Blue Diamonds Soccer Team

Go Blue Diamonds! Here is a picture of Ashlyn's soccer team. They are a great group of girls who have a lot of fun playing soccer together.

Weekend Entertainment by Ashlyn

Ashlyn kept the family happily entertained all weekend with two soccer games and a choir performance at church. The children's choir performed two songs at the beginning of the church service this morning, including a great hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth." She loves to sing and is very pleased with her beautiful singing voice. Two of her good friends, Katie and Mitchell, that go to church and school with her said "she has the best voice in the choir." She was beautiful in her pretty dress and seemed to appear much to grown up to me!

Ashlyn and her team, the Blue Diamonds, have had a fabulous soccer season! Ashlyn is finally on a great team that has a lot of fun together as well as a team that is really learning to work together and improve their skills. Ashlyn has been attending a weekly soccer skills clinic along with the weekly team practice. The Blue Diamonds have won 5 of 7 games with one game remaining next Sunday. Ashlyn has scored 3 goals this season and has assisted with many others. The whole family really enjoys cheering her on at her games. Chris and I definitely get carried away with our cheering, coaching, yelling... so much so that Chris has almost lost his voice after a couple of the games. Avery is a little cheerleader on the sidelines as well and at times you will find her practicing kicking and dribbling the soccer ball awaiting the time when she is old enough to play. Go Blue Diamonds!

Goals!

Ashlyn scored two goals during her soccer game today! Way to go, soccer star!

I went to Ashlyn's parent-teacher conference today. Miss Ellis had great things to report about Ashlyn's performance at school. She received great scores on all her testing; in fact she was above average in most areas tested. Miss Ellis told me Ashlyn is very bright, a great helper to her and very friendly to other students in her class. Of course, I already knew all these great qualities our sweet girl possesses.

Daffron Bike Rodeo

Ashlyn participated in the bike rodeo today at school. Chris volunteered and was assigned mainly to help air up bike tires. They both had fun and I'm so glad Chris' schedule right now allows him to participate in activities the girls have at school.

My big girl... is a Kindergartner

Well, today was the big day... Ashlyn's first day of Kindergarten! To say that she was excited would be an understatement! She woke up quick and sat right up as soon as I rubbed her back and she squealed, "Yeah, the first day of school!" Then she said, "I was so excited I couldn't go to sleep."

Ashlyn was giddy all morning as she ate breakfast and got dressed. She came in to my room with her backpack on before we even combed her hair. She was ready to get to school! She wore an adorable Gymboree outfit: cream colored shirt with rows of hearts and a denim skirt with embroidered hearts on the ruffle hem. And her new Twinkle Toes Sketchers... very cute tennis shoes that apparently are the 'in-thing' and she sbsolutely loves... we went to 3 or 4 stores before finding them in her size.

When we arrived at her school, (after maneuvering through the 100's of cars bringing kids to school) Ashlyn walked right in to her school with a spring in her step. She even walked a few feet ahead of me so independently! I was thrilled and relieved that she was confident enough to walk in by herself, but a bit sad to realize she is really growing up quicker than I'd like and there is no slowing it down.

I was trying to capture this huge milestone and each moment of it by taking pictures. We took pictures at home and at school. I got so caught up in taking the pictures of Ashlyn as she walked through the hallways of the school, that I took her to the wrong classroom. Somehow we ended up in the 1st grade area. Here reaction was, "Mom!" in that high-pitched fluctuating tone that girls are so good at making.

Eventually we found the Kindergarten area. She put her backpack in her locker (I was in disbelief to find out they had lockers already) and then dropped off the bag full of school supplies. We stood in line to greet the teacher and take a quick picture of Ashlyn with her teacher, Miss Ellis. Ashlyn found a seat at a 4 person table with a couple other girls. I snapped a couple more pictures and suddenly it was time for me to leave. She was drawing as I left and seemed perfectly content and without concern that I was leaving. Part of me wanted to hide behind the corner and just watch her for a few minutes. But I made myself leave and really didn't have a choice as I heard the Principal's voice over the intercom letting parents know it is time for them to leave the building.

