Bryn was buried in paperwork early this week as she wrote numerous essays and filled out applications for several scholarships that are run through the high school. The packet was due Wednesday, so she began printing Monday night. I was so proud I had remembered to purchase another ream of paper. So of course, we run out of ink! Back on track Tuesday night, but Bryn had a track meet so Jeff and I had to collate all 20 sets consisting of 1 application form, 9 pages of essays, and 2 letters of recommendation EACH.

Paige endured 4 days of softball tryouts Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the teams were announced and she made the freshman team! She will be 1 of 2 pitchers for the team. Yay Paige! Her first game is Wednesday already!

Bryn checked in with Dr Barczak on Thursday and he recommended she not do the hurdles til after spring break, but was good with Bryn running whatever other event she was comfortable doing. Bryn's been participating in all the practices and at meets she's been helping coach and taking times.

Maggie and Terry came down to visit Saturday. We're so terrible about getting anywhere besides our own events, it's nice people take time to come to us.

Saturday was also my final day of work at Kohls. I really did like working there. It did get to be a lot to juggle schedule-wise though, and I just couldn't put anything in the way of attending all Bryn's track meets and Paige's softball games this spring. They really hate it if I'm not there to take pictures.

I entered a team into our local Incredible Trivia contest that took place last night. We hosted the team, Random House, at our home. Jeff and I have both participated in Lawrence University's trivia weekend back in Appleton. We were able to recruit 4 families and shared dinner and snacks throughout the contest which ran from 4 - 9 pm. We had access to 3 laptops and 1 iMac. The contest even included a "road rally" portion which was kind of a scavenger hunt that we sent the kids on and they had a blast bragging how they had overtaken the "ladies in the green van" to take 1st place! The kids also were very quick googling and calling in our answers. Toward the end of the contest, we received a phone call that our team was one of the top 5 finishers and we needed to come to the studio! We were then announced as the 4th place team and made our television cable access debut! We all really had a lot of fun and think we'll do it again next year.

Bryn was supposed to do some testing for the UW system today, but opted not to as she has eliminated UW-La Crosse from her list of college prospects.

Back to me blogging. Won't be as clever as Miss Paige.

Paige was a good little girl wearing her rubberbands 24/7 throughout February and was rewarded by getting her braces off March 1st. She had them on a little over 2 years. She now has a clear retainer she only has to wear at night.



Bryn turned 18 on March 9th and when I asked her about having a party, she replied "I'm not supposed to know about it!" So I went with that and sent out evites to 20 of her closest friends for a surprise party. I had to have an inside man, so I relied on Natalie to help me out. Natalie and Paige both helped me make the guest list and get in contact with those I couldn't via email. Natalie's main job was creating a diversion for Bryn to get out of the house while all her guests arrived. Natalie's birthday is close to Bryn's, so Natalie got her to Fuddrucker's for dinner on Friday, March 5th. All the guests got here before Bryn and Natalie got back and did an excellent job parking far enough away from the house. When Bryn came downstairs, she was actually scared at first and jumped back when everyone shouted "Surprise!" Only 2 couldn't make it so it was a great turnout. They had cake and ice cream here, then were treated to bowling.


Paige participated in another demo, The Best of the Best, for Tae Kwon Do on March 13th. I wasn't able to go again (working at Kohls), but Abby was home for spring break and my mom and dad were down too so Paige had plenty of spectators. Paige played a part in the demonstration early on, then took 4th place in breaking a board and showing her form.

My parents stopped in last weekend on their way back from Florida. Unfortunately I had to work at Kohls everyday. Good thing having Mom here though: my laundry and ironing is all caught up! Dad and Jeff got to watch a lot of basketball. Craig (they stayed in Chicago with him before coming here) and Bryn both caught the flu germs they left behind though.

So Abby was home this past week and got to enjoy the beautiful spring-like weather. Hallmark got her in to work where one of her tasks was creating a Facebook fan page for the store. Abby got to see Mark play intramural soccer at MSOE, take Bryn to a movie for her birthday, take advantage of my Kohls Associate shop day (extra 30% off!), and get a massage, brow wax and haircut. We all got to spend some quality time with her this week which was really nice.

We're really pressuring Bryn to make a decision about where to go to college next year as many due dates are coming up fast. So to help her along, I took her out to Carroll Friday afternoon to visit their Physical Therapy department. Bryn has been offered a generous financial aid package there, so Carroll's very worth considering. She has to name one college on her school scholarship package that she'll turn in on Wednesday....



This past Saturday was Solo & Ensemble where both Bryn and Paige participated in several events. Both the girls seem to attract large audiences when they play which is unusual in this particular situation. Bryn will go on to State for both her solo and a trombone duet.