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!

First Day of School

It still very much feels like summer (we're on day I-don't-know-how-many of 100+  temps), but school is in session. We're back at it ... 

Emma started 5th grade this year!

She and Steve took the last first day walk to Daffron. It's hard to believe we'll be done with elementary school after this year. It's been so awesome to have both girls attend our neighborhood school for six years.

This year, 5th graders got to pick their own lockers!

Emma already plans to take advantage of 5th grade by serving on Safety Patrol, doing the KDAF news, and running for student council!

Sara started 9th grade. I almost can't stand it. I am excited for her - high school is so fun! But my heart is already breaking knowing how quickly these four years will fly by.

The start of school means cheer is in full swing; games start soon. Sara's afterschool Starbucks trips with friends are back up and running ... and I'm just thankful for any time she wants to spend with me. I was able to get a silly "wolfpack" out of her on our Target run yesterday!

I think Jim was more exhausted by the first week of school than anyone. He's been glad to have everyone home this weekend.

We had a great start to the year! Hoping the next several months follow this lead.

summer lovin'

 The end of our summer was full of memories. Sara was thrilled to finally have her braces off! Before high school was the goal, and it happened.

Family (forced) fun pool time! It hasn't been the most refreshing body of water recently, but we've still enjoyed the dips and time outside on the back patio.

Both girls got their own back to school shopping trips. Emma wanted to go to Nike, Adidas, Under Armor, and then Austin Avenue. She was quick and decisive!

Sara wanted lots of hours at the mall and then Taverna ... which I did endured because I love her. She is slow and methodical and expensive, but she's got great taste!

Sara also worked a lot of hours (double shifts many days) and was thrilled when her first direct deposit hit. Of course she wouldn't allow a picture of her actually working, so I got this one as Jim and I watched her walk in. She's really enjoying it and plans to stay on so her position can advance as she gets older!

We had an extended family outing for Big Steve's birthday. My goal for the night was to get a good family photo ... but walked away with just this blurry one. Oh, well.

We've been following the World Cup, of course, and went to a Game 1 watch at The Star. It was hot, but lots of fun with Emma's team. Too bad the US Women fizzled out so fast...

On a soccer note, Emma's new team primarily practices at the park down the street from our house. It's so convenient ... and Jim loves it, too, because it means more walks!

Sara and her friend took Emma along to see the Barbie movie, which they said was great! I'm sure I'll catch it once it comes to OnDemand at some point.

Last weekend we got back to school nails. Emma had her first pedicure in MN with my sister and she's all about the calf massage! I had to secretly take the photo of Sara. 

They're ready for school ... starting 5th grade and 9th grade tomorrow. Yesterday I took Sara to walk her schedule for the first time at Jasper, and today I took Emma to meet the teacher for the final time at Daffron. Huge milestones now and ahead, and they're here whether we're ready or not. I'm hoping it's a smooth, peaceful, and fun year for both girls. It all begins tomorrow!

Summer Ball

It may be summer, but Emma is still getting in plenty of sports! Her basketball team is playing (and dominating!) a tough summer league; soccer practice has been on a little break, but Friday evening skills are continuing (at the park at the end of our street ... could NOT be better!); softball double-headers in the heat have been lots of fun!

A couple of weeks ago, Emma, Steve, and Big Steve got last minute tickets to a Wednesday evening Rangers game and had great seats just up from home plate!

Added bonus: dollar hotdog night (plus a huge win for the home team)!

Warming up with Dad before a *hot* Thursday double-header ... after all that squatting, Emma has had some sore thighs on Fridays!

Since our social calendar pretty much relies on the girls' activities, we're loving the low-key but plenty busy summer ball life!