, Emma was asked to guest-play with a team that needed a catcher for an upcoming tournament. She had one opportunity to practice with them before the tournament, and we followed it up with some nachos!

The following weekend, my parents came to town and got to see the tournament. It was a LONG day on the opposite side of the metroplex, and Emma was not feeling well, but she played her hardest. I was proud of her for earning the MVP medal on a new team!

While in town, G&G also saw Sara cheer. For this particular game, the girls wore cute jerseys with their names on the back.

I'm so glad they got to see Sara on the sideline - totally in her element!

Of course it wouldn't have been a complete weekend without a soccer game, too! Emma's team beat a tough opponent that morning! We were all reminiscing about the fact that the last time my parents came for a "sports weekend", Emma had a broken arm and Sara's cheer competition was cancelled ... so this visit was much more successful and eventful!

During October, the cheer squad wore their Pink Out uniforms several times. 

Dinner at the ballfield ... a hot dog or pretzel between games is a pretty standard part of our lives these days.

We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month at school and wrapped up before fall break with a Ballet Folklorico performance. It was so amazing and I loved seeing so many of our students' faces light up seeing their culture celebrated. I had to get a pic with these sweet ladies!

For the first time in several years, our district had a true fall break. At one point, Steve and I had discussed going out of town, but in the end decided against it. I'm so glad we did - the low-key days at home were just what we needed. Emma baked, of course.

She also spent LOTS of time biking around with friends. It included a trip to one friend's house to see his new puppy!

Among several other self-selected bike adventures, their time on the town included posing with Halloween decor ...

... and randomly running into a friend who recently moved away but who was in town for an appointment!

We had amazing weather during fall break. Warm (but not hot) days and cool nights. We broke out the solo stove for its inaugural fire this season (and made everyone hang out together outside)!

Sara hit the State Fair with friends.

They ran into some of my favorite RMH teachers who of course sent me a pic!

While the students had a full week of fall break, staff had three days ... it was just enough time to rest and refresh for the stretch til Thanksgiving! A science teacher at my school found some eclipse glasses from our first day viewing several years ago, so although they were on break, we embedded a little science lesson. Steve's not pictured but he was in on the action too!

Near the end of October, it was back to the softball field for Pink the Park 10U with the Diamond Darlings. Sunrise softball games with Emma at catcher!

In between games, Emma managed to make it to a birthday party. While many, many things come naturally to our athletic girl, roller skating is not one of them. She had a great time and Steve and I had a few laughs with her!

She also made it to Conner's show at Genesis Theater. 

After lots of games (9, I think, but Emma missed a couple for soccer), the Diamond Darlings ended the weekend with 1st place rings! The team has changed a lot over the years, and we had to bring in some guests for this tournament, but somehow they always manage to pull out the W in the end!

In the game that put them in the championship, Emma hit a three-run homerun!

The following weekend, Emma was supposed to participate in Pink the Park 12U with Edge, but lots and lots of rain kept the tournament from happening. Although the girls who play on both teams were hoping for back-to-back rings, the rest forced by the rain was welcomed, too. The girls finally had time to go see The Eras movie!

This past week, Sara cheered her last freshman football game. I have loved watching her blossom this season. Next up for her squad - UCA Regionals on November 17, and then onto basketball season.

We also wrapped up the Diamond Darling's MBSA season with playoffs on Friday night. Emma had an awesome hit down the first baseline, a tag-out at home, and a throw out from catcher to second! Undefeated season and first place in playoffs for these girls!

Fall has been SO busy - full of all the good things. Next weekend, we have a couple of soccer games and an Edge softball game to make up for all of the rainouts that occurred last week, but then those seasons will close. Emma's soccer team will play winter indoor, and basketball will start back up. If Sara's team does well at Regionals, they'll be preparing for Nationals. We'll squeeze the holidays in there, too - ha! I'm thankful for the full calendar in our kitchen and apps that remind us where to be!