Sam's College Hunt - UAH

Our first college visit was really fun.  Sam and I traveled up to UAH in Huntsville during a campus event for potential students.  It was an early morning leaving the house before 6am, and our tour began around 9am that morning.  Luckily it was not raining, but it was a lot colder than Sam and I were thinking, and neither of us were thinking that the tour would be mainly outside.  Really cool small campus 1 mile from the Space and Rocket Center, and surrounded by every engineering super power in the country.  He would be close to Uncle Marcus, close to Uncle John, and could be at Granny's for supper during the week.  A lot of pros that we talked about on our drive back home.   

We also got the opportunity to walk around some booths for the different schools on campus.  He was able to talk with some students in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electronic Engineering.  And the cool thing to me is the cooping opportunities that are right in Huntsville, so he could stay on campus for work.  We added this to the list of perks.  It was also fun to pick up some swag while we were here...he scored 2 UAH t-shirts, and I got 1...and some knick knacks for the sisters.  

On our campus tour, we went to one of the residence halls, and saw the living quarters.  And he would have his own room, which was nice, and I am sure they had the show room on the 6th floor because of the cool view of the Saturn V rocket visible from the window.  But as a Dad that would be paying for this, I started being overwhelmed at college in general.  For some reason, my mind had not started processing costs above and beyond tuition...so when I heard $4700 for housing I was blown away, then they said per semester, and ... well, I think that was when Sam helped me up to my feet.  

Later we enjoyed the all you can eat cafeteria, which was really nice and me and sam ate way too much.  I went to get just some bacon for a waffle and the lady thru like 12 pieces of bacon on the plate.  No way I can eat that much, but then it was gone, and I probably could have eaten another slice or two.  Sam got to chat with some of the students that sat at our table here as well, which was fun.  Then later we found out about the required $1700 meal plan and I was blown away, then they said per semester, and ... well, I think that was when Sam helped me up to my feet again.  

After lunch, we ran through the rain back to the "Union" and watched a slide show from a student on the benefits of UAH.  Really good presentation, and hit alot of the highlights Sam and I had already spoken about.  But I was disappointed there was no hype video.  That to me should be key in a prospective student tour.  I remember my Mississippi State tour where the key message was "And we beat Alabama last year".  

And on our own, we went over to the Mechanical Engineering Building and gave ourselves a tour, which was pretty neat.  The Engineering Building was somewhat separate from the rest of the campus, but still a short walk away.  And when you are this close to the Space and Rocket Center, and your dad is a space nerd, then you at least have to go into the gift shop, and that was all we did, but we can say we went there now.  

Aladdin Jr - A Whole New World in Hartselle

It was great getting to see our family perform at the Aladdin Jr Play up in Hartselle.  Marcia did an excellent job directing the play, and I captured a few pics of her with the official director headset.  She called in all the audibles for any play changes.  I think we all looked for the old guy with a deep voice behind the curtain when Eli starting singing his portion.  And Stella and Addy did great with all of their scenes as well.  And I will have to admit that I had forgotten Sylus was in college, so I thought he was Jafar for most of this play, ok all of it until he did not come and talk with any of our family afterwards.  

We did get to enjoy a wonderful meal at Cracker Barrel afterwards with most of the family.  I loved getting to see Marcus at a table full of girls, as he kept talking about how much he loved playing with dolls, I figured this must have been what it was like as he was growing up.  And Happy Birthday to Emily who got like the hugest piece of chocolate cake I have ever seen as a free dessert...or maybe it wasn't free...but if it was...I know where I am going on my birthday.  

 

AHG Father Daughter Dance - Fly Away to Neverland

Magan does such an amazing job with this event each year, I can't really say enough.  All I have to do is wear whatever the girls want me to wear to match the theme, enjoy watching them have the time of their lives dancing with friends, and for a few moments get to have some moments on the dance floor with those sweet girls.  I don't know how many hours are put into this event, but the kids all chip in...making the London sky, making the balloon arch, helping with the centerpieces.  

Me and Granddaddy take turns with our dates each year, and this year little Tinkerbell Ruby was my date and Sweet Wendy Belle was with Granddaddy.  We again held the event at the Greystone Country Club and felt slightly out of place in the parking lot with our Honda Odyssey next to the porches, BMWs, and Range Rovers.  In the dance, Magan had glitter (pixie dust) for the girls hair, and Granny helped man the crafts table.  

Ruby was surprisingly shy at first running to the dance floor, then running straight back with her hands all sweaty.  Even with her new friend Kennedy out there dancing, she was just too nervous to get out there.  But that did not last long.  Our meal included Chicken Fingers, Green Beans, and Mac&Cheese...the finer things of life.  Magan caught one picture where I tried to eat with my hook hand.  I also realized I could not eat with all that hair that kept hanging down in my plate.  After the meal, we had a fun "lead out" walking through all the other girls waving magic wands.  

And then we had some dance instructors that tried to teach us some sort of waltz, but it was not very pretty.  It was fun, and it would have been nice to have learned a dance, but I seriously don't remember one thing except it was taking a little longer than usual, and do we want to do another walk through, or just go ahead and play the music.   "Dear me, Play that music, and let's make this happen".   I didn't say that, but some milder version that implied, "we are ready, play that music DJ".  After learning the dance, it turned into what is always the most fun for the girls, just free dancing on the floor...having fun with friends...and all of that was even made better as Magan and Crystal wound around the dance floor with bubble machines.  One of my favorites, and I am dreading the day when I won't be the date for these girls anymore...but I am so happy that Granny and Granddaddy can join us...and seeing my dad with his smiles makes me look forward to perhaps another dance beyond the horizon with some other little girls I have not met yet.  

Dear me Anabelle, you are getting so big, and it scares me.  You are so beautiful.  As I write, I have to pause slightly cause your dad is emotional.  And my little Roo, we just got back from Kennedy's birthday party at the Bowling Alley, and you are so much fun.  Haha, do you remember trying to teach me the BFF handshake that you and Leyton put together.  I just could not get it, but it was worth trying to hear your big laughs with each of my mistakes.  Love these Father Daughter Dances.  Thanks Mom for all you do to make them so special!