Honor Roll for the 3rd quarter!

Just a quick post to say how well Brennan is doing in school. Report cards came home yesterday and she had all A's and B's. She was struggling with Science, but got it up just before the deadline! They are having an Honor Roll Party next week so that will be fun for her. She also gets to go to the "Demerit Free" Party another day next week.

She is participating in a Spring Jamboree next Thursday night with Orchestra, so I will post those pictures next week. She is one busy little girl!

~March Madness Tourney in Carrollton~

After 4 looooooong months of no softball, Brennan finally had a tournament this weekend. She was really starting to miss it and it showed! We were driving past Lost Mtn Park a couple of weeks ago and the lights were on for softball fields. As we drove by, she whispered (to herself),"It's okay Brennan, not much longer." It was so cool to see how much she wanted to play.

So ANYWAY, it was the most beautiful day to be outside, and we definitely got the most of it! We left for Carrollton at 7 AM. Once we got to the park, we didn't leave until it was all over at 11:00 PM. She played in 5 games, winning 3 and losing 2. Her team took 3rd place, out of 7 teams. Brennan played second base all day and had a great day in the field! She caught quite a few pop ups and even made a double play, all by herself! We are still working on her batting. She had a few strikeouts today, but also got walked and bunted a few times too. All in all, it was a good day!

A Hair Raising Experience.......

Well, we played beauty shop tonight! Like most kids, when they get something new they have to use it NOW!!! So, after we got home from the movies, I put highlights in Brennan's hair. I've never done this before, but I have had it done many, many times over the past several years....so how hard could it be? I read the directions step-by-step and followed them to a T. We had to yell for Jason to take pictures throughout the process and he thought we were crazy! But this is a big deal-a girl's first major hair treatment! We pulled it through a cap and everything. Brennan was a little antsy, she kept asking if I was done yet and how much longer???

Here are some pictures to help give a visual:

Finally finished...

blow dried and

flat ironed!

H@PpY <3 d@Y

Brennan loves to write everything like that, so I thought it would fun! She is such a tween!! Which is why her Valentine gift was......highlights and curlers for her hair. She has wanted highlights and curly hair for the last few months, but I refuse to pay salon prices (sorry Marybeth) for a 12 year old. We will be spending quality time together tonight to do them I guess. I will post those pictures later :-)

Sparkles Party!

We had Brennan's 12th birthday party at Sparkles Roller Rink! She invited friends from school as well as our family. The kids had a blast skating and playing video games and laser tag. We had a delicious cookie cake from Publix, along with pizza and soda.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas this year. We stayed very busy driving to see our extended families. Brennan mainly asked for clothes and shoes. She also got some other cool things like a telescope, Wii Music, and jewelry. Oh, how could I forget the money! She got enough to go buy the cell phone she has been dying to get!

New Year's Day at Snow Mountain

Brennan's Girl Scout troup took a family trip to Snow Mtn on New Years Day! Harrison and I went with them. It was kind of strange to see that much snow in Georgia! The girls had a blast tubing down the "mountain" and building snowmen. We also went to see The Polar Express in 4-D. We all were exhausted when we got home and ready for a hot shower.

Fall Softball

Brennan joined the Geogia Force 12U travel team. This fall they played in 5 tournaments. It was meant to be a short season just to see what the team was capable of. Little did we realize what talent we had! In those 5 tournies, the girls wound up playing 36 games and bringing home 3 trophies. One first place and two second place! Brennan proved herself as a second baseman, and played it almost every game. As far as her batting, she was in a bit of a slump. But when she was able to get on base, usually by bunting or getting walked, she was a base-stealing, run-scoring, speed demon. The coaches noticed this early on and used her as a pinch runner when possible.

She plans to play with them again in the Spring and they should start praticing in a few weeks! Their goal is to go to a World Series either in Panama City or Pigeon Forge in July. If they keep up the hard work, I don't see why they couldn't go all the way!

Softball news...

Brennan was on the Kennworth Bandits for the Spring. They had a great season, two 1st place trophies and two 2nd place! She had so much fun on this team and became a very good outfielder. They ended the season in Pigeon Forge, TN. We stayed in The Inn at Christmas Place, which is a really cool hotel! The girls loved swimming in the pools and had fun decorating the cars with white shoe polish. GO BANDITS!! They didn't show very well in this tournament, but oh well, we had fun!

Right after this trip, she tried out for the Kennesaw Mountain High School Metro Team. They had about 20 girls show up. They wanted to have two teams, Gold and Bronze. With such a slim turnout, they had enough for one team, a Gold. They chose Brennan as one of the 12 players! It is compiled of six 8th graders, one 7th grader, and five 6th graders. They have already played in a pre-season tournament and went 3-1. They have played two season games and are 1-1. She doesn't get a ton of playing time, being one of the youngest, but it's a great experience!

She has also tried out for (and made) a new travel team, the Georgia Force. Her old team has decided to move up and she is not ready for that yet. They will start practicing for the rest of the month and will play in September.

School Update

Over Spring Break, Brennan's Girl Scout Troop went to Savannah. I was able to go on this trip and we had a blast! We toured Juliette Low's house and the first Girl Scout Headquarters. We also went on a Dolphin Tour, a Treasure Hunt on the beach, and walked around Savannah. The picture above was taken in a courtyard at Juliette Low's house.

Over the summer we took our family vacation to Gulf Shores and took ots of beach pictures. The one shown above was taken there. Brennan went tubing on the back of Uncle Mike's boat, went to Waterville and bought a turtle! Her name is Emily and she is so cute. We have since adopted Stephanie's 2 turtles as well.

Well Brennan finished up 5th grade with all A's all year! She started middle school last week and is loving it! First of all, she gets to sleep an hour later. Second, she changes classes. And finally, she has a locker! She actually has a lot of her girl scout friends in her classes. Strangely, she as gone 6 years with only 1 girl scout in her class. She tried out for Band and Orchestra, and has decided to join Orchestra and play the Viola. It's like the Violin, but longer. Luckily the school has these and we don't have to buy one.