The emotions of realizing that I had just dropped off my 5 year old first born didn't hit me until I pulled into our drive way. I walked in to a quiet house (Avery was still in bed) and tears filled my eyes as Chris asked how it went. I gave him details from the morning events and just had to take a deep breath and smile.

Luckily I had a mom's group meeting this morning to take my mind off Ashlyn being gone at Kindergarten all day plus Avery was home and we spend the day together. Avery missed her throughout the day and asked several times, "Ashlyn's at school?, At Daffron?"

I left the house early to make sure I was at school before Ashlyn was out at 2:45 pm. Again I had to attempt to battle the chaos of all the cars trying to get in and out of the school parking lot. I was standing in front of the school as the Kindergartners marched out in a single-file line after their first day of school. Ashlyn had as big of a grin on her face as she did went I left her that morning. I knew instantly that she had a wonderful day. I think she was almost as excited to see me as I was to see her. She didn't waste any time before she began to tell me all about her day... gym class and lunch time in the cafeteria first. Of course I asked 100 questions about the details of the day as well. She had a great first day and can't wait for tomorrow!

Ashlyn's "Back To School Fling"

Ready or not (and I'm not), Kindergarten is here! In two days Ashlyn will officially be our big Kindergartner! She has been ready to start Kindergarten all summer and she is so excited. Up until a week or two ago I haven't been bothered about Ashlyn starting Kindergarten. But suddenly as the time approaches, I am quite anxious and less emotionally prepared for this next step than I thought I was.

Yesterday we went to Ashlyn's new school for the "Back to School Fling". We met her teacher, toured the entire school, bought a school t-shirt and water bottle, signed up for the PTA, saw her classroom, cubby hole, and LOCKER! I can't believe she has a locker! Her teacher, Miss Ellis, actually attends our church and I know her somewhat from volunteering with Special Angels. She was the Sunday School teacher last year for the twins I work with. I'm very excited that Ashlyn has her as a teacher.

She was bubbling with excitement all day leading up to and during the school fling.We saw several families that we know that have older kids at the school and they each had such positive opinions of the school. As soon as we walked into the school, to the gym and were handed her Kindergarten packet of information with her teacher's name on it, I had to fight back the tears. I fought back the tears again when we saw another Kindergarten teacher that attends our church and volunteers in the children's choir at church. Ashlyn ran up to her and gave her a hug and that brought tears of relief to me and gave me a sense that it will be a great Kindergarten year for Ashlyn. Then again I was fighting the tears as we walked through a maze of halls and rooms to finally get to Ashlyn's classroom and saw the small tables, computers and learning tools that she will use this first 'official' year of school. As I took in everything around me in the room I wasn't sure if I was going to keep the tears from rolling down my face. Then I looked over at Chris, and his eyes were a bit red and teary as well.

While we are both truly excited for Ashlyn to start Kindergarten this is bitter sweet. It is hard to realize that our 'little' girl is entering Kindergarten, that she is excited to go to 'big' school, and that she feels more ready for it than we are! She isn't the least bit scared or unsure about going to Kindergarten all by herself. I am so grateful and it gives me a peace of mind to know she is confident and feels ready for this great big change called Kindergarten!

On a side note, Avery went with us to see Ashlyn's school. She acted just as excited and interested as Ashlyn. That's probably because she was at Ashlyn's side which Avery always finds very comforting. She loves her big sister!

Last Week of Summer

Sadly, this is our last week of summer vacation before school begins. I wanted to have some special time with the girls and have a fun week before the calendar fills and the schedules begin. On Sunday after church Chris and I took the girls to my parents' community pool to swim. The girls really love to swim and are quite comfortable in the water. Ashlyn is getting so close to being able to swim without any flotation device, but still needs the blow up arm floaties. Avery wears a zip-up body suit with built in flotation and also the blow up arm floaties. We spent the afternoon swimming and soaking up the sun. They both have a pretty golden tan, despite always putting on sunscreen. Ashlyn and Avery both love for Chris to throw them up in the air and splash down in to the water... little dare devils!

