E is just a little excited about getting her acceptance letter from Texas A&M!

I think Erin is a pretty proud of her big sister!

and....a very proud Mom!

Back to school....senior year

How is it that time goes by so quickly that you notice it's been about 4 months since you've done anything on the blog? Evidently, it was pretty easy. The summer blew right by us and we start an exciting school year. Erin is in 6th grade now. She is becoming more competitive with her sisters each day. She wanted to know how long they were first chair in band because she wants to be longer. She wanted to know the highest AR totals they got for the year because "I'm gonna beat that the first semester." Erin is playing the clarinet and enjoying it. She was not happy that after her first chair test she was #8 out of 22. She seems pretty focused, so watch out. Erin is participating in the U.I.L. One Act Play competition. I believe there are about 13 kids involved. Erin is most excited about the play and the "cool" part she got. She informed me today that she is trying out for U.I.L. in math, calculator, oral reading, and spelling. We'll see how it all plays out but she's having fun so far. Erin really likes her teachers, but they aren't Mom from last year! Emily is in 9th grade...she's a Fish. She and Elizabeth have the same lunch period, so they get to see each other and talk (even though they don't sit together). Em is playing volleyball and starts. Most of the time, she enjoys it. Em is pretty focused on trying to be #1 in her class. Em is REALLY loving be a cheerleader. She made the JV squad (she was a little disappointed she didn't make varsity) and is doing great. All of her buddies are on the JV squad, so she gets to see them play when she is cheering. Em decided against playing basketball and is still trying to decide about running track. Em loves being in high school! Elizabeth is a senior this year! We know this year will go by incredibly fast, so we are trying to enjoy each moment. Elizabeth is taking a college English class (dual credit) at Temple College. She will enter college with 6 hours...Yea. E is taking AP Physics, AP Calculus, Accounting, and Economics. First day of Temple College, E was so nervous about what to expect. Everything went well and continues to, but she said she was so happy to get back to Academy and get to Physics and Calculus where things make more sense....WHAT? E is working part-time at El Chico as a hostess to earn some $$$ for college. E sent her application and other information to Texas A&M...waiting to get her acceptance letter. E was elected President of the National Honor Society for this year. They had an NHS induction ceremony today and E had to speak in front of the school as Master of Ceremonies. She did a great job. I'm guessing she will not want a job speaking in front of a large crowd of people considering how nervous she was before hand. 3 years ago, I don't think she would have done it. She has certainly grown!

Summer 2012

How in the world did it get to be halfway through summer already? Here are some updates on the end of school and into the summer. Erin - had a great year. She finished in the top 10 kids in her class for AR points. She was one of the top students in each of her classes and was really happy to get ribbons for all of them. Erin has continued her reading through the summer. She is currently reading the spy girls series. She informed me it was too hot to ride her scooter...she was just gonna chill with her book today. Thank God she is still reading. Erin got braces, and looks wicked cool! Em - finished the year strong. She played tennis this year, doubles, and really enjoyed it. She and her partner, Abby, got knocked out in the first round of district...Em was pretty upset about that. She got to be pretty good. We have a GREAT coach, Nikki Morgan, that we all just love. Em would run through a brick wall for her if she asked. Em won the American Legion Award for the top female student in 8th grade. She was super excited and didn't stop smiling for a couple of days. Em is at cheer camp down in Corpus Christi. Sounds like she is having the best time! Em has done more swimming this year than in the last 3 years combined. She loves the sun and water. Elizabeth - finished the year really strong. The last 6 weeks she had a 99.2 average. She increased her class rank to #5. She really wants to be in the top 3. She is gonna have a tough senior year with AP Physics, Calculus, and some dual credit classes. I don't remember attending class my senior year...so glad they're not following their Dad's footsteps. E is starting her first job Friday at El Chico. She is going to be a hostess/greeter. We know the guy that manages the restaurant & he told us if E was looking her would hire her right now. He wasn't kidding... E was 5 points off on her SAT to be a merit scholar. She was a little upset she didn't make it, and is committed to taking the test again so she can raise her score. I'm not sure Dad got his name right on the SAT. Just saying.... We are trying to enjoy the summer, despite the heat. We have a few trips plan to go to Six Flags, a baseball game, the beach, and celebrating some July/August birthdays. Hope everyone enjoys the summer, and we'll try and do a better job updating...right Dad?????

April 2012

Wow...this year is flying by so quickly. Here's a brief update:

Erin - Erin is completely taken with the Hunger Games books. Erin took 5 days and read all three books in the series. She is now re-reading the books. If she gets out a bow and arrow and says that she is Katniss, I'm gonna run away. Erin was really excited because she was one of the top 10% of students this 6 weeks for her AR points. Her reward is she gets to go eat pizza for lunch away from school. She wants to be in the top 3 for total AR points by the end of the year. She and Dad had an agreement...if she could get to 200 AR points by the end of the year, she could get a Kindle Fire. Dad thought this was pretty safe since she only had 64 points at the time. Well, Erin has 238 points now and is reading another book on her Kindle.

Emily - Em finished track and had a rough time. Second practice, the coaches didn't stretch them well and Em pulled her hamstring. She had a difficult time at all the meets. Her hamstring was feeling better for the district meet but not completely healed. She did win both hurdle races she was in but had a lower time than she would have liked. She was happy enough to be the district champ in the 100M and 300M hurdles. Em is going to try tennis next. She has never played, so this should be fun.

E - we finally got done with the Belle Ball. E had so much fun with everything around the Ball it was great to see her light up the room with her smile all night. We were lucky enough to have Tia Jill come from California to enjoy the Ball with us. E was super surprised when Tia Jill was in the car to pick up the girls from school that day. We are beginning our first college visit with Elizabeth. The first school on the list in Texas A&M. We are going on monday to meet with admissions, tour the school, and check out the dorms. I thin our next visit is to the University of Texas. Not sure when we will get that one done.

Melinda - Melinda is doing great at Academy. She is lucky enough to have some great teachers to work with in 5th grade. She has really enjoyed having Erin in a couple of her classes. Academy feels pretty lucky to have her too.

Eric - Eric is driving more for work than ever. Gives him plenty of time to do some car karaoke with the 80's channel on satellite radio.

The family at the Belle Ball

February 2012

Been a busy couple of months getting back into the routine of school/work. Couple of highlights...Erin was an alternate for oral reading at UIL competition. She was frustrated with herself she made the team as an alternate. Erin is loving 5th grade, hanging with her friends, and going to birthday parties about every weekend.


Emily finished basketball season last night...great season. She may actually miss basketball. Em won the essay contest "The War on Drugs" and is presenting her paper to the Lions Club in Academy tomorrow. She also got her braces off this week...YEA!!



Elizabeth has been so busy with school and homework. It's all paying off...her class rank increased to #6. Fun to see her reaction to all the hard work and sacrifice paying off. E has had Belle stuff going on: dress fittings, Belle dinner with escorts, dance lessons, and soon to happen the Belle Ball.