Back in Session

First day back to school. 

Noah came home and declared, 

"I do not like kindergarten, I LOVE kindergarten!" 

And, after Carlie complained all summer that she didn't want to leave 2nd grade, 

she had a "Great!" first day in 3rd grade. 

So, we're off to a wonderful beginning. 

Drop Off Day

Today was supply drop off day at school. 

We got to see where their desks will be as well as talk to their teachers. 

Both Carlie and Noah are very excited. 

Ready for Kindergarten

Noah and Mrs. Kuntz

Carlie and Sophia

Carlie and Mrs. Gathman

More pics tomorrow for the First Day of School. 

With the kids in school, Wednesday I should have time 

to post our road trips to KY and MS.

 

Mommy Daughter Day

Saturday, Carlie and I had another MDD. This time, I decided to surprise her and take her to the American Girl movie showing at the mall where the new AG store recently opened. I wasn't the only one who made reservations.

Once we got in line, a woman in front of me blurts out, "You're Fred and Jan's daughter!" I thought she looked familiar but didn't expect to see anyone I knew coming from Indiana.

The movie was McKenna. So, there were gymnastics demonstrations going on while everyone waited in line to get into the show. Some of us ended up in the second row where you have to look up the entire movie. I don't know who the idiotic brilliant person is who thought putting seats 8 feet from the giant screen was a good idea.

After the movie we walked over to the store. It was crowded. Crowded is not the right word, more like CRAZY MADHOUSE. Ugh! I was getting claustrophobic, and I don't get claustrophobic. Put me in a stadium full of rabid baseball, football, or basketball fans, and I'm great. This was a nightmare. I will never go back on a Saturday.

But, it's not about me. Carlie had a great time! And, her dolls are enjoying their new t-shirts which were the only things I could afford. Maybe next time Mike can take her (or Grammy).

Beautiful Lengths

Carlie has been growing her hair out since last August so she could donate it to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. 

We were initially going to do Locks of Love, but after some research decided to go with the Pantene program because they give the wigs for free rather than charging people based on income. And, you only have to have 8 inches for Pantene instead of 10 inches for LoL, and Carlie was really getting anxious to get it cut. 

Anyway, we went to the salon down the street, and the gal gave her a cute little bob.

London, Baby!

Just three more days till the Games begin, and I am so excited! Competition in Women's (or should I say, Justin Bieber-loving girls) Gymnastics begins at Zero Dark Thirty Sunday morning London time. I digress, but that is the one thing that completely stinks about these Games being in London. NOTHING will be shown Live.

So, unless you're a loser like me who will watch the live stream online, you will already know the outcome when NBC airs the good stuff in the evening. Anyway, back to gymnastics...

Photo courtesy USA Gymnastics © John Cheng / Brian Freed

Barring any 2008 Alicia Sacramone-type performances, Team USA should win the gold. I do feel bad for Alicia though. Training four more years for redemption and not making the team has got to be disappointing. I guess now she has more time to devote to Brady Quinn, especially since I doubt he will be the starting QB for anyone this fall.  These little chickadees are pretty awesome, despite the fact that some of them come across like they are wanting to star in the next "Mean Girls" movie.

 And, what is with Kobe running off his mouth? Really, Kobe? You could beat the Dream Team? Really? What are you smoking?

Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/ NBAE/ Getty Images

Michael. Larry. Magic. Sir Charles. (Insert other names here.)
They were the Best. Team. Ever.


Day 1 we have swimming to look forward to with NBC's much-hyped Phelps/Lochte rivalry. I don't know if they can top the edge of your seat excitement in Beijing, but we'll see.

photo from voxxi.com

The Men's Diving Team finally has a guy (David Boudia) with a chance to beat the Chinese.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Last, but not least, I can't forget to mention Mike's favorite Olympic event...

photo from smosh.com

I'm sure he already has the DVR set. Why spend $350 for tickets to "O" at the Bellagio in Vegas? (Did you know more than a dozen performers in "O" were former synchro Olympians?? Check the website, it's there.) Just curl up on the couch with a bucket of Orville Reddenbacher and enjoy the show from your living room. I know Mike will be :-)

CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images

 

POOL TIME!

Once again, it's 100+ degrees outside with no chance of rain in sight. We've been spending A LOT of time at the complex pool.

One thing I have become keenly aware of is the fact that I am the only female sunbather/swimmer over the age of 15 that does not have a tattoo. Yes, even the blue hairs got 'em. We're not talking tiny butterfly at the base of the back tat either. These are full on, wrap around the back to the navel ink jobs with accents on the shoulder, hip, thigh, and ankle. Yowzers!  I have a hard time getting a flu shot, there's no way I could sit through that.  Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Preparing for the Olympic diving competition

Take a picture of me, Mom!

Considering she couldn't even go under at the beginning of summer, this is pretty impressive.

He never actually wears the goggles over his eyes.

It Came! It Came!

 

 I'm a bit excited that my Zumba Exhilarate came today. Now, if my lower back would cooperate and stop hurting, I might get to use it. Forget that. I'll do it anyway. Getting a little tired of carrying around an extra 5 pound bag of sugar on each thigh. The cost is definitely worth it because 

A. I know it works since I used to do it at the Y. 

B. It costs less than one month membership at the Y. 

C. I can at least pretend I'm as talented as the people on So You Think You Can Dance.

KRISTIN'S WEDDING

Since my back is wrecked, I probably need spinal traction and a walking stick, and can't do much of anything right now, I figured I should do a post. Is anyone even still reading this?

Boy, a lot has changed since I last blogged. This new blogger format is pretty confusing, but I am so glad they added the strikethrough feature. You can bet I will be using that. Hope to have a new blog design soon, but I have a hard time making decisions, and the character images are tough to choose from.

Anyway, Kristin, my niece, was married back in April. Gosh, a lot has happened in our lives since then. We actually thought we bought a house back then. Hmmm... how things change. The wedding was in Oxford, MS where my big sis, Becky, calls home. It's very cool, so if you haven't been, just go already.

 

The Inn at Ole Miss

 

My brother and sisters

 

  

Beautiful Bride

This one is my favorite

 

Enjoying time with Cousin Caroline

  

Niece Meredith with her Favorite Aunt

I think Carlie was having fun.

Note to self... when taking photos, always point protruding chin down.

Clearly, I need practice with these blogging updates because I was having issues with the spacing stuff.