september stories

So far September is going well...but as is evident by my lack of posts it has been extremely busy. The girls are back in dance, both two days a week. Lila and Bennett are still enjoying soccer, and I am settling into the new {very hectic} routine. David's work is going well, and he has actually been able to spend a little time working in Mandeville, instead of having to commute to New Orleans everyday. This has been wonderful on so many levels. We get to see him more, our gas bill is less, and he can make it to things at school, which he loves to do. I am volunteering at Elise's school in the office every other Wednesday, and in her classroom every Friday, and doing a Bible study group once a week. I am really enjoying it all.

Elise loves school, and I am truly amazed by what she has already learned in just one month. I can tell the wheels in her head are always turning, thinking, and processing. The school held its annual "Math Night" last week, and she had a blast playing the math related games with friends...

This afternoon, the kindergarten had an assembly, and Elise's class did a presentation. We were invited to go watch and were thrilled to do so. Each child had a turn to say or read a little bit about Pluto (the former planet). Then they sang a precious song about how they will always love Pluto, even though he isn't a planet anymore. Elise can tell you all of the reasons he isn't-- and something about sharing an orbit with Neptune, which went way over my head!!!

Elise was so thrilled to be nominated by her teacher as the Student of the Month in her class, although a little bummed that she was not chosen (it is a random drawing from all of the nominees) as the grand winner. They get to display a sign in their yard that says Student of the Month. We are so happy she is happy and doing well. She is still pretty wiped by the end of the week, but I am sure as the months go on she will adapt to her new schedule.

Lila and Bennett are loving school as well. Even though I shouldn't compare, obviously I do, and what cracks me up the most is that all of Lila's school related stories are related to social activities, who invited her to their house, who she wants to come to our house, etc...whereas I was used to Elise getting into the car and filling me in on everything she learned that day. It is not that I don't think Lila is smart, I just think her social life is her number one priority right now!

Bennett is a little more like Elise, and really loves learning the letters and their sounds. He is starting to recognize sight words, and I have a feeling he is going to be into reading. Keeping my fingers crossed.

In other family news, last week our poor little Boss had to have a pretty major surgery on his hip. He was in the "hospital" Tuesday through Friday and oh my how we missed him!!! I think Lila asked me 47 times a day when he could come home!

On Friday we were able to pick him up, and then we took him to visit Mimi and Grandpa. Grandpa loves to hold him! You can kind of see his incision in this picture. He is doing well. He still holds his leg up most of the time, but he is "toe-touching" now and then, and the vet says this is good. He gets his staples out on Wednesday, poor Buddy. We are saying our prayers that he will continue to improve...he is a young little thing to have already had to go through this.

So, those are some of the September stories that have been going on in our house...we are so grateful for the great month we have had so far and look forward to what is to come...

totally 80s, totally fun

We had a great weekend, mostly filled with soccer games and family fun. Lila and Bennett each had games on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, to make up for earlier games that were rained out. They both really came alive this weekend in their games; in fact, Lila scored 4 goals on Saturday!! Yippee!! She was sooooo excited. Bennett also played great and had a total blast!!
Elise had a special treat and got to go to a one day dance clinic at my high school held by the dance team- she had sooo much fun! I really don't think she believes me when I tell her that me and Aunt Mo were one time on that team!!
The kids also started Godly Play this weekend, which is the way our church does Sunday School and probably the number one thing I love about our church!
In the midst of all of that David and I were able to squeeze in a "date night". We went to an 80's party held at our neighborhood club. They are trying to do more for the younger crowd, and this was the first big attempt......and it was a BLAST!
Even though I usually just fill this blog with pics of the kids, I had to include some of these in our "scrapbook"....



