Summer's end

Well, the summer flew by and it is going to go even faster here in this post. It is already past Labor Day...told you it would go by quickly.

When we last left our intrepid heroes...just kidding. The rest of the summer was pretty much going to schoolto get ready for the coming year, Alabama Adventure and hanging out. Vacation Bible school was great and the kids (and adults) had a BLAST. The theme was Galatic Blast, hence having a blast. Danica turned 4. She tells everyone that she had 2 birthdays. What she really means is that she had a birthday party at my mom's (see a previous post) and we celebrated here too. She didn't hava a party, but we did go to the mall and ultimately to Build-a-Bear. She loves that place, not that we need any more stuffed animals aroung here. She opened presents here at home and had a "Dolphin Cake". We were going to take the remainder of the cake to VBS, but she cut, or should I say gouged, herself a piece and it was not a pretty sight. My birthday came and went. Richard got me the 4 Twilight books for my birthday and we went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. YUMMM! I forced myself to read through the first three books before I read Breaking Dawn (the only one I didn't read before). I have now read each one at least 3 times, maybe more. Anyway, Troy and I went to see Eclipse on the 20th, he loved the action scenes, but romance is not his thing. The past few years have been "Harry Potter" birthdays for me, this year...Twilight.
My best friend, Lisa, came down at the end of July. We shopped, went bowling, went to Alabama Adventure (of course) and took the kids to McWane Science Center. We also went to the Cheesecake Factory, which, I have to say, is my new favorite place to go (not that I've been since). I guess I'll call it my new Joe's Crab Shack or Konomi, places I love but don't go very often. Dancia and Troy loved spending time with "Aunt" Lisa. Danica fell in love with her I-Phone and we got my I-Pod set up to download apps. Now she can play with it when she wnats, but wants to fear it. I have an old one that doesn't have speakers. Troy was a little more distance, but enjoyed every minute of Lisa's visit. He loves playing games and we played a few while she was here. I just enjoyed the conversation. That is one thing that I miss about being down here...talking to Lisa until all hours of the night.

School has started, and we've been going for almost a full month. Troy loves his teacher, Mrs. Murphy. He is still in RLC (gifted) and is looking forward to a 4 day trip to Dauphin Island and the science lab there. I get to accompany him (and get out of my own class for a week :-) ) He is also part of Science Olympiad. This is a group of selected students who compete around the county and state in science related fields. He is one of a hand-full of 4th graders who were selected based on their results of a test. It is big honor, and he is thrilled. Danica started in the Pre-school program at Hueytown. She loves it and is excited every morning (except when Daddy yells at her). She is learning so quickly now, it is amazing! She is one smart cookie.

Both kids are playing soccer. Try-outs were a few weeks ago and Danica actually did very well. She followed directions and had good ball control (albeit a little bit slow). Troy did better dribbling under pressure than when he was more relaxed. He also did great in the scrimmage game. Practice starts tomorrow for both kids. I made the mistake of saying that I'd "help out in any way they needed me", therefore, I am now "Coach Lorra" for Danica's team. I am excited and can't wait to work with the little ones. Posts will probably be monthly or whenever I get on the computer. I have no time at school (which is a bit of a nightmare right now), and time at home is at a premium. We'll see what happens and I hope that you keep checking back. I may even put pictures up eventually.

signing off----Lorra