Just Dance

The junior high and high school football teams had scrimmages tonight, and Lexie had her first dance team performance. This was the first year the junior high dance teams were asked to participate, so they were excited. Lexie's dance coach works them hard! They have literally spent a 3 hour practice perfecting two 8 counts, and it showed tonight. The girls were awesome!!


The few seconds right before the music comes on. I know it felt like their hearts were about to beat out of their chests. This is the point I always felt like I was going to throw up. (Luckily I never did.) The routine they did was really fun to watch. The music was 'Sweet Child Of Mine', 'I Can't Get Enough Of You Baby' (didn't know that song, but it has been stuck in my head for a couple of weeks now), 'Dude Looks Like A Lady', 'Walk This Way', and 'Paradise City'. Awesome songs from my day!

Lexie is on the far right.

The dance team also stands next to the cheerleaders on the sidelines. Lexie is second from the right on the front row.

Some of Lexie's fans

Poppy and Granny with Lexie

Way to go Lexie!! We are so proud of you!!!

First Day of 8th Grade

Today was the day Lexie has been waiting for for 2 1/2 months...The first day of school! She absolutely loves going to school (socially, not academically). I cannot believe she is in 8th grade! At her school, they don't pass out schedules until the morning of the first day. I can't wait to find out what classes and teachers she has.

The annual walking in shot.

Since Lexie left elementary school I have not been allowed to take anymore of the 'posing in front of the school' pictures. Now I just snap one from the car, but I don't dare ask her to stand there and pose ;-)

A LOOK BACK...

(only as far back as I have on this computer)

7th grade

6th grade

5th grade

FIRST NATURALS GAME

Three posts in one day; I'm on a roll!


Remember Carter's first baseball experience: Tonight's was much better. We have been wanting to go to a Naturals game, but have been too busy or the weather was too hot for Carter. Well tonight we finally made it, and we had so much fun. Monte, Carter, Matt (my little bro), and I all went. (Lexie is at her dad's.) We were also surprised to see the Zooperstars (sp?) there. We watched them on Season 2 of America's Got Talent. (We also met several other people from that season when we were in LA.) Carter really had a great time! Every time they played music he would start dancing like crazy. He also clapped when they called out the batter's name, sometimes before everyone else clapped. Everyone around us thought he was so cute, and he made sure he waved at everyone. I think his favorite part of the evening was getting to eat a bag of popcorn. Carter LOVES popcorn! We didn't venture over to the playground, but we will definitely try that out next time. Unfortunately Carter and I had to leave early because it was time for him to go to bed, but I was impressed that he lasted 2 hours. I'm pretty sure that he could have lasted for the entire game because he was so excited! I can't wait to go back and take Lexie with us.


We put Carter down, and let him walk in. He handed the lady his ticket (even though he really didn't have to have one to get in). First he stood about 25 feet away from the lady and tried to stretch his arm far enough to hand her his ticket. That obviously didn't work, so Monte held his hand and walked him to the gate. Unfortunately I was not able to get a shot of him handing his ticket to the lady, but there is always next time!

"Do you like see food?"

Carter loves his Uncle Matt. He spent quite a bit of the evening on Matt's lap.

"Cool! Uncle Matt is letting me wear his hat!!"

Giving Matt a kiss on the cheek. (Carter is very affectionate.)

Having a serious conversation.

"Oh, no! Mom says I have to go. Will you come to another game with me?"

A STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL ON BRUSHING YOUR TEETH

"Oral hygiene is very important."

First, you wet your toothbrush and put a little tooth paste on it. (I prefer just water, but the dentist told my mom to use tooth gel so I can get used to the flavor.)

Then you put the toothbrush in your mouth and move it all around.

Keep going. It takes a few minutes to get your teeth really clean.

Then you rinse off your toothbrush.

Check your teeth and make sure they are sparkly clean.

"See, all clean!"

STUFF THE BUS

Last week, a few members of Lexie's dance team participated in the "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive. They danced a few times in front of the local Wal-Mart and asked for school supply donations. The girls did a great job! They got a lot of donations during their time there. Lexie's dance coach commented to Lexie on how good she was at speaking to strangers. Yep, that's Lexie--bold and brave! I did see her giving her speech to a few shoppers, and I was quite impressed with how at ease she was. I was always terrified to speak to or in front of anyone, and she is very confident when she does it. She has always been an entertainer, so I guess it comes naturally to her.


Most people were very friendly and polite to the girls, but I was surprised at some people's reaction. "I buy my kids' school supplies. Other people can by their own." and "I pay taxes." were a few of the rude comments they got. My thoughts go back to the little rule we all learned when we were little: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." I understand that a lot of people don't have the extra money to buy school supplies for other people. I also know that this time of year can be quite a burden for many families. I have had children in my classroom that honestly could not afford pencils. "Stuff the Bus" and other similar fundraisers are a wonderful help to many kids, so they can start the school year with shiny new school supplies just like everyone else.

Way to go Wildcats! Thanks for helping out.

(The sky wasn't really pink. I think my little camera is dying.)