Practicing not only the piano, but a lot of patience, too.

Practicing on the same piano I practiced on at her age. She enjoys practicing even less than I did. But, playing the piano or just learning to read music is a life skill I'm going to insist upon. 

No matter how unpleasant the early years are.

The Books of Elsewhere

Holland's teacher from last year, Mrs. M, is an avid reader and really made a point to encourage her students to read. She and Holland, who has always loved to read, had a special reading bond. They shared their favorite books with each other all school-year long. 

     This summer, Mrs. M was traveling to Wisconsin where the author of one of Holland's favorite series, The Books of Elsewhere, lives. Mrs. M emailed the author and actually found a bookstore in Wisconsin where she was going to be signing her latest book in the Elsewhere series.  Holland has been anxiously awaiting this new book. (She is so my child.) 

     So, while Mrs. M was up there, she bought Holland the book and had the author, Jaqueline West autograph it to Holland. Then she hand-delivered it to Holland. Holland was thrilled!

     These are the types of teachers that love teaching and make a difference in the lives of children. It almost makes me able to overlook the fact that she is a die-hard LSU fan.  

Almost.

Camp Time

Holland is headed off to her 3rd camp experience. But this is her first time at our new church. She wasn't the least bit anxious about going especially since one of her best friends since kindergarten is going with her. 

Hey, I did all the packing, it's only right she should lug it all inside. Plus, I have that bad back........

Not the unairconditioned yellow dogs we used to ride in. They almost look like they are heading to the casino...maybe Camp Beau Rivage.....

             Tiffany and Holland 

Exhausted

1. A slumber party
2. A scary story from slumber party kept me awake night
3. Kemah Boardwalk and a sleepover night

1 + 2+ 3 = Can't keep eyes open at dinner

The Bear

The brick on the head is not working. She continues to grow up.

The Rockets Season

Holland played the last game of the basketball season. I have to say it was their best game, even though they lost in a close one.
This was the first or second season for all of them. They had such a great and patient coach. (I would have been more of the Bobby Knight chair-slinging kind.) They all improved and learned. Holland's skills and more importantly her confidence level improved with every game. (So different from Grey, whom we usually have to reign in his self-confidence.)

There were only 3 teams in the league so we got to know our opponents well. One team we always beat and the other always beat us. So, in the picture below in which Holland is holding up the number 2, that would be an accurate representation of where they finished and my number 1, not so much.

If you know Holland you know that sports haven't really interested her in the past so it was so great to see her step outside her comfort zone and try it. We really hope she will want to play again.

Holland's Birthday, Part 1

I'm going to turn back time a couple of months to Holland's 10th birthday on December 23, 2012.
She had 3 of her favorite friends, Lindsey, Caroline, and Kendall over for a day of Incredible Pizza, trampoline frivolity, and slumber party shenanigans, with an underlying Paris theme. Holland had the best time!!

Lock In

Holland enjoyed her first JAM lock in at the church. It was only for 4th and 5th graders. Lots of fun!! Her version of Mardi Gras.

Bear

Holland has been growing her hair out for the last 2 years. She decided about 6 months ago that she would grow it long enough to be able to donate it. After a little research, we decided to donate it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths. They make wigs free for children with cancer that have lost their hair.
A wonderful side benefit is that she now has 10 inches less of tangles. Thank goodness.

Pajama Day

Remember how much fun it was to have "Pajama Day" at school.

Me, neither.

But at Holland's school, it's a fairly common occurance, just like having a sofa in your classroom.

Texas Roadhouse

So, I had lunch with the Unabomber.

Happy 8th Birthday, Holland!!

December 23rd is always a "Holly-day" here at the Davis Establishment. We celebrate the birthday of our best girl, Holland Layne Davis. It's still hard to believe 8 years ago she came rushing into the world, in Joplin, Mo, 4 weeks early followed shortly by a major snowstorm. Our good friends had to help Mac and Grey get back and forth to the hospital on the icy roads. She started with drama and has not stopped since.
She has got a heart of gold and loves everybody. With the exception of Grey, she forgives freely and gives generously. She has a couple of really close friends and loves to hang out with them. She's eager to please and is very much a rule-follower. She loves to be at home and can play for hours by herself, but preferably with a good friend. She is a music-lover and loves karaoke. She's actually pretty good. I wonder if there are college scholarships for karaoke.hmmm She loves to read, and loves the 2nd grade. Though not a social butterfly, she gets along with everyone. She's my sweet, precious baby girl.

Happy, Happy Birthday Holly-Bear!For her actual birthday, we took her and her good friend, Faith, to Incredible Pizza for the day. Being so close to Christmas, there was hardly anybody there which meant we didn't have to wait in line for anything. (Just like I like it.)

Holland and her best guy, Daddy, and the big 8 balloon.

"Tangled" birthday cake complete with Rapunzel and her hair.

Spinning the prize wheel for her birthday. She won a free round of mini-golf.

All you can, but shouldn't, eat.
(Faith and Holland)

Bumper Cars and all smiles

Ready to race, until the guy started going over all the rules. Holland kind of freaked out thinking she was going to break a rule or do something wrong.

Faith had no such concerns.

She and Grey are of the same philosophy; rules shmules., let's race.

10 and 2.

Allstate would be proud.

GO!

However, I find the drivers that are overly worried get run over by the more relaxed driver. She got T-boned by #51 and broke down in tears. So much for that good driver discount I was counting on when she turns 16.

Sympathy 1st place ribbon.

Ahhhh Yeah! Laser tag. They have improved their laser tag since our last visit. It was a lot of fun. Take a gander at the scores. The Davis motto: Take no prisoners.

1st place TxRanger -Me

2nd place Astro- Grey

3rd place Cool Cat - Mac

4th place Lollipop - Holland

That's right, we took the top spots.

A little dance action.

Mini-golf

Mini-bowling

Of course, there was ice-skating on a plastic rink. This is Houston after all.

A shout out to her birth state and Missouri peeps.

Happy 8th birthday, Holland! You rock!

Two of The Sweetest Things In The World

Holland and Sugarbaby cupcakes.