I Do Not Deserve to Blog, but I Will Anyway :)

That's right - I don't deserve to blog!  It has been 5 months since my last post!  That is soooo bad...  But, since my blog only has a few readers and is really only for chronicling my kiddos' lives so they will have evidence that I did, in fact,  attend every one of their 4,999 sporting events,  I will continue to blog, albeit haphazardly :)
Here we go...
February:
Lauren does indeed wear her new headgear and is back on the field in a week. 

And, yes, she did head the ball a few times during the game - this first one had me holding my breath, but all was, and is still, well with her head.

Her team went to the second round of playoffs but faced the eventual Valley Champion and took a beating at 4-0 :(  But they were in such good spirits after the game and were proud of their 'rebuilding' season.  

 Here she is with the two girls who were freshmen on Varsity with her last year. This has now become an annual after-season picture.  Take a look at her scar - not too bad!!

March:
Jake was given the award for COMPASSION.  Every time he receives an award I believe it is a perfect one for him, but this one is truly fitting.  He is kind to new students not because he is told to be, but because he doesn't want them to feel left out.  When given the opportunity to pick a team, he always chooses students that he knows aren't ever picked first just so they will feel good.  He tells me these things on our drives home :)   Joey and I marvel at the truly sweet heart and selfless personality he has that's all wrapped up in a competitive little guy who loves football.  He cares about animals and plants and babies and follows rules mostly because if he doesn't then it would cause his teacher to have a bad day.  He always asks how Lauren's soccer games went if he didn't attend and is genuinely excited for her wins and sad for her losses. And when someone is speaking to him he is an active listener! If ever a child could be an inspiration to their parents, it is Jake in this area of compassion.  He says his future goals are these:  to be either an NFL player or a pastor.  I think he would be an AMAZING pastor or counselor of some sort.  We will see!

 AND... he received over a 4.0 all 4 quarters of the school year.  He is a VERY hard worker when he sets his mind to something and he immediately reminded me that he got to pick any Legos he wanted after accomplishing that feat.  He is compassionate, brilliant, and a Lego maniac!!

In April we headed to Washington DC and New York City for Spring Break.  It was Fabulous!  My kids are perfect travelers.  Sophie carries her own suitcase and Jake entertains her on the plane!  I have hundreds and hundreds of pictures from that trip so that will be a post all on its own.  Coming soon!!!


In late April, Lauren attended Frontier's Prom.  We found a great dress at Bloomingdale's in New York and AMAZING pink shoes on Zappos - my very favorite online store!  Free overnight shipping and free returns so we took advantage of that and ordered about 10 pairs until we found THE ONES!

 Lauren had an important soccer game that day - 2 hours away and it started at 2pm.  How unlucky is that???  But her daddy hightailed her home and she was in the shower at 6, did her own hair and make-up with a little help from Mom, and was out the door at 6:50!  WOW!!

 THE SHOES!

 THE DATE!

On May 28th, Sophie turned 5!  Yikes - my baby is starting school in the Fall and I am soooooo sad :(

  She said all she wanted was a sign and purple cupcakes.  So, that is what she got - along with an awesome pink princess motorcycle! 

 Jake and his look-alike cousin, Sienna, enjoying the party.  This year was just family- maybe next year we will do a big shindig...  My poor 3rd child :)

A week later, Sienna graduated from 8th grade.  I really wish they weren't growing up!

I'll leave you with all that for now, but I promise to be back soon with DC and New York pics as well as the story of Lauren's BROKEN NOSE!!  Yep, she did it again. Soccer game + collision = emergency room and surgery after finals.  I've got some sufficiently gory pics to share.  Be scared.  Be very scared. :)