First Day of School

Today marks another first day of school. This time as a 10th grader. Why does time go by so quickly? It seems like just last year she was in elementary school and I was putting a pretty bow in her hair and reminding her that there was no reason to be nervous. Sadly, she wouldn't let me put a bow in her hair this morning, but she did ask me to put on her make-up for her. Thankfully, I guess Mom is still needed sometimes...even when you are a teenager.

Emily,

Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Love, Mom

Friday Photos

Yes, I know it's Monday. However, I intended to share these photos on Friday, but failed to do so. The weekend allowed time to play around a little with my digiscrapping so now you get to see them in my latest layout rather than just plain ol' photos! These pictures were taken before Emily went to the MBHS Band Banquet on May 30, 2009. She was so excited about the upcoming evening and did not want me to take these photos. She was ready to GO!! So, yes, we have a bit of a fake, cheesy smile, but it's better than nothing. LOL!

She saw this dress while shopping with me a couple of months ago and fell in love. She had to think really hard for an excuse to get me to buy it and was thrilled when she remembered the upcoming band banquet. I agreed that it looked great on her and knew I would end up buying something anyway so we bought it. She has been eagerly counting down the days until she got to wear it with those big, sparkly hoop earrings and high wedge heels! She looked just lovely...in a very hip, trendy sort of way, of course!

New DigiScrap!

I absolutely LOVE the colors in my newest digital scrapbook creation! They are perfect with this black and white photograph of Emily. I wish I still had the color version, but at least I had this one saved in my Photobucket account. You can click on the image to view it larger, but here's what the poem says:

Only as high as I reach can I grow,

Only as far as I seek can I go,

Only as deep as I look can I see,

Only as much as I dream can I be.

Can your fingers fall off from too much texting?

If so, Emily is DOOMED!

Last weekend, we upgraded all 3 cell phones since it had been about 2 years since we had done so. Today, Emily asked me if the Auburn fight song was downloadable on her phone. I figured it was, but decided to check online to make sure. (and it is) While browsing around, I noticed that it said we had sent 5021 text messages since May 22nd...beginning of our billing cycle. I laughed out loud and thought "There's no way that right!" So, I decided to pull our last 2 bills to check the usage. In March, Emily sent 3,951 text messages!!! As if that's not shocking enough, in April she sent....are you ready for this? 11,084!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that's ELEVEN THOUSAND AND EIGHTY FOUR text messages in ONE MONTH! I almost spit my tea all over the desk!

So, apparently 5,021 is accurate....and apparently Emily has waaaaaay too much time on her hands! Chores, in abundance, are headed her way.

Sweet Music To My Ears

Tonight, McKinney Boyd High School Band will present their Spring Concert. All of the bands - Honors Band, Symphonic I, and Symphonic II - will be performing. Emily was one of the fortunate few incoming 9th graders to make Symphonic I band. She has worked extremely hard this year and has greatly improved her talent. We are so proud of her!

P.S. I told you that you'd be seeing more of my digital scrapbook creations! It's seriously addicting!

Happy Birthday Emily!

Happy birthday to you,

happy birthday to you,

happy birthday dear Emily,

happy birthday to you!

*

(sniff, sniff...my baby is 15 today!)

Winter Guard Competition

The McKinney Boyd Color Guard did it again!

The ladies of the guard took home the 2nd place trophy this past Saturday at the Lamar Winter Guard competition. This is the highest placement for the color guard this year! The guard also scored their highest score of the season and was only 2 points away from tying for first place and getting promoted to the next class. Congratulations ladies on earning your second trophy of the season! We are all very proud of you!!

You Tube link to view in HD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPTzzAcXfFU

All About Emily

Yep...this entry is all about Emily. This was a busy weekend for her. Saturday morning, she had to be at school at 5am for another winter guard competition. (More on that later.) That night, she attended the McKinney Boyd Winter Formal. No date this time. Thank goodness! She and a friend from the winter guard went together. The two of them met up with some more girls from the squad at the dance and they all had a great time.

Speaking of great...doesn't she look awesome?!?! Those that know me well, know that I am a bargain shopper so I have to share the details of Emily's million-dollar look. The dress was found at a consignment store for $14. The shoes were on clearance for a whopping $8.94. The necklace was another clearance item for $6.99. Thankfully, I already had a pair of earrings and a bracelet that matched the necklace perfectly. I wish I could be so lucky to find such great bargains on everything a teenager needs! Oh, and the best part? Emily LOVED all of it. I didn't force any of my bargain hunting finds on her. LOL!

As I mentioned earlier, Emily and the other girls on the Winter Guard had another competition this past Saturday. Out of 13 schools competing, McKinney Boyd won 4th place honors. Another interesting fact: The 3 teams that place ahead of them were advanced to the next level by the judges. Hopefully that will place our girls in the running for a first place trophy in the near future! Below is the video of this week's performance. When the video starts, Emily is in the 2nd group from the right and is the girl on the right in their group of three.