On Tuesday I took the girls to Boomerang's Bounce house. They had a great time bouncing and sliding and running around.

On Wednesday I took the girls to one of the city's public pools. I've been nervous all summer to take them by myself but decided to go since they have done great in the water this summer and Ashlyn has really wanted to go. She remembers going a few times last summer. (She has a great memory of things, it truly amazes me!) What always catches Ashlyn's attention as we drive by this rec center is the tall, multi-colored water slides. She also recalls last summer not being tall enough to ride these slides. To her dismay, she still isn't tall enough this summer. The rules say you must be 48" tall; she is around 45" tall. Those life guards are sticklers! Most of them anyway! On Ashlyn's first attempt to go down the slide, she climbed way up all the steps only be told she wasn't tall enough. She had the most pitifully disappointed look on her face as Avery and I watched her climb back down to where we were waiting for her. So we went swimming in the big pools and played in the water fountains. I slyly waited until a quite 'laid back' lifeguard rotated to the top of the slide and we attempted the slides again. Bingo! Ashlyn took turns sliding down the 3 different slides over and over. One of the slides is enclosed and could hear her squeal as she came down. So funny and she absolutely loved it. But then, the life guards rotated positions again and spoiled all Ashlyn's fun. Once again, she was turned down and had to walk back down all those steps. I was so proud of her when she didn't complain and instead was happy to have gotten to try out the water slides. While Ashlyn was sliding, Avery played in some water fountains at the foot of where the water slides dump out. Afterwards we went over to the sprinkler playground where Avery had a blast sliding over and over down a slide more her size and then we moved indoors to the lazy river. What a fun place so close to our house that has so much for the girls to enjoy. I'm glad I decide to go despite my nervousness of watching them by myself in the water.

And now, as they say, all good things must come to and end. This is the end of the summer, but we have wonderful things to look forward to as school begins...like, Christmas is only 4 months away! Ashlyn has already been working on her Christmas list and singing Christmas carols! I haven't been able to think past the first day of school though.

Fun Friday

Fun times today! The girls and I went to the "Friends of the Plano Library" sale this morning. This is an annual, huge used book sale with tables and tables of boxes packed full of books that have been withdrawn from the library or have been donated by others. We picked out a bag full of great children's books to add to our "home library".

Afterwards, we went to the mall to play. As we were leaving we discovered a very artistic lady who was doing face paintings at the candy store. We couldn't resist the face painting or the gummy worms!

Substitute Teachers

Chris and I can now add substitute teacher to our resume. We substituted in Ashlyn's Sunday school class yesterday and in Avery's class last month. I always have a renewed appreciation for teachers when I attempt to teach or be 'in charge of' a group of kids. And I also have a better appreciation of my own children and their behavior as well. I am equally impressed by how much these young children know and believe about Jesus at such a young age. I enjoyed being a part of teaching these children and our girls really were excited for their mom and dad to be the teachers.

Happy Birthday, Maddox!

Saturday was Maddox's 5th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese! This is one of Ashlyn and Avery's favorite places to go. They both love the games and Ashlyn loves winning the tickets and trading them in for prizes. Ashlyn actually won 100 tickets in one turn on a game this time. She was so excited as she watched all 100 tickets spurt out of the machine. Ashlyn and Maddox are pretty good buddies even though they don't see each other very often. The whole family had a fun time celebrating Maddox's birthday and playing games, eating pizza and seeing Chuck E!

Ashlyn is a planner!

As I'm typing, Ashlyn is making a Christmas list (in the middle of July)! I'd say she is quite a planner, much more so than me! On her list... Chixos (version of Pixos-thanks tv commercials!), Webkinz, American Girl doll, books, movies. I better make a mental note!

