Jacob's name in LIGHTS!

So his name isn't in lights - it was in the newspaper (the Oakhill Gazette).

The mainstream media wanted to make sure that Jacob received his proper due for making it this season as an Academic All-American.

And I know what you're thinking, even thousands of miles away, it won't be the last time we read his name in the newspaper.

Jessica's Performance

This weekend is the school's dress rehearsal for, The Music Man.

Jessica, who will be in High School next year, is in the play and I CAN'T WAIT to see her perform.  The performance will be the last weekend of the school year, like May 19th through the 21st.

I said "like" May 19th... the ACTUAL date is May 12th through 14th.  What's a week amongst friends?

And yes, you read my note correctly.  Jessica will be in HIGH SCHOOL next year.  That means I will be the unfortunate parent of a High Schooler.  I say unfortunate not because there's anything wrong with Jessica - she's amazing.  I just remember when I was in High School, and hanging out with friends.  Their parents would come by... and well... I won't share with you the thoughts I had about their parents, but some words that might have been in my mind as the High Schooler were nerdy, stiff, old... and now, well, I'm the parent.

Stephanie will also be in the play, but absolutely not in HIGH SCHOOL next year.

Stephanie State Championship

This coming weekend our youngest daughter, who I must remind you is just 9-years old, will be playing in the Texas State Soccer Championship tournament down in Houston, TX.  What's even more remarkable is that the team she plays on is for 10 and 11 year old kids.

Yeah, you guessed it... she's THAT GOOD.

Jacob's Birthday List

Here's side #1 (Turning 11-yo means you have substantial need...):

 The list is a little out of date... he already worked and bought himself a new baseball helmet


And here's side #2

I don't know why he's asking for Game Cube stuff... apparently kids today have figured out how to play Game Cube games on the Wii.

Jacob Academic All-Star

We've had a number of AWARDS ceremonies of late.  One of the most recent was for our son in baseball.

Jacob plays in the Cedar Park Youth League.  The team he plays on is the Indians.  To quote Jake-
  We're pretty good, we've won almost all our games!

This time we aren't celebrating Jake getting a game ball.  Which he has been awarded... mostly because he, "Totally crushed this poor kids high fastball... sending the beleaguered ball to the opposite fence."  Jake turned it into a double without even hardly running.

This time, he was named among the leagues Academic All Stars.

I took another shot of Jake waiting patiently to receive his honor-

Patience of Job that boy's got!

Jessica's Birthday

You probaby noticed tax day this year.  It was April 15th like it's been every other year in my lifetime.  What may have escaped your notice is that it's not just Tax Day.  It's also Jessica Daniels Birthday.

Fourteen years to the day, last week April 15th, Jessica was born.  It seems as appropriate today that Jessica was born on Tax Day as it did back then.  Afterall, her mother Barbara is still accounting... still doing people's taxes.  Still counting beans... and legumes... and kids after all the car doors are shut.

We did have a new development this year.  Jessica was invited to be a part of the National Honor Society-

But what's a pamphlet without the honoree's name EMBLAZENED for all to see-

Feel free to blow up the picture and read Jessica Daniels for your self.  Meanwhile, let's all recite the Honor Society Pledge-
  I pledge to maintain my high scholastic standing, to hold as fundamental and worthy...

Any pledge never sounds as good as when your teenage daughter is reciting it with a gaggle of her classmates.  Here's a picture of the family's most recent 14-year old.  Pretty as ever...

Jessica, she of Tax Day birthright, is the one on the far right...

2010 - Best of...

The following posts are meant to SUM up the past year.  At times we blogged well, timely, concisely.  At other times we blogged, not so well, not so timely.

I feel kinda weird going into 2011 knowing that you guys aren't up to speed so here's a summary of the year -