Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Bossypants

Did anyone see the premiere of Modern Family yet? In it, the family takes a vacation at a dude ranch in Wyoming, and the host gives them all nicknames. Claire, the character most like me (yes, it's true), is named "Bossy."

Molly will pumpfist in agreement that I'd probably get that name, too. Upon further thought, Russell and the kids and many others might chime in, too!

Coincidentally (or not?), I was wandering the shops today on a mission to find something the kids could get me for my birthday so Russell could have some ideas, and I came across this.



Perfect, no?

P.S. Molly and Leslie, I'd like to know what you thought of the Dunphy family dude ranch experience!


Monday, September 26, 2011

Cheetah Girls Rule, Sort Of

Charlotte just joined a 5-year-old soccer team that my friend coaches. The team is all girls, even though the league is co-ed. Charlotte told me that at the start of their last game, a boy on the other team told them, "Watch out, your team is going DOWN tonight!"

Well, he was right. They won about 345-0. That being said, the girls put up a pretty decent fight, they just didn't know what they were doing. Meaning, they were quite athletic, but still working on their understanding of the game. I forgot to take pictures until the end when Charlotte took a turn in goal. She ended up getting twisted up in the pint-sized net and falling over backwards into it as the opposing team scored yet another goal. Probably when she was practicing her hip hop singing and dance moves; I think she thought the goal was a stage.

When I asked her whether she liked playing offense or defense better, she told me defense, because "you don't have to run as much." Spoken like a true lazybones.

At the end, she was so excited and proud of playing that she made me wash her team shirt so she could wear it to school the next day. That's my girl!





Sunday, September 25, 2011

Let's Get Ready to RUMBLE!!!

Anson and Charlotte's school held a fun run last week to raise money for the Parent Teacher Association. It was QUITE the production, and the kids had a ball.  There was loud music, huge race flags, two running tracks, water tents, disco dance performances by the boosterthon leaders, and more. It was totally cheesy but really got the kids excited and working hard for the school.

Each class had a team name. Some for your enjoyment included the Rabid Pandas, the Leprechaun Storm-Chasing Turtles, and the Purple Sparkling Cheese Bubbles. Anson's teacher's name is pronounced "Bock-ert," so they did a play on the sound a chicken makes by calling themselves the "Chicken Bocherts." Check them out running through the Super Bowl Tunnel at the start of the race. Anson is about the second kid to go through after his teacher in the black shorts....he's so fast it's a blur! He's to the left of the boy in the orange shorts.



Both Charlotte and Anson ran MORE THAN TWO MILES each! I was so proud of them. According to the final tally, the run raised $47,000 for the PTA (that's the final number, after fees were taken out for the organization that headed up the run). It was sort of mad chaos to start (they did two grades at once), but soon the walkers separated themselves from the runners and things weren't as gummed up. Yep, my kiddos ran the whole time!







For those who pledged money by the lap, here's proof my speed demons completed 35 laps, the maximum they kept track of.




GO LACY LIONS!


Monday, September 19, 2011

Quiet Time

I tried to write a few blog posts recently and Blogger froze up and I couldn't save or publish them. Got me annoyed enough to just step away for a while. I'll get something together soon, but until then, have a relaxing Monday.


Friday, September 2, 2011

Back to School

It's finally here. The time when both of my kids are officially in elementary school full-time. Anson started fourth grade last week and Charlotte's first official day of kindergarten was yesterday. Her entrance was somewhat staggered as she had an "assessment" day on Tuesday (full day), a one-hour open house on Wednesday to meet her teacher, and then Thursday was her first real day.

To Charlotte, that meant only one thing...three back to school outfits to choose (not counting the one she wore to walk Anson in on his first day). Anson played it off as no big deal what he wore, but then he stashed his outfit on the shelf in his room and then lay it out on his bed the night before, hat and glasses included. I have to admit, I remember the back-to-school outfit as way more interesting and important than any other aspect of the first day!

I never thought I'd be one of those weepy moms who cry when their babies head off to kindergarten, but as I walked down the hall after dropping Charlotte off, I definitely felt weird. Even though I know Charlotte is very ready, it is a huge milestone. I can remember my first day of kindergarten and how nervous I was. Charlotte was a little nervous, but mostly excited.

And now the photo chronology begins.

Anson's First of Day of Fourth Grade

Note the "I'm too cool to pose for pictures" smile on Anson, hoping no one on the street will see him doing something so embarrassing. Plus, this was the first year he was nervous about going back and not really knowing anyone in his class very well. I think he's growing up!







Charlotte's Assessment Day

I had to ask her to tone the posing down a bit, so this was the best I could get. The morning light reflected off the jewels on her shirt perfectly. I'm just now noticing she wore her bracelet even though I told her she shouldn't because it was too loud and jangly. Nice move.





Charlotte's Kindergarten "Meet the Teacher " Day

This was a very uneventful experience. It was in the afternoon, so by then the clothes she had selected were wrinkly and stained, so she had to go with a last minute backup. Once she saw that she knew no one in her class, she just wanted to leave and have a popsicle.


Charlotte's First Official First Day of Kindergarten (aka the first day of the rest of my life)

Both were up at the crack of dawn. Charlotte wanted to take a shower and wash her hair like a big girl in the morning, and also to make her hair flatter (she is not a fan of her very wavy hair). Then there was a lot of "Is it time yet?" with me responding, "No, we still have an hour and half."




P.S. All clothes and accessories selected and styled by Anson and Charlotte, although Charlotte was mortified to realize that she forgot to tuck her t-shirt in to her jeans so you could "see the sparkles" on the jeans. But by that time I was over taking pictures and told her to get in the car!

Wow, looking at these photos really is bringing a tear to my eye.  Don't tell anyone!