Vacation Bible School

WOW! What an amazing week! We just finished a week of learning about Jesus and having fun with friends. Ashlyn, Avery and Abbie had a great week and they woke up each morning excited for the day ahead at VBS. Our church's theme was Camp E.D.G.E. (experience and discover God everywhere). I was a leader for Ashlyn's 5 year old group- 15 of them actually! Ryann was in our group also. We had a blast learning about God through music, crafts, science, drama and recreation. My favorite was the music. Ashlyn said her favorite part was, "all of it". She especially enjoyed Friday's water games with water squirters and water balloon fights. The songs are so catchy and send such an uplifting message. The girls and I found ourselves singing the songs throughout the day all week long... "L-E-T-S, G-O". I was amazed to see what an impression this week had on Abbie. She learned and believed right away that "Jesus is my friend" and talked about it with us a lot with much enthusiasm. Moments like these are what bring me and the 200+ volunteers back each year.

We also participated in VBS at Payton and Hudson's school, FBC of McKinney, in June. They had a "Boomerang Express" Australian theme. I again volunteered in Ashlyn's group, although I requested (but was not assigned) to be in Avery's group so I could have a chance to volunteer in each girl's group. This was another amazing week and I left there each day feeling positive, happy, renewed and energetic, despite the time and energy required to make each day a success for the kids that attended each day. The girls had so much fun, despite not knowing a single person on the first day. Praise the Lord!

Ashlyn's last day of school at CCDS

Today was Ashlyn's last day of school at Canyon Creek Day School. She had a great year, learned so much and we really love all the teachers and staff there. Her teacher this year, Mrs. Brady, was a wonderful teacher. The class had a fun end of year party at Boomerang's.

More Funnies

Yesterday Ashlyn blurted out that she wishes she could ride in a taxi. I asked her why and she said that it would be so much fun riding in it and putting money in the machine. (she must have seen this on tv?) I thought to myself... you are shuttled around in MY taxi every day and for FREE!!! She clearly has never been in a taxi and still has a lot to learn about money! But I guess I can say she is 'adventurous'!

My newest nickname for Avery is 'peanut' because she wants to eat peanut butter everyday! Not just peanut butter, but cinnamon raisin bread with peanut butter, jelly, and more raisins. She insists on being the chef and says, "My help you!" She even asks to have it for two meals a day sometimes. So I tell her that she just might turn in to a peanut.

Ashlyn has 'boyfriends'?

Ashlyn just informed me that she has 3 boyfriends. The conversation started with her saying, "Keifer loves me! Well actually, I have 3 boyfriends." I was silent and she continued with, "I had 4 but one moved to another school, so now I have 3 to go." I asked her what the "to go" phrase meant but didn't really get an answer so I then asked about the 'boy' that went to another school. She said "You know Jack. He was in Kindergarten last year so went to a new school this year." Well, no, I don't know Jack although she talked about him a frequently last year. So, last year Ashlyn was in the 3 year old class (she was 3, turned 4 half way through the school year) and she had a Kindergartner as a boyfriend. So at this point in the conversation I can feel my stomach in my throat. I asked her what does 'boyfriend' mean, but she skirted the question and continued to tell me the names of the boys... Keifer, Ryan and Ronan. Ronan is another boy she often mentioned last year, that she played with on the playground and also referred to as her boyfriend last year. Even her teacher last year commented on the friendship and said Ashlyn has good taste (jokingly), that he is a very cute boy from a nice family that she knows well.
Back to the car conversation... after Ashlyn told me the boys' names she then said, and I'm not making one word of this up: "This may sound awkward, but now I need to decide which one (she hesitated and then whispered) I'm going to marry." And she said it with a big smile on her face. By this time we are pulling in to the school car-pool line. I quickly asked her at what age does she think a person is old enough to start thinking about getting married? Well, the conversation was cut short and I got no answer as she jumped out of the car to greet her friends.
I wondered to myself, do I have a 5 year old or 15 year old? I realized how much she learns just from observation of people she views as being important. Our actions, values, priorities already make a big impression on her.

