Battle of Big Sandy

This past Friday night was the Battle of the Big Sandy-meaning the game between Bridgeport and Decatur.  The fun small town rivalry has grown throughout the years, and now it is a full blown extravaganza.  The stands are packed, signs are everywhere, the bands are playing, and both towns are crammed into one stadium for a high school football game.  It's what small town fun is all about.  This year, Wise Regional helicoptered the game ball onto the 50 yard line.  Both towns' police departments were represented with the presenting of The Colors, and a canned drive competition between elementary schools helped fill the shelves at WARM.  In addition, Madison participated in a mini-drill team camp with Avery, and performed on the field at halftime.  She had SO much fun!  AND was able to keep beat to the music!  It was so much fun to see her having so much fun.  :0)  Geeky, but that's me.

A geeky mom that loves a helictopter-delivered football on a smalltown Friday night.

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And the winner is....

Madison and Tanner participated in the Battle of the Books on Friday.  The contest was the culmination of a  year's worth of book reading, test taking, and preparation for this Big Event.  We bought the books over the summer, and traded with friends, even refreshing our memories the week before the Big Tests.  When they found out they made a team, they were ecstatic, and Madison prattled on and on about how the even would run.  This was Tanner's first year to be eligible for the Book Battle, and I could tell he felt honored to be Madison's "peer."  By some stroke of luck, Madison and Tanner were put on the same team, along with Tanner's most favorite friend Sam, and Thaine-another favorite friend.  One night last week, Tanner was reflecting on the team, and said he was so glad to have Madison for a sister.  When I inquired as to why (just out of curiosity-since there was such open love and admiration and all), he said that it was because of Madison that he was on the Battle of the Books team.  When I corrected him, and explained that he read all his own books, passed all his own tests, and got on a team all on his own, he could barely contain his astonishment.  You could see the little nerdy pride all over his face, in the only way a Tanner smirk can show it.

Thursday night was like Christmas Eve around here, with the both of them laying out their clothes and making plans to go to sleep "superfast" so the "best day of the year would just get here already!"  They bounded out of bed Friday morning, and didn't have to be reminded one time to brush their teeth or put their shoes on.  I love mornings like that.  Once they met with their team, they were good to go.  Todd signed up to be a monitor, and made sure all questions were answered accurately and in accordance with proper rules and regulations.  (ha!)  In the end (drumroll please) The Whatchamachalits aswered the most questions correct, and were deemed the winners.  Madison and Tanner wore their medals the rest of the evening, and Tanner even slept in his.  There was some big time pride going on in the Nerdy Scroggins House, and I sorta love that.

Go Eagles!!

My little Eagles had a blast at the first game. We started the night's festivities at Dairy Queen with 8 of our closest friends, and all of our 12 children. Yes, we took up most of the dining area, but it was awesome. It was one of those Decatur moments I really love. We met up at the game after dinner, and watched all our kids run around like crazy people. Tanner was in awe of the band; Madison flounced around with her friends, and Grady just really wanted a little football. If I could get a hook-up on one of those, I would be most appreciative. Overall, a fun evening-even given the exhausted tears on the way home. I guess we take the good with the bad? :)

The Evil Empire

I'm wearing a Dragon shirt today. I feel like such a traitor.

the first day...

and the usual pics...It's amazing how much they change in one year. This year we were first grade and third grade bound. Madison came home with a STUDENT PLANNER (can you tell how excited I am about that one??), and Tanner came home proud he didn't pull his card the first day. Baby steps. :)

Tomorrow is a biggie. I'll have a picture of Grady's first day at his "bigger and stronger school" as I take him to his new preschool. It's taken a lot of convincing, but the new Star Wars backpack from Aunt Patti, and the new light up shoes might have won him over. I'm just hoping he runs into class excited, and not permenantly attached to my leg. Hoping and praying for that small victory.

and I'm a college graduate. with honors.

I just got a call from the Boys Head Basketball Coach here in the big little town of DEcatur. Apparently, he had Madison's camp registration form and money. He was extraordinarily nice, and took down Tanner's info with a promise to switch camp forms with the Girls Basketball Coach. But still, I stood in my kitchen beet red stumbling over my words. He laughed, but ended the conversation with a reminder of the dates of both camps-just in case I needed that.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will not make it to 3 high school graduations without severely screwing something up. God help my little children.

LAST DAY of SCHOOL!!!

We made it! They've grown so much since the First Day of School! The mornings were crazy. The evenings were exhausting. The days were full of learning and fun-so much so that Madison and Tanner ran into school everyday. But Grady missed them terribly, and always asked when it was "time to pick up the kids." So for the next few months, they will all be together everyday (ish) and hopefully still like eachother when it's all said and done. :)

The Graduate

We made it through kindergarten, signed folders and all. Big things happened this year. Things like reading! History! Math! Now it's on to first grade for even bigger things, like loosing teeth. :)

Swine Flu Snow Days

Confirmed as of this afternoon: No school Monday and Tuesday pending results of swine flu testing.

I told the kids we were going to home school...they weren't so super pumped about that.

Spring Fun Run

It started with kindergarten, and Tanner was all smiles as he and Todd headed down the half-mile path. He looked like he might be bookin' it a little faster than in the fall, and even outran Todd for a few seconds at the finish line. He was dern proud of that medal too.
Second grade was soon up to speed, and off to the races. Madison tackled the 3/4 mile run again this time around, although she looks like she might be just going for a walk in the park...

