April showers bring blog posts

Ok, Ok, Ok...I know. It's been forever since I updated the blog. I was shamed into getting off my tail and updating by Monika (thanks for reminding how long its been - got busy & totally forgot). We have been very busy at the Chavez house as you can imagine. Athletics, school work, tests, trying to make sure we have everything we are supposed to fill out for Elizabeth & Texas A&M for next year...I don't think I could find my way home without my GPS anymore. Here are some updates: Erin - Erin is having a great year. She remains in the top 10% in her grade with AR points. Man, this kid loves to read. She is jumping from series to series, so it's hard for me to keep up with which book she is reading now. Thanks to Moni & Callie for the ideas. Erin has already finished 1 book you recommended and started another. Erin is 9th chair with her clarinet. She comes home complaining she isn't higher, but can't remember to bring her instrument home to practice. We think there is a correlation between no practice at home and not moving to 1st chair (Erin still isn't sure). Cue the drum roll....Erin made cheerleader for 7th grade. Yeah!!!!! She was sooooooo excited and is really looking forward to following in her sister's footsteps. Elizabeth was the greatest cheer coach ever. Melinda and I had to go to Emily's track meet in Cameron, so E took Erin to cheer practice and then worked with her afterward to make sure she had it down. E made some corrections and had Erin do things over and worked her pretty good. Erin gave Elizabeth a huge hug after she found out she made the team. Erin will get to go to cheer camp at Temple High School this summer. She can't wait to get her uniform. Erin doesn't know a thing about football, but we'll see if Dad can't coach her up a bit on what's going on. Emily - Em finally finished track season and is now done with all school athletics for the year. I know it's getting bad when she says she's ready so she has more time for homework. Emily ran varsity track all year in the 100M & 300M hurdles. She struggled a bit competing with juniors and seniors from other schools. Tried to tell her freshman aren't supposed to be on varsity...period. At the district track meet, her coach decided she was going to have Em run JV for both races. Em was really upset about having this sprung on her, since she couldn't letter in track unless she ran varsity for this meet. Em responded well by winning both races with her fastest times of the year. Hey coach...want to rethink that bright move? Em made the varsity cheer team! She was really happy & is excited about cheer camp down at the coast. Em's class rank came out and she was a little disappointed in herself. She is #7 in her class. This is based on 1 semester that kicked her tail with volleyball/cheer going so late and trying to come home and study. Em has decided she will not do volleyball next year. She is going to focus on cheer, track, and whoever is ranked #1. Elizabeth - E has 9 classes left in her college English class. To quote E, "I have 6 more classes and I will not have to read another book by Virginia Wolf ever again". E is doing great and still has her A in the class. She is starting to prepare for the AP tests. If she scores high enough on the Calculus and Physics tests, they will count as college credit. So, E could have as much as 18 hours going into her freshman year. E is really excited about A&M next year. E and Melinda are going to A&M this week for another college day. They have some appointments to make sure we have everything completed that need completion. She wants to walk around with the other students and get a feel for a day with folks rushing to class, etc. E is still up in the air about whether she will rush a sorority or not. She doesn't know anyone doing it right now, so I'll keep you updated. Elizabeth had the best time at prom. She went with some friends and their dates to eat dinner in a limo and then to the dance. E thought about who to go to prom with for the longest time, but decided to go with her best friend...Emily! She and Em joked around about everything. E was really happy she decided to go with Em (Em was totally excited and happy she asked her too). This weekend we got to see some friends we haven't seen in ages (Monika, Porter, Madden, and Callie). Callie had a soccer game in Temple, so we went to watch. It was too much fun. We didn't realize how much we miss the soccer fields, and to see little girls having the best time playing made it really cool. We got to extend our visit with them by going to dinner with their team. We were talking on the way home about how much time passes when we're so busy that we don't see friends often enough. Is it too late for a New Year's resolution???? We are going to make more time to see the people that are important to us. You can hold us to it!

Christmas

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. We sure did. Things have been a little crazy around the Chavez house...busy Bees! Here is what I can remember to share:

Erin - Erin is doing great in 6th grade. She stays on the A honor roll & is always among the top 10 kids for AR points. She has read so much she is having trouble finding a series of books she is interested in reading. She has been re-reading some books since she can't find anything that interests her. She is asking friends again about any good series, so we'll see where it goes. Erin participated in the UIL One-Act play for the middle school. She did really well and the kids did great. They didn't win, but everyone had a good time. Erin loves drama...shock, right? Erin competed in oral reading at UIL competition but didn't make it to the finals. She was pretty frustrated with herself, but shakes it off and moves on so much better than her father ever did. She says she is gonna win next year...I wouldn't bet against her! Erin had her first cotillion dance. It was a 20's theme. Erin had a great time and was happy Mom went to take pictures and have fun. Erin is trying to decide what she will participate in next year. She can cheer and participate in athletics. She is thinking volleyball, maybe cheer, and probably tennis. It's only Tuesday, so she may change her mind.

Emily - Em is doing great in her freshman year. The first couple of months were tough getting used to high school athletics and coming home late to do homework. She was averaging 3 hours a night on homework and having volleyball games 2 nights per week. She got better with time management, and volleyball season ended. She will probably play volleyball again next year. At least she knows what to expect now. Em is cheering and loving every minute of it. Em isn't sure if she wants to run track this year. I think the coaches might try and talk her into running hurdles again. I just found out Em hold the school records at Academy for the fastest times running the 100M & 300M hurdles. She was upset she didn't run faster her 8th grade year, but she had problems with a pulled hamstring all season. She wants to play tennis as well. We love the tennis coach...she is amazing! Em finished her first semester with a 98.7 average. She thinks she might be up there in her class rank. She won't find out her rank until about mid-February. She was not happy about having to wait until then, but what do you do? Em is competing in UIL competition for calculator. They went to a contest at Belton high school to warm up and she got 2nd place! No telling how many seniors, juniors and sophomores she beat. She was pretty excited! She is really looking forward to the UIL competition now.

Elizabeth - E is doing great. She got an A in her college English class. Woohoo! She ended up with straight As her first semester. Pretty impressive when you consider she is taking AP Physics, AP Calculus, Government/Economics, and Accounting with a college English class. E was elected President of the National Honor Society. She conducted ann induction ceremony and did a super job. She was so shy her first couple of years at Academy, I never would have believed she would get up in front of people and speak. She has come a long way. E was selected with another student to represent the high school in what is called the Academy Senate. The students meet with the superintendent and discuss issues, resolutions, and proposals to make the school district better. E is still working at El Chico as a hostess. E looks like she has found a roommate for next year at A&M. We've known this little girl and her family for about 10 years. E just found out another girl she was buddies with has decided to go to A&M too. She will know some people when she gets there...thank GOD!

Melinda - Mel is working away & still loving being at Academy. She has a challenging group this year, but Melinda always seems to get the kids to do well when no one else thinks they will. She is probably going to have to start tutoring after school soon, so she's gonna be a little tired and ready for spring break!

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.