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!

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!

Second Grade on the Second Floor

Today our household woke up with a 2nd grader in it! Morgan asked me to wake her up at 6:45. She popped out of bed, quickly dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast and to help me make her lunch! We were pulling out of the driveway at 7:32 a little worried that we might be at school too early! Wow, Momma is liking second grade so far!

Morgan was so excited on the way there. She had already prepared me the night before that she would like to be dropped off in the carpool line rather than my traditional way of walking her to the classroom on the first day of school. I knew this day would come but I really thought it would be 6th grade or high school or what's wrong with waiting until college!

She was so ready to get out of the car and head to the 2nd floor, I'm not sure what I said to her. Surely I said goodbye and I love you! If not, I know she knows it!

Thanks for the look-back Morgan! That makes up for not letting me walk you to the classroom!

Next year, I'll know to roll the window down! Or better yet, park the car after carpool line and sneak to your classroom! Not walking my princess to class on the first day of school..... not so sure Momma likes 2nd grade!

Another Treasure

"Momma, look what I found!"

Opossums Eat Shrimp!

On the way home from Vacation Bible school today, the discussion centered around what opossums eat. Merritt's group this week is the Orange Opossums and Morgan is in the Super Shrimp. The discussion between sisters centered around what the opossums diet consists of. Morgan soon brought me into the conversation. "Momma, what do opossums eat?" I went on to explain that they are probably like raccoons and are scavengers, eating whatever they can find in trashcans. Merritt quickly replied, "I can tell you what they eat.....Shrimp!" Morgan, being a member of the Super Shrimp VBS group, didn't find humor in this!

On a more serious note, at the conclusion of today's bible school which centered around "God gives us life", the children were given the opportunity to invite Jesus into their hearts. Sweet Morgan couldn't get down to the front fast enough! Afterwards, I asked her if anything special happened at bible school. She grinned and told me that she had asked Jesus to be her "forever friend!"

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Answer: To have dinner with Merritt!

Merritt won a "Color the Chicken" coloring contest sponsored by our local newspaper. She was one of four winners who were invited to come have a chicken dinner with the Famous Chicken prior to his performance at the baseball game. Morgan and and I were lucky enough to be her invited guests. Daddy would have been there had he not had class tonight! We felt a little funny about eating chicken but he assured Merritt it was fine as long as we weren't eating any of his friends!

Our group only consisted of 11 people so we really had the chicken all to ourselves. He took pictures, signed autographs and even talked to us! I think Morgan was most surprised that he actually talked. I guess she's accustomed to the silent characters at Disney World!

We had a great time, lots of laughs and many tricks pulled by the Famous Chicken. He's still got it even after all these years! Rumor has it this might be his final season so I am thrilled the girls got to experience a fun and fond memory of my childhood! Sorry Daddy couldn't join us, though!

Sleeping Beauty and the Ladybug

Sleeping Beauty opened last night to a full house! It's a great production! Very entertaining. Of course at our house we think the production should be called Sleeping Beauty and the Ladybug because we know the cutest ladybug there is! Good Show, Morgan! You amaze me with your confidence! Keep performing!

Wasted Air

Riding around in the new car we came a cross a corner with lots of yard art! So much that I assume it was a display in hopes of selling some of it! Thinking the girls would get a kick out of all the blown up items, I pointed it out to them. Morgan quickly responded, "Looks like a lot of wasted air, to me!" My thoughts exactly, Morgan!

1st is the New 2nd!

I am officially the mother of a second grader! Wow, how did that happen! Seems like just yesterday sweet Morgan Emerson entered the world! Soon she will be starting her third year in her educational career!

We celebrated the end of her first grade year with a beach themed party. The children wore their bathing suits to school and had fun hula hooping, water balloon fighting, chalk drawing and doing a little pizza eating. As I told another parent, "Looks like organized chaos to me!"

I told Morgan about adult's age and how 40 is the new 30, etc. We both declared that today 1st is the new 2nd! Here's to a great first grade year and crossing fingers for a successful second grade year! Summer here we come!

