The Return of Soccer Saturdays

The return of Soccer Saturdays began mid-September amidst much rain! Although this signals a hectic schedule in our household, it was good to be back on the field watching my girls get some exercise. Good friends of ours are Merritt's coaches, so that makes it extra fun!

Where's our goal?

This was my favorite shot of the day! Snapped it quickly as Merritt was running to me asking for water!

Great block Morgan!

Another great block!

Morgan is proud to have her daddy coach her team!

Field Trip Friday

On Friday morning, Merritt's class accompanied by parents, teachers and grandparents headed to the Tyler zoo. We saw lots of animals and could not have ordered more perfect weather. After many days of rain it was so glorious to see the sun!



The highlight for all the children seemed to be feeding the birds. I was a little apprehensive myself but enjoyed it too! Merritt loved feeding the brightly colored birds!

But wasn't so sure about it once he decided to hop on the stick for a little ride!

Poppy quickly saved the day by taking over feeding duties!

This little guy found something he liked on my shoe!

Biscuits and Jelly, Every Southern Girl's Dream!

To conclude Apple Week, Merritt's class had an apple tasting party. All the children brought something apple-flavored to share with the class. Merritt brought biscuits and apple jelly! She swore she would not try it but I hoped she would! My family knows my two favorite foods growing up were biscuits and pie! Anytime the extended family was together someone would ask, "Beth, what's your favorite food?" And I would always say, "Biscuits and piiiiiiiieeee!" in the most beautiful southern drawl! I am pleased to report that following the apple tasting party, Merritt is officially a biscuit lover! Now I'll have to get her hooked on piiiiiiiieeeee!

What's up next for the girls? Merritt heads to the zoo tomorrow and Morgan swings on over to the circus!

Learning to "Start Again"

Morgan recently began her second year of Suzuki Violin Lessons. She has made great strides in her studies and can play a large repertoire of songs. Merritt has benefited from the lessons as well as the three of us tend to travel in a pack. Not sure if we're a herd, gaggle, or what but usually if you see one of us, the other two are not far behind!

That said, I realized today how much Merritt is benefiting from Morgan's lessons. Today during Morgan's theory class which Merritt so desperately wants to participate in, we looked at some music and talked about different elements of the music. During the discussion, Merritt whispered to me, "I know what that is" (pointing to the above image). Knowing it was a repeat sign, I asked Merritt, "What does it mean?" She replied, "Start again!" Surprised that she knew the answer, I asked, "How do you know?" Exasperated with me she replied, "I've been here before!" So, I quickly realized that when Merritt starts violin class, she'll be the teacher rather than the student!

Morgan's Advice for Swine Flu Prevention

Wondering how to prevent swine flu? Morgan has three great tips for you! #1 Wash your hands! #2 Sneeze into the sleeve of your shirt! #3 (My favorite germ prevention technique) Flush the toilet with your foot!

This Public Service Announcement has been brought to you with love and care by Morgan!

"P" is for Pizza!

Merritt's class had their first field trip this week! We headed to the local library for storytime and then to Louisiana's famous Johnny's Pizza to learn how a pizza is made! We love pizza in our household so we couldn't think of a better food to celebrate pizza with! Merritt had a great time with her friends and enjoyed some delicious cheese pizza!

Everybody Deserves a Pajama Day!

In celebration of "P" week, Wednesday was Pajama day at Merritt's school! She was excited to realize that cousin Jacob also had Pajama day all the way in Fort Wayne, Indiana! After the week that my family has had, I declared that "Everybody deserves a pajama day!" In fact, I might claim a whole week in honor of the institution of pajamas! Anyway, Merritt had a grand time wearing her pajamas to school! I think she looked pretty darn cute, too!

The Licking Spoon

Merritt loves to bake these days ~ cookies, brownies, cake. Anything that requires her assistance in licking the spoon! Today I was out! Nothing in the house to bake! Realizing all she wanted to do was lick the spoon, I dipped a spatula in pudding! Voila! Instant happiness! She claims it tastes better on the "licking spoon!"

Eight Years Later

Who could ever forget where they were 8 years ago this morning? I was 6 months pregnant with my first child, struggling to get to work on time and not succeeding. Scott was on his way to work and called me frantic. I'll never forget his words and the nervousness in his voice, "Beth, turn on the tv! It sounds like a plane has flown into the World Trade Center!" I quickly turned on the news and saw the above image. "Yes, they're showing it right now!" My brain thought it was a replay but I quickly realized it was the second plane. Nervousness soon became fear....

