Paige, the snake wrangler

It was a calmer weekend and we enjoyed resting up and catching up on to-do items. Anna is in her final weeks of 10th grade as she gears up for her AP exams next week. Having a four day weekend meant she could do some extra studying, babysit and even go shopping for a white dress which she needs as a sophomore usher at graduation. She's got three big meets left for track this season so she's also been working hard at practice which still happened despite being out of school. Region is this Wednesday and it's a qualifying meet for upper state. She'll run in the 4x800 which should be fine to qualify and then the 3200. It just so happens we have most of the fastest 3200 runners in the state in our region. She'll need to be one of the top 4 finishers or have one of the next top 8 times in the state. She's currently ranked 6th in the state based on her PR so we'll see what happens. 

Meanwhile, Paige read and read and read over her 4 day weekend. She's also been coaching soccer, running on her own and gearing up for more friend gatherings later this week. She and I love to sketch our irises every year. We got just a couple of blooms this year (I need to thin them out for next year) so we took the time on Monday evening to get out our clipboards and pencils. Teddy happily milled around the yard and started barking (not unusual) and then Patrick noticed he was keenly interested in something up by my blueberry bush. Sounds like an idyllic evening, right?

Well, it happened to be a snake and a rather large one at that. He was stuck in the net on my blueberry bush boxes. Paige and I identified him as a non-poisonous snake and she quickly went to grab gear to help our new friend. Patrick made sure to take several steps backward, offering his suggestions to take care of the problem: shovel, propane tank flame thrower, basically anything that would make it dead. Paige patiently used the scissors to cut the snake free of the net and then bravely picked it up to take it across to the natural area. I think Patrick was both horrified and proud. Anna, who was inside, wanted nothing to do with it.  

We said goodbye to Bob, our friendly rat snake. I just shook my head at my little wildlife lover who amazes me with her bravery. She was also pretty brave when we went to the orthodontist today to get her lower set of braces. It's one step closer to getting them off in a little over a year.

Paige 7th grade dance and sleepover

Paige had a half day on Thursday and asked if she could stay home since they were not doing anything except for practicing state testing. I was glad to have he as we did lots of prep for her dance and sleepover, happening later that day. She's such a good and independent worker who tries to make things special. It was a busy morning and because none of us got great sleep the night before, I treated her to an iced tea and I got myself a coffee. The little boost of caffeine was exactly what we needed!

The dance was a sneaker masquerade ball. When one of her other friends showed her the dress she had gotten, I was glad to know Paige's Easter dress would be a wonderful fit for the dance and we wouldn't have to get another dress. Whew! We did try and find some cool sneakers, but in the end, she opted for a pair she already had and it looked great. Her special purchase was some new fun earrings and bracelets that made her look grown up. I helped her get ready and we were both pleased to have Anna and Patrick home early so they could participate in the pictures. She looks so beautiful!

Paige's sweet group of friends arrived a bit before the dance started so they could drop off their sleepover things and take pics. This is such a fun, goofy and kind group of young ladies that Paige has really come to know at school. They love each other well, laugh often and support each other. In fact, one of the girls couldn't make it to the dance because she plays high school softball and this was their last game of the season. So I suggested to the group that they go to the dance, leave early and then surprise their friend at her game. They loved the idea! 

So I dropped off the girls for an hour and then swung back by the house for dinner while Patrick prepped 40 cinnamon rolls. He was giving the AP practice exam on Friday (a day off of school) and wanted to give the kids breakfast. Fortunately, he had some leftovers for Paige's friends too! 

The dance was a success and the girls had fun. They took an official picture, danced and tried to get food but the line was too long. After a quick change, we drove to the softball game downtown and it was the sweetest surprise. 

The game was a long one, but we finally got home to a yummy snack set up. Patrick was still working on the rolls so I let the girls be loud an goofy before shutting down the crazy so we could get some sleep. It's been a couple of late nights and early mornings around here and we're all feeling it. I left early this morning to give one of my finals and Patrick followed shortly after the girls left so he could give the practice exam and then head to work. If you need us after 8pm tonight, we'll most likely be in bed! 

Orchestra and Richland County Championships

We are caffeinating today! It's been a week of all the things. Funny enough, it's not even May yet! Maybe that means May will be less May-cember than usual??? Probably not, but you only live once. Ha!

On Tuesday night we joined Paige at the middle school for her spring orchestra concert. I was glad that it was just band and orchestra which meant less people and more music from them. They have improved so much over the last two years and it was fun to hear their new pieces. I just wish the adults around us would have stopped talking. Concert etiquette has certainly decreased over time. 

Wednesday night was also fun-filled. Anna had Richland County Championships at a local high school. It's a big meet that draws both private and public schools in the county. She ran the 4x800, but their usual lineup was a little off because their fastest runner is injured. Anna ran first leg and PRed which was awesome. Their team finished 2nd overall and would have won with the usual suspects, but we were excited none the less. Hopefully, everybody will be back by qualifiers. 

The meet was running so slow and inefficient. Kids kept walking on the track in the middle of the races and almost colliding with the runners. I was so annoyed! But it was going on and on, so I left and then came back before 9, thinking she would run again soon. Not so much. She finally got to the line around 10 for the 3200, seeded 2nd behind a girl that beat her at Coach's Classic. Again I had to yell at people to get off the track every time they came around, but Anna looked strong and led most of the time. The competitor made a good surge in the last lap and was hot on Anna's heals, passing her back and forth. On the last bend, Anna pushed and sprinted ahead to finish as the Richland County Champ in the 3200!

And if that wasn't enough, we found out Paige's poetry piece was selected for the Kids in Print publication by the Richland County Library. There were over 200 entries and only 58 were chosen. We'll go to that celebration ceremony in a couple of weeks.  AND Anna will be serving as a sophomore usher at graduation this year as she is in the top 5% of her class. Whew!