A "Bee" and "B-flat" Saturday

Today was a "Bee" and "B-flat" kind of Saturday but I would give it an A! We began the morning at Merritt's ballet recital where she performed beautifully as a buzzy bee! After lunch at our usual Saturday spot, we headed straight to Morgan's violin recital!

She did a beautiful job performing 5 songs from memory! After the cookies and punch reception, we did some quick shopping and then headed home for naps (at least that was my plan). The girls and their daddy had other plans! The pool opened today and they couldn't miss it! They got in about a 20-minute swim before rain showers came into the area. They were fine with having to come home but I think they are planning on a repeat performance on Sunday!

M Is For Momma

I have many identities~daughter, sister, friend, granddaughter, wife, neighbor, volunteer, Sunday school teacher~ and the list goes on. These days my favorite identity, though, has to be Morgan and Merritt's Momma! Funny how time changes things. Growing up I couldn't stand being referred to as Amy's little sister or the preacher's kid. I just wanted to be Beth! A little age and maturity has allowed me to proudly wear the "Amy's little sister" pin and I love telling people that Rev. is my daddy. But the title I shall never tire of hearing is Momma! Nothing tops hearing classmates say, "There's Morgan's mom" or, "Merritt, your mom's here!" I can only hope that my two M&Ms will be half as proud of their Momma as I will always be of them! You two are the brightness in my days always able to put a smile on my face and a laugh in my heart! Thanks for another grand Mother's day! Although, with you two as my daughters, everyday seems like Mother's day!

New Haircut = Grown Up!

Morgan has wanted to get her hair cut for sometime now! The appointment I made wound up conflicting with play practice (She will be a ladybug in the upcoming local production of, Sleeping Beauty) so I rescheduled her appointment for today! She is so proud of her new look! Daddy and I are a little nervous about the maturity the new look has bestowed!

Disney On Ice

Friday night Mom and I took the girls to see Disney on Ice! It was a lot of fun! Chilly, but fun! Thanks Poppy for the great seats! You sure know how to pick 'em! I think Merritt was relieved to see chairs! I had been telling her that we were going to sit on the "floor". I guess rink-side would have been a better term! When we arrived to our seats she said, "I thought you said we were sitting on the floor." I said, "We are!" She replied as she pointed to the chairs, "These look like chairs to me!" You can always count on Merritt for a good chuckle!

Merritt wasn't in the mood to have her picture taken but she couldn't stand to not be included!

Don't Blink

In the words of the great country singer, Kenny Chesney, "Don't Blink!" Maybe I'm just a mom still lovin' the ribbons and bows of girls but when Morgan asked to please wear her hair down today, I became a little nervous! It sure changes her look, at least to dear old Mom. What a beauty she already is and will grow to be! Get out your big stick Daddy! So don't blink, because she will be a lady before we realize!

Spring Break Can Be Exhausting!

The girls have had a great time this week enjoying their Spring Break stay-cation (vacation without going anywhere). Everyone deserves a break from routine and boy did we make a break! They stayed up as late as they wanted, slept as late as they wanted, had sleep-overs with both grandparents and lots of Wii tournaments completed our week! Morgan even stayed upstairs one day until lunch! Merritt couldn't believe someone could eat lunch without eating breakfast first! She thought Morgan was so funny! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, isn't that what they say? Please pray for our household in the morning as we try to get both girls to school by 8:00 am!

Asparagus and Shrimp

In an effort to expand Morgan's palate, it has been suggested that she try a new food each day. That hasn't gone over so well until the past two days. On Easter Sunday at lunch, Morgan announced that she would like to try shrimp! I obliged by peeling her one shrimp which she proceeded to eat and love! Last night she decided to try asparagus and really liked it until I reminded her how much it looked like one of her Vegi-Tale friends! Oooops!

