School Project

Ellie's project was a huge sheet decorated in many colors, with lists of her favorite things and descriptions of events she's enjoyed.  She talked about our Disney Cruise, named her favorite food and song as well as this description when asked to 'meet my hero.'

Meet My Hero

MOM

"My mom inspires me to do stuff that I haven't tried."

And then there's the really cool picture she drew with my hair in a ponytail on the side of my head and dangly earrings.  Of course she laughed when she showed me the picture because she said, "Mommy you don't really look like that!"

When I asked her what she meant by 'inspires me to do stuff...' she said, 'like soccer and singing .. because you tell me I can do anything."

As you can imagine she has also inspired me.  A reminder of being brave, being vulnerable, trying when you no longer have the strength and what it means to have a hug that means the world at the end of a long, tiring day!

Football Sunday

Sunday has never been more fun at our house watching football.  Take the fact that we each route for different teams and that game time is prime time for naps here - and the fun begins here!

Ellie had herself fun at the Cowboys merchandise store last weekend when we stopped by - imagine everything Dallas Cowboys - uhffta!  not a NY Giants or Patriots item in the bunch.

Sundays have become mornings of groceries and meal prep for the week until the prime time of 12noon Central when all the fun begins ... and yesterday Ellie didn't last through the first quarter of the Bears/Packers game before she was snoozing on the couch.

And all the while Bill was upstairs in his media room catching up on all his shows.  What a lovely quiet afternoon I had with my chores complete, and the family room to myself watching the games.

Sundays are becoming my favorite days!

Being Fierce!

Stretching out before the game

I know I've mentioned before how youth sports are taken much more seriously in Texas than I've ever seen elsewhere.  Ellie began soccer in Virginia, played again in Illinois and now has continued in Texas.  As far as youth sports growing up, no one watched more of my brother, John's youth hockey games and lived to tell about it than me!

Parents can be the hardest part.  They can be really hard on their own children disguised as coaching and cheering.  Last week as the game ended I heard a father say to his eight year old daughter, "you can't hog the ball all the time,  you're not that good anyway."  I was crushed.

The world as we know it will try to tear this young girl down for the rest of her life - as a parent, aren't you supposed to be the one the helps to build her up by instilling confidence?!  I was glad Ellie wasn't near-by to hear.

Today was just gorgeous for soccer.  Low 80's, slight breeze and no humidity!

As the girls were standing on the sidelines waiting for the game before theirs to finish one of the moms/coaches from that game turned to one of our girls and said, "Just so you know when you play this team - they have a girl that pushes, really hard!"  And then the girls started talking about it.

As the girls broke up I called Ellie over to me.  Looked her straight in the eye and said, "I want you to have a good game.  Try your very best and good things will happen.  Finish Strong and be fierce!"  She smiled, hugged me and dashed onto the field to practice.

And what a game she played - runs like the wind when she's compelled to do so, listens to the coach, passes to her teammates and encourages and cheers them on.  Couldn't ask for a better team player, that's for sure!

They won, again, 4-3.  Their record for the season is undefeated and stands at 4-0!

After the game we told her how proud of her we were for trying her best.  She was fierce!

After the game - proud of her accomplishment!

Dealing with disappointment

How do you prepare your child for disappointment?  How do you ensure that they understand what it's like to lose something they really wanted, and yet not have the experience break them?  To feel enough of the hurt to appreciate the good when it comes around?  How do you expect an eight year old to understand it's okay to be sad, and it won't help the outcome by being mad?

As a parent you want to protect your child from the pain.  And yet I know that I often need to just stand beside her with a listening ear, a hand to hold and a kleenex to wipe away the tears.

Today Ellie learned she didn't make the reading team in Mrs. Hunter's class this year.  The tryout was last week and they needed to read aloud, alone with Mrs. Hunter for her to assess their skills.  I was happy she tried out, and when she explained how it went I was even prouder still.  She told me that her tryout was good and afterward she told Mrs. Hunter, "Its okay if I don't make the Reading Team.  I like lots of other things too like Math, Science, Music too!"

