Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance

Emma went to the Girl Scouts' annual Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance.  This year's theme was "Pretty in Pink," which Emma upheld in her beautiful pink dress.  So did Andy, after some urging (read: forcing) from me!

Girl Scout Day with the Butler Bulldogs

Another cool opportunity that the Girl Scouts provided was a game to the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse to watch the Butler Bulldogs.  And believe it or not - I've never been to the Fieldhouse.  Born and raised in Indiana, but yet have never been to the fieldhouse of the movie Hoosiers.  

Even worse: born and raised in Indiana and I've never seen Hoosiers.

I know, I know.

But I've seen Rudy and Friday Night Lights.

Does that count?

No?

Oh well.  I'm a football gal, what can I say?

Anywhoo.  I totally digressed.

This past Saturday, a group of my Daisies went to the game where we got to meet Hink the bulldog and most importantly, WATCH THE CHEERLEADERS.

Cause that's really the only thing the girls were into.

To say that this place is the coolest, most awesome fieldhouse in the history of fieldhouses is an understatement.
Hinkle Fieldhouse is AH-MAZE-ing.

Intensely watching the cheerleaders perform.

Friends and [Girl Scout] sisters!

Winter Pool-Time Fun

This winter has been a real bitch.  

Excuse my French.

But it has.  Sub-Zero temps for weeks.  Polar Vortexes.  Blizzard-like conditions.

Sooooooooooo over it.  So we have decided - despite the weather outside - that we are going swimming.

So swimming we went.

My Two Fishies

Always trying to make a huge, gigantic, typhoon splash!

Always doing some form of gymnastics!

My Two [Devicing] Men

Upward Basketball

We signed Emma up for basketball this year and learned 3 things:

1. She really likes it!
2. She's pretty good at it!
3. We really like Upward's program

1) She really likes it.

Well Duh, right?  Why would you sign your kid up for something they don't like, right?  Here's our philosophy: you don't know if you like it until you try it.  So we like to provide experiences for our children to try as many things as possible.  Soccer (Emma doesn't like), Baseball/Softball (Emma is on the fence), Gymnastics (loved it, but now over it), Cheerleading (infatuated with it), Irish Dancing (signing her up for it), Swimming (loves it), Girl Scouts (likes it), Pottery (loves it).

2) She's pretty good at it.

Well Duh, right?  Let's face it.  She's going to be good at this right now for one obvious fact.  She's a whole head taller than all the other kids.  So by default, she gets the ball a lot just by reaching up and grabbing it.  But other than that, we noticed that she really got into it.  She hustled.  She dove for a few balls.  She D'd-up her opponent.  She smiled.  A lot.  Sure, there were games where she was over it.  Chewed her nails (thanks for the lovely example you have set forth, Daddy!).  Shot me dirty looks.  Complained that her legs were too tired.  But overall, she really liked the sport.

3) We really like Upward's program.

There are a lot of choices in basketball leagues out there.  But we were really happy with Upward Basketball.  First of all, they teach the kids about good sportsmanship.  And they relate that sportsman ship to God.  Now if you're reading this, then you know that we're not Jesus-freaks.  We just believe in raising our children with a respect and love for God.......and we feel that it's important to have God with you - whatever God that is - through all things in life.  Sports being one of them.

Because, hopefully - and God-willing - sports will play an important role in our children's lives.