Rachel's Birthday Week

So it couldn't have been a better week and weekend for Miss Rachel. She won Student Council President, got a lead role in her musical at church, and this morning I found out that she was chosen as "Student of the Month" by her teachers.

On top of all that, Tuesday is her 11th birthday. Pam and I took her to The Galleria to get her ears pierced. It was a huge deal. She was so nervous!

But she did it!

After that, we went to The American Girl Store where we found out that you can have your doll's ears pierced too! Fortunately, Rachel brought her "Just Like Me" AG doll (a doll that you order to have your features).

We had a snack in the AG Bistro. I think Aunt Pam likes American Girl more than anybody.

Happy Birthday Rachel!

If McCain Would Only Wear the Hat!

Now I have to brag on my girl.

Rachel ran for Student Council President this year. It was a tough campaign. Her platform was opposing socialized healthcare and pushing for offshore drilling. I'm just kidding. Really it was to have pajama day at school in a warmer month. Here is her speech!

She won! How can you not win with that hat? She also auditioned for the kids musical at church and got a lead role! We have one more audition coming up tomorrow for Plano Children's Choir. We'll see if she can do a three-peat.

Can you peak in the 5th grade?

Graham vs. The Titan

I have to brag on my boy.

We decided that this year we'd get season passes to Six Flags. We (Randy, Rachel, Pam and I) love riding roller coasters and thought it'd be great to go whenever we wanted to ride. Graham, however, was on the "I-don't-think-that's-such-a-great-idea" side. To his credit, if you take one look at our favorite coaster- The Titan- it's pretty intimidating.

We were at Six Flags yesterday and all but begged him to try the Titan at least one time (okay we did beg). It took some convincing, but after lots and lots of encouragement (and $7 between Pam and me) he finally decided to do it. That kid will do anything for a buck.

He rode with me the first time and I have to say I was a little nervous for him. Whereas the bar fits snugly to my lap, there was lots of room between him and his bar. I kept a big smile on my face and chanted in my head all the way up the first hill "science says he stays in, science says he stays in".

The first drop is always a doozy and I think it kind of knocked the breath out of him, but by the third drop he was yelling at the top of his lungs "this is awesome, this is awesome"! He rode 3 more times and can't wait to get back on it.

There's nothing like a 25 and a half story drop and 85mph spirals (Mommy blacks out a little) to bring a family together.