Another Homecoming Queen in the Family!

 Our Brynn Marie was chosen for Homecoming Court in Eudora and Friday night was the crowning.

The last time we had a girl in our family in Homecoming was Sydney back in 2017.  And check out that adorable preschool flower girl!

Anyway, we've had a few boys in the court since then (Jack, Calvin, Ty & Oliver), but not another girl until now.  We got to the game early to make sure we'd get seats. We found Brynnie's senior banner!

And here she is with her friends on the front of the game program.

In Eudora they do the crowning ceremony at halftime so we had to wait a bit to see our girl. But finally, it was time, and our Brynnie was crowned Homecoming Queen!  She looked absolutely stunning in her gold dress. (Photo credit: Scott Russell)

As soon as the ceremony was over, we couldn't wait to give our hugs and congratulations.  Here are a very proud mom and dad!

And an equally-proud godmother and godfather! Yes, Russ and I are now 100% on our goddaughters being Homecoming Queen. Not to brag or anything.

Brynn had a lot of family there to support her. 

We couldn't be more proud of the beautiful young woman she is, inside and out -- we love you Brynnie Sue!!

Our Violet Girl is 17!

I'm definitely in a state of denial about this fact, but regardless of my feelings, the fact remains that my Violet girl is 17 years old today!! We began our celebration last night by letting her choose her birthday dinner. She chose "Mexican Restaurant, but eat it at home." It gets a little loud for her in the restaurant, but she sure loves her rice, chicken, and queso.

Then this morning, we did our traditional birthday pancakes. I can't believe I'm shaping pancakes into a number 17.

Make a wish, sweet girl!

We've left the house decorated from the girl's party so it has felt very festive the past couple of weeks. Time to open up her gifts!

She got her favorites: a new cup and new PJs!

Then it was time to get ready for school -- such a pretty girl!

She requested I bring her A&W for lunch. She's easy to please with both of her meal requests being in town -- I can handle that!

Russ and I joined Vi and her sweet friends, Kaylee and Nora, for their lunch hour. I'm so thankful for the wonderful friends she is blessed with.

When she was done eating, she went to work in the Eagle Snack Shack, where she served a couple of her other friends, Tavin and Morgan.

Russ and I went back in the afternoon to bring birthday treats to her class. She requested cookies for this one. I love that I still get to do birthday treats with one of my kids!

She handed them out to all of her friends and then we sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

Before I left her classroom, she wanted to show me Baby Liam, who she has been caring for as part of her child development class with Mrs. Leintz. She did such a great job changing his diaper! Of course, he was a good boy and held really still for her. 

At bedtime, Violet was super-pumped to discover that her new birthday jammies were matching with Evie's!  Aren't they the cutest?!?

What a fantastic day celebrating my favorite 17-year-old!! She is truly the gift I could never deserve, and I thank God for the joy she brings to every day. We love you, Violet Joy!! 

Violet's Rise & Run Track Meet

 Violet was excited to participate in a new event this year sponsored by our Wellsville FBLA chapter called "Rise & Run" track meet.

We found signs cheering for Violet all over the stands!

Baldwin, Eudora, and the Bridges program (kids between 18-21 who have graduated high school) were all able to come and compete. Violet was SO excited when Hannah, Max, and GraceAnna pulled up -- she kept saying, "All my friends are here!!"  It was super sweet, and you can tell how much she misses them at school each day.

The day started with a welcome and the National Anthem, and then the field events began. I was in charge of the Softball Throw, and the kids did great at this one!

Violet's softball throw looks curiously like her bowling throw and her bocce ball throw. I mean, why mess with a good thing??

When she had completed her throws, she tried out a few of the extra activities on the blacktop, like cornhole. . .

. . . and the parachute. 

She wasn't so sure about actually getting INSIDE it. She just enjoyed laughing from the outside.

She did a little sidewalk chalk with Piper. . .

. . . and then found herself in a little trouble! Officer Pelts loves Violet and she thought it was hilarious getting in the back of his Police car.

She also kind of  played the part of the firefighter. She somewhat put on the uniform and barely sprayed the firehose.

After lunch, Violet did a little YMCA and Macarena on the track with her friends.

Then it was time to start the running events.  Grandpa Kermit was recruited to be the "starter" and he's very experienced in getting runners organized on a track.

Violet ran the 25m and the 50m, and did great on both of them! On your marks, get set, GO!

She and Max showed off their matching ribbons after their running events.

She had such a great day and I'm thankful she had so much family there to cheer her on! (Grandma Cheryl & Grandpa Kermit were also there all day.)

Here are Violet's well-deserved ribbons for the day:

The FBLA members, and especially Nora, did a fantastic job organizing this event! I look forward to helping with it again next year.