Seeing Red {Raiders}

Round two of college visits for DanFam5 has begun. First on the docket: Texas Tech University. Daisy was pretty certain this was not a contender, but she wanted to visit just to be sure. Since it's practically as far away as Kansas (not really, it's 4 1/2 hours, but it felt as long) it was not on the top of my list, either. After stopping by to have lunch with Zekers, we drove Sunday night because the kids had the next day off.

While in Lubbock, we had to try the famous cheese sticks at Spanky's.

Texas Tech was founded in 1923 and currently has an enrollment of 40+ thousand students. The campus comprises 1839 acres, making it one of the largest universities land-wise in the nation. We walked to this super-sized campus from the hotel in the morning. It was still a little dark when we left. We walked past the education building on our way.

A lot of high schools had the day off, so Tech had a big open house day with lots of fan fare. 

As a dare way back in 1936, a student in a black mask rode a horse on the football field as a 'ghost rider' (because no one knew the masked-man's identity). The tradition of the Masked Riders continues to this day.

I had Daisy stand here for a picture. Luckily a girl walking past informed us not to walk through Little Ben because that would guarantee you an extra year before graduation. Daisy jumped out from under there immediately!

Daisy's mind was not radially changed from our visit, but 'Guns Up' because now we have been there.

[October 14]

A Literal Homecoming

Homecoming wouldn't be homecoming in Texas without the riduculous mums. This one was a collab effort from both of us at Cougar Corner.

Thursday afternoon there was a homecoming parade.

I followed the band and the cheerleaders in case anyone got too hot, because it is still about a thousand degrees outside. Last year the day of the parade I was asked to do the same; I felt a little painfully plain driving in the parade in my simple van with nothing on it nor anything in it but me. This year I was asked in advance so I made a couple signs to hang on Sea Biscuit (that's the name of my car--because Sea Biscuit was a horse). 

I also decided to bring Chuey, so there was something to look at in the car besides me.

Of course she loved it and everybody who spied her little head peeking out of the bottom of the window loved her.

Chuey even got her own mum!

The parade starts at the middle school, 

goes past the elementary,

and finishes at the high school. The pep rally immediately follows, and it was held outside this year.

That evening Abe and I attended 'Meet the Cougars' night, where we got a picture of the cheer squad autographed by the cheer captain!

Alexander is the little brother of Zeke's roommate Xavier. Alex and Daisy are good buddies.

Hills hosted pyramid night at the game. The weekend before the team hosted a cheer clinic, and the little girls were able to join the cheer team at the game.

Daisy was discussing important things with her little friend while waiting to cheer the football team on when they entered the field.

Look who made homecoming an literal 'homecoming'! 

Zekers picked up his old bass drum,

and caught up with his old band bestie.

On Saturday Sam and Daisy got ready for the dance at our house.

Daisy and her friends strike a pose at the dance.

[September 27]

Terrifying

 When your babies are babies, you worry a lot. It starts with "Are they eating enough?" Then it's SIDS and "Are they still breathing?" As they get older, there are new concerns to worry about. "Are they going to choke on that grape?" "Are they going to stick that metal object into the outlet?" "Are they going to run into the street?"

I naively thought the worrying would start to subside as they got older, and life would be easier for all of us. But the worrying does not subside. It never subsides. It's a different type of worry as they grow older, but it's just as real.

My biggest worry now is this:

Daisy got her license and is legal to drive without an adult in the car with her.

It. Is. Terrifying.

She is actually a pretty good driver. But the road is dangerous and accidents happen. 

There goes my little girl.

[August 30]

And Then There Were Two

First day pics hit differently this year with only two.😪

Of course we got our annual first day of school ice cream with Grannie.

First day of freshman year a week later.

Even though we weren't with him, Zekers continued the traditional first day of school ice cream, college version.

8th day of 8th grade

11th day of 11th grade

[August 13]