Emma's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I'm sure you all remember this summer's viral campaign that overtook social media to raise awareness and money for the debilitating disease ALS. In short, this challenge encouraged people to nominate their friends to film themselves having a bucket of ice water dumped on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. The catch is that you had 24 hours to comply or forfeit by donating to the ALS Foundation. 

Everybody and their mother, sister, grandmother, and hampsters were doing it.

So of course, Emma had to do it as well.

These Kids

I hope they stay this close forever:

Emma always looking out for her baby brother; making sure he's okay...

And Drew looking up to his big sissy, knowing that she will always protect him.

...and both of them always, forever having fun. Together.

Chi O Reunion 2014

This year I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the Chi O reunion. And considering I haven't seen some of these girls - like my girl Krafty - since my wedding...

...almost 10 years ago...

I figured it was high time I grace them with my presence.

And man, am I glad I did! I had forgotten how much I love Kasia. And Kelli. And, of course Krafty.

Freaking Krafty.

That girl.

Love her.

P.S. I apologize in advance for the language at the start of this video. But guess what? We're 30-something-year-old-mom's, reliving our college dayz, and we're having ourselves some fizz-un.

Krafty, Kasia, Me

Back Row: Me, Kelli, Tracy, Krafty  Front Row: Shay, Jill, Becca, Kasia

 

Back Row: Me, Krafty, Kasia, Cally, Tracy, Kelli, Abbie  Middle Row: Gantzer, Jill, Shay  Front: Pfohl

I'm sure you'll find this hard to believe, but this was towards the end of the night.

Trouble

Emma's First Day of 2nd Grade

It's just so crazy. Emma's in 2nd grade this year. On one hand, I can't believe it. I can't believe I have a 2nd-grader.

But on another, I feel like she's beyond grade 2. She's just so flippin' mature. So flippin' advanced. She's one of those who just "gets it."

Love her.

Drew's First Day of Kindergarten

It's not possible. It can't be. 

My baby boy started kindergarten this year. Kindergarten.

With Emma, I was pushing her out the door. She was ready from the moment she was born.

But Drewbie.  

My baby boy. Seeing him in his little uniform, looking so handsome. 

I just can't help but to tear up. Even now...almost 2 months later.

 

Monster Truck Show

We took Drew to the Monster Truck Show. (Okay. Truth-be-told, it was supposed to be a Mommy/Daddy/Drewbie date.....but then sissy decided at last minute that she wanted to go. No she didn't. She had absolutely NO interest in going. She just didn't want to be left out. Because God FORBID we ever leave her out of something.)

Have you ever been to one? It's really scary. The way they ramp up on all those cars...it makes me so nervous that something bad is going to happen!

But nothing bad happened. And Drew had a great time! (And sissy? Yeah, well. She was "bored." And wanted to go home. Because it was too hot. And too loud. Such a pleasant little thing.)

 

 

Indianapolis Indians Game

We couldn't have asked for a better night to attend a ball game. And you know, we are really lucky to live in such a fantastic city, with so many restaurants and museums and cultural opportunities.

Oh, and sports.

I'm by no means biased, but Indianapolis is home to some of the best sports teams in the nation. I mean, you have the best team in the NFL, the Colts...the Pacers...the Indians...the Fever...the Ice.

And we completely lucked out by attending a game where the famous San Diego Chicken was performing. The kids loved it!

Some say we look alike...

This was the cutest skit that The Chicken did: he brought out 4 little Chicks, and they copied everything he did. It was the cutest thing ever.

Here's Drewbie trying to be "scary." He wanted me to take his picture as a "mean guy."