Hunt Hounds on the Run

 Instead of doing a Check-Writing Campaign this year, the girls' elementary school decided to go a different route.  The goal was still to make lots of money, but in a more interesting, interactive way, directly involving the kids.

Step 1: Take a cute picture in Hunt Spirit Wear. 
Check!

Step 2:  Create an online video and share it on Facebook.
Check!

Step 3:  Get ready to run!
Check!

The PTA had the Kona Ice people set-up in the parking lot after school on the day of the race.  Since the temps were pushing 100 degrees, this was a nice treat.  My girls enjoyed their shaved ice before the race...

along with lots of their little friends.

On your mark, get set, go!  There were two tracks, one for K-2nd and one for 3rd - 5th. 
It was a bit crazy!

The girls did so well, though, and both completed their goal of 35 laps.  They raised $350!

Whew!  After it was all over, these girls were sweaty hot messes!

Coach Dodge congratulated them on a job well done. 
The school raised over $30K!  Amazing!  I think I'd call that a huge success!

Football Family

It's no secret that football is my favorite sport.  I love baseball, too, but mostly when our son is playing.  And soccer has grown on me, especially since our girls love it so much.  Jackson played flag football for years, but just recently has been given the chance to be the starting quarterback for his 7th grade football team.  He is such a talented kid that I tried really hard to not be the Mama Bear that held him back, due to my fearfulness of the game.  I mean, I love watching other people's kids play tackle football, but watching mine is a whole different ball game!  Our whole family rallied behind this kid...

including his cousin, who even wore her shirt to school on game day!

I just love it.

Jackson had a whole section of the bleachers just for his fans, including Lila, Maddie, Memaw, Cousin Connor, Aunt Lyndsie...

Uncle Scott, Boom Pa, Gigi, Sofia's mom, Angie, Poppi and Jared.

Little sister was there as well, chatting with everyone, including Brooke, whose brother is also on the team.

The game started well and Jackson didn't look too rattled at these big boys coming for him.

He stood confidently in the pocket and threw a few touchdowns right away.  In fact, his first play was a touchdown pass to Blake!  It was SO EXCITING!

Since we were winning handily by halftime, he got to play defense during the second half.  Both he and I were really happy that this big kid didn't squash him like a bug!

In the fourth quarter, he read the quarterback's eyes and knew just where he was throwing it.  Interception!

Gooooooo Jackson!!!  He ran it back...

and was marked down an inch shy of the goal line.  It was such a great play--he got excellent blocks from his whole team and was this close to scoring.

You can bet his fan club was cheering like crazy!

The Mavericks won 48-0 against Armstrong!  Such an impressive start to their season!

Everyone couldn't wait to tell him "good job!"

and we got to celebrate with a late dinner at Country Burger--one of his faves.

I am now a Football Mama.  And I love it.  Go Mavs!

Kicking off the School Year

 By September, the school year and all our activities were in full swing.

I volunteer for Kinder 3-4 times a month and love seeing this cutie and her friends at lunch.

Big Centers, where I help them with Art, is my favorite, though.

We went to Feeder School Night at the Plano East HS football game.  The 7th grade football team got to run onto the field with the Varsity.  Pretty cool!

We love us some Friday Night Lights...

we just would prefer it if our home team were better this year!

After a little bit of a slow start to the soccer season, the Hot Shots kicked it into full gear.  One game, Cami even scored 4 goals.  Wowsers, kid!

It's so awesome to see Cami forming new friendships all the time.  She and Blythe are a heckuva duo on the soccer field.

Big sister's team began with a bang and remained undefeated in both of their leagues (boys and girls) for the longest time.

Make no mistake about it...these pretty girls are fierce!

The Eagles played up in their Sunday double-header league, and found out that 14 year old boys are big and can smack the ball to the fence on the regular.  Ouch.  At least they've won a few games.

Pretty sure we even had one Sunday when all four kids played. Madison, Lila and Cami all won their games, and so did the Dallas Cowboys!

In September, I do believe we may have set a record for the most birthday parties attended. All were fun, but one of the best was probably Delaynie's, when Princess Aurora came to visit!

Lila got so inspired, she even tried on one of Calley's fancy wraps...you look fabulous, dahling!

Princess Aurora was so sweet, she was literally dripping with sugar.  Cami loved every single minute being around her.  They danced, played games, and found out that Princess Aurora has a very beautiful singing voice.

She even got to take home this gorgeous gold crown and wore it to dinner that night:)

Other very memorable parties included Mallory's Spa Day!

This party was too cute for words and included manicures and pedicures, getting to make sugar scrub, and enjoying delightful refreshments as well!

They even had their very own photo booth--adorableness times six.

Cami also got to attend not one, but two, parties at an ice skating rink.  This was especially appreciated, given that it was still 100 degrees outside.  Such a nice change to not be melting!  Jules was such a pro on the ice--she even plays hockey now--but Cami kept up as best she could!

A week later, Cami and Jackson went to Sami's ice skating party.  Such precious friends that we do not get to see often enough!

These two zipped all around the ice, although little sister actually out-skated her brother!

Lila's favorite birthday party was probably the Great Wolf Lodge.  These girls lived it up all night long!

They simply go ga-ga over this place!

And there you have it!  Some September highlights!  Next up, football maniacs.

Hot Shots

New year, new team.  This time, it's an all-girls team!

We came up with a new name and had their jerseys designed.  I think it turned out great!  Of course, my little model makes just about anything look cute.

Their first game was bright and early at 8am on a Saturday morning.  We made sure that this player got plenty of rest and she was ready to play that day.

Cami was all over the ball that day! Go #12!

The Hot Shots game ended in a tie, but they scored 5 goals and Cami got one of them!

 

These three former GHS soccer players all approved and thought their girls did well!  So cool that their daughters are all on the same team this season.  Gooooo Hot Shots!