Cheering

Anna Kate had a New Hope Pee Wee Football game to cheer for last night. This is her second year to cheer. I wasn't sure she would be into it as much this year since she is playing softball too, but she is loving being a cheerleader too. I think this child just loves to be involved in everything.

Emma loved cheering from the bleachers. She knows lots of the cheers from watching her big sissy. She has on the cheer uniform that her cousin Abby used to wear. I was able to find her some New Hope pom poms. She thinks she is just like the "big" girls.

Their halftime dance number was so cute. They do it to the Jonas Brothers' song "Burnin' Up."

At the end of the dance routine, Anna Kate was on top of the pyramid for her group, which she loved. There seemed to be a little confusion in her group about who would do the splits in the front. I kept trying to get them to all look at me. Maybe next time.

Here are a couple of shots of Anna Kate and Emma together. It was a fun night.

Camp Garaywa

Anna Kate and I went with six other mother/daughter sets from our church to the Mother/Daughter Weekend at Camp Garaywa in Clinton, MS. We had so much fun. This is the second year she and I have gone. She can go again next fall as a fifth grader and the year after that as a sixth grader. The year she is a sixth grader, Emma will be a first grader and all three of us can go. I am looking forward to that.

It was a really special time for us. It was great to get away from the hustle and bustle and spend some quality time together. Hugs were plentiful.

Here's the entire Mt. Zion group. We had fun "roughing it" in Cabin 4.

Anna Kate enjoyed the recreation time. They had tons for us to do.

The theme for the weekend was Mission Possible. We learned that it is possible to reach the world for Christ. We all have to do our part.

We had a scavenger hunt Friday night. Our group had to look for 30 blue pipe cleaners outside in the dark with flashlights. It was fun. Anna Kate was excited to find one.

Our favorite part of the weekend was the bomfire. It was a neat atmosphere to worship God.

After worship and devotion, the girls roasted marshmallows and made smores.

Here are a few neat pictures I took of the fire and the girls roasting marshmallows. I really like the third one with the fire shaped like a cross.

Anna Kate loved being on the top bunk, but I don't think she slept very well. She was such a wiggle worm.

Very few things have changed since I attended summer camp there for three or four years in a row as a young girl. Here is a picture of Anna Kate in one of the luggage buggies. It definitely came in handy transporting all our stuff. Who would have thought we would need so much stuff just to stay one night.

Anna Kate loved craft time too. It was always one of my favorites as a young camper. She is painting a sun catcher/wind chime.

We had morning devotions Saturday with each mother and daughter pairing up. It was special to me to hear my precious child read scripture and pray.

My precious child praying to her almighty God who saved her soul earlier this year. It is so neat to me to think that she is not only my daughter, but she is also a fellow sister in Christ.

Another thing that hasn't changed about Camp Garaywa is all the moss hanging from the trees. Just beautiful.

Here's Anna Kate on the bridge holding a stuffed dog with a Camp Garaywa shirt on that we bought at the camp store.

Sweet smile!

I love this girl and loved every minute of the time we spent together.

More Softball

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. We have been busy, but it's been a blast. Here are some more fast pitch softball pictures from Anna Kate's game last Thursday. She has another game tonight, so I am sure I will have more pictures. She has a pee wee football game to cheer for tomorrow night, so I am sure I will have some from that too. I am not complaining -- I love it! I can't wait for Ms. Susan to give the parents a chance to watch their kids at one of the dance lessons so I can see Emma dance and take some pictures. She is loving dance. Anyway, here are some pictures.

I took most of these pictures during warm up the other night. Anna Kate caught a pop fly just like this during the game while playing second base. She was so excited, and we were so proud of her.

I love this picture because it shows the 1989 and 1990 state championship signs in the background. I was starting catcher for both of these teams. It is neat to see her enjoying softball just like I did. It is almost as fun watching her as it was playing. What I wouldn't give to get to play again...but I am not sure this 35-year-old body could get around like it used to. It sure was fun though.

Thursday night was their first game to hit off a live pitcher rather than a pitching machine. It was harder for her, but she still got on base by outrunning a drop ball by the catcher. Then she stole second base. It was exciting.

More School Pictures

I hurriedly took Anna Kate and Emma's "first day of school" pictures on the first day of school, knowing full well I would probably want to take more. We were rushed that morning trying to get out of the house and get to school on time. I took these new shots yesterday afternoon before we left for church. I told the girls that if they did real good for me that I would let them each have a popsicle before we left for church. I think they were more excited about having the popsicles then taking pictures, but they did give me a few precious smiles. Anyway, we are off with another busy week. Anna Kate had her first football game of the year to cheer for Saturday morning. I didn't take pictures because they didn't wear their uniforms. The new cheerleaders don't have theirs yet. Maybe next game. Anna Kate has a softball game tonight, Emma has dance lessons tomorrow afternoon, and Anna Kate has cheer practice Wednesday afternoon. I am sure there will be a couple of softball practices sprinkled in this week, and she has two more games Saturday. Busy, but tons of fun! Enjoy the pictures. Hope everybody has a great week.

More Softball!

Anna Kate is playing in New Hope's fast pitch intramural league for 4th-6th grade girls. She had her first games on Labor Day. She is a pro at slow pitch, but this fast pitch is a whole different ball game. She is adjusting well and loving it. I believe the child is going to love softball as much as her momma! Anyway, her team lost both games, but they all played well. I was so proud of Anna Kate. She got to play pitcher and made a great play on the mound and got a base hit.

Shopping

I took the girls shopping Saturday afternoon. They both were in need of a bunch of "essential" items and other clothes. They loved getting new things. I think their favorite was the new pajamas. Here's a shot of them.