Michael Goes To Prom

Michael attended his first formal dance!  It was actually a dance held by the church, loving referred to as the Mormom Prom, but it got all the same fanfaire and hupplah that a school Prom would have gotten, without the alcohol, immodesty and promiscuity.  The theme was London 2012 and the decorations were amazing, down to the uncrackable beef-eaters.  Michael and his beautiful date, Anne-Greyson Long went to dinner and the dance with a group of three other fun couples and had a wonderful time!!   It's a little overwhelming and at the same time breath taking to watch my son grow into such a handsome gentleman.

Dawson Feet

Our Soccer Diva

Emma had a fabulous soccer season this spring.  She played on an all girls team called The Strikers, which coincidentally seemed to be the name of all her opponent teams as well.  Most of the girls were late sign ups or new to the area.  Her first practice was...dreadful.  I couldn't imagine that she would be able to survive the humiliating losses the season would bring.  The girls were slow, uncoordinated and unlearned in the fine art of soccer.  Emma spent a lot of time during that first practice teaching the coach, who was one if the soccer newbies, about throw ins, corner kicks and fouls.  I was the ever optimistic soccer mom on the outside, but on the inside I was crying, a lot!!  

 I am thrilled to say that I was wrong.  Her team won there first game 7-0.  We weren't there, as Emma sprained her ankle the day before at practive but I was shocked and a tiny spark of hope ignited in my soul.  She was able to rest her ankle for three weeks before the team played again.  While she limped and trotted across the field she was a ball of excitement and scored within the first 5 minutes.  Her team continued on a winning streak, ending their season with 5 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss.  She got to play in nearly every position, she played in the pouring rain, she played on astro-turf, she played in 100 degree heat.  It was a blast.

 She scored five goals this season, a personal best and she made a great group of new friends!  We are looking forward to the fall!!

 Coach B

The Strikers, Spring 2012

Springtime

For Mother's Day every year I beg my kids to let me take their pictures! They don their new Easter garb and begrudgingly get ready for church 10 long minutes early so that I can shutter- bug them nearly to death!! I love them for it!! These are some of my favorites!!

Mother's Day

Having children who are comfortable and fluent on the computer is a blessing.  Michael made this for me for Mother's Day!  He thought I needed a new Facebook background!  I love it!!

B is for Burgers and Bowling

Alphabet Date 2
B is for Burgers and Bowling

Tonight Ben and I (finally) went out on our second Alphabet Date!  We went to Splitsville, in Fredericksburg, for Burgers and Bowling.  We had so much fun!  Ben, of course, broke 100 and I...well let's just say I was proud to bowl without bumpers! 

We got home early to cuddle and enjoy one of our favorite movies, Back to the Future. We also endulged in Ben's "Better Than Sex" birthday cake (which it wasn't!)  This alphabet dating is fun and I am really looking forward to what the letter "C" will bring!!

Roxy the Box Turtle

Virginia is overflowing with wildlife.  Most come in the six legged variety, BLAG, but there are a few others that we have come to really enjoy.  We have seen many deer, a few opossums, beaver, skunks, rabbits, squirrels, foxes and even a coyote within a mile of our home.  The birds are bright and happy.  The lake provides us with frogs, toads, fish, muskrats and TURTLES. 

Spencer especially loves the turtles.  He has already saved two wandering turtles from imminent roadside danger.  Both were actually a type of tortoise, the Eastern Box Turtle.  He brought them both home, watched them, played with them and ultimately let them be his pets that live in our yard (which means they will, more than likely, never be seen again! )

He has enjoyed learning about them on the Internet and can tell you how to determine their sex and their age.  I suppose one of the perks of living out in the back forty is that you get to have wildlife encounters that can enrich your life and the lives of your children.  Here's hoping he doesn't feel the need to rescue a snake.  I can do without that kind of enrichment.