So yesterday when she came home she said she didn't make the team.  And she was really disappointed.  I took a breath.  And asked her how she felt.  She said she really WANTED to be a part of that team, and even a couple of her friends had been selected.

Lots of emotions and words went through my head trying to find the right ones.  I wanted to protect, to support, to understand all at the same time.

"Ellie," I told her, "you tried your hardest at the reading test and I'm proud of you for trying."  "There are times when we want something very much but we still don't get what we want.  This is one of those times."

"I know Mommy."

"I'm sorry you're hurt.  This doesn't mean you didn't do well.  You did your best.  Sometimes even when we do our best, we're still not chosen.  It happens to all of us at times."

"I know Mommy."

"Ellie, you know what else I'm proud about?  How well you do when you try.  You are trying really hard at soccer and you are really good!  I'm so proud of all the effort you put into it and how it really shows!"

"Mommy, I'm SO glad you said that.  I'm glad you know how hard I'm trying- it's HARD work to get better!"

"Yes, Ellie it is hard work.  And when it pays off don't you feel great about all the work you put into it?"

"I guess so."

"Ellie, I love you and I'm proud of you.  Doesn't matter if you're chosen or not.  Just keep trying!"

"Okay Mommy.  I love you too"

Whew - disaster averted!  

Watch D.O.G.S.

They started their day in the Principal's office!
They are wearing their Watch DOGS shirts

You'll see from the photos they had so much fun during Dads of Great Students (D.O.G.S.).  They began the day at the school entrance holding the doors for students as they arrived.  It wasn't a hard job, although it was an important one for sure!

They moved on to presentations at the school assembly, gym class, Bill went to help the Kindergardener's with lunch since they need help opening things, and then to Ellie's lunch where they ate together. (Ellie treated by paying with HER lunch account!)  And then was recess and playground.

Bill assured me that the WatchDOG is a popular guy at recess time.  He pushes kids on the swings, settles any disputes and makes the whole recess fun!  By the end of the day these two were exhausted!  They were both sleeping by 8pm!

Assembly at school - with School Safety Patrol

School Assembly
Whitt Elementary School is K-4

WatchDOG kid gets to choose 3 friends and go to the hallway and play a game with their WatchDOG Dad.
Ellie chose Aubrey, Addison and Rebecca.

Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy Birthday Papa!

A classic from 2008 - at the Rocker Klotz in the Poconos.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday full of family, friends and lots of love!

First Report Card - 3rd Grade

First report card of third grade came out today ....

Social Studies:  100
Citizenship:   98
Language Arts:  97
Writing:  100
Math:  100
Science:  100
Art:  Satisfactory
Music:  Satisfactory
Technology:  Satisfactory
P.E.:  Satisfactory


What a great start for this little girl who loves school!  You certainly can tell that by those grades!

Weekend Wrap-up

Just adding a few more soccer shots from Ellie's game on Saturday .... although I didn't get to attend due to work, she did amazing!  She started the game and played the entire first half.  After a bit of a rest at the beginning of the second half, she was back in the game for more!

"Put Me in Coach!"
On the sidelines waiting her turn ...

Lots of girls at the water cooler getting a drink

Happy to be playing soccer again

During her rest at half-time it was chilly!
I know it's Texas, and it was in the 60's!

Saturday is Fun Day!

The view outside my office.
We gave away all those balloons!

This weekend, Sep 13th and 14th was my first "manager on duty"weekend.  For the most part that means that I spend the day in the office with the handful of Supervisors who lead the Representatives who answer the phones for all the Agents' offices that are closed.  As you can imagine lots of people buy cars on Saturdays .. so we call Saturday "Game Day!"

I work 9-5 and spend no time sitting down .. it's walking the floor, answering questions, helping folks find things and overall just keep up morale.  And each Manager on Duty is encouraged to find a theme to build excitement.

This weekend was themed after the recently released State Farm commercial with Aaron Rogers featuring Hans and Franz from the old Saturday Night Live skits.

We had a "Pump You Up" weekend and pumped up hundreds of balloons and gave them away with every auto policy a representative was able to bind.  Additionally we walked around with buckets of bubble gum to 'pump them up' too!

