Golf Girl

Shelly has been participating in a golf league for a couple of months. Every Thursday she and John would head to a par 3 golf course nearby to play. She's in the early learning phase, but she really stuck with it throughout some warm afternoons.

She participated in a final tournament today and Lily and I came out to watch her do her thing. It was fun to follow her around and watch her interaction with John. 






So proud of Shelly and her newly acquired golf skills.

Team Pink!!!!

Click for a video of Shelly golfing!

Morning Routine

Wanted to post a little about our morning routine. It's not really typical of what I hear from other moms. 

Before I get to the morning activity, let me tell you a couple of things we do the night before to prepare for the morning. 

All homework is completed and back in their backpack. Backpacks are always on the bench at the back door, as well as, their jackets and shoes. 

Both girls make their own lunch the night before and put their lunch boxes in the refrigerator. 

They also pick out their outfit for the next day. Everything is set out---pants, shirt, socks, and underwear. They include any jewelry they might want to add to their ensemble. And, they decide what shoes they will wear with their outfit and put those by the bench at the back door. 

My alarm goes off and I get right up (no hitting the snooze button for me). I wake up Lily after brushing my teeth and head downstairs to pull out the girls' lunches to add an ice pack to their lunch box. 

Then I get their breakfast ready. Breakfast can be anything from cereal to sausage biscuits to waffles. 

Shelly sets her alarm and comes down after she gets dressed (about 10 minutes after I get up). I put out the girls' allergy pill and their vitamins. Shelly has her breakfast while I feed the cat. Then she (Shelly not the cat) heads back upstairs to brush her teeth and do her hair. 

I start the car to warm it up for us. Lily comes down dressed for breakfast and then brushes her teeth and finishes her hair. At this point, everyone's ready to put on shoes and jackets and gather their backpacks. We head out to the car and go to their separate bus stops---Lily first and then back to Shelly's. 

Our entire morning process takes 30 minutes and we are as quiet as church mice! That's because John is asleep and we want to stay calm and quiet for him. And, I also find that it keeps our morning calm and quiet for the girls. No loud voices or TVs going; just a low playing radio in the morning. Although not for everyone, our system really works well for us and I think the night time preparation is the key. 

Teeth Phase I

Lily had Invisalign installed on her teeth back in September. The process includes adhering "buttons" or snaps on to the teeth for the Invsalign trays. Over time the trays help to move the teeth and shift them into the proper position. Lily has had a ton of success with this procedure.

Yesterday, Lily had the buttons on her top row of teeth removed. Then the orthodontist filed down her front teeth a bit to make them more uniform and---ding---she has a beautiful set of top row teeth.

The Before and After (taken with my iPad, so not the best quality)

Her bottom row has another 7 weeks of tray wear left. So, in July they will evaluate her progress with the bottom teeth and determine what will happen next with her orthodontic plan. 

She was given a retainer for her top row of teeth and she will wear that to maintain her progress.

Hairdo

After a night of sleeping with her hair rolled in socks, this is the final product! 

Lots and lots of curls. 

Memorial Day

Today we are thinking of the men and women who selflessly served in the military and lost their lives for the freedom of all Americans. 

In addition, I am grateful for my father, my brother-in-law, and my nephew who all are/have served in the Navy to protect our freedoms.

Goodbye Chubby

Last week was the end of a decade for me. For ten years I drove a minivan. We owned two Nissan Quest minivans and they both treated us well. They were convenient for kids, easy to load with all of our stuff, and trustworthy vehicles. The girls could easily get in and out of the car with the sliding door and it held plenty of people comfortably. 

Our van was close to hitting 100,000 miles and she was in need of many repairs. So, we decided it was time to look for something new. And, we found a new vehicle---this time not a minivan. 

It was a little sad to say goodbye to our van, who we named Chubby (because she didn't fit well into parking spots). It was the only car Shelly remembers me driving and it safely took care of us during two run-ins with deer. 

 So, goodbye to a decade of driving a minivan. A decade I will always remember fondly. And goodbye to our sweet ol' Chubby!

End of the Season

Shelly and I did some calculations and figured out that since January of this year we have seen Lily play in over 80 volleyball games!!!! Amazing. 

Lily's JO and school volleyball  season have now all come to an end. I am beyond proud of Lily's dedication to this sport. She has improved so much since she got back on the court in January. In her final game, she had a serving streak that earned her team 7 points!!!  This is the same girl who really hoped that she didn't have to serve in any of the early games she played.



Lily's school team worked well together and avoided the drama. Proud of all of these girls for working hard and playing their best. A great season filled with fun!!!!!!

That smile, at her final game, says it all!!!

Eric the Graduate

So very proud of my nephew, Eric! He graduated from college on Sunday and we were able to be there with my sister's family and my dad. It was great!!!

Ready for the ceremony to begin

Eric the grad!

Us with Big E

Siblings

John and dad

Son and Mom

Dad with the granddaughters

Grandpa and Eric

Father and son

Silliness and fun was had by all

The Birthday

Lily's birthday was Monday and she, of course, had school and then volleyball practice afterward. So, John picked her up from practice and met Shelly and me for Lily's birthday dinner. Then it was back home for gifts and cookie cake. It was a great day to turn 14! So lucky to call this wonderful girl my daughter. I love her beyond words.

Decorations

Gifts

The happy 14 year old

Daisy jumping up with a string to surprise her!!!!

Happy Lily

Bike basket to go on the new beach cruiser

Cookie cake

The end of a lovely birthday celebration