Easter

The day finally arrived! We have prepared for Easter thoroughly! With all the egg hunts, candy and treats, I was getting a little anxious that the girls weren't getting the true message of Easter! Morgan put my mind at ease. The girls were anxious to see what their Mumsie and Poppa had given them. Morgan excitedly said something about more treats and I said something about that being what Easter was about (sarcastically) and she quickly said, "Oh no, Momma....Easter is about Jesus dying on the cross for us and his resurrection!" Cha-Ching! She gets it! Now we need to work on Merritt, the chocolate bunny queen!



After seeing what the Easter bunny brought, we dressed for church and headed out the door to a gloomy morning greeting us. We got to Sunday school before the rain but heading to the church service we all commented how it looked like night time! Sitting in the service one could feel the uneasiness. A tornado came through our town on Thursday night coming downtown near our church. The atmosphere was well-suited for a repeat performance and many of us were a little uncomfortable. I relaxed a little when I noticed Scott scanning the radar on his Blackberry. At least I knew we would know what was coming before it arrived! Before the sermon, our minister announced that the ushers confirmed the storm was moving more north of us. I think the congregation collectively exhaled at the same time! Whew, now I could concentrate on the meaning of the day, although I felt a little guilty about feeling unsafe in the place I should feel the safest!

The children's message was right on this morning giving an excellent analogy using an empty Easter egg and comparing it to the empty tomb!

After church we headed to lunch where we were joined by Scott's parents affectionately know as Mumsie and Poppa! We all had a great time being together!

After lunch we stopped by Ms. Jo's to wish her a Happy Easter! Uncle John had just left after eating lunch with her. He left behind the biggest most exciting girly Easter baskets you've ever seen! I told the girls that Uncle John did better than the Easter bunny! They replied, "he sure did!" I'll be sure and send a message to the Easter bunny to "hop" to it next year! Maybe he's experiencing the recession!

Egg Hunt, Round 8 ~ Rain Out!

When I woke Merritt up this morning she excitedly said, "Is this the day we have an egg hunt in our front and back yard?" "Uh-oh," I quickly thought, that means 9 egg hunts this year!

Thanks to rain, #9 didn't even have to be organized and #8 was moved in doors at the club while we ate lunch. The Easter Bunny just walked around and handed out eggs. My kind of hunt!

Feeling very full and very tired from all the family activities, Scott and I realize how blessed we are! He grew up all over the world away from his grandparents. I lived a great distance from mine and saw them a couple of times a year. How grateful we are that our children ate lunch today with both sets of grandparents before heading over to their great grandmother's house for more Easter treats! For priceless memories, I'll take this kind of tired any day!

Easter Egg Hunt, Rounds 4 & 5

Both girls had egg hunts at their schools Thursday morning. It was a wonderful way to spend the last day of school before Spring Break! Morgan's teacher is moments away from having her second child so we planned a surprise shower for her. After the children found their eggs, we surprised her with a bassinet full of presents. 80 first graders looked precious hopping down the trail into the local park down the street from their school!
I was able to "hop" on over to Merritt's school just in time to see them playing on their playground following their egg hunt. Scott was there to help Merritt find her eggs, although she needed no help! She was the first one to find all her eggs and then helped her classmates. To make both egg hunts more educational and last longer, both girls had to find eggs numbered (1-8 for Morgan and 1-12 for Merritt).

Our church egg hunt is Saturday and Merritt has been invited to a birthday party/egg hunt on Saturday which will make rounds 6 & 7. Easter Sunday our family will eat together at our country club which will also include an egg hunt, Round 8! Whew! I need to research the history of these egg hunts and how they got started! To quote a favorite comedian of ours, "Jesus is coming, Quick hide the eggs!" Theologian Morgan tells me that we hunt eggs because they are a symbol of life and Jesus brings us new life! Happy Easter, may you find your eggs and your new life!

Easter Egg Hunt, Round 3

One of Morgan's friends from Suzuki Violin class invited us to her annual egg hunt! It was a lot of fun! They have a beautiful home on the bayou with a lovely yard beautifully landscaped. The weather could not have been better! Merritt is an honorary member of the class so she attended the egg hunt too! We had a great time finding eggs but the girls especially enjoyed the tree house equipped with a zip line! Morgan even found a golden egg!