Another game, another win!

It was a gorgeous evening for a soccer game.  The girls won 12-0 against Williams.  We were super excited to have Mrs. Charissa, Catherine, Papa Mike and Nana Carol come support C!!

 

Science Fun with Mags

 

Maggie saw this really neat science experiment for kids that she wanted to try.  So she gathered everything she needed and we went outside.  You get a ziploc bag full of water and very sharp colored pencils.  You carefully and gently poke a hole in the bag with the pencils.  She was amazed that the bag didn't leak.  She was super excited and proud of her experiment.  However, as soon as she removed the pencils...the water started pouring out!!  Fun little experiment.  

Weight update...not fun!

 March 2020 while stuck at home due to COVID-19, I began to get my health under control...I'm not sure if it was the stress of directing a preschool during a pandemic, teaching my kids through virtual learning or Caroline's PE class but for once weight loss was proving successful!  I was the heaviest I had ever been at 207.  My lowest weigh was 180 but I managed to maintain around 185 give or take a pound here or there.  I maintained 185 until January 2022.  I am honestly not sure what is to blame...starting anxiety meds, the unhealthy eating from the holidays or the fact that I didn't buy a battery to replace the dead one in my scales.  I knew my clothes were fitting differently and I knew it was time to buy the special battery.  I was SHOCKED when the scales read that I was back at 198!  I was extremely upset with myself...that was Tuesday.  Since them, I have been extremely conscious of what I am eating and how much I am moving. I am determined to get back to 185 and maybe even get lower as I had originally planned to do. 

So today while the girls played at the park with friends, I walked the track at the Y.  We only had about 30 minutes but I walked 1.25 miles.  It's a start!  A start that I am looking forward to continuing! 

Saturday Morning Soccer

It was a gorgeous morning for soccer pictures and a game of soccer!!  Maggie started as goalie!  She did great.  She allowed one goal while she stopped another!  We are all so proud of her trying something new...

 After the game, we headed to the park.  A few kids from her soccer team were there.  She had fun playing with them as well as Caroline and her friend McKenzie.

Into the Woods

 

Early this morning my friend Jill mentioned the play happening tonight at one of the local high schools.  I didn't think much about it because we were playing to take the girls out to dinner to celebrate their many accomplishments recently with awards and grades.  Well sadly Mrs. Susan fell and Andy ended up at the ER with her.  He wasn't going to be home until late.  At 6:29, while working on dinner, I remembered the play.  I asked Caroline if she wanted to go and of course the answer was yes!  So she ran to get Maggie from a neighbors house.  We immediately changed clothes and Caroline packaged our dinner.  We jumped into the van, meals in hand.  We made it to the performance with 5 minutes to spare.  We found Jill and Nori and sat down.  It was a cute play.  The girls loved it.  Jill and I had a little too much fun and may have embarrassed our kids.  Our favorite line of the night, which we couldn't stop laughing about, was "Milky White is DEAD!"  The end...we laughed until we cried.  

The Lion King Live

 In November, Caroline and I purchased ticket to see "The Lion King" with her drama class.  Today was the day we finally got to go.  I arrived at school and realized that I was one of only three chaperones...I wondered if something happened to the others.  I overheard her teacher ask another child "did you tell your mom to pull up to the side of the building by the bus since she is driving?"  I look at Caroline and say "You didn't tell me I had the option to drive to the trip."  Her response "Ok yeah, you could have driven but I thought you would want to ride the bus with us."  Me: OOOKKKAAAYYY that is exactly what I want to do.  So we load the activity bus which I am praying has AC because it is hot and raining outside...we wait on a warm, humid bus sandwiched like sardines...does she want to sit with me...of course not! :-)  SO here I am riding with a lady that I don't know...two grown ladies make for a full seat!

An hour after leaving school we arrive at Chick Fil A for lunch.  I was impressed they managed to get 50 people served in record time.  Guess what, once again, said kid looked horrified that her mother sits beside her at lunch.  I quickly realize I am to get my food out of the bag and find another spot...with the other moms.  Back to the bus we go.  We are to exit the bus in order that we plan to sit in the theater.  I go first, she is supposed to follow...does she? NOPE!  So once again, I sit through the play between a teenager I don't know and two little girls who obviously have never been to a live performance because they don't realize they aren't supposed to talk!  I have to remind them several times to SHUSH!

The play was amazing...absolutely breathtaking!  The talent on the stage was unbelievable.  I wish I could have taken pictures because the costumes were fantastic.  The giraffes were my favorite part.  I sat there in compete awe.  Such a gift to see my first 'off Broadway' performance!  I was also thankful to snag this picture in front of the center with the logo in the back.

