Reflections on Martin Luther King Day...

Hula Hoop

The "double-walking-hula hoop" is AJ's new claim to fame. This is her practicing with her friend Gwyneth. She wanted Hula Hoops for Christmas and let me tell you what is really hard to find at Christmastime–hula hoops. Santa had a tough time with that one!

Mad or sad–you decide...

Jack cracks me up everday with stuff like this.

Rehersal

AJ's Girl Scout Troop is auditioning for the school's talent show this week. They may be the only Kindergarten act–so proud! But we had rehearsal on Friday and I thought this was a really cute picture of all the girls practicing their song.

Girl Scouts has been an incredible experience for AJ. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to help their girls to branch out. I am an assistant leader and it has been a lot of work, but it has been SO SO SO worth it. I have been there to see her interacting with the other girls. She has really gained so much confidence these last few months. Those of you who knew her as a timid, shy little girl would hardly recognize her anymore. It's awesome. (I've done shy–and it sucks!!!)

State Champs–Lake Travis Cavaliers

Our High School won state! For those of you who are not aware, football is VERY serious business in Texas. So you can not imagine the hysteria caused by this win. Everyone is so excited.

It is fun for the kids because the elementary schools are totally involved. They have "Cav Pride Days" where they all wear red and black (we even "had" to buy some red shoes so AJ would match) and every Friday during the football season they had the cheerleaders, band, or football players come to their assembly.

So Saturday there was a celebratory parade held in the football team's honor which everyone went to. It was a gorgeous day and pretty much everyone we have ever met was there, so we stayed for quite awhile so AJ could play with her friends. Jack brought along his football and started a pick-up game of touch football with a bunch of 10 year olds (see below). It was a lot of fun.

Are You Ready For Some Football

Here is some video of Jack's impromptu football game after the parade.

Here are some pics from First Night. The kids made kites and flew them in the street. It was surreal to have all these kids flying kites between big high rises. They also drew on the 1st Street bridge with chalk and we ate gingerbread and took in some jugglers and performers. We heard the parade and fireworks were worth waiting for, but once it got dark the kids had had it. Maybe next year we can wait for the "Family Celebration" the firework show at 8:00. It was fun, and the weather was great for New Year's Eve!