She Says More Things...

Recently I've been talking to my girls about situations that they might experience as they get older and discussing how to handle different situations.  Here are a few more Adelie gems that came out of those conversations:

We were discussing if the girls are with friends or in a group where people are doing something that they don't agree with or that might be making them uncomfortable.  I told the girls that they can always call or text me, and I'll come pick them up.  However, I also told them that if they are worried about it being awkward or making things uncomfortable, we could just come up with an emoji that they text me, and then I'll call them and tell them they have to come home for some reason, making me the bad guy.  Adelie liked this idea and said, "I'll text a mermaid."  I told her that wouldn't work because she is always texting me mermaids.  So she thought a second and said, "Okay, how about the Japanese flag?"

Another conversation we had was centered around dating.  I asked the girls if they are on a date or with a boy and the boy starts to try to do something that makes them uncomfortable, what would they do.  Without hesitation, Adelie said, "Knee them in the groin."  And although I do feel like that would be effective, I did suggest that maybe just telling them 'no' or 'stop' might be a good first step before jumping to the groin kneeing.  However, if they don't stop, feel free to go ahead and knee 'em in the groin...hard.

Sometimes these conversations get a little heavier as the kids get older.  However, having Adelie involved always lightens things up.

August...Getting Caught Up

What did our August look like?  Well, with the start of cross country and the start of school, it was busy and chaotic and a full transition from our summer schedule to the craziness of our fall schedule.  Here's a look back...

As always, the St. Jude Run kicked off our August.  This year Staley got to run too!

It was a great day full of great people for a great cause.  And the weather...cool and rainy.  Yes please!!

Staley loved spending the day with some of her cross country and Fight for Life friends.

Zach and I both ran the whole way with Staley contributing about 14 miles of her own.  The Eureka Run raised $190,000!!!

It's always fun to see all of Zach's hard work come to fruition on a flawless and record-setting run day!!

We enjoyed a family day trip to Chicago to see 'The Outsiders' at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Since Briggs didn't want to see the show, he hung out downtown with Uncle Ethan.  They escaped a massive rainstorm while checking out the Harry Potter store and the Lego store.

It was a great show!  This was Adelie and Zach's first time seeing it, but Staley and I loved it just as much the second time.

Getting autographs at the stage door is always a highlight...especially when some of your favorite actors come out to chat.

We followed up the show with some Chicago style pizza and a stroll through Millenium Park.

Thankfully Adelie did not put her mouth on the bean this time.

Seeing that 'The Notebook' was also playing in Chicago, the girls and I returned the next weekend to get some last minute discounted tickets to that show as well.

It was another great show...although the girls like to point out that it made me cry.  It did.

More stage door success!  We got to meet all the Noahs.

We stopped for some scrumptious Mexican food on the way home.  It was such a fun day out with my girls...minus the stressful several minutes when Staley was driving in Joliet traffic.

School started with the kids heading back for their sophomore, 8th, and 6th grade years.

Briggs has Mrs. Fitz as his homeroom teacher, but was most excited that he got Mrs. Zehr for reading.

Adelie was so excited to have Mrs. Hobbs for homeroom.

There was some mild sadness about the end of summer, but I think all 3 kids were ready to be back into the routine and see their friends again.

Of course, by high school, there is no back to school night or meet the teacher night.  And even if there was, I'm guessing Staley wouldn't let me take pictures of her with her teachers anyway.

Cross country started for both girls (and me) at the beginning of August with practices every day and a few early season scrimmages and meets.

The middle school scrimmage was just team colors.  The high school goes all in with themes and costumes.  Staley's team was Minion themed...complete with painted on minion goggles.

We had lots of fun in August with the middle school team with a team meal, water fight day, games, and lots of accidental twinning.  It was a great group to coach for my first year as head coach!

Staley was excited to get back with her team and her friends.  Cross country is one of the best things about fall!!

And, of course, every month is a good month to spend time with friends.

Whether it's running...

or baptisms...

or cross country practices...

or team meals...

or coaching together...

or college friend reunion lunches...

or after church playdates.

Cheers to another great month of fun and friends and family time and the start of another school year!!

This Girl...

One of Adelie's favorite things to do is to make random crazy faces and then take selfies on my phone.  Here a few gems that I have found in my gallery recently...

Oh, this girl!  Never a dull moment!!

Seussical, Jr.

The kids all performed in the summer Stage Kids production of Seussical, Jr.  They were all in the Eureka/Peoria cast, but Adelie filled in as a bird girl for Tremont, Staley filled in as the Cat in the Hat for one performance for Tremont, and Staley danced in all the casts except Bloomington.  When not on stage, the girls also teched backstage for all the shows.  It was a full few weeks of theater fun!

Briggs was a jungle citizen, knowing all his songs and dances and creating his character on stage.

He was also Vlad Vladikoff, saying his one line with gusto.

Adelie was a Bird Girl, performing as one of the featured dancers and singers throughout the show.  She had a few lines and few short solos in various songs.

Adelie has really grown as a dancer, singer, and actress.  I love watching her perform on the stage!

Staley was cast as the Cat in the Hat, which was one of the lead roles.  She was on stage for practically the whole show with so many lines, a solo song, and featured solos in other songs.

It was the perfect role for her, where she could bring all her energy and characterization to the stage.

She was also a solo dancer for Sola Solu for all the casts.

So many people came to the show that I didn't get pictures of everyone.  Grammie and Grandpa, Erik and Carrie, and Aunt Jan and Aunt Sandi all made it to the show and did not make it into a picture.

The Zehrs came to the show...

Aunt Maggie and Erica came all the way from California...

and my cousin Emily brought Junie and Emerson (as well as her friend Kristy and son Finley) to the show as well.  Junie was a huge fan of Cruz, who played Horton.

Staley invited Hudson and his mom to see the show as well.

Every show is a chance to spend time with friends.

No matter what part they have, my kids love any opportunity to perform and hang out with their theater tribe.

And when theater friends are also school friends, it's even better.

So thankful for NTA and all the people it has brought into our lives!