These girls have been playing together a lot this last week. This was our last week before they both start 'school.' Anabelle will go two days and Taylor will go four. They are both extremely excited but have really enjoyed each other this week. Taylor has been focused on helping me around the house. She really likes to clean. I have had to release my control (not always an easy task for me). There may be a few extra window smudges but she sure feels important. :)

Anabelle has been working on being a big girl (aka diapers only at night). She's done pretty well with a few unpleasant exceptions. She's also working on her 'independence' in other ways. A couple of days ago she walked into the kitchen holding Taylor's sissors and a piece of paper explaining that she was going to cut and then color the paper. I explained that I was sorry, but she wasn't quite big enough for sissors yet. Her response, "yes, I cut then color because I the boss."

Shannon recently had to explain that she couldn't jump from the couch to the ottoman. Actually I think he said she could do it, but she would get a spanking. Her response, "No I won't." You can imagine that it didn't go over very well. She's only two!!!!

Last Soccer Game

Today was it. It will be missed, but maybe we'll sleep in next Sat...yeah right!

Taylor's team played the green team this week and her friend Angelica from Sunday school in on the green team. They were really funny. After each score they would find each other and hold hands until the action started again. Here they are 'resting' during the last qtr waiting for the end of season 'party.'

...All day long..

I've hurt my back, so we have been VERY immobile this week. Not many cool pictures or activities, but a couple of really cute funnies. This is Taylor 'just chillin' waiting for her soccer game to start.

T: Tomorrow, I'm going to eat ALL DAY LONG...

Me: Really?

T: You know what I'm going to eat?

Me: What?

T: Lunch!

later:

T: I'm in a B-A-D M-O-O-D

Anabelle: Tayluh have bad attitude. Me no have bad attitude.

disclaimer: Taylor is really a very well behaved child, I promise. :)

later:

Anabelle: Do not feaw ..i am wiff ew, whoo hoo!

(the only discernible part of her verse is 'whoo hoo!')

Target traditions

Tonight was basketball night for Shannon, so once more, we were looking for a little extra entertainment. We made an extra special trip to Target to pick out lunch boxes. (To my delight they kept away from the most tacky ones) On the way in we had to hug the balls outside and I thought it was time I captured the moment and shared. I like how Taylor pretends it's important to her too, just to make Anabelle feel cool.

Why Shannon is Super Dad

It rained all day today and Shannon worked late. The combination of those two make for a pretty long day for us. After dinner, the girls went to their rooms for about 5 minutes while Shannon and I just hung out a little. He explained to them that they really needed to let their food rest. (?!?) Anyway, after taking a couple of minutes just hanging out with his wife he took off down the hall to go play dungeon and monster. Since then, while I have been just sitting back and taking it easy, I have overheard the following....

T: AAAAHHHH!!! Mommy save me the monster is attacking me!

A: AAAAHHHH!!! Mommy sabe me the monshure is getting me!

cut to my two small children barrelling around the house with a monster on their tails.

later...

T: It says we should go west

Dad: Hm...Let me see... This (his watch) says that west is this way. Come on Anabelle we have to find your home.

A: OK, it has a wainbow and a beach.

I wish I could remember all the other lines, but they are currently on an expedition through the entire house looking for their indivual 'homes'. I have heard them say that they really needed a microphone and Anabelle is adamat that something (I can't see what) is her walking stick.

Did I mention that he spent his lunch break running an errand for me??? Oh, and all this playing after working late. Isn't he just great? God has been so good to me to give me such a wonderfully selfless husband who loves and serves Him. I just had to share...

This picture was taken last week on a night similar to tonight.

Puh Puh Puh...Anabelle

I realize that you can't really understand that title unless you've heard Anabelle do it. Taylor has really been into sounding words out etc. Anabelle tries to get invloved. For example...kha kha kha Mommy...or, Tah Tah Tah cheese.

She was so excited about this outfit she put together today. "See Mommy? Dis Pink and Dis Pink." She added the hat and annouced herself as 'Stawbuwy Shotcake.'

Feeding the chickens

Savannah has chickens! (and a rabbit, and dogs and cats and I don't know what else) We fed the chickens today. If I'm being totally honest, I was probably a little freaked out as I watched my children hold their respective chickens. They, however thought it was super cool.

Backwards Night

Tonight Shannon is playing golf. He explained that he really needed tonight to prove to himself that last week's 2 under was a fluke. The girls and I are having backwards night. We had snow cones for supper and sandwiches for dessert. Then we tucked ourselves in, then put PJs on (backwards of course) and then went downstairs to play. Oh, and of course walked backwards everywhere. I think that the snow cones for supper is what sold the whole thing. :)

Please don't ask why there is a jingle bell necklace hanging from the doorknob in the background. I have no idea!?!?

Silly Girls

Oh to be a four year old little girl again. These two are having a blast!

