Week 7: Surfside.

-SURFSIDE 2011-

Today was Good Friday and that meant we had the day off from school! A ton of juniors, seniors, and alumni from Austin High School spent the entire day at Surfside Beach. It was the ultimate day of bonding with people from all different groups of friends. There were almost 30 beautiful girls with our group and somehow we managed to take a picture of all of us! We laid out on the beach, socialized, snapped a ton of pictures, passed the volleyball, and even flew a giant parrot kite. Sun and sand was the perfect combination for a very successful day! I am SO thankful for all of my friends and this much needed day off!

Week 7: Final Game.

Tonight was our last home baseball game and it was against Dulles! They have one game remaining in their season next Friday; however, I can't make it that one due to babysitting! So for me.... tonight was my last baseball game as one of the managers. It was definitely a bittersweet feeling. I was very new to the sport of baseball at the start of the season, but I have learned more over the past few months than I ever thought I would know. I have truly found an enormous appreciation for this sport and all of the knowledge that is required to be a great player. I have enjoyed every last second socializing and keeping track of the book with Savannah. We were the ultimate manager tag team- switching off innings and keeping each other entertained! I have become friends with many of the guys and I have gotten to know a few of them so much better. I'll never forget my experience as the baseball manager. It was different, time consuming, and sometimes frustrating... but it was worth every last bit of energy that I exerted. Even though our team didn't always get along and we were hardly ever the winners, it was a once in a lifetime experience. I am thankful for all of the players, parents, fellow managers, and fans! <3

Week 7: Signing Day!

This morning during 1st period all of the baseball boys had their college signing party! Taylor signed with Blinn for baseball, Anthony signed with the University of Arizona for baseball, Tyler signed with the University of Louisiana- Lafayette for football, and James signed for baseball as well. Savannah and I served cake to all of the students and I took a ton of pictures! What an exciting day for all of these boys! I am very proud of each of them and I know they will do great things in the future.

Week 7: The Legacy Begins

Senior Legacy Page:

The Singleton's

Almost four years ago, I received a call from a sweet lady named Maggie Singleton. She explained to me how her and her family recently moved to Texas from Arkansas and how they were on the search for a new babysitter. That week I came over to their house that was covered in boxes and met the Singleton's. Grayson was a timid 3 year old boy and Caroline was a precious new born. That day I was introduced to a blonde hair-blue eyed family that would forever change my life. I was the Singleton's newest babysitter and I couldn't have been more excited. They made me feel very comfortable from the very beginning and I knew I was always meant to be a part of their life! I have watched these babies grow up throughout my high school years. I have seen them progress through the potty training stages. I have watched them develop their individual and unique personalities. I have witnessed many giggles and heard very few tears. In the beginning, the Singleton parents would pick me up and drive me home. That was way back before I had a license! I'll never forget the car ride when Maggie told me she was pregnant with baby number 3. That was an extremely exciting and memorable moment! In August of 2009, Miss Ellie Singleton was the newest addition to this sweet family. Her big baby rolls and crystal blue eyes could easily capture any audience. She was born my junior year of high school and it was a sincere joy to juggle these three children around! Ellie is now two years old and always cracks me up! Every time "Miss Kaitlyn" comes over we have a handful of classic traditions; ice cream parties, fly on the bed, play dough, coloring signs, and much more. I have been a part of their family's life every step of the way. I have participated in birthday parties, attended family weddings, watched little league games, took care of their house while they traveled, slept over for slumber parties, and much more. All of the kids are very different and add a special element to the Singleton family. Grayson is a brave young man. I have seen him transfer from his fanatic "Wiggles" phase all the way to his tough Indiana Jones stage. He is smart, witty, and quite the charmer! Caroline is my sassy little sweetheart. She is beyond beautiful with her long blonde hair and is truly a princess at heart. Some days she might have a slight attitude or a tiny meltdown, but Caroline has always been my baby girl. In July of 2009, I nominated Caroline into Sugar Land Magazine's "Sugar Land Sweetie" contest and she WON! Ellie is an absolute doll. She is always chattering and making jokes. She has grown out of her cute chunky baby roll phase, and became a slim and adorable two year old. She can always brighten my day and constantly brings me hours of entertainment. Their mother, Maggie Singleton, is the best person I've ever met. She is the ultimate 'Super Mom' and I want to be exactly like her when I grow up. She is a talented photographer, baker, seamstress, boo-boo fixer, cook, and mother. Maggie can do anything she sets her mind to... and she does it perfectly. She attended Texas A&M, where she met her hilarious husband, Alan. Maggie Singleton is a remarkable woman and I am beyond blessed to have met her. It is not by chance that Maggie called me on that hot summer day four years ago... I was always meant to be their family's babysitter! As I reflect back on our many days and nights spent together, I am reminded of the enormous impact they have made on my life. I know I will continue to be a part of their children's lives as they grow up. I have babysat for mutliple families throughout the past few years, but they are and will always be my #1 family. I love them more than words can say and I know I will shed multiple tears as I head off to college. Singleton family, thank you for all of the joy and sweet memories that you have added to my life.

