1st day of High School

Food + Beer + Grill + Friends = an AWESOME time

Usually the 'cookout' is at Jamie's house. And, actually, the last one was, except we were on a cruise. Jamie's husband is coming back from Iraq next week and we knew we would be having one at her house, but Caitlin and Lauren decided we needed one at our house. So Jamie and I had picked Friday, August 13th. Mainly because Jerry works Sat/Sun and it was really important for the kids to be here, so Friday the 13th it was. Nathan and Maria came over around 1600. I hadn't met Maria yet, but she is a spitting image of her mother. She is beautiful. Heather showed up shortly after. Again, another FB reunion. I hadn't seen Heather in about 8 years. Chris asked what was going on, I hope he shows up. I think enough time has gone by that we need to talk. I mean, enough is enough. If he can't open up to me, maybe I can open up to him. It would be perfect if he was here too. Nathan came with meat in hand and wanted to try a new recipe for 'loaded' burgers. They sure smelled good, as he was preparing all the ingredients. I have to get the recipe! I LOVE having ALL the kids over. Allison had Brooke, Bryan and Bev over, Caitlin, Brennan, Keegan, Abby & Gavin, plus Maria and Lauren. I absolutely LOVED having kids running everywhere. All from 14 to 4! It was great! And of course ALL kids LOVE Rock Band! Even if Gavin is trying out a new guitar style! Now can you see the resemblance? Maria is a spitting image of her mom! WOW! Maria hung out with Lauren for awhile!

Nathan took control of the grill! Thank goodness. I really do need to get a bigger grill. But this RoadTrip which has survived many tailgaiting sessions and through a Stanley Cup Championship, is a great grill! But for entertaining, I really do need to find a bigger one. And really, this time of year is probably the best, you know, end of season....

Everyone seemed to have a great time! The food was great and the company was awesome! We had cheese dip, shrimp, 9-layer bean dip, bubba burgers, Nathan's 'loaded' burgers, shrimp dip, chips, baked beans and BEER!

Although we got some great pics...I realized today, I had none of Brian and Lizard and only a side-shot of Brad. However, Gavin and Brennan were taking quite a few, so Jamie is supposed to send me some. So I hope one of them got some.

Jamie was taking it upon herself to do the self-portrait thing. She didn't involve us in this decision making.

This was much better. Little did we know that Brennan was in the background. But it turned out to be a great pic! And of course, I had to have a shot of FB reunion #3!

And of course, Brad shows up with a 2-liter of Dr. Pepper! That is SO Brad. This is the first time I had seen him since Ecuador. It was great and I am so glad we are friends! And I had him tell the "Cherine Factor" story to everyone!

National Night Out...

National Night Out has developed into an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote community spirit and police-community partnerships in the fight for a safer place. Kelley, who I live through on our HOA, really got everything going with neighborhood fliers, grills, water, games, etc. We, of course, had to have the best spot. There was a grill and games set up in our cul-de-sac and then one at the end of Brompton Lane. But we were definately more fun.

Even as hot and humid as it was, Ali didn't seem to mind. Our HOA has pretty much sucked the entire time I have lived here. So this was great that Kelley was really getting involved. I loved it. We actually had a great turnout and people seemed to go between the two stations. We had food, chips, drinks and games. Lots of kids turned out too!

Despite Allison's face, she really had a good time. Lauren, of course, had school the next day so she couldn't stay out long, but she had a great time too.

I really hope Kelley becomes President one day...hopefully before we sell the house. She would be great. Lots of great ideas for fun things that really get your community involved.

Perfect picture. Of course, you can tell my two! Never a 'normal' picture! But then again, at least I have Ali!

It was a great night! Hopefully it will continue and only lead to more community stuff! Next up..neighborhood yard sale August 28th! Maybe I can get rid of the rest of the crap in the house!

Freshman Camp....really?

Do I really have a Freshman? Really? No, really? Thank goodness Beth T. told me about Freshman Camp. I had no idea. We signed up for the August 3rd session. They put all the parents and students in the gym. The Principal Mr. Cook talked for about an hour and then the different Advisors talked. They went over dress-code, using cell phones, disciplinary process, etc. Then I found out that the school has 2701 students. Two thousand seven hundred and one students! My graduating high-school class had under 400. My 14 year old daughter is in a school with over 2700 students? I think the stress level just went up.

The kids were then divided up in groups by color stickers. They toured the school with upper-classmen and did a question/answer session. The parents were then divided by color to mini-sessions. We had questions addressed and actually had a rising Senior in our session.

Lauren, Allison, Kristen (Allie's mom) and Allie. Allison and Allie went to Elementary School together but then went to opposite Middle Schools. I am so glad they are back in the same school.

It was a pretty big gym. I don't remember my gym being that big. But then again there weren't 2700 students at my high-school.

Can you believe it? I actually got a picture WITHOUT a tongue sticking out, or that look of 'Mom, if you don't get that camera out of my face.....'. She is so beautiful without those faces. I still can't believe she is in High School!

Lots of information was given and it sure was a lot to take in, however, we must move on..... I am so nervous..my little girl (which she is actually my big girl) is going to High School. Graduation in 4 years, Im sure, will fly by! I hope we all enjoy the ride!