Cheer + HOCO

 Sara's life this fall has been all things cheer and homecoming. Of course it's been so fun to continue to watch her on the sidelines, and also to watch her team improve as they prepare for competition. I'm proud of Sara for doing a great job rising to the occasion as Captain.

JV football is currently undefeated, which has definitely added excitement to the season!

Best of times and best of friends. 💙

The squad has spent several mornings at elementary and middle schools, and had amazing turnout for their clinic a few weeks ago.

They've also done multiple pep rallies between Shepton and Jasper. I'm always thankful that the coaches send us plenty of pictures from those events!

In September the team did a "gold out" for childhood cancer. Through my secretary at work, I was able to the donation of gold poms and shirts from an organization that is dedicated to raising money for research. Of course now we're in pink out for October, but it was nice to support the gold cause too!

Sara and Zach started dating back in August around the time school started, and they were super excited to go to Sophomore Homecoming together.

They did their mum and garter exchange on a Sunday evening after Sara had been at cheer practice for five hours. These two are so busy, so we had to squeeze it in and it was a fun way to kick off HOCO week.

Plano West HOCO Parade (Emma and I left after the cheer float to get to softball - always on the run.)

The HOCO pep rallies were glow themed! The squad did a dance with glow sticks and it looked really cool. During one of the performances, the music stopped mid-way through, but they just kept going. It was neat to hear the crowd's response - a bunch of cheering and clapping to encourage them on.

HOCO Game

It was the second week in a row that the team came from behind and won by one. The kids and fans were so excited!

Grandma was in town for the weekend and got to enjoy all the celebrations.

HOCO day was busy! Sara had her volunteering, Emma had soccer, we picked up the boutonnière, got some cute appetizers ready, got ourselves ready ... lots of excitement and special memories.

Steve had to do a tutorial on putting on the boutonniere. 

Cute couple.

My gorgeous girl.

Grandma and her girls.

Sara and Zach went to Shepton's dance, so Sara was without her usual group of girlfriends. She adjusted and they had a great time at dinner and the dance. Afterwards, they hung out here and watched a movie and some football. 

Although football season will wind down in the next several weeks, cheer is ramping up with competition coming. Sara is giving it everything she's got to juggle her schoolwork, actual work, extra curriculars, driving practice, and social life. It's not easy - she is SO busy and while she usually handles it fairly well, there have been tough moments for sure. She's in the teenage thick of it and I'm just trying to soak it all in!

All About Emma

In trying to catch up with our busy fall, I realized I had a whole bunch of Emma pics that deserve a post! She played a sweaty soccer tournament over Labor Day Weekend leading up to her birthday. 

One of our team parents brought her good camera and got several great action shots of the girls. I love having these keepsakes of Emma's time on the field.

The girls came home with 2nd place medals based on an unfortunate PK - they sure played hard and their team shows lots of promise for the soccer year ahead!

We celebrated Emma's birthday with presents, Outback Steakhouse (her choice), cake, and a late night trip to Sephora because that gift card just couldn't wait!

Emma has been loving the freedoms that come with middle school. Often after school, she walks home or to the rec center with friends. She has enjoyed her first middle school social, a choir trip to Andretti's, and trips to the mall and movie theater.

Over this past weekend, Grandma was here (HOCO post forthcoming), and I was so glad she got to see Emma's choir concert. She is a great singer, and although she's always out on a field in front of people, this new stage made her nervous. She did a great job! I hope she sticks with choir.

She had also requested a crochet lesson using chunky yarn to make a cozy blanket. Grandma was more than happy to oblige!

Emma is doing so well at school, and we even received a positive referral from her PACE teacher last week. I was so nervous about her starting middle school, but her transition has been pretty smooth and I'm so thankful. She's made some new friends, is making plans for Halloween, and is embracing all the attitude that is a pre-teen!

Terrific Twelve

Today, Emma is 12. Not yet a teenager, at least by the numbers, and no longer just a kid. In so many ways, she's just a bigger version of who she's always been: silly, strong, opinionated. But this past year we've also watched her blossom in ways we didn't necessarily see coming (i.e. requesting trips to Sephora, setting an early alarm to do her hair, shopping methodically for back to school ...). Watching her grow continues to be a gift - not without its challenges, but always with its rewards.

Emma is still our multi-sport athlete, pouring her energy into soccer, softball and basketball. She was proud recently to be voted captain for her soccer team this season. The girl was born to be a leader.

She still loves to compete (especially loves to win), and lives out the phrase, "go hard or go home." Watching her play sports is one of my very favorite things in the whole world.

And gosh does this girl look up to her big sister. They aren't friends now, but I believe they will be someday. In the meantime, I watch Emma work for Sara's attention and approval. Sometimes it breaks my heart a little bit, but I know that's just part of the dynamic right now. As she always has, Emma continues to hold her own in this sister relationship.

I've always said that Emma does everything with force and purpose - love, play, pout and the list could go on. I continue to learn from her and grow as a person and a parent because of her. Fire + ice, calm + storm, salty + sweet. Emma is all of it. I couldn't love her more.

Happy 12th Birthday, Emma Grace. You are amazing just the way you are. 

Back to School

Our summer has come to an end, but not without plenty of memories. In looking through pictures, I realize I have spent more time with Emma this summer than with Sara, who has been busy with work, cheer, and friends. I guess that's how it's supposed to be. Meanwhile, Emma spent lots of time helping me at school (and even spent her last day of summer today baking cupcakes for my staff!).

Jim has enjoyed having the girls home over the summer, and he's really enjoyed all the sunshine!

Besides the baking I mentioned above, Emma has spent lots of time in the kitchen this summer. She made stuffed shells, oreo macarons, and pork tenderloin, among other things.

I did separate back to school shopping trips with each girl. Emma branched out from the Nike and Adidas stores from last year, and we spent several hours at the mall where she found lots of cute things! Sara's trip was a success, too, but no pics ... mom fail.

We went to a Rough Riders game where we sat just a few rows above the Rangers GM. Steve and Emma went down to say hello between innings.

Emma went to a birthday party and spent some time with friends. I know she's ready to start seeing them again daily!

Sara's squad has had several back to school events. I'm excited to see them on the football sidelines soon!

I was busy this summer getting to know my new district. I'm so excited about my school and our team. I'm learning a lot, and feeling revived! We're an AP short right now due to maternity leave, but I got to hold her baby for a bit today so that made up for it!

We have watched ALL the Olympics! Emma's team held a couple of soccer game watches, and we squeezed in watching everything else whenever we could.

We also went to the DFW Cyclones Senior Send-off. Looking forward to game watches with the group this fall ... and constantly being reminded of how close we are to a senior send-off ourselves.

While Sara was at the mall (again) with friends yesterday, Steve, Emma, and I snuck in some fun at Dave & Buster's to watch the Cowboys and play! We didn't venture into the mall to embarrass Sara, but we threatened it.

And I survived the grocery store on the weekend before school starts. We're set to at least make it through week one!

School starts tomorrow ... we're as ready as we'll ever be for 6th grade, 10th grade, and year 22. And Steve and Jim are ready for a quiet house during the day. Our fall calendar is FULL ... so here we go!