Katelyn's 10th Bday

For Katelyn's birthday this year, she invited 3 friends to come over. Amelia, Clara, and Margo are all also in my 5th grade GT class, so it was fun. First, they did a scavenger hunt Katelyn made around the neighborhood. It was HOT, and they ended up pretty sweaty. Afterwards, the girls exchanged names and we headed to Five Below. 

They had $10 each to spend on gifts for the girl whose name they had. They also picked out a candy. Katelyn picked out gift wrap, so everyone was able to wrap their gifts in the car as we headed to Red Robin. 

The girls opened their gifts as we waited for our food. 

And then they enjoyed sharing an ice cream sundae.

Then we headed back to the house where they played and made candy salad with their candies. She had the best time with her buddies! 

Katelyn still LOVES soccer. She is in her first year of trying out for her team, and she made the top one (Red). We travel quite a bit for games. Twice she even had games in Corpus Christi, and one was in Austin. Most of the others are all over San Antonio. It's been hard to tell her coaches and team over and over again that she won't be playing in Sunday games. I think it has even caused some animosity. Luckily, when the B Team (Navy) plays on Saturdays, she plays as a guest for them. She is the star defender, and will even step in as goalie when needed.  

She is really good friends with all her teammates. The team was invited to tour the UTSA soccer facility and be ball girls at a women's home game. They had a great time.

She's decided to retire from competitive swimming, which makes Mom sad, but her coach isn't coaching anymore, and she doesn't want to swim for anyone else. Next summer she's going to do a week-lnog volleyball camp, so we'll see how that goes. 

She's in 5th grade and in my GATE class. I also get to do her lunch duty each day. I love having her ride both ways with me each day. I'm sad it's the last year of that tradition. She is the head honcho in her homeroom and a great leader. She is even their student council rep this year. She's enjoying choir both for the ward and school. She got to sing at the Spurs game again this year too. 

I am dreading hormone-changes and friend-drama that will inevitably come with middle school, so I am soaking up this last year of my sweet little girl. Happy 10th, K! 

Back to School 2025-2026

Collin, junior year, Champion High School, P-TECH Cybersecurity

Brennan, freshman year, Champion High School, Business Pathway

Ethan, 6th grade, Boerne Middle School South

Katelyn, 5th grade, Van Raub Elementary

Mom, 9th year, GATE grades 1-5, Van Raub Elementary

Summer '25

Swim Team

Ethan and Katelyn swam for Splash at TMI again this year. They both specialized in breaststroke and freestyle, but each tried some butterfly and backstroke as well. Ethan even did one 50m race! (For their age, they only usually swim 25m.) Katelyn ended up getting 2nd place at Championships for 9yos in the 25m breaststroke, and I was super proud of her. 

Cross Country

Brennan ran about 30 miles per week all summer with the high school cross country team. I dropped him off each day at 7 am. No sleeping in this year for me! 

Wisdom Teeth

Collin had his wisdom teeth out on July 3rd. It kind of ruined the holiday for us, but it had to happen sooner or later.

ClutterFree PhD

Last summer, right before getting my GT job, I was hired as a home organizer. I did all the training, met everyone, did one job, and... quit. Anyway, I didn't want to lose those connections (I really enjoyed it!), so I subbed in on a couple jobs this summer. 

Reading

Have I ever written about my read aloud tradition with the kids. I still read aloud to all my kids! This summer we read Unbroken - Jr Edition, The Giver, and The Legend. Great conversations! 

Six Flags 

We went to a couple nights of fireworks and a couple days at the water park. Always a good time! The boys are all really into roller coasters now too, so Ryan is grateful to have buddies to ride with. Katelyn and I stick to the train and carousel.  

Futsal

Katelyn played an outdoor coed 5 v 5 turf soccer season. No practices. One hour every Wednesday evening to improve ball handling. She was on the Real Madrid team, and they won the tournament. she loved it! 

Water Polo

After swim season ended, Ethan started a one-month water polo camp. He practiced for an hour every Tues & Wed evening and had a game each Thu evening. It was great fun, but he's decided he likes soccer more.   

YMs Adventure Leader

Ryan was called to organize some fun activities for the YMs. Since we have a deacon, teacher, and priest, it basically means he takes all our boys to do stuff, and Katelyn & I stay home. ;-( They kayaked the Llano River one Saturday, overnight camped on the beach at Mustang Island, and did a lake day at Inks. It has kept him very busy, especially since he's still traveling for work and in his second year of his data analytics master's program through Texas Tech. 

RS President

Our ward this summer was... a lot. We have divorces, financial catastrophes, a family of refugees, cancer, legal problems, and even the death of a young father. We also had move-ins and move-outs. I don't think I could have done everything that happened this summer during the school year, so I'm grateful - once again - to be a school teacher with the summers off. 

Abilene

Right before school started, we headed up to Abilene to say goodbye to Collin's friend Dylon who is headed on his mission to Mexicali, Mexico. We had a bunch of fun with our friends the Gentrys. All our best, Dylon!