Em's first football game

Last night, Emali had her first ever perform in full uniform with the high school marching band. She was so nervous, but she nailed it. Their theme is Titanic. The play the song called Irish Jig in Third Class. (the song where Rose is downstairs dancing with Jack). They also play the opening theme song, and my heart will go on. It was a very good show. Especially for a band that's mostly made up of kids in the 8th and 9th grades.

I apologize, as this post will be photo and heavy. **Videos removed at request of band director because of a tattletale bully situation which is being rectified**

 The marching band

Hopefully, those of you that have gotten this far have enjoyed these as much as I do. Emali is doing so wonderfully in band this year.

Back to school!!!

On Monday, August, 25th, the girls headed back to school. So hard to believe that Emali is in the 8th grade and Erin started 5th. Both are in Middle School now!

Also, as you can see, Emali chopped off all her hair. I think she looks awesome.


Emali and Erin on the first day of school

Erin on the first day of 5th grade

Emali on the first day of 8th grade.

Today, Wednesday, August 27th, Alvin started Kindergarten. Yes, Kindergarten. For those of you doing the math, yes, we held him back a year. However, because of that, we were able to mainstream him. He only gets pulled out for speech classes right now.

Alvin on his first day of Kindergarten.

Soccer Weekend #2 Emali

Emali's team (Buckeyes) vs Bears
Lost 5-2

Soccer Weekend #1

Ok. It's that time of year again, only this year I have all three kids in soccer! Today was definitely an interesting day on the fields. Erin and Alvin both were able to play their games, but Emali was not. Why? There was a high-pressure gas line rupture next to the driveway leading to the fields. Because of this, most of Emali's team wasn't able to make it in order to play. They have rescheduled her game for Thursday instead.

This is both Erin and Alvin's first year playing soccer. So far, they both seem to enjoy it immensely.

Alvin is playing on a team called "Smurfs". He is #4 and is just having an absolutely great time.

He spent a good majority of the game on the ground. Sitting there. Laying there. Picking grass. I can't fault him though. We had to be at the field at 8am in order to get pictures taken and his game wasn't until 10am. He was one tired little guy when his game started.

They played a team called "Minions" and lost. He doesn't care though. He's having a good time.

Next is Miss Erin. She is playing for a team called "Hornets". She has absolutely no clue what she's doing, but she's having a good time doing it!

Her team won against the Wolverines. I believe the score was 5-0.

I think I'm likely going to start splitting these posts up. One per kid. Otherwise, the posts will end up extremely long.

Emali's Spring Concert

Monday was Emali's Spring Concert. This year, she did a duet with another flute player. She didn't tell us she was going to be doing this. It was quite a surprised to read in the program. I am so very proud of her.

Emali's Birthday

Just like Erin, we had a small get together for Emali's birthday. Today, she turned 12! TWELVE! I'm one year away from having a teenager. Can you believe it?

Emali is in to everything sports. She loves playing soccer and wants to add volleyball and basketball to the mix this year as well.

 Emali's dill pickle cupcakes. Yes, dill pickle cupcakes.

Em's Winter Concert

Emali's winter concert was tonight. I'm completely impressed at how much they've improved since last year. They are playing multi-part songs, solos, etc. The band geek in me just LOVED it. So proud of Emali for sticking with the flute for almost 2 years. Especially when a good bit of her friends are dropping out.

 She's getting so big. I can hardly believe she'll be in junior high next year.

And now, I leave you with a video of the band playing Yuletide Spirit.

Annual Cookie Bake

Every year, my (step) mom and her friends get together and have a mass cookie baking session. They run two stoves, wear pearls and aprons, and bake bake bake bake for hours. This year, Emali was involved. I was supposed to, but due to Alvin being hospitalized earlier in the week, I backed out. All in all, I think they ended up making 15+ different kinds of cookies.

 My mom and Aunt Denise

 Grandma Johnson

 The entire cookie baking crew! Check out those aprons and pearls!

Emali and her Grammy!

Soccer Weekend #7: Championship

Today's game was incredible. The weather was cold, wet, and insufferable, but the kids did amazing. We were playing against the only undefeated team in the league (for our age group). They were 6-0 going into the championship. We were 3-3. The kids had no hopes of winning, but they still wanted to give it their all.

The first half of the game was intense. Both teams had several attempts on the goal. Both teams scored a single goal. The kids headed into the second half bound and determined to play a wonderful game. About 5 mins into the second half, the other team scored to bring the score to 1-2. Emotions were flying high at this point and some of the kids from each team got pretty aggressive. Penalties were taken. Fouls aplenty. Then, about 5 mins before the end of the second half, we scored. This tied the game. Now, in a Championship game, there has to be a winner. So, the plan was to go to a 10 min overtime period. Then, if still tied, we'd go to a shootout. About 8 mins into the overtime period, WE SCORED. Yep. We ended up winning the championship 3-2. Our kids were so ecstatic. The whoops, squees, and cheers were loud. However, it was a hard loss for the other team.

Afterwards, the league had a short gameside trophy ceremony. Both teams in the championship received trophies and the coaches got to talk to the crowds. So say Emali is over the moon happy is an understatement.

 After the game, so happy. Her excitement just bubbled over.

 Emali with her trophy.

 The Arctic Foxes after winning. 

Silly pose team shot.

Soccer Weekend #6

Well, today's game was certainly an interesting game. Both our team and the team we were against were tied for second place. Whoever won would head to the Championship game to be held next Saturday. So proud to say that OUR TEAM WON! We'll be headed to the championship game next week! Emali was so excited she actually squeed. What made it even better was my Dad and StepMom came to the game!

Soccer Weekend #5

Ok. So I thought that last was cold. I was wrong. It was 30 degrees this morning when we headed out to Emali's soccer game. Our team lost to the Cyclones (again), however we did score a goal against them today. Yay improvement. Score was 1-5. Next week is our last regularly scheduled game. The only way we play after that is if we go to the championship game. Right now we're tied for 2nd with the Tigers. Whoever wins next week's game will be in the championship game. Funny enough, we play the Tigers next week. :)

Emali's Soccer Pics

We got Em's professional soccer pics back, and I finally scanned them in for you to see.

 Emali, 11-14 group, CASA 2012, Team: Arctic Foxes

Her team photo

Soccer Weekend #4

Today was a COLD game. It was 40 degrees when we got there! We went up against the team we played the first week only this time, they won 2-3. I'm truly impressed with the Vipers. Today was their first win. They've definitely improved since we first met. Because it was so cold, I didn't take many pictures. My fingers were freezing.

 Emali as goalie. She did so well. She only let one attempt go by her, and it was offsides! (Meaning it didn't count)

Emali as a mid-fielder. Coach is letting her play mid as long as she plays well as a goalie.

 Erin in her cold weather gear. 

 Alvin in his cold weather gear. Yes, that IS a Perry the Platypus house.

Me. Buried in cold weather gear. Yes. I have a furry wolf hat. I love it!