We had a lot of fun .. and it was exhausting!  And from the miles I logged on my FitBit by body was as tired as my mind by the time I got home!  But worth it nonetheless - a great day with a great group of co-workers who are becoming like family!

That's over 16,000 steps in one day.  My normal goal is 10,000!
Which tracked at almost 7 miles .. just walking around the office!

D.O.G.S.

There is a program at Whitt Elementary School called D.O.G.S. - which stands for Dads of Great Students.  It is a volunteer organization that gets more Dads in the schools to help with school and classroom activities.

And, yes, there are even t-shirts that go with being a D.O.G.S.

This week was the orientation meeting for the Dads and Students.  On my late work night, Bill and Ellie went to school and found out all the cool things that are going on - and Bill signed up for next Friday to be a greeter at 7am at the front door, supervise the playground during recess and I'm sure find lots of other interesting things to do during his day!

This photo is from the orientation!

And so it begins .. at the ballpark!

It's a short clip, but a touching scene.  When kids are innocent and their actions are genuine it's truly amazing.  To this little boy he had no idea what an outpouring of emotion it would cause for moms and young love far and wide.

He just did .. the next right thing .. he followed his heart and gave the cute little girl behind him the foul ball.

And moms everywhere couldn't be prouder!

That's what she said!

Ellie had been so happy with dinner tonight - roasted chicken legs in garlic/lime marinade, broccoli and green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and even avocado!

The only thing left on her plate was the salad.  Well, truth be told, she'd eaten all the 'good stuff' already.

Me:  "Ellie, are you going to finish your dinner."

Ellie:  "Mommy, I like salad.  I just don't like lettuce.  I tolerate it."

I closed my eyes, and mouth and reminded myself that there will be lots of things that she will have to tolerate as she faces this big, brave world.  So by practicing on lettuce, it seemed less dramatic!

She picked out all her own clothes.  T-shirt, shorts, leggings with lace under the shorts and denim vest with sparkles over the shirt.  And the bow in her hair just for good measure!
She was very proud of her outfit!

Texas Soccer

Let's just say that they seem to take girls' soccer as seriously as they take football here in Texas.  Wow, lots of yelling and screaming .. and that's just the parents!  So we're in not in Bloomington anymore - no PCSL, no Coach Frank and no happy just to be outside when it's not freezing cold parents.

This is Texas!

There were enough girls for the Saturday game that 4 sat the bench at a time and were rotated in.  This didn't make Ellie happy at first.  She likes to play.  And yet there was a benefit to not playing the whole time.  When she did get in the game - she was fast, alert and used those 'fresh 'legs' to get the job done!

Her preference is defense and she played both midfield and back.  She was tired and rather pleased with her contribution.  Off to the pool and a play date at Kalayna's house.  Couldn't have had a more exhausted girl at the end of the day ...

Waiting for all the action to start

Ready to kick the ball ...

In uniform - they call themselves Pink Sprinkles!

Green Team Member

Ellie came home last week on Thursday excited to have been selected for The Green Team!  She explained this was a group of students selected to wear their assigned t-shirt and on Thursday afternoons go around to each of the 3rd Grade classrooms to collect and empty to recycle bins.

She was so proud to be selected for something she already believes in - which made it such a bonus!  She gets to work as a team and with a new teacher for this activity.  She completely shows how happy she is in the photo that was shared by the school on Thursday!

Labor Day - Memories of Houston

We had a wonderfully full weekend with Aunt Di and Uncle Bruce!  We laughed, visited, ate, drank, went sightseeing and then repeated everything all over again!

Our final night we dined at a restaurant right on Lake Houston where Ellie could feed the ducks and we could enjoy wonderful seafood.  It was relaxing and enjoyable to be with family and friends of theirs for our last dinner.

Although we were sad to have to return home, we all agreed to continue burn the trail between Dallas and Houston with trips to each other's homes.  So happy to be close to family again with this move to Texas.

Ellie happily feeding the ducks popcorn!

All those ducks happy to have her feed them

You can see the popcorn as it left her hand headed for the water!

Selfie - on the water at Lake Houston