Week 8: It's a Fiesta!

Here's the latest update from the busy life of Kaitlyn Engle! Week 8 came and passed so quickly, it is hard to recall all of the significant moments. This last semester is passing by in a flash, and I am trying my hardest to capture every last minute and memory! On Monday, I sat in on PALs interviews and we had a guest speaker at FCA. Both of those organizations have made lasting impacts on my life, and I am sure I will miss different aspects of each of them. There are a few FCA meetings remanding and I am trying to embrace every last minute. The week continued on with student teaching, senior legacy work, and stressful AP review sessions. On Thursday, I was able to eat at Lupe Tortilla with my family for dinner. That was a much needed break from my daily hectic life. Something I wish I did more this school year was spend more time with my family. I am always on the go and hardly ever home. They understand that I am a busy girl, but we all enjoy the brief moments that we are together. This week the baseball boys played Travis on Tuesday and Willowridge on Friday night. Willowridge is basically located in Africa. It is SO stinking far away... and in the complete ghetto for that matter. I was the only manager there that night... meaning I was the only girl on the bus. It was quite an interesting experience. On Saturday morning, I left for San Antonio with the PALs. This was our final hang out all together and it was by far my favorite memory from PALs this school year. We rode in three separate cars; I rode in Melinda's with Katy, Crysta, Taylor, Brelynn, and Colby. We stopped at Whataburger on the way there and arrived shortly after eleven in the morning. We rode on almost every single rollercoaster and despite the long lines... we had a blast! I got the opportunity to bond with a lot of different people throughout the day and I wouldn't trade those conversations for anything. On the way home, we stopped at Buc-Ee's and played Marry-Bury-Do the entire drive. Looking back and thinking about our group's conversation makes me laugh... a lot. We had the best car by far! Over all, Week 8 was one exhausting and exhilarating fiesta!

Week 9: Senior Serve.

1. Ashkahn asked Crysta to Prom at our prom group meeting. It was hilarious!

2. I babysat the Watts kiddos! Cassidy is the sweetest and funniest little girl I've ever met. We were laughing so much that she accidently peed in her pants. We had so much fun playing and giggling together, and she left Taylor the most adorable "goodnight" voicemail. I forgot how much I truly LOVE babysitting!

3. Saturday night was the ProGrad Senior Serve Dinner. Katy, Taylor, Tyler, and I were in a group and our  theme was Baseball! Our Mom's did SO much work to put this table together. We spent our entire Saturday setting up, decorating, and running around town. Our table was complete with popcorn, peanuts, root beer, balloons, baseballs, bubble gum, bats, and much more! The event as a whole was a total success and I wish we did more school unifying events like this. They had all sorts of different tables; such as Dora the Explorer, Breakfast at Tiffany's, the Wizard of Oz, Candy Land, Cruise to Graduation, Barbie, 50's, Golf, Clue, the Office, and so many more. We didn't win any awards, but we definitely had the most school spirit! We took our fans "out to the ballgame" in a grand singing performance, and despite everyone's resistance... it turned out great!!! Thank you to everyone that helped put our table together or came supported our school!

Week 10: Huapango's

Week 10 ended with taking a few more senior pictures with Maggie, watching the boys play Kempner, singing a little karaoke at Huapango's with the baseball boys afterwards, and babysitting the Singleton's on Saturday! My life is absolutely crazy... and I am struggling to stay up to date with this blog!!