Glen Oaks 5th Grade Musical

This year, the fifth graders at Glen Oaks Elementary put on a musical tribute to Broadway. Lily got to not only be a dancer in the show, but also choreographed her groups number. It was fantastic!

  Lily all ready for her debut on Broadway...

 I love my little Superstar!

 Besties Sofie and Sophie (we call them Sofie-squared) waiting "patiently" for the show to start.

Lily and Brylee after the show! Bravo!!

Halloween 2012

Wait a minute! I just realized I forgot to post pics of Halloween this year! Back up the truck!!! Let's revisit...

My Genie



My Goth Princess trying to look depressed

Party Time! Kinley, Gracie, Molly, Sofie, and Lily at The Recks' House

Jack aka The Phantom is ready to pass out candy

Lily, Kinley and Molly enjoying chili dogs...a Halloween tradition

Gracie and Sofie...too cute for words

Gretchen decided to get in on the fun. Which of these things is not like the other?

Ready to hit the pavement! Trick or Treat!

Jack watching his sisters go through their candy...

scamming on the best ones for himself. Ha!



McKinney Fall Classic Soccer Tournament 2012

The Ladybugs had a rebuilding season this fall. Three players were new to the team, and they had a larger field with actual goalies for the first time. They tried very hard, but ended up being 5th in their division. But it seems they were just late bloomers, because this past weekend, the Ladybugs won 2nd place in the McKinney Fall Classic Soccer Tournament. Being underdogs, they defeated some of the best teams in the league and had a ton of fun while they did it! Ladybug style!!

Sofie's friend, Kaitlyn Chavis, joined us as an honorary Ladybug for the tournament. Bug had fun playing with her buddy from camp. Sofie told me, "Mommy, the girl who rode in the canoe with me at Camp His Way is going to play with us this weekend." Needless to say, they are now buddies and are excited to be playing basketball on the same Upward team this winter.

These girls won all three games in their bracket and were so excited to be heading to the semi-finals. 

The Ladybug trademark...Tough competitors, but very silly!

One of the things that I love most about this team.

Here, the Ladybugs were warming up before the Semi-final. Sofie loved playing under the bright lights. I had to miss this game because I was selling tickets for Legally Blonde. She totally faked me out and texted that they lost the game. In fact, she and her ornery daddy made it sound as though she had kicked the winning goal for the opposite team accidentally.

When I got home, she announced they had won! She just wanted to trick me and see my face in person when I heard they were heading to the finals.

And for the championship game, I made sure to wear my "Bug's Mom" shirt. I wanted everyone to know that number 7 was my Ladybug!

As sweet as they are tough and all smiles before the championship!

More smiles...





Game faces before the final...time to get serious.

Go Ladybugs!

The Ladybugs played hard, but lost 3-2 to the Diamonds, who incidentally have been undefeated for 20 games. Some Moms on their team told me that the Ladybugs were their toughest competitors all year. So proud of these girls.

One other change this season was that only the top three teams in each division won a trophy. Since the Ladybugs finished in fifth place, they did not receive one, and Sofie was a little bummed. What I love most about this weekend is that she earned this trophy with hard work and determination, and that her dream came true.

Trophies in hand...Go Ladybugs!

 Look at that smile! One for the record books.
We are so proud of our Little Bug!









Lily Goes To Sky Ranch

Each year, the Glen Oaks fifth graders take an outdoor education field trip to Sky Ranch. It is something that Lily has been looking forward to all year. Before she left, she and I decided we need a little mother/daughter bonding time at Starbucks. Of course!

 She was especially excited to get to bunk with her best friend at school, Brylee Lackey. They have been besties since first grade. We call them Laverne and Shirley.

We said our good-byes...

and Brylee and Lily waited for the buses to pull out of the parking lot.

And while I knew Lily was having a great time, and I was glad she got to go on her big adventure, I sure missed this smile while she was away. As Sofie pointed out, it was just way to quiet without Lily.



I was so excited to see her when the buses arrived on Friday! She baked muffins and talked a mile a minute about her time at Sky Ranch, and I took in every word. Her best memory was going on the zip line at night! I guess it's fair to say, she got her adventure.

Boyd High Broadway Broncos Presents: Legally Blonde, The Musical


Jack was so excited to be selected to be in the Ensemble for Legally Blond at Boyd High School. It was a fantastic opportunity for him to get acquainted with the theater program at his new school. The Boyd Broadway Broncos are am amazing group of young actors, and it was a great accomplishment for Jack to be selected as a Freshman. He has an exciting 4 years ahead of him. We are so proud of Jack and we are looking forward to seeing him on that stage again next year!  One day, Kid, you're gonna be a star!

Sofie's Third Grade Field Trip To The Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Sofie talked for weeks ahead of her field trip to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. I confess, I was a bit surprised how excited she was about going. I mean, she isn't exactly the sit and listen type of girl. But, over the past few months, she has fallen in love with music, and has a budding curiosity and interest in composers. Lately, she has been asking me all about my time in Vienna, Austria...city of composers. She is intrigued by Mozart and Beethoven and she thinks it is awesome that I have seen their homes. Certainly, she is a complex Little Bug. Sport and sensitive all in one package.

 To make her day extra special, we went shopping for a new outfit. She picked it out (with a little help from me and her big sister). I know I am biased, but I think she looked beautiful! How I love that sweet smile!!

My next door neighbor went as a chaperone and sent me this lovely picture of The Myerson Center. Fancy!

And when the music was over, my neighbor sent me this picture. (It pays to have contacts!) Look at that face! She said it was everything she had dreamed about and wants to go back again.  That sounds like a plan!