Merry Christmas!

 

She is the Dancing Queen ...

... young and sweet ... only 17 ...

Since she got her license a year ago, it's been a whirlwind - this girl is always on the go. Between school, work, cheer, and friends, she manages to squeeze in time to go to the gym and plenty of time to shop. Sometimes she wants to hang out with us, and she lets us know when she needs a hug, but mostly she's busy paving her own way.

We took our first college tour recently at Texas Tech. She could see herself there. The rest of her life is so close to the horizon, and it brings me joy and sorrow all at once. I'm thankful and excited for the opportunities ahead of her, while still grasping at the moments that have passed. This birthday is yet another celebration of the beautiful, smart, funny, compassionate, sensitive, curious young woman she has become. I'm so grateful for this celebration.

Happy 17th, Sara Noel. You are the best.

one month in

 The first month of school has officially lived up to the crazy-busy it promised to be!

First Day Pic - Steve is always good about taking these for me. Notice the pile of laundry on the living room chair over Emma's shoulder. That pile got put away, but I promise that some version of it has been on the chair ever since.

Emma is back with her Frisco Fusion soccer team for another year. They had a fun pool party to celebrate the weekend after school started.

And all of her hard work learning a new sport over the last 9 months or so paid off - Emma made the volleyball team, along with her bestie!

After just a few practices, the girls had a night of district pool play where the girls won two games and lost one. It was a good start! Super proud of Emma for proving herself and making "A" team.

A few more pics from Emma's birthday celebration. She wanted crab legs ... so we ended up at Red Lobster. Steve and I hadn't eaten at one since we lived in KC!

It was a double dessert night!

Emma was not thrilled about petting Larry the Lobster, but she got close enough for a couple photos.

I have to document the 6-7 ... I still don't know what it means, but maybe someday when the girls look back at this, they'll have some vague recollection of the trend.

Emma's first game after pool play was a good one! They played a tough team and came out victorious after three well-fought sets. She's on a team with a few girls whose main sport has been volleyball for years, so there's a lot of opportunity for her to learn and grow this season.

Sara was thrilled to finally receive her letterman jacket! (Emma had to get in on the pics ... some things never change.)

She's so proud of this jacket and is eager for the temps to cool off so she can wear it!

Her team has cheered several volleyball games recently. The VB team is super good and the student section at the games has made for a fun atmosphere ... maybe a little taste of what basketball will bring.

Her team also had their first pep rally and FNL. Sara tumbled solo during the pep rally and nailed it in front of a very full gym. I'm so proud of the work she puts in.

Last week's theme was Western, so the girls wore boots for a portion. I love this shot that a student photographer got of Sara.

FNL was cut short because of lightening, but they got a full half in and looked great. The football team is 2-0, and we are looking forward to seeing a full game this week.

And ... the Cyclones are 3-0! We've made it to all three game watches so far and have had lots of fun with our DFW Cyclones. During the Iowa-Iowa State game, Sara participated in the traditional corn-eating contest and won a $25 gift card! The shot below is a still from the video Steve took, and she was locked in. We loved that she showed up after volunteering and entered herself in the contest. Emma missed out due to a soccer game.

This week is homecoming! We'll attend the parade and community pep rally tonight, football game on Friday, and then Sara has plans with a group of friends on Saturday night. The cheer moms got together on Sunday evening to make "leg mums" for the girls to wear while they cheer on Friday. I was pretty proud of my craftiness - hopefully it doesn't fall apart mid-game! 

Not pictured: Sara's first car breakdown in the midst of traffic. Ugh. Not fun, but she handled it well. She also started back at Dance Upon a Star. When Emma's not at a game or practice, she's become a regular attendee at 8th grade and Varsity VB games ... and they've both kept busy with plenty of homework. Our schedule doesn't currently show any signs of slowing down, so we're just rolling with it - running in a million directions and trying to soak it all in ... while attempting to get a tiny bit of rest and maintain some sanity. #teenagers

Lucky 13

The baby of our family is a teenager today. She's still as much the blonde-hair-lots-of-spunk Emma Grace Brittain that she's always been, just a little more grown up. Somewhere between a kid and adult - in the middle. Like she always has, Emma has big feelings, lots of opinions, seeks justice, makes us laugh out loud, keeps us running with her activities and social life, and brings plenty of spice to everyday.

Emma is finding her way in 7th grade, and is proud of herself for making the A volleyball team. Like she has been on the soccer field for so many years, she's a leader on the court and I love watching her find her place.

