Our first day of soccer practice...

 
 
 


Alec's first day of soccer practice! He was such a star! Sporting his new haircut and new shoes, it's almost as if he's a completely different kid that's all grown up. He has such passion for kicking that ball and apparently a competitive nature that we just weren't aware of until now.
It was an eye-opening experience for me--- learning how to put shin guards on and pull the socks over them. I'm so glad I got a lesson from the girls that I pick up from carpool on how to do it. I had to learn from a 10 year old that shin guards go UNDER the socks! Where's the rule book on this?
Dean is so very proud to have his little boy play soccer. Mr. B. wore a big smile today.

 

From a Girl Scout Leader

So, I heard from my darling friend Heather that Dairy Queen has a new Blizzard... the Girl Scout Thin Mint Blizzard... So, to satisfy my immediate curiosity, I buzzed by to grab a Blizzard Monday evening after my daughter's final swim meet, and to much disappointment, they had run out and would not have more until Wednesday 7/16. Soooo... until then, I did some research (I'm the queen of internet research-- cars, ebay, music, real estate)... here's what I found... of course this tribute really touches my heart as a Girl Scout Brownie Leader... GIRL SCOUTS ROCK! Check it out:

Dairy Queen® Shows Appreciation for Girl Scouts Nationwide In July
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minneapolis, Minn. — This summer, Dairy Queen® is giving new meaning to the term "going green." From July 7 through 13, participating Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill® locations will salute the 3.6 million Girl Scouts in the U.S. for their community service and display of leadership during Girl Scout Appreciation Week, hosted by Dairy Queen locations nationwide.
During the week, local Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to develop their business and leadership skills at Dairy Queen locations by taking behind-the-scenes tours, receiving tips from Dairy Queen professionals about how to run a successful business and learning about the product development process, including how to make a Blizzard. Girl Scout councils also will encourage both girls and adults to register and re-register as Girl Scout members this week. Dairy Queen's Girl Scout Appreciation Week comes during the month when Dairy Queen debuts the Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard®, the result of a licensing agreement between Dairy Queen and Girl Scouts of the USA.
"It's a month-long celebration of Girl Scouts in July at Dairy Queen," said Michael Keller, chief brand officer for International Dairy Queen, Inc. "We invite all local communities to join us as we recognize the accomplishments of this pre-eminent leadership development organization for girls."
Lisa Ling, Katie Couric, Abigail Breslin and Reese Witherspoon are some of the most recognizable Girl Scouts, but there are many more who have had an impact nationally and internationally. Sixty-nine percent of the women serving in the United States Senate, 65 percent of the women in the House of Representatives and nearly 80 percent of all women business owners and executives are Girl Scout alumnae.
"Our partnership with Dairy Queen enables us to reach the public in new and unexpected places," said Laurel Richie, Chief Marketing Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. "We hope the Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard whets people's appetites so they remember to support the Girl Scout Cookie Program and all the business and financial literacy skills girls learn from participating in this annual leadership activity."
Thin Mints are the best-selling Girl Scout cookie ever, while the Blizzard is Dairy Queen's signature treat with billions sold since 1985. This is the first time Girl Scouts of the USA and Dairy Queen have come together to create a one-of-a-kind Blizzard flavor. The Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard is made with Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie pieces, creamy DQ® soft serve and a Crème de Menthe topping.
For more information about Dairy Queen's Girl Scout Appreciation Week, or to locate the nearest Dairy Queen, visit www.dq.com. For more information about Girl Scouts, please call 1-800-GSUSA 4U or visit www.girlscouts.org.
About IDQInternational Dairy Queen (IDQ), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops licenses and services a system of more than 5,600 Dairy Queen® stores in the United States, Canada and foreign countries, offering dairy desserts, hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. For more information, visit www.dq.com.
About Girl ScoutsFounded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.6 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouting is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girls Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.June 20, 2008

A Rockin' Photography Website...check it out...