On the bus ride home, it got hot, I got nauseated and the lady beside me attempted to use me as her support while she slept.  I immediately felt claustrophobic.  I tried to read but it didn't help!  I borrowed a hair tie from Caroline and handed her my raincoat and purse to cool down.  It helped.  I asked several family members to pray for me because I wasn't sure I would make it home without throwing up.  But y'all the Lord was gracious and we finally made it home.  As soon as I got fresh air, I was a new woman.  

I know if you have read this till the end, you most likely think all I did was complain...and maybe I did but I am so thankful I got to go on this trip.  While Caroline didn't 'need' me as much as I needed her, it was a gift to see her enjoy her friends!  I am proud of the young lady she is becoming.  I'm thankful that she didn't say "stay home, I don't want you on the trip."   Our little girl is growing up.  I know this is the way it is supposed to be but today was a real eye opener for me...I know there will be more days like this in the future...but for now, I will not think about the bad, I will think about the amazing performance and the gift it was to be there!

  

Professional Soccer Pictures Captured

Our district is extremely blessed to have an awesome district photographer who attends countless events every day in our district.  This past Monday night he was at Caroline's soccer game.  I LOVE the images he captured of our girl!!  

 

Maggie's Soccer Night

 Maggie's coach told her to stay in this spot to defend the goal.  Y'all this kid took him literally and didn't move an inch...even if the ball came in her area, if it required her to move from the spot her coach put her, she wasn't gonna do it!!  She's a hoot!!

Monday Night Soccer Game

Our girl had a great game!  It seems to take her a little while to feel comfortable with getting aggressive to actually get in on the action.  Once she warms up, she is ready to take on anyone!!  We remain undefeated with a 7-0 win!

 

Cheraw State Park

We were scheduled to camp this weekend with our friends Rhett and Farrah and Meredith and Jeff.  However, Caroline's soccer game got rescheduled and we were unable to do so.  Cheraw State Park was close to where the game was being played.  We've always wanted to camp at Cheraw State Park but never been able to score a site.  We began looking last Friday when we found out the game was rescheduled. We checked multiple times a day and never saw any availability.  Tuesday right before my carline at work, I checked and there was a site.  I only had 1 minute till I had to leave my office so I called Andy quickly and asked him to reserve it.  Thankfully he secured it!!

This site was AMAZING!!!  It was on the curve of the lake and therefore when we looked out our camper door, we looked directly onto the lake!  GORGEOUS!!!!  Now I'm spoiled to this amazing view and I only want to reserve #9!!!

Sunset Friday night after the soccer game!

View from our picnic table!

Saturday morning I got up and sat outside with my book.  I sat outside until 9:32 before anybody else in the camper woke up, including Maggie!  I don't think that child has EVER slept that late in her entire life!!!

After breakfast/lunch, we went to the camp store to sign out fishing rods.  We had to actually go into town to buy bait, which of course only took cash and I left my wallet at the camper.  So we went to the CVS to buy Maggie some cough syrup and got some cash back to buy the bait. (Don't worry Mom, if you are reading this, we stashed the remaining cash in a secret hiding spot in Andy's truck so this doesn't happen again!)  Once we got back to the camper, the girls attempted to fish but it was too windy.  The only thing we caught was the tree, congratulations to Caroline!

Sadly the water activities weren't open yet...they don't open until April.  So we hung out at the campsite after attempting to fish.  Caroline wanted to go for a bike ride to the other side of the lake.  It was a great workout, let me tell you...especially when riding against the wind!  How in the world she managed to drive her bike and hold Charlie in one hand I will never know!

We typically take our propane fire pit.  This time, because I was trying to think of different things to cook/eat, we decided we would have a real fire.  The only problem was, we couldn't get the fire to start.  The winds were that intense!  Finally after about 15 minutes, we got it going.   We enjoyed a yummy dinner of Hillshire sausage, carrots, onions and potatoes.  For dessert we make apple crumb pie foil packs with whipped cream on top.  Delicious!!!!!

This little girl was our neighbor.  She just happened to be Maggie's age.  They played ALL day Saturday together.  They had the most fun!!  It was a gift to both families!

Another beautiful sunset captured, thanks to Caroline!

Sunday morning, we got up early to head home in time for church.  This was the beautiful moon reflection on the water as we were gathering items together outside.  SO peaceful and calm!

We are already looking forward to booking a weekend here again...just want to make sure that the water amenities are open!
 

Game #4

Tonight our girls learned a hard lesson in poor sportsmanship.  So very thankful that they didn't let the apposing team get in their head...they represented our school and school district well.  We are so proud of them!  They remain undefeated with an 11-0 win!

 

2022 SCEA Art Contest Winner

We woke up this morning to a text from one of Caroline's friend Amelia congratulating her on winning the 2022 South Carolina Education Association's Annual Art Contest.  What a huge honor!!!  Caroline won first place in the ENTIRE state!!!  We are so proud of her work and how far she has come this year!!