Trunk or Treat at Church

It was a beautiful night to have trunk or treat at church! Our Bible Study class had a spot, and we went with a hippies/70's theme. One of the couples in our class made a dance floor that turned out awesome and another girl brought out her disco ball, music, and speakers. We had a blast! We all dressed the part too! I'm not sure who had more fun - the kids or the adults!!!

Trick-or-Treating

It's been crazy trying to decide which night people are supposed to trick-or-treat around here. Our county has said tonight (Saturday), but our city has said Sunday. However, we don't live inside the city limits, so what are we supposed to do? I think folks will just be going out both nights! We just went around in our subdivision and trick-or-treated tonight. Some of our friends came over and met up with us. Tomorrow we'll go to the trunk-or-treat at church.

I must say I think the girls looke quite cute in their costumes! I bought them on clearance after Halloween last year for less than $2 each!! I did buy a few accessories to go with them (wig for Rachel, necklaces and glasses for Katelyn), but I think I still ended up spending less than $20 each for their complete costumes!! Not too bad!

Soccer - October 30, 2010

Today was the final day of Upward soccer season and it was a beautiful day to be outside! Katelyn's team started out a little slow, but they picked it up in the second half and won! Rachel's team was playing against the best team in the league. The first time we played them we lost 0-2, and the next time we played them we tied 2-2. The girls were so pumped up about playing today. They played hard and ended up with a 2-1 win!! After the game, we all went to Angelos Brickoven Pizza for a team party!

Halloween Parties at School

Yesterday at school the girls were allowed to dress up! They decided to go as black kitty cats instead of wearing their "real" costumes. They were able to just wear black pants and black shirts that they already had. That way, they would be comfortable and still able to play outside at recess! They had lots of fun at their class parties!

Lady Vols Soccer

On Sunday we went to the Lady Vols soccer game vs. Alabama. They were having all kinds of promotions that day. If you brought an old soccer jersey or a new/slightly used book you got FREE admission! Also, all kids got a FREE hot dog and drink. The first 500 fans also got a FREE "Beat Bama" t-shirt! Plus they had FREE posters for anyone who wanted one. They also had a little soccer carnival before the game with an inflatable and a couple of soccer drills. On one of the drills, if you made a goal you got a FREE orange/white shaker, or you could trade it for UT pins. On the other drill your name went into a drawing for other prizes.

We took one of Rachel's teammates, Addison, and her little sister, Grace, to the game with us. Robert had told Rachel's soccer team and Katelyn's soccer team about the free promotions. Addison acted like she wanted to go, so we offered to let her go with us. The girls all had a good time together. Katelyn & Grace didn't know each other beforehand (other than playing against each other in soccer), but they talked almost non-stop the entire game as if they were best buds! Rachel & Addison really enjoyed watching the game. Addison & Grace also won Lady Vols water bottles from doing one of the drills!

All 4 girls made a goal during the soccer drills, so the 2 big girls got shakers and the 2 little girls got UT pins. We also got to go to "Chalk Talk" with the coach before the game in the Lady Vols video room. It was pretty cool listening to her explain what offense and defense they would play, how they would defend Alabama, who to watch, etc.

We didn't get to stay for the entire game because we had to get back for church. We left at the end of regulation with the score tied 0-0. The Lady Vols did pull out a win in double overtime! We had a great time and it was a beautiful afternoon to be outside watching soccer!!!

Soccer - October 23, 2010

For whatever reason, I forgot to take any pictures during Katelyn's game on Saturday! I guess I just got caught up in the game. Katelyn's team did awesome!! They played their best game yet. And Katelyn scored 4 goals!!! She played super!!!

Rachel played an awesome game too! Her coach was talking about it at church Sunday and again Monday night at practice! She really played well! And her team won too!!!

Soccer Games - October 16, 2010

Tooth #16 for Rachel

When I picked Rachel up from school today she showed me that she had a tooth almost out! It had been a little loose for a short time, but I didn't have any idea it was so close to coming out! Sure enough - not too long after we got home from school she had it out. So that makes sixteen teeth that Rachel has now lost.

Spelling Bee

Rachel won her class spelling bee the week before fall break. Each 3rd grade and 4th grade classroom send a representative to compete in the school spelling bee. The school spelling bee was held on Friday afternoon. Rachel was quite nervous. They had a practice round just to let the kids get used to the microphone and to try to calm their nerves. Rachel was so nervous she actually was crying a little before it started. She made it through the practice round and then it was the real thing. During the first round there were several kids that got put out. It didn't take too long for the 14 kids to be narrowed down to three: Rachel, her friend Catherine, and a 3rd grader Nick. After any minute or two, it was down to the final two: Rachel and Catherine. I think at this point, Rachel was somewhat relieved. You see - she and Catherine are friends - they were in class together in 2nd and 3rd grade, they're in the gifted program together, and they've been friends since Katelyn & Virginia met each other in Kindermusik! Catherine is a very intelligent girl and an excellent reader with a phenomenal vocabulary. I think Rachel was thinking to herself "If I have to lose to anyone, it might as well be Catherine!" The spelling bee went a few more rounds with Catherine and Rachel correctly spelling their words one after another. Then Rachel made a mistake - it was a word she knew, but I think she just got a little anxious and didn't completely think through it. Catherine correctly spelled Rachel's word and then spelled the next word correctly to win the spelling bee. So Rachel came in second place. When it was over, the 2 girls leaned over and hugged each other and then gave each other five! It was so sweet! I know Rachel really wanted to win, but I'm so proud of her for getting up in front of everyone and doing so well! All of the 3rd & 4th graders were there to watch, along with all the 3rd & 4th grade teachers, specials teachers, parents, principal, and others! It would be nerve-wracking for anyone!!! Only the winner gets to advance, so that's the end of the spelling bee run for Rachel. But I'm so proud of her for the great job she did! Second place in the school spelling bee is awesome!!!

Rachel correctly spelling one of her words in the early rounds

The top three winners - the boy is in 3rd grade and Rachel & Catherine are 4th graders!
The winners with our principal, Mrs. Malone

The winners again

Friends and winners!

Rachel's teacher took this picture when Rachel got back to the classroom. Her classmates cheered for her when she walked in and they had made her notes and signs congratulating her!

Fall Break Pictures - October 10, 2010

This is our last morning before heading home.

Sunrise

Fall Break Pictures - Oct. 9, 2010 - The Comets!

While at the beach, the girls decided to write some songs. They wrote several songs together and then performed them for us. They even had a name for their group - The Comets! Some of their original songs include "Good Morning Sun," "Goodbye Sunset, "Such a Rainy Day," and "The Sun Makes the Flowers Bloom." They were so funny performing for us. And what's really funny is that I caught myself humming their tunes the next day while I was sitting on the beach!!!