More Soccer!

Emily's entire entourage came out to see her play soccer and I was able to get some cute pictures of her and Abby on the field. Unfortunately, she decided that she had soccer-induced stage fright not long after these pictures were taken, so these might be the last! We'll see if we can work on her confidence over the summer. Also, to further my campaign for mother of the year and encourage her to be more of a team player, I told her that I would take her fancy soccer clothing and purple ball to the Goodwill for some other little girl to use if she didn't get back out on the field. Stay tuned to see if my parenting techniques pay off.

Sassy!

Goal!


A little pre-game workout with Abby

See, she looks happy! It stands to reason that we would think she enjoys this.

Running with her tongue out...another reason to love our daughter!

Taking a rest

Future soccer player

Love this!

Running the field with Daddy

Looking for some moral support

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I love to look through Emily's school bag each day to see what kinds of neat work she's done. I asked her this month about the meaning behind the construction paper chicken that was apparently stuffed with candy. She (kind of indignantly) explained to me that it was a pinata for Cinco de Mayo. She proceeded to insist that we blindfold her and break the pinata in the entryway hallway. I have no shortage of scarves to serve as a blindfold, but the only thing we could find that was suitable for whacking a pinata (that wouldn't be long enough to bust out some windows) was....a potato masher. No injuries were incurred and no animals were harmed during the breaking of the chicken pinata.

It's a pinata. Really.

A broom handle just seemed like a dangerously bad idea. She didn't seem to mind the potato masher.

Action shot!

Fortunately for her, her only-child status guarantees that she didn't have to scramble to get any candy. Well, that coupled with the fact that I don't like Now and Laters.

Happy Mother's Day!

What a wonderful day - yummy bunch with family at Uncorked, flower shopping with my husband and little girl, and more yummy supper with more family in the evening. Who could ask for anything more? Emily was so funny at the Veggie Patch while we picked out some flowers for the front porch. She likes to go around and pick up all the fallen blooms and save them. She gathered them all up and put them in her purse. After we got home, she found a vase and arranged the flowers in it, then put it on my nightstand. She said it was another Mother's Day gift for me. So sweet!

Cotton Pickin' Fair

To cap off a very busy weekend, we slathered on the sunblock and headed off with friends to the Cotton Pickin' Fair. Although we alternately roasted or got buried in windy sandstorms, we had a great time. Emily called the spider jump "fantastic fun" and sampled just about every good item that they offered. I think I can say the same for the rest of us, as well. I need to go back to work to get a little rest after this weekend! Corn dogs at a Fair are my favorite. Apparently, it's genetic.
Kicking back in her cool ride

Spider jump!

Finishing off the remains of the cotton candy in the car.

She loves to take pictures, too!

Mommy's girl - she loves a hat!

Turkey Legs and Fairy Dust

After soccer, we headed over to the Farr House to pick up Abby and took both girls to the Renaissance Festival. Donald and I haven't been in years and the girls were excited to try their hand at jousting. We had a great time chowing down on turkey legs and taking in the sights of the Renn Fest. The people watching was supreme and both girls came away with some great prizes. Fortunately, the rain held off and it was nice and cool. We even got to see the King and Queen! First stop - turkey legs!
Everything comes in purple.

Two little imps

Going for a ride

Little Mona Lisa - her head didn't get stuck in this one!

Abby as a brunette

Lovely Abby with her new parasol

They STILL make these things! I should get a new one.

Abby and her handsome knight.

Both the girls love the animals

So eager.

Emily liked the quiet puppy the best.

Just a swingin' - she had to let Abby go first to see what it was all about!

Brave Abby

Getting a hug from Mother Goose

Soccer - Second Attempt

The second attempt at soccer worked out much better. Rain threatened, but never materialized and Emily had a great time running drills with the other members of her team. Coach Mike and his assistants did a great job at keeping the kids engaged and active for an hour. After a quick coffee stop (we had to be at the field so early that I didn't get enough caffeine!) we ran by the Farr House to pick up Abby for an afternoon of fun. Great way to start the weekend!

Love this picture. Looks like she just pulled off a great header!

Dribbling with Daddy. It's funny to me that she's been able to dribble forever.

Doing some warmups with Coach Joy

Taking a little break

My favorite picture. So much happy on her face!

Love the cool Dora water bottle. What don't they put her face on?

Soccer - First Attempt

Emily arrived for her first soccer game with the largest entourage of any other muppet on the field - Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Papa, Abby, and Granddaddy all came out to support her. Unfortunately, she only had about five minutes of playing time before the bottom absolutely fell out - frog choker, gully washer, pine knot floater....whatever you want to call it. It was the coldest rain that I've ever felt! We ruined two umbrellas and nearly drowned trying to get all of us back to the car. I was able to snap one picture of her before we left the house and then another soggy one when we returned home. She was a really good sport about the whole thing and is excited to strap on her boots and head out to the pitch again. Check me out with the cool soccer lingo! You'd never guess that 12 years after marrying Donald I still can't tell when the players are off sides. What does that really mean, anyway?

Classic soccer pose with her cool purple ball

A little soggy, but happy
Love the socks and shoes!

Bathing Beauty

Emily and Abby are going to take swimming lessons this summer together - well, different classes but with the same teacher. She asked that we purchase the girls swim goggles and bathing caps. Emily was excited to discover that goggles come in her signature color. She wasted no time trying them on and wearing them around the house. The swim cap has me a little worried....how will we ever cram all of that hair underneath that little bitty cap? Also, I'm struggling with the urge to glue sequins and flowers all over it, like a 1940s bathing queen. You know how handy I am with a hot glue gun!