Shin Guards and Tutus

September is always a month of transition for us. We spend the month getting into our new school year routines, homework, after school activities and juggling nap schedules (or lack thereof).

The girls are both playing soccer - Madison intramural at UMS, Barclay on the YMCA team. They both enjoy it - and soccer games beat ballet recitals, hands down.

Madison started the year at a new ballet studio - Mobile Ballet. This is pretty serious stuff, as it entails a uniform based on level and will culminate with an appearance as a mouse in the Nutcracker. (No recital - hollah!)

Barclay, upon visiting Madison's first ballet class, decided that she might like to take ballet after all. Her level wears this lovely pink uniform - which she loves. On the first day, however, we were a bit scared, so, in typical fashion, I bribed her to stick it out. Here she is post-ballet class, collecting the goods. I will point out that she has since gone to ballet every day with a smile on her face and a hitch in her giddyup.

... Mac is not taking ballet. He still wanted to say "cheese."

Barclay's soccer uniform is more of a tunic/shirt dress on her. She is showing some promise as a soccer player - and even endured a double header last Saturday in the sweltering heat!

She is so cool.

Mac dresses out for Barclay's soccer games as well. He has is own ball, cleats and shin guards - also shorts that we roll down 6 times. He is so very proud.

I took this picture on the day of the Alabama-Arkansas game. Mac and Martha agreed to disagree on the subject. After all, he is her baby-Daddy. (Unfortunately, the football game did not go so well for the Hogs, but we'll get 'em next year.)

I am aware that this picture has nothing to do with this post - but poor Bear. Oh, the hours I spent dressing up Cinnamon and Kittle Lou when I was a kid. Bear has the exact same look of humiliation. The girls were so proud, they insisted that I snap a picture.