Starshine's Weekend

This year in school, Starshine has to track the minutes she reads everyday on a calendar. The goal for this month was 180 minutes, which, because they didn't send it home until halfway through September, works out to about 15 minutes a day. So, I had to take a picture after the first week of keeping track because she is already at 531 minutes! OK, it's really only 400-some minutes, because Thursday was double minute day, (which I think she took as a personal challenge), but seriously - she is such a fabulous reader. No joke - unprodded by us, she read for 173 minutes on Saturday afternoon between her soccer game and having a friend over that evening. I wish I was 8 again and had 173 minutes to read in an afternoon...

Today she couldn't read nearly as much because she's in charge of the "Art to Wear" Try-it badge for girl scouts tomorrow. After a lot of shopping and organizing, she had to practice one of the activities - face painting. Guess who was super excited to volunteer as her model?

Super Face Painting

Friday night we went to the Back to School Dance at the girls' school. Luckily we spotted the face painter early in the evening, because the line was super long later. But boy was she talented...

It also gave me the opportunity to ask what supplies Starshine would need for her upcoming Girl Scout "Art to Wear" try-it badge where, for one of the activities, the girls will try face painting. I'm pretty sure we'll go for something a little easier...

Soccer Update

Both of the girls are enjoying soccer this fall. Jr. Princess is particularly happy because Dad is coaching her team for the first time. Here he is setting up for her first goal kick. She has already scored her first goal this season, and loves that she is one of the big, fast kids this year in the 4/K league.

Starshine is finally in an all girls league. Last year it seemed like the 2nd grade boys were so much bigger and faster than the second grade girls that the girls barely got to play, so this year is lots of fun. Here she is dribbling down field.

I missed most of her games last year because I had to take Jr. Princess to hers while M&M Dad coached Starshine, so it's really fun to see how much better this age group is.

Wolf Pride x3

The girls' school hands out Wolf Pride certificates to reward kids for making good choices. They then have weekly prize drawings, which Starshine is totally annoyed that she has never won.

After 2 weeks, Jr. Princess has already earned 3! (She says the other one is still in her desk.) So far she has earned them for:

1. Being quiet walking through the hallway

2.Reading to another child in class

and my personal favorite...

3. Not punching kids in line!

Me: Were other kids punching in line???

Jr. Princess: yes, lots of kids were punching

Wow, really?? Anyway, we're very proud of our big girl.

Probably not the way his Dad taught him...

M&M Dad was the cutest tonight...

This year in soccer, Starshine's age group has to learn about being offsides. The last practice was a bit confusing, so I suggested she ask her Dad to try and explain it better. So, truly adapting to the fact that he has daughters, here he is demonstrating the concept using a smattering of Polly Pockets and Barbies. I'm pretty sure this is not how Grandpa M explained it to him :)!



Don't you love how he used a marker to draw the field lines on the vinyl tablecloth?

First Day of School

Tuesday was Jr. Princess's first day of Kindergarten! She has been counting down the days (literally) for a long time, so she was up with a spring in her step and a smile on her face. In celebration, we are updating the blog picture because the original picture was one of Starshine's first day's of school. (yeah, yeah, I need to update the header, too, but I'm way too busy with our disaster of a water leak this past weekend. Maybe next week...)

After a cold, wet and windy wait for the bus, she ran off without even looking back, just like her big sister 3 years ago.

When I picked her up from afterschool care, she was mad at me for picking her up so early, but then chatted on and on about all the great stuff at school. We're very proud of our big girl.

It's hard to believe I don't have any babies anymore - sniffle, sniffle.

Oh, and Starshine had an awesome first day,too! She lucked out and has her two best friends in her class and the teacher she was hoping for.

Starshine's 8!

Friday was Starshine's 8th birthday! She is loving her new clothes, Barbies and nail polish. She picked Red Robin for dinner, and she and M&M Dad were both able to use their birthday coupons for a delicious free dinner with birthday sundae. Too bad our waitress was a little frazzled, because I had to remind her about the sundaes, and they didn't come and sing (M&M Dad was glad). We let her stay up until 9 to play with her new Barbie's - shhhh, don't tell Jr. Princess.

This year, Starshine decided instead of a birthday party, she wanted a special day like when she was young. Here is what she picked:

1. For breakfast, pink pancakes with yogurt, whipped cream, blueberries, and cherries.

2. Our morning activity was some bowling!

3. Here she is by her second game score where she got a 101 - her best ever!

4. Doesn't her hair look fabulous?? She always complains about her not curly, but not straight hair that occasionally has wackadoodle curls in weird places (Sorry Sweetie, you totally get that from me). So this morning I straightened her hair. I may have created a monster, because she already is talking about doing it on other days.

5. After a quick lunch, the afternoon activity was a family trip to the movies to see "Ramona and Beezus" which was super cute.

6. Dinner was spaghetti and meatballs.
7. And finally, dessert was ice cream sundaes.

We had a super fun day. Happy Birthday Starshine!

Oh, and by the way, the biggest news of turning eight was - no more carseats!!!!!! Not only is Starshine thrilled, but Jr. Princess immediately went out to throw away her "baby seat" (it's a booster, also can be a baby and toddler seat) and now she can just use Starshine's backless boosters. A win-win for everyone!

More of Auntie and Uncle Visiting

Since the campers came back a day early, there was plenty of leftover camping-themed food to be eaten. No problem... we made pudgy pies in the driveway Friday night! It was just as delicious, and when we were flaming hot from the sun and humidity - a nice air conditioned house to return to... aaaghhh...


We also got to introduce Auntie and Uncle to our newest family fun - geocaching! Here they are making some fun finds with us...

This cache was particularly tough, and we almost were done in by 1000 thorns and mosquito bites, but we found it. Good thing we brought Uncle because I never would have reached it... (see hole in tree above his head)

(Note to self - by more OFF when visiting G&G L in a few weeks!)

We also celebrated M&M Dad's birthday this weekend by, of course, making him his favorite homemade pizza. Yeah - 6 more months of being the same age so he can't make wise cracks :). Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Thanks for the fun visit Auntie and Uncle!

Camping with Auntie and Uncle

This week, Auntie and Uncle came up to do some camping nearby with the girls while M&M Dad and I went to work.

It started out a little rough when I had to quick rush Starshine to the Target Clinic for a strep test. The quick test said no, so we bought some ibuprofin for the low fever and sore throat and went to drop off Jr. Princess. Starshine felt better when we got there (yeah medicine) and decided to stay, too. She was quite the trooper, because we found out 2 days later when the culture test was complete that she DID have strep.

From all accounts, they had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures I stole from Auntie's camera.

Hiking...

Smores...

Swimming...

Pancake shaking...

Super fun. Too bad the forecast for the second night was for massive storms, so they came back early.

Starshine makes me smile

The other day I went to get something from my purse and found the following amusing post-it note...

I came here and stole 100 hundred dollars from you P.S. you will never find me!

Super funny!