I struggled for many days, perhaps weeks with the question, "Why are we bringing a precious child into this awful world!" I was drawn to Todd Beamer's story, the originator of the catch phrase, "Let's Roll!" His wife, Lisa, was pregnant with their 3rd child, a girl. We were due within weeks of one another. I couldn't imagine the pain she was feeling. Each joy I experienced throughout my pregnancy, I imagined her sadness of experiencing it alone! On the day we were bringing our Morgan home two days after her birth, I learned that Lisa Beamer had given birth to their daughter, Morgan.

Throughout the past eight years, I have often wondered about the Beamer family and how their Morgan was making her way in this world. Eight years later, I know the answer to my question that I struggled with so many weeks after September 11, 2001. The precious children we bring into this awful world bring their special light with them and offer us hope and make this world a lot less awful! Thank you Morgan and Merritt for the hope you have brought into our lives!

I Like to Call it Early Rush!

I like to call it early Rush! My ZTA friends and the girls' ZTA aunts might choose to call it dirty Rush! Whatever the phrase, Bid Day 2009 was Saturday morning and I decided to introduce the girls to the fun of sororities, especially Chi Omega!

Here are the girls meeting Chi Omega's mascot, The Wise Ole Owl!

Here they are hanging out on the balcony waiting for the girls to run down the hill to their new "home!"

Here are the 2009 pledges, I mean new members, running down the hill on campus to the Chi-O house! It was a lot of fun and my girls had a good time. With only 2 sororities on my college campus, rush, I mean recruitment, can be stressful! Morgan was very interested in finding out how the girls decide which sorority to choose. I explained that both sororities have several nights of parties to meet the girls and share with them, through conversation and fun skits, what their sorority was all about. She pondered this for a moment but was still unsure of it all wondering why I chose one sorority and her two aunts chose another. I guess that's why they make chocolate and vanilla, Morgan! Of course, in our household, we eat Bluebell's The Great Divide which is half chocolate and half vanilla so I don't think that's a good example for us! We had a nice time but knowing I'll be the mother of a daughter going through recruitment in 11 years, already puts butterflies in my stomach!

Who Says You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover?

With college football beginning and the temperatures lowering, I was excited to share this sweet book and DVD with the girls. If you haven't read The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin By Joe Troiano, pick up a copy today! It's a sweet story about our differences and how you can't judge a book (or a pumpkin) by it's cover. And with fall just around the corner, it's the perfect time to read about pumpkins!

This particular book set came with a DVD which I watched with the girls the other night. It's quite a bit of an adaptation of the book but still teaches the moral of the story ~ You can't judge a book by it's cover! To which Merritt replied, "But I can't read! That's how I can tell if it's a book I want to read! I look at the cover!" Being a little bit after bedtime and feeling confident that both my girls know we are kind to all of God's creatures, I let it go!

It's Always the Quiet Ones

Friday night the girls spent the night with GranMe and Poppy. I was a little hesitant to let Merritt go because she came home from school early today after getting sick in "morning meeting." She never ran any fever and said she felt fine, so off she went. While having dinner with friends we got the call....she wanted to come home.

Already a little anxious about her going in the first place, I was glad to see her back home especially after hearing her reasoning. She was afraid no one would hear her in the middle of the night. Merritt slept soundly in her own bed, while Momma was up every 30 minutes making sure she was alright. When I asked her why she wanted to come home she explained that Morgan had told her that if she went home she would be able to play with all her toys and Morgan's toys all by herself!

When I questioned Morgan the next day if she had encouraged her sister to come home she sheepishly replied, "Maybe!" Morgan was looking forward to some peace and quiet and the ability to sleep late. Too bad mother nature kicked in and woke her up at 7:15 am! That's what you call pay back, Morgan!

Merritt's Last Year of Pre-School

Merritt's preschool class held an open house on Tuesday, August 18th to meet the teachers and students. Merritt considered this her "first" day of school so she insisted I take a picture of her just like big sister did on her first day!

Her first day of school was officially Wednesday, August 19th. Since Morgan started on Monday, those two days were a little rough for Merritt. She didn't think it was very fair that Morgan got to start school before her. Wait until next year, Merritt! Kindergarten students don't start until the Friday of the first week. Life will really be unfair that week! Until then, we have a wonderful final preschool year ahead of us with lots of new friends, fun and field trips!

Now that I know Merritt likes turkey and cheese sandwiches, taking lunch to school is an option. She is really proud of her lady bug lunch bag. We look at the menu for the week and decide when to take a lunch and when to eat the school lunch. So far, I think I've packed more lunches. Poor thing, I think she lived on ketchup alone last school year!

She loves school but has had a slight adjustment. Her best girl friends moved on to kindergarten this year. The first week I think she was really missing them but she has quickly grown to love her new classmates. Since she never meets a stranger, the adjustment didn't take long!

Welcome to your final year of preschool, Merritt! Enjoy every second of it!