www.thepioneerwoman.com
Thanks to my dear friend Erika, I have discovered tonight that embedded in her blog the most amazing and comical photography website written for people just like me with nice digital SLRs and only the photography skills from highschool photography & yearbook class. Nearly 20 years ago I could shoot manually in black and white film, independently develop my own negatives, and print and develop my own beautiful shots for the Bryan High Yearbook! Back then, I could navigate the control knobs for apeture and shutter speeds but now (there wasn't even an auto setting available on my Minolta SLR!), and after bringing 3 kids into this crazy world and keeping up with them daily, I've lost most of my photography knowledge and have been anxiously waiting to gain it all back! So, to my delight, I've been introduced to this fab website by Erika (kudos girl!-- the top blogger I know!) --and I just got kicked out of the bedroom for being on the laptop reading and keeping my husband away from deep sleep-- it is 1:30 am...
All while I've been soaking up all that I've discovered at www.thepioneerwoman.com and the generous help that she has to lend out there! Go take a look at her amazing pictures and funny commentary. So, for all my digital SLR friends out there that would love to know just a little more about their high end camera, this one's for YOU!! I hope to start feeling more comfortable shooting on manual again on my Canon 30D. Oh thank you Erika for this one... I owe you!
Now, I can tell you that I am putting Adobe Photoshop on my birthday and Christmas wishlists RIGHT now! I'll start loading up my piggy bank for this software... because the pricetag will cetainly break it, but oh the pictures I will take!
Good nite my friends.
Cheri

For Sale By Owner

Check my posting soon because I'll have my home for sale in just a few days and will have a blogspot to help me market my home. As many of my friends know, I've decided to venture into this sale without the use of a realtor. I do respect the real estate professionals out there, but I am determined to complete the sale of my home without the use of one. With an accounting degree, 10 years work experience, and misc sales experience, how hard can it be to sell my home without all the crazy realtor fees?!! After hours of real estate research on the internet and reading my sale by owner books, this transaction just can't be that difficult. It's all about marketing and showcasing the home and I can certainly find alternate ways of internet marketing with MLS. Wish me luck and I will be showing my home on a blog soon, so check back! Any suggestions welcome!!

Booking Bands is tiring

I had such great intentions of keeping up with my blogging and realize that I've done a poor job... I guess that's because spring break came and went by in March and here we are admist tee-ball and softball season! Never would I have imagined being at the ballfields with the 7 and 4 year old on Saturdays.

Today I realized I needed to wrap up the volunteer responsibilities I have as neighborhood entertainment coordinator to meet my newsletter deadlines approaching. Sounds impressive eh? I think this is the 7th year I've booked band for our amphitheater and I still love every minute of it!! I admit that I am extremely exhausted and my head is still spinning from talking to agents and lead vocalists trying to knock out budgets, sound requirements, and schedules today. I've developed a higher appreciation for musicians out there that absolutely love the business they are in and the determination they have to be the next big thing. My hats go off to all you singer/songwriters!! Looks like Sienna will be enjoying a great alt-rock band this season and as well as two incredible Texas music artists on May 25th... and one of my favorite variety/rock bands on July 4th. While I'm at it, let me give you a sneak peek at the schedule- assuming I get all their contracts and offers off my desk tonight!

May 10th- Versecity www.myspace.com/versecity

May 25th- Mike Mancy & Granger Smith

www.myspace.com/mikemancy www.myspace.com/grangersmith

July 4th- BC& The Crisis

www.myspace.com/thecrisis

I can't believe that the best way for me to share with my friends the upcoming series is to send their myspace link. That myspace sure has opened doors and saved money for some of the best bands. I love it! Let's hear it again for the great musicians out there- you guys truly rock!

For my blogging friends out there-- come on down and enjoy a free concert in the Houston suburbs! And, if you have a band... I'm always looking for new talent.

Peace,

Cheri

Toddler trouble & Disneyworld?

Nothing too exciting for today, other than the baby decided to climb in the bathtub for a bath tonight while Mommy & Daddy weren't looking... fully dressed in clothes, diapers and shoes. Leave it to the 4 year old to come a runnin' to tell us the bad news. I think I finally have her new sneaks dry and ready for school tomorrow.


So, with this kind of toddler trouble on my hands, would or should I take her with us on a family vacation to Disneyworld this summer? Hmmmm. It's a tricky subject, but would you do it? Would you leave her behind with family and friends for her to learn when she's in kindergarten that she was left behind because she was too little and have her wonder why Mommy didn't love her enough to bring along? And why isn't she in the hundreds of photos Mommy took while vacationing with Mickey? Or do I suck it up and take the little cutie and beg a family member or friend to please tag along and help be an extra set of hands. Let's see, she'll be exactly 2 years old in July and entering the terrible 2's, so she'll still need naps, diapers, and a stroller... sounds exhausting for the rest of the family. Sounds like potential trouble, but she'll fly for free and she's a free ticket for Disneyworld. Or do we leave her behind and make the most out of taking the 7 yr old and 4 yr old only? The last time I visited Mickey was 10 years ago and it was with my darling husband and of course, NO kids and dual incomes!


Send me your thoughts fellow bloggers...