She loves her favorite spot on the couch and snuggling with Jim. She always has a craft or four going, and has discovered a passion (and talent) for doing nails and hair. When she doesn't have an activity planned, she finds one - which most recently includes attending Varsity volleyball games with friends. She takes pride in her grades and working hard at school.

Our #4 continues to make us proud in so many ways. She vacillates between being ultra-responsible and testing every limit ... between needing a hug and telling us to leave her alone. I guess she's doing all the things she should be doing at Lucky 13.

We love celebrating you, Emma Grace, and can't fathom a September 3rd without you. We are so glad that you are YOU.

Happy 13th, Joseph!💗

Goodbye, Summer

 And just like that, summer has come to an end. This time next year, we'll be heading into Sara's senior year, and my head is spinning with all of the things on the to-do list before then ... but for now, I'm trying to focus on getting this year started. 

After camp, when she wasn't working or with friends, Sara spent the majority of her time at cheer. They had LOTS of practices, mini-clinics, and spent time around town selling ad space in the football activity books. It's been A LOT of cheer, and she's really looking forward to the start of football season!

Sara's team also ended the summer with tryouts for the competition squads. She was thrilled to make both teams!

I had the opportunity in mid-July to spend an overnight at a beautiful resort near Austin. I was asked to speak on a principal panel for a room of superintendents from across the state, and I couldn't pass it up! It was a great opportunity to connect with many outstanding educators, and the night at a cushy resort with delicious food and drinks wasn't too bad either.

I loved my summer Fridays ... they lasted through June and most of July. I made the most of them - from pool time to work-dates with Steve.

Emma came up to school to help me with several back-to-school tasks. She did a bunch of work for me, and took some breaks playing volleyball in the gym!

She always has to take a crazy pic before a real one ...

After one very sweaty practice, Emma went straight into the pool!

And we even had a couple of poker nights, throwing back to several years ago!

I have an awesome team and I'm so excited to start the year! Our teachers came back last Monday, and students return this Tuesday.

The girls are sort of ready-ish to go back ... this summer has just been SO fast. Like always, though, it's time for a routine. I know our fall will be busy, and hopefully I'll manage to make a meal once in a while ... time will tell. Regardless, it's here and we're here for it!

Camp!

The girls' favorite part of summer has come and gone ... the get-away at Camp Grady Spruce. Because Sara was a CIT this year, she stayed longer which meant Steve and I drove up and back three weekends in a row. It was a lot of time on the road, but so worth it!

Sara chose a bed right in the middle of the cabin this year! She was all set with her trunk, drawers, snacks, and all the themed-gear!

She made instant friends with a few girls who live nearby us, and even met them for lunch a few days after camp. These are such special relationships.

Everyday during camp, I scour the app to spot pictures of the girls. They always look so happy!

The CIT experience consisted of a combination of leadership training as well as assisting with younger cabins. This group also got in plenty of their own teenage camp fun!

Sara was at camp for the 4th, and saw the most amazing fireworks show over the lake.

The smiles speak volumes.

How could you not love this?!

When we brought Emma the following week, we were able to see Sara for a few minutes and check in. She was clearly feeling right at home, and was happy to see Emma.

As usual, Emma chose a corner bunk ... in the mix, but with her own little quiet nook!

This year, Emma really wanted to cliff jump ... she ended up not liking it, but was glad she attempted. It's a 20-foot jump! Sara did it, too, and Steve and I were shocked that the dare-devil roles were reversed with Sara enjoying it and Emma saying, "never again" - ha!

Emma also enjoyed waterskiing, getting up several times for long rides around the lake.

And of course she's always all in on the games!

Emma earned Camper of the Day on Thursday of her camp week, and said she cried during Friday's final camp fire at the thought of having to leave.

Like always, at pick-up, we found our girls with tanned freckle faces, raspy voices, caked in a little extra dirt ... and so sad to leave. Emma was able to participate in raggers this year, and Sara earned her fifth rag. I know that camp is going to always be such a core memory for them and I'm so thankful to be able to provide them this experience. They ALWAYS want to go back and they ALWAYS want to stay longer.

 

I wasn't sure how Sara would feel about potentially being a counselor next year after her CIT experience this year ... but she immediately said she wanted to go for it. Within about 48 hours of getting home, she had submitted her application and resume to be a junior counselor. She's made it through the first round of the application process, so we'll see what happens. Emma is begging to stay for more time next year, and I think we just might have to make that happen!

"You always are changed when you come back from summer camp." -Emma Stone