That is until the end of the race-that looked a little more brutal...don't you think?

But, she was the 5th or 6th girl to finish in that longer run, so that may have made it all worth it. They both beat their fall times, and I might, maybe, perhaps have seen a little more competitiveness than the fall? They get that from me and my "can't we all just get along" nature. :) Not only did they have fun during the run, but they couldn't wait to cheer on their friends and offer congrats at the end of every race. That's worth a medal in my book. Todd also wins a medal for running with both kids, definitely earning that watered down grape gatorade at the finish line. Way to go Scroggins Clan!

Fun Run

Yesterday was the Annual Fall Fun Run at Rann. Todd was Superdad and ran with both kids-first with Tanner for half mile, and then with Madison for 3/4 of a mile. Grady and I were there to cheer them on.
Tanner was super pumped about the event because he remembers going to cheer Madison on during her kindergarten and first grade runs. He's constantly impressed with himself that he is as Big as she was. It's pretty nifty to watch. Todd said he ran the whole way, and really tried to finish strong. Here they are turning the corner heading to the finish line. There were yellow ribbons and gatorade waiting.
Madison had the option to run a 1/2 mile or go for the gold and run 3/4 of a mile. She had said yesterday morning that she was going to do the 1/2 mile-she was sure she'd come in last if she went for the longer one. She isn't totally confident in her athletic abilities. I encouraged her to run the longer one, that it was a FUN run. :) I'm not sure if it was me or the peer pressure, but she did opt for the longer run. Todd said she ran the whole way "Madison Style". She even earned a medal as one of the top 10 girl finishers. Hopefully that gives her a little more confidence to grow on.

We stayed through the 3rd and 4th grade runs to watch some of our friends finish. The atmosphere of the day was so relaxed and fun, we just wanted to keep cheering and drinking that orange gatorade. With medals and ribbons in hand, we are already "training" for the run in the Spring.

Be-boppin' 50th Day of School

DHS Homecoming

We supported our Eagles on Friday by attending the Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally. Grady thought it was so super fun to watch everyone walk by and throw candy. Tanner was, of course, all about the candy. Madison was actually in the parade as a pee-wee cheerleader. She didn't fall out of the pick up she was riding in, which was a bonus. We walked all over the square getting to our designated watching and cheering spots. While the pre-parade waiting did get a little hairy, I think it was a successful afternoon. We came home to a lazy Friday night, and look forward to more Homecomings...especially that parade and candy business.

We've Got Spirit-Yes We Do!

Little Eagles on the first Spirit Friday of the Year.

The First Day

We survived.

We were dressed and at the breakfast table by 7 this morning. I doubt we will see such eager faces once the routine has settled in, but it was fun to see them so excited this morning. We took offical first day pictures by the front door... new packpacks and lunchboxes from Aunt Patti in hand.

Grady was convinced he was going to school too, and wore his packpack along with Madison and Tanner. I didn't let on that he wasn't going to be staying with sister and brother-just hoped for the best. Todd and I both made the pilgrimmage to each classroom. We dropped Tanner off first, and I just watched as he found his cubby and seat. He plopped down and began working-that was that! Madison was actually a little nervous this morning; I was surprised. I know that excited nervous feeling though-I willed her to have an awesome day.

That's when my eyes began to water. By now you know the sap that is me-and yes, there were tears today. I didn't attend the official Boo Hoo Breakfast, opting for McDonald's with Grady and Todd instead. At first Grady was a little lost without Tanner, saying he needed help-Tanner was at school. I was a little surprised by that sentence in general, and even more surprised when Grady mastered the big steps in the playground. He did it all by himself.

It's just the two of us this year, and while I'm looking forward to that special time, I actually do miss the other Hoodlums. I'm broken. :) I couldn't wait for their reports when they got home, hoping all their expectations were met and exceeded. They had wonderful days and are just as eager to get up tomorrow morning. The Todd bus leaves at 7:35; Grady and I will be here when they get home waiting to hear about Day 2.

Meet the Teacher

Last night we met teachers-one for Tanner and one for Madison. We are going to have TWO kids in school this year. I fear the craziness will multiply exponentially. In any case, the kids were beyond excited to take their school supplies to their room, find their desk, and see who was in their class!!!!!!!!!!!! (hopefully all those exclamation points give you an idea of the crazy excitement!!!!!!!!) Tanner has one super good friend in his class-we dutifully warned the teacher of their love/hate best friendship. I'm excited for him. He's so big. Madison was ecstatic to find that she knew almost all the kids in her class, and I was super pumped that those kid's moms-they are friends of mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (that excitement is a contagious thing.) She has real textbooks this year, and folders for each subject. THAT means we get to start ORGANIZING. I'm looking forward to see her move from learning about school to learning from school.

Tons of happiness at this house right now. School days, school days....

The Graduate

Tonight my little girl walked across the stage for the first time in her life. She graduated kindergarten-complete with cap (no gown just yet). In my usual sappy way I teared up as they sang their graduation song. I teared up when her name was called and she confidently took her diploma and strolled across that stage. Just as I teared up when she did her first dance performance...when she swam underwater for the first time.

A graduate-for the first time. DHS class of 2019.