Ashlyn's school Christmas program

Ashlyn's class put on a Christmas program Thursday. The children were so cute all dress up in their Christmas clothes. The girls wore an angel halo headband and the boys a Santa hat. They sang great Christmas carols and were quite entertaining. Ashlyn was so beautiful in her red and black dress. She seemed so confident and full of life up there on the stage and I could tell she was truly enjoying the evening. We are so proud of her!

Here Comes Santa+Soccer Girl+Family Pics+Singing Star=One Busy Weekend

Friday afternoon the girls and I got that first taste of excitement when you realize Christmas is approaching! We welcomed Santa at the "Santa's Arrival Parade" at the mall. It was a Polar Express theme, complete with popcorn and hot chocolate, dancers recreating scenes from the Polar Express movie, carolers, toy soldiers on stilts and of course Santa arriving to greet the children and find out what they want for Christmas. We enjoyed the fun with our friends Merry, McKenna and Mason. Ashlyn shimmied her way up for a front row seat and did her best to get as close to Santa as possible as he arrived. She was not shy to help herself to the free popcorn and hot chocolate or to ask the girls dressed up like presents for a giant lollipop that were only being handed out to a few. Thankfully Avery was happy hanging out by my side. Otherwise it would not have been easy to keep up with each of them running in opposite directions.









Ashlyn played in the last soccer game of the season on Saturday. They may not be the winningest team but they sure are the team that has the most fun. After the game each player received a trophy. Ashlyn was so proud of her FIRST trophy and let everyone know all about it. The Blasters ended the season with a pizza party at Cici's Pizza.




Ashlyn sang during the church service this morning. As you can see in the picture, she was really in to the hand motions and feeling the words. She attends Sunday school each Sunday at 9:45 am and then goes to choir practice at 11:00 am. Avery spends 2 hours in Sunday school. She will be able to join choir next year.




This afternoon we went to a nearby park for family photos. As quickly as the girls grow and change, I want a permanent reminder of them at each age. Just looking through pictures brings back so many memories that I might have forgotten had I not captured it with the camera. I can't wait to get the proofs back so I can compare them to our family portrait taken at this time last year. It's amazing and exciting to think about all the ways they have grown and developed over the past year. At the same time, it pulls at my heart just a bit to realize that the time doesn't slow down.

We played around afterwards and I took a few pictures myself. If only I had that awesome camera the photographer had! I forgot to mention that Ashlyn wore her "picture dress" to church this morning as well. I told her to be extra careful not to get anything on it. I should have known better... she somehow managed to sit on a pen in her booster seat in the car and it leaked all over the back of her dress. Chris and I took turns scrubbing the dress all afternoon and washed it in the washer twice. Luckily the pictures weren't until early evening and we managed to get most of the ink out of her brand new dress. New rule now- no pens in the car! She likes to take a pen and note pad in the car and write letters or draw pictures to give to people.

Mr. President

Tonight is a huge historical moment in American history. Barack Obama was just elected as the 44th President of the United States: the first African-American leader of our country. Ashlyn will be thrilled when she hears the news in the morning.

Smart Cookies

Our girls are smart cookies! They amaze me so often with their vast array of knowledge. They are like sponges at this age. They soak up so much of what they see and hear, learning when I don't even realize it.

I'm not sure how Ashlyn formed her opinion, but she "voted" for Obama today at school in a mock election. She completely made this decision on her own without any influence from either Chris or me. We each have stayed very neutral and undecided about who to vote for until the last moment. We have discussed the election with her in general but nothing specific about either candidate. She came home from school yesterday knowing many details about the election... each of the candidates first and last names, how many children each of them have, she mentioned the donkey and elephant and she recognized both Barack Obama and John McCain when shown on the news. Then for the first time she proudly let us know who she wants as our President. I guess we'll find out later this evening if her choice for President wins the election. I video taped her tonight as I asked her questions about the election and she spontaneously "reported" on the events.

Avery equally impresses me with her intelligence. As I was making dinner I got out a can of peas from the pantry and set it on the counter. On her own, without anything being said to her, she went over to the drawer and took out the can opener. Just from observing me as I cook, she had learned what the next step was.