Melinda's Award

We have an award winner....and it's not the kids this time. Melinda received the 2009 Golden Apple Award. This is an award presented by the Temple Daily Telegram. The Telegram received over 100 nominations and chose 5 to receive it. A mother wrote in and described how Melinda has helped change her daughter from a kid that really struggled in math. The kid is now in a pre-AP algebra class and doing well. Melinda still tutors that kid to this day whenever she needs help. Pretty cool award to recognize teachers that make a difference. It was mentioned that Melinda has helped so many other kids whose parents feel the same way. I think what sets Melinda apart is she is able to identify where a kid needs help and focus on that area. Her kids always have a remarkable improvement over the previous year. We are incredibly proud of her!

Mother's Day

Hope everyone enjoyed their Mother's Day. We had a good time. Melinda had breakfast in bed...don't go crazy, it was only coffee and donuts. We spent family time joking around, playing the Wii & getting beaten by Erin, and watching movies. We did eat some lunch & dinner with Lita to celebrate as well. It was a busy weekend, but hopefully enjoyable for the people that mattered the most...Moms. We are very fortunate to have the Moms we do in our lives...THANKS for all you do!!!!



We love you!

Honeybee relays!

We had the Honeybee relays (Academy's version of the little Wildcat relays) this past Friday. Erin was involved in 3 events: tug-o-war, 400M relay, and the 100M dash. Erin's class won the tug-o-war competition and get to keep the trophy in their room until next year. They were very excited...this is evidently a BIG deal. Erin did a great job & had a lot of fun running her events. Her team got 5th place in the 400M relay, and she got 4th place in the 100M dash. We were really proud of her. The middle school kids got out of school during gym to go to the track & watch the relays. Elizabeth & Emily both got to see Erin in the tug-o-war and the relay. They both had to get back to class before she ran the 100M though. Overall, it was a great day (despite Mom and Dad getting a little sunburned).

April 2009

We have been crazy busy...but it's coming to an end. We celebrated Easter over at Nana & Papa's. Melinda's cousin (Cindy) came into town from Dallas...a great time was had by all. It was great to see Cindy again. The kids had fun hunting Easter eggs, and playing outside. Eric got smart and played permanent quarterback for the annual football game...the knees just can't take it anymore.
We celebrated Erin making her First Communion...Yea!!!!! She looked so pretty and was really excited about getting to eat the bread. Should have seen her face the first time she got to taste the wine! After the mass, we took Erin to lunch at Olive Garden. Lita, Nana, and Papa were able to join us. We all had a lot of fun spending the day together.
E had her last cotillion dance - formal. Jessica helped her get her makeup and hair finished. She looked gorgeous! She sure doesn't look like a little girl any longer. I guess it happens when you're not exactly ready for it. She had fun at the dance seeing her old buddies from Travis and her new buddies from Academy.
We are in the middle of the last of the TAKS tests this week. E and Em have their tests on Thursday and Friday. Erin just had hers yesterday. Melinda has them this week as well. We get through this week, and we are rolling downhill.

Celebrating!!!

Our Spring Break has been terrific! We've spent a lot of time together shopping, going to the movies, playing games (Erin is deadly at checkers now), and hanging out. We were also able to squeeze in a birthday for a special girl, Emily. Em is going to have a party with her buddies in a couple of weeks, but we decided to make it a family party day. To start the day off, we went to Starbucks. Thank God for that place, some days. After a brief breakfast, we went to Austin for a "little" shopping. We went to all the usuals (A&F, Hollister, Delia's, American Eagle, Aeropostale, and GAP for Erin). The girls found lots of things they wanted and got a few of them.
After some "light" shopping, we went to Houston's for lunch. The spinach & artichoke dip lived up to the anticipation. Good stuff, man.
When we finished lunch, everyone was a little tired. Everyone took a little nap on our way back to Temple and a movie, "Confessions of a Shopaholic". The girls had a great time. After that, we came back to the house and collapsed. We are going to have lunch with Nana today, and finish the day with some Whistlestop playground or another park. Good times, my man, good times!!!!







A little stroll down memory lane. We love you, Emily. Happy 11th Birthday!!!!!!

School Programs

We have had a very busy week, but it's been great so far! Emily and Elizabeth started our week off with open house at the middle school. Rave reviews from the teachers for both our A students. Em also had a project for GT she presented at the open house. She did research on Alexander Graham Bell. Em dressed like him and had her information set out to discuss with those that came by her table. She and Melinda made a tetrahedral kite for display as well. Looked very cool!
Erin had our attention on Tuesday night with open house and her school program. Erin's teachers talked about how great she is doing...another A student. After open house, we had Erin's program. It was based on Aesop's fables...Erin played Felicia the Frog. So much fun watching how animated she is when she sings and moves around. Erin did a super job!
Wednesday was all about cheer tryouts for the high school. E has worked really hard with her tumbling coach & Melinda to prepare for everything. All the hard worked payed off, because....she made the JV cheer squad! E was really excited she made it and some of her buddies will be on the team with her. She has such a tremendous work ethic. It's great to see all the hard work getting rewarded.
We have soccer practice tonight and a track meet on Friday. They may both be cancelled because of all the rain. That would be fine with us...Spring Break is next week. YAHOO! We all need the break....

Great Start!!!

We are back in the middle of athletics, and everyone is loving it so far. Elizabeth had her first track meet a week ago and was entered in the 2400Meter run (1 1/2 miles). She finished 3rd and got a bronze medal. Not too shabby for someone who has never run track! She had her second meet this past friday. There were more schools in this meet. There were about 14 girls running the 2400M. E finished 8th. She did a great job...she beat 1 of the girls from the previous meet that finished before her. We are very proud of her. She has another meet this friday @ Academy.
Em has had 2 soccer games this season. They tied the first game 0-0. They outplayed the other team but couldn't find the net. The second game they won 2-0. Em had a great game. She had a game high 10 penalties (That's my girl!!!). The referee called a very tight game and was not allowing our girls to play a physical game. We have 3 weeks off before our next game.
Erin has a school musical this week. She plays Felicia the Frog (one of Aesop's fables). She's excited to perform for everyone. This may be this girl's calling...she loves the spotlight.
This week will be very busy for our family. Monday - Erin open house @ school and musical, Tues. - Em/E open house & Em presents her research on Alexander Graham Bell (she and Melinda made a tetrahedral kite), Wed - E has cheer tryouts for high school cheer team, Thurs - Em has soccer/Erin has dance, Friday - E has track meet. Wow! Gonna be a busy, busy week. Wish us luck this week.