We started out today with Mia's soccer game at 10AM. I'm glad we weren't the 8:30 game, as I'm sure it was a bit colder then. Mia's team won, and remains undefeated.

Following a short stay at home, Thomas went to his dad's and Mia and I were off to Columbia for ballet. We then went to Walmart for "just a few things" and ended up spending too much money, as usual. Mia was in desperate need of new jeans. Nothing wrong with the old ones, except that they are now too short and looked a bit ridiculous. Those will go in the "Mary" bag, to be passed down to Mary Grace.

This time of year is so unpredictable. The kids need jeans and jackets when they leave for school, but it is warm enough for shorts by the end of the day. I just don't know how to have them dress. Thomas would be happy in shorts year round if I'd let him. I was surprised to find that he had put on track pants to go to the soccer game this morning. Haven't seen him in long pants in ages. I suppose he will be next to get new pants. I haven't had him try on his jeans yet this year.

Mia went to a "half-birthday" celebration of her twin cousins, Kristin and Julia today. They had a hay ride, wiener roast, etc. She got home about 6:30. Thomas' friend Nate's dad picked him up and took them to their friend Landon's house for a bon-fire/hayride thing tonight. I'll pick the boys up at 11 and Nate will spend the night here. Last year at Landon's, Thomas had his collision with his friend Calvin's shoulder as the boys were running in the dark, causing a pretty serious tooth/mouth injury, which resulted in an emergency dentist visit the next day. Luckily, the tooth was just moved quite a bit back, the root wasn't fractured and all was well in about a week, once his upper lip swelling went down. He looked like one of the characters from Whoville for that week. He told me today that he was "going to stay by Calvin's side" all night, so it wouldn't happen again. I told him to please not run in the dark.

Sydney got a call at around 8 this morning from Subway. I guess someone called in sick and they were short-handed. They asked her to come in, and she did. What was supposed to be a 1-5 shift turned into a 9-5. Sure is nice that she is making her own money and not hitting up First National Mom anymore. She tells me she's going to Old Navy tomorrow. Apparently there is a big sale.

She and her friends are at Going Bonkers this evening. I didn't know they had a teen night there. Good place to go to stay out of trouble, I suppose.

Tomorrow I'm doing a photo shoot for my friend Sue and her family. She has 3 boys and 4 grandchildren and we are all meeting out at her house at 2:00. Hopefully I can get some good shots for her. I'm excited to report that I'll be shooting my first wedding in November. Amy's co-worker is getting remarried and has asked that I be the photographer. Could this be the start of something big?

Exciting new for Thomas...based on his scores on the MAP test, and a recommendation by his teachers, he has been selected as a Distinguished Nominee to the Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars at Truman State (formerly NMSU...my old stompin' ground.) From the letter we got..."The Joseph Baldwin Academy offers talented students like you an opportunity to participate in an intensive three week residential session of academic, social, and cultural experiences in a university environment. As a Baldwin Scholar, you would enroll in one college-level course, which meets six hours each weekday and three hours on Saturdays. For three weeks you will essentially become a college freshman by moving into a dorm, living with a roommate, eating dorm food, attending classes and making new friends."

It's very exciting for him, though it is quite expensive and that is a LONG time to be away from home for my boy who is very much a "home boy" if you will. However, we are very proud of him for the recommendation. Way to go, Thomas!

We are so proud of him.