Back in the Game (Arkansas Democrat Gazette-today)

In case you don't get the 'Tri-Lakes' edition of the Arkansas Dem-Gaz, here's an article featuring our very own Papaw. (only here's a tip, don't call him that in the gym. He likes to stick to 'coach' around players. ;) )

Coach comes out of retirement for challenge
By Eric Moore STAFF WRITER
For the past three years, Gary Shoptaw, 58, has been enjoying the perks of retirement. Whether it is being able to spend time with his wife of 36 years, Charlotte, who retired at the same time he did, or playing dominoes at the local store in Prattsville, retirement came easy for Shoptaw. Without the rigors of a basketball season on his mind, the former Poyen coach was even able to make twice monthly trips to Birmingham to see his grandchildren. Then a funny thing happened. He heard about the opening at Glen Rose High School. “I’ve entertained thoughts [of coming out of retirement], but in the past I had gotten over it qu ick ly,” Shopt aw said. “I had never given it more than a fleeting thought, but I couldn’t find anything to discourage me, to dim my enthusiasm [about this job].” Just seven years removed from an undefeated, championship season at nearby rival Poyen, and three years into retirement, the thought of coaching again was just too appealing for Shoptaw. Couple that with the reception he has received at Glen Rose, and it’s no wonder why he will be roaming the sidelines once again. “Everyone here has been really positive and encouraging,” Shoptaw said. “I appreciate the challenge, and anything worth doing is challenging.” The upcoming season will be Shoptaw’s 32nd year in the profession, and most of the time he was able to stay close to his hometown of Prattsville in Grant County. Other than the 14 years he spent at Pulaski Academy, he never had to travel more than 30 minutes from home. After graduating from Henderson State University, Shoptaw got a job with Pulaski Academy as an assistant head coach. In just three years, however, he wa s promoted to head coach and other schools came calling. When the Sheridan head coaching position opened up, it was an opportunity for him to be closer to home. After three years in Sheridan, Shoptaw spent a year as an assistant coach at Bryant before becoming the head coach at Pulaski Academy again. For 10 years, he lead the Bruins before his dream job opened up. He would finally get to coach his alma mater, but two years into his tenure, the school shut down and he accepted the head coaching position at Prattsville’s biggest rival, Poyen. At Poyen he had unrivaled success. In his second year, he took them to the state tournament and then a state championship just a few years later. With much of his life devoted to basketball, it was surprising to many of those around him when he retired, and he was often asked by his former players what he was doing with all that free time. “I asked them what they did on Saturdays,” Shoptaw said. “I’ve had three years of Saturdays.” The Glen Rose job will be like many of the others Shoptaw has taken — a rebuilding project. Fans of Glen Rose basketball can take solace in the fact that nearly everywhere Shoptaw has been, he was able to turn around a program in short order. At Pulaski Academy, in his second year he led the team to a 20 -win season for the first time. It is his team’s ability to exceed expectations that makes coaching basketball such a joy for Shoptaw. “That’s one of the most gratifying things,” Shoptaw said. “Seeing them exceed their, their parents and fans’ expectations.” Shoptaw will bring an uptempo offense and an in-yourface defense to Glen Rose that he hopes will bring excitement to the basketball program, which in turn means more numbers. With his style of play, many players are needed to field a team. Shoptaw talks about his past with a smile, but he is always looking ahead. As much as he enjoyed the stops he made previous to Glen Rose, the Beavers are the important thing to him now. “The most important team to me is in that locker room,” Shoptaw said. “I’m looking forward to doing all I can to help them win in the years to come.”

PHOTO BY GREG BENENATI Just seven years removed from a state championship and even fewer years since he retired, head coach Gary Shoptaw will be prowling the sidelines again, this time for the Glen Rose Beavers.

Soccer rules!

This morning was Taylor's first experience with soccer ever. We have 20 minute practices followed by a thirty minute game. It was the most fun I've had in a while. She LOVED it! As much as she loves ballet, she said this was even more fun. Since this was her first 'sport' it is Shannon's first chance to be a dad/fan. It was hilarious. He was constantly yelling for her. "Go get it Taylor! Way to go Taylor! Good Job Taylor" Anabelle was also super proud of her sister. Each time Taylor got a break from the action, Anabelle had to go give her a hug. She even scored 3 'shots' as she called it. I probably had almost as much fun watching some of the other kids. One little boy layed down on the ground for almost the entire 20 minute practice. During the game two little girls on the other team, just walked around the 'court?/field?' holding hands. If you ever get a chance, a 4/5yr old soccer game is a great place to be on Sat morning at 8am.

This is Taylor's game face. Any running or kicking involved this face...so cute!

I have to post a video at Papaw's request. Watch for taylor to get plowed down by one of the coaches and get a great high five from another coach!