Unplugged

The girls had minds of their own this weekend and it was wearing Gary and I out as parents. We decided that Sunday was going to be unplugged day at our house. We literally unplugged the television and the computers and told the girls that they were to entertain themselves on their own. They really don't watch much television but often like to catch a show here or there. It worked out very well. The girls played well together, we all took a family nap after Caroline's soccer practice and we all went to bed early. Not bad for a Sunday! The girls even took a bath that lasted for an hour. I definitely think it served it purpose. I think every once in a while it is good to uplug and enjoy each other's company and to rest. I don't think we as a family rest or enjoy downtime as much as we should. This morning everyone was well rested, in good mods, and ready to start off the week. Looking forward to college football this weekend as well as NFL (since I am in a fantasy football league now) and a day off to hang with the family.

Friday night football fun

We took the girls to Harding's first home football game of the year on Friday night. The girls had fun as the home crowd all wore black for a "black out". Coolest time I have seen this work was the University of Georgia with their black jerseys and the crowd obliged as well. The girls wanted to participate so on to Target to purchse the $4 plain black t-shirt. We all had different reasons for wanting to attend the game. Gary and I, of course, are ready for football (of any kind) to start and enjoyed seeing the action (even if Harding has a long road ahead of them!!). Anna wanted to see her friends and Caroline wanted to eat the food! The girls got to be on the field before the game as the players ran out through the lion tunnel. Anna slid down the hill with her friends over and over on cardboard boxes and Caroline enjoyed some fun food and scored a megaphone from the cheerleaders after their halftime routine. Even though we chalked up a loss, we enjoyed seeing so many of our Harding family friends. I'm not used to seeing many high school teams win....I honestly don't think White Station won once (even homecoming against Overton) when I was in high school!!

the zyrieks all "blacked out" before the game

caroline showing off her megaphone from the cheerleaders

Fantasty Football

My friend since grade school Rachel Baker invited me to join her all-girl Fantasy Football League this fall. The draft was last night and it was hilarious. Of course I was one of the novice participants but Gary shared his Ipad with me and had it loaded with the "Cheat Sheet" app so that I could at least know who was good and injured and how the players were ranked by position. I did not necessarily get exactly who I set out to draft but it was fun and I will enjoy this first year seeing how well I can do. Gary has joined a league as well and so we will both be paying much more attention to the players and their results this year. Can't wait to see how I do.... and to return next year as someone with more knowledge of how the whole process works.

our draft board...low-tech but lovely!

the ladies of the league!!

Happy Birthday Mimi

We grilled out lunch for Mom's birthday today and the girls loved giving her a new computer!! She has really enjoyed her computer but as James so lovingly put it, she "needed an upgrade". Now for Gary the techie to set it all up for her!!

Happy 1st birthday, Benjamin!!

We all attended my nephew Benjamin's first birthday party today. He really enjoyed his cupcake!!

Ballerina sisters

So they day has finally arrived for Caroline to start her ballet classes!! She has been talking about this forever. Anna has been taking at Ballet Memphis since she was 3 years old. They start with "Discover Dance 3" and then progressing to 4 and 5 and then by first grade you are ready for Ballet 1. Discover Dance is not really the traditional ballet with the positions however it is a lot of fun and of course a leotard is involved as well as ballet shoes so Caroline is so happy!

Anna started Ballet 2 and was happy to see so many of her friends from last year in her class. Lucky for the Zyrieks Anna and Caroline's classes are back to back on Wednesday afternoons so it is quite convenient.

I'm sure we will have lots of twirling on the way to bed tonight!

waiting for her class to start....can barely contain her excitement
anna in her blue leotard, for ballet 2!

Back to school!

Both girls started back to school today. I cannot believe that Anna is in the second grade!! I remember her first day at Harding when she was younger than Caroline and barely 2 years old. She has been excited about getting a new backpack (her LL Bean one that is monogrammed has served her well for 3 years and probably could last many more but she wanted an update) and lunchbox and overall seeing her friends more often. She is in Mrs. Kolznak's room this year and has very few repeats from her first grade class. This has happened each year to Anna so that now she knows everyone and is friends with just about the whole second grade! We do have a great groups of kids and the girls are awesome. We had meet the teacher night on Friday and took her supplies and got her settled into her desk and locker. The quote of the night came from a boy named Logan Yoon who did a few fist pumps because he is not going to be last in the room. Anna confided in him not to worry because she is ALWAYS last. We always give a little shout out to Gary for our unique and always last, last name!! Anna was a little nervous when we took her to her room but ended up having a great day. She says her teacher informed the class that she is strict to which I replied and told her that Mimi (my mom) was always a strict teacher. She had to ask Mimi tonight for confirmation!! Let the second grade year begin!!

second grader

anna with mrs kolznak

Caroline is in the early childhood 3's class this year. Luckily she passed the 2's after two years and was allowed to move on....just joking. Due to her September birthday and August 1st cutoff at school, she is too young for Jr. K this year so she did the 2's twice. We are ready for all the fun in the Forest Room with Miss Ann and Miss Rhonda. Today was Caroline's phase in day meaning only part of the class attended today. A good way to acclimate the kids and the teachers. Caroline won't return until Thursday....something she has not quite figured out. We have always phased in on the third day (of course a tribute to our last name I thought) but this year we were different. Caroline had a great day...made several art projects, ate a good lunch, took a good nap and even got to play outside due to the lack of oppresive heat and humidity. I think we were in the low to mid 90's today with lower humidity so it actually felt pleasant!! We are thinking Caroline is going to have a great 3's year and we look forward to so much fun!

love the new backpacks
my big girl in the 3's class

caroline with miss ann, the lead teacher in the forest room

I'm glad it is back to school. Back to routines, back to schedules, back to sports and college football! I just wish the weather would cooperate and bring us cooler temps quickly. I am very much over the 120+ degree heat index!!

Pep Rally Debut

Anna's pee-wee cheer team (Sr K- 2nd grade) made their pep rally debut tonight at Harding's back to school fish fry. After dinner all the fall varsity sports teams were announced and each cheerleading squad got to perform including pee wee up to varsity. Anna was a bit nervous but their cheer was so cute and I was so proud when the older cheerleaders cheered them on both before and after they peformed. Anna's kindergarten teacher, Miss Christy's daughter Cassidy is on the varsity squad and did an amazing job. Anna was impressed with all her backhandsprings and flips and was lucky to snag a photo with her afterwards. Such fun to see all the families after the summer and we are ready for school to start on Monday!!

anna showing her spirit after the pep rally

anna with cassidy...a "cool" varsity cheerleader

Does Memphis really need this?

We went to lunch today at Humdinger's with our friends the DeSouzas....as we pulled up the kids noticed the "restaurant" and I use that term loosely called "Carnival Food". Really?? In one of the most obese states and most unhealthy cities in America we have an eatery that serves funnel cakes, pronto pups, and fried just about anything ALL YEAR LONG?? I really hopes this business does not take off. This is the second location in town. Let's leave carnival food for the Delta Fair which is one time a year and let Memphians find healthful food for the rest of the year.

the kids were very interested in what they had to offer inside
gary is checking out the company car