All ready for the party! David actually has all of his own clothes on (shocker!), and the glasses are my Dad's "vintage" Ray Bans! He was going for the Pretty In Pink look. I went to Goodwill on Thursday (nothing like the last minute) and this is what I came up with. Kind of teeny-bopper 80's. Two scrunchies in my hair, one on my shirt, and lots of rubber bracelets. Added in a curly side ponytail, spiked bangs, and metallic blue eyeliner and I was set. The icing on the cake was the incredible earrings I found for 99 cents. I got tons of compliments! They may be the single most hideous things I have ever seen....




We met up with the Richardsons and Poiriers for a little pre-party...



Loved deShea's peace side hair bow! Most girls were more Madonna 80's- I thought my super short jean skirt was racy- until we got to the party! I looked like a 12 year old compared to most...it was so much fun!!!




Loved Missy's crimped hair and Monica's airbrushed shirt!



Stacy had fabulous earrings as well, and I loved Erika's super preppy look. It kept making me laugh seeing her dancing in her very preppy outfit!



Having fun...




The band was really good, and 80s music just makes you want to DANCE. Everyone was dancing the whole night! It was a blast. I seriously think I drank about 10 huge glasses of water- it was a serious workout!




PeeWee Herman even rode his bike through the club at the end of the night...


We had a great time...I am so glad I stuck with water as we had a full day Sunday. It was hard enough getting up early after staying out until 1:30- but it was so much fun to do something different and dance like we used to in college! Felt good.




These two random pics were on the card with the 80s pics. Think Bennett had a little fun with the camera. He makes me smile....

Hope you all had fun filled weekends as well!!!

soccer saturdays

Lila and Bennett are finally old enough to play "real" soccer, and they are THRILLED! David is coaching BOTH of their teams, because he coached Elise when she was 4, and he definitely has his hands full.

Last Saturday was our first double header, and they were both so excited about their games.

David drew first pick of uniform color this year, so hot pink it is!

Warming up the team...

Pre-game practice...

Go team!! Lila did great, she got right in there to try to get the ball, and played really hard. She also had a lot of fun socializing as well. She is definitely the social butterfly of the group- always trying to schedule herself a playdate or score an invite to someones house!

Next up were the boys...Bennett loves his cleats...and it does make it easy to keep track of him on the field!

Stretching out the boys...

Surprising, I think the boys game was a little more of a challenge for David than the girls. He had a few emotional girls, but for the most part they wanted to play. He really only had 4 boys that even wanted to get on the field...hopefully it will be better in week two!

Go team!!!

Practicing throw ins...

Lila and Bennett are both number 4...Bennett's fav....

Time to play!

Bennett had a great time and also played really well. I think he enjoys the post goal celebrations and falling down as much as he likes running though....

All in all it is very entertaining and they are having a blast...I love watching them play!

Although with two games each Saturday, I must admit I am a little thankful Elise is taking a break from soccer this season...then we'd have a really full Soccer Saturday...

togetherness

We had lots of togetherness this Labor Day weekend as we spent it all inside of our house waiting out tropical storm Lee. Other than David's trip on the roof (while tied with an extension cord to a tree as a harness) to fix a leak, it was pretty uneventful.

We are so thankful that the storm wasn't worse, and we actually made the most of our time together...

Lots of time was spent creating with Trio blocks...

And watching performances of very diverse repertoires including Justin Beiber, Bible songs, and some Taylor Swift...

While wearing pajamas, old dresses, and even bathing suits at times.... (wishful thinking since we had planned on spending the weekend swimming)...

We also watched several family movies, and all agreed Tangled was our favorite. We ate yummy white chicken chili (well, David and I did), I gave the girls (and myself) manicures and pedicures, we played games, I caught up on all of my ironing (miracle!), the girls played school and club....and Elise even made signage for the front door:

Poor Bennett.

This afternoon we finally ventured out and made a visit to Mimi and Grandpa's; and for dinner we went to SuSu and G's for her famous roast beef po-boys.

We are glad the weather has cleared and Elise is looking forward to going back to school tomorrow..

Thankful for a safe and quiet weekend together.