Here's the You Tube link to watch it from their site. If you go to the website, there is a link under the right corner of the viewing screen that allows you to view it in HD. It provides a bigger screen and better clarity. You can actually see Emily and tell that it's her! LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6V5yygFdzk

Emily's First Winter Guard Competition!

This past Saturday, Emily and her Color Guard squad participated in their first NTCA Winter Guard competition in Keller, TX. All of the girls were very nervous since these competitions are held in close proximity to spectators and judges rather than on those huge football fields where the visitors closely resemble ants. The girls have been practicing this new routine since football season ended and were well prepared for the event. Out of nine schools competing, McKinney Boyd HS Winter Guard placed third with an awesome show for a squad of mostly ninth graders with no experience! Emily's part in the show consisted of rifle work, flag work, and dance movements. She was definitely moving! Check out a few pictures and then view the video by clicking on the PLAY arrow. Make sure your speakers are turned on!

The Homecoming Mum

After band/color guard practice last night, J.T. gave Emily a Homecoming Mum...a highly coveted thing among Texas high schoolers. (Yes, Emily looks like she just rolled out of bed in this photo. She had!

This was taken at 6:15 this morning before she went to Color Guard practice!)

Emily and I had no idea what she was supposed to do with this GIGANTIC thing next. Is it something you actually wear? It's at least 3 feet long (it hangs from her shoulder to her knees) with tiny cow bells and other little trinkets tied among the ribbons! She sounds like a one-man band when wearing it. If she was supposed to wear it, was it for school tomorrow (today)? Was it for the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night? Or is it just a keepsake?

We were in foreign territory so I immediately scoured the internet looking for answers. I found out that the Homecoming Mum is a Texas tradition that started in the 1920s. Of course I should have known it originated in Texas since everything is bigger in Texas, right? Ha, ha! The Homecoming Mums are given to you by someone that thinks you are "special." Yep, you wouldn't buy these for just anyone since they start at $30 and go up from there! Anyway, the girl is supposed to wear it to school (if her campus allows) and to the Homecoming Game. It is not to wear to the dance. She, apparently, will receive a live flower corsage for that.

close-up of the mum with a red bronco in the center

plentiful ribbons and tiny trinkets like cow bells, footballs,

horseshoes, etc. and then personalized with sparkly letters

Oh, and I got to meet J.T. after he gave her the mum. He seems very nice! He was extremely polite and friendly...he even held out his hand to shake mine when I introduced myself. So far, so good.

"Perry, get your shotgun ready."

Yes, I said that last night. I didn't think I would have to be saying that for at least another year or so.

Alas, Emily came home last night and announced that J.T. had asked her to go to the Homecoming Dance with him this Saturday. I think this is just a "friendship thing" since J.T. is a saxophone player in the band with her and she said "He's just a lot of fun to be around. He's not one of those nasty boys." Ha, ha! At least she recognizes that there are "nasty boys" and it is not a good thing to be around them. However, I don't really want to call this a "date" since she's only 14 and was actually planning to go to the dance with friends anyway. (By the way, he is 14 too.) Any ideas of what to call it to make me feel better? It's not really a date, is it?

Condemnation???

NEWS ALERT: This just in....major devastation at the Fuller Hotel. Management has issued a warning to a local resident. Will this property be condemned? Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to develop.

Massacre in McKinney

Boyd Broncos VS Copperas Cove Bulldogs

Final Score 14 - 42

Our beloved Broncos were no match for the tenacious Bulldogs of Copperas Cove and we suffered our first loss of the season. I must say as soon as Perry saw their players come onto the field, he said "Oh boy...we are gonna get whupped tonight. They have got some BIG boys." He was right. Boyd was just advanced to 5-A this season and Copperas Cove has been in this league for a while. We were just puppy chow for them. However, I do have to give the Broncos some credit. They played a much better game than they have in the two previous weeks. Hopefully they will not get discouraged and have better luck next week.

I finally remembered to grab my camera on the way out the door tonight and snapped a few pictures of our girl doing her thing on the field. Too bad she was ALL the way at the other end of the field so my pictures aren't the best. Next week I will definitely walk down to that end of the field and hopefully get a better shot. We had some friends sitting right behind us and the guy has a Mac-Daddy of a camera with a Super-Mac-Daddy of a lens on it. I know he got one great shot of Emily and he promised to email it to me. I'll share it with all of you when I receive it. Great job, Emily! Can't wait to see you out there again next week!

First Day of High School

Here she is....our high schooler! Today is her first day of school and she was soooo nervous this morning. I can't blame her...high school is a big step. So, do you hear that song playing in the background? (It's titled My Wish. If it's not playing right now, scroll down to the very bottom and find the Playlist. Then click on that title to make it begin playing.) That's my dedication to her. I hope you'll join me in wishing her an awesome day and a memorable year!

Good luck, Emily! We are all so proud of you!