Peace & love,

Cheri

Monday, Monday & Girl Scout Cookies...

I didn't get much sleep last night because the baby isn't feeling well, which has wiped me out today because I was up most of the night trying to comfort her. She's been sleeping most of the day, but I have been just too tired to really get any big projects accomplished. I did help my girlfriend Robyn get her Myspace up and running today. I'm sort of known for being a myspace girl and if any of my girlfriends gather enough bravery to start a page, they come to me. If you've set up a page before, there isn't a checklist or a list of instructions of where to begin, so I can understand someone just wanting a little help from their friend. She's a beautiful artist and I hope that her art gets her noticed on the web. Kudos to you Robyn for promoting yourself! www.myspace.com/artistrobynmiller. Today's also her birthday, so what an exciting year ahead for her and her art. She's amazing and I hope to build my own artwork collection of hers for my home.
I just finished my afternoon snack of milk and Carmel De Lites... yep, I'm ashamed to say that I 'borrowed' a box of these scrumptious cookies from one of the orders packaged up by my door. I'll be sure to replenish the box with another from my 'Cookie Mom'. I've been saying for weeks that there must be a secret ingredient in these cookies that block your brain from knowing how many you've eaten. And why don't the Girl Scouts' bakers put more Carmel De Lites in a box? There's just 15 in a box compared to a box of Thin Mints, which gives you 32 servings of a cookie that's just about the same diameter. I suppose all those extra layers or carmel, chocolate, and coconut must be expensive to produce... Oh well, at $3.50/ box I really must start watching my intake, much less the calories I'm consuming. GS Cookies only come once a year, so it's only a few weeks of sinful eating. I'll be at the gym tomorrow morning to redeem myself...

The honey is almost home from his commute. He'll want to know what's for dinner, so I'll go stand in the kitchen to appear that I've been working on dinner for hours just for him. Papa John's carry-out deal is only $5.99 for a large pizza on Mondays. Hmmmmm.

Must I really start blogging?

As if having a myspace page wasn't completely enough... I always knew something was missing from my crazy life. Yes, I've been here before and always wondered how those other moms could blog and keep their lives in order. I've written just a couple of blogs on myspace, but I tend to get writers' block because I've always felt that my blogs must be completely smart and thoughtful for all the readers to my page... but HERE, it's just not the case. I can blog and if I don't make sense, then that's OK, the blogging world will accept each and every thought I have.

It's those friends in your lives that push you to do more, inspire you to dig deep for your feelings and whoa, here I am. Thanks Laurie for always finding something new for me to become consumed with and telling me that you think my writings would be eloquent... that's a funny thought, but thanks for thinking it. I must realize that my blogs will never compare to the readings of peapodpink and world tour of ross king, but oh well--- practice makes perfect.
I've dug deep and realized that this could be where I might be inspired to publish my first book, or write my first songs. Faraway dreams for me while I'm raising 3 kids, ages, 7, 4, and 19 months. Girl, boy, girl. They are my joy and although I love to take pictures of them, maybe I'll start writing more just for them-- why not a scrapbook of all of mommy's silly blogs? I recently enjoyed my friend Rebecca's grandmother's blog where she writes letters to her grandson daily. What a novel idea to create a list of love notes, poems, and thoughts for her precious grandson. Hmmmm- if a grandma can blog and have such meaning, then why not I?

The husband is in Atlanta this evening, and has no idea what new toy I've picked up to start playing with... he won't be impressed as I can hear it now... "you've started, WHAT?!" Well, I'll just assure him that my new toy won't interfere with laundry, kids, or cleaning the house. As if room mom and Girl Scout leader, concert series coordinator, and businesswoman wasn't enough for me along with loyalty to checking my Myspace page everyday, going to the gym, scrapbooking, and chatting with girlfriends on my cell phone throughout the day. Then doing a full days work of caring for my precious angels that are asking me for snacks and wanting me to read books, play and take them to McDonald's! I'm a multi-tasker and I would like to think I do it all well, but we'll see how the blogging really goes.

To my dear friend Laurie--- as if Myspace wasn't enough, and to my friend Erika--- I will never be able to compete with the pictures of CVS ExtraCare savings, and to my friend Ross--- oh my, you certainly should be writing books with the depth of your pages! Where will my blogging really fit in with the blogs of these amazing people? Oh well, I'll be visiting your pages more and maybe I'll just have something to say that you all will remember!

This mom is tired... I must save up some energy for tomorrow's blog. It's like starting a new job--- gotta get to bed early for my first big day!

Peace and love,
Cheri