Soccer Girl

Our youngest has really enjoyed being back in soccer this fall.  She has a strong team, and they had a great season.  She even scored a goal in the final tournament, taking her team into the championships. 

Season end-pictures wouldn't be complete without a few crazy poses...

Celebration time afterwards with frozen yogurt!

School Lunch

I don't get invited much any more to join our little one for lunch at school, so when she asks, I go.  The most recent occasion was shortly after school started, and we weren't sure of the arrival time -- I ended up being 15 minutes late!!  Two months later, I was happy to receive another invite, only this time, she left a note on my purse:

I successfully made it on time, and she was happy.  It was a special Thanksgiving lunch, their best meal of the year.  For only $3, I received a full plate of the best southern fixings around!  Here's my sweet girl and her friends....

New Business

I came home from work one afternoon and saw this in the driveway....

When I inquired what they were up to, the boys said they found these boxes next to a dumpster outside the local bowling alley.  They took the opportunity to salvage them and sell as target practice for $10 a piece, or $50 per box as a volume discount.  

So far, they've made $10 through online platforms and word of mouth.  Luckily, they are storing these at the friend's house.  Gotta applaud them for trying!

Halloween

My daughter took my costume this year and became a detective.  Some called her "Inspector Gadget", which was still appropriate.  Her friend dressed up as a robber to make the duo complete.

Since I had to find a new costume, I used an old skirt we made in Girl Scouts and found some other items to become a pioneer.  The outfit transitioned nicely once I got home and made our traditional pumpkin pancakes for dinner on Halloween.

Here's the group photo of us at work...
 

Field Trip

Our little one had the best school field trip ever!  The students went to Jekyll Island, Georgia for three days.

Bus left at 5am on Monday morning with the days packed until 10pm at night.  

They learned about marine animals and glowing algae.

They walked through the marsh and saw how many animals thrive in that environment.

They also dissected a shark.

Nighttime was also fun.  The chaperones didn't get much sleep, but the students slept really well.

I couldn't go on this one, which is why it may have the best ever.  In my defense, though, I slept really good in my own bed each night.

God Daughter

I am so proud of my godchild, a sweet girl of a close family friend.  She asked me to be her confirmation sponsor, and I was beyond thrilled!

The sponsor and candidate had several months of preparation, which included meetings, a booklet we completed together, and a retreat.  The retreat was a six-mile pilgrimage and picnic lunch.

For the big day, she looked beautiful.  Her dad and grandmother came to watch.

As a gift, she wanted more than anything to go flying.  It took a little assurance that she would be okay, but her parents approved.  

She loved it!  I was excited to watch her take off and enjoyed seeing her big smile.
 

While we waited for them to get back, my little one was still young enough to enjoy the playground.  She's on the top of the monkey bars.

Afterwards, we got a picture with the tail number showing a successful flight.

21st Birthday

Ashlyn came home the weekend before her birthday since it was fall break at USC.  We enjoyed early birthday pictures with her before she headed back to school.

We didn't celebrate much, because she's always on a strict time table to get back.  The church festival would have to do for her family party.

Back at school, however, her friends took her out to celebrate. 

Now that she's at the legal drinking age, she ordered a margarita.  

Not a fan, apparently.  My guess, though, is that it didn't go to waste with plenty of willing guests at the table.