Party in the USA

Caitlin was invited to another birthday party at Sugar and Spice. She had been there before and was so excited. She quickly picked out this beautiful BELLE dress. Then she sat in the chair and got her hair and make-up done. She told the lady that her favorite color was blue (that was a surprise to me). So she got the blue crown and blue eyeshadow. She loved the blue eyeshadow:) She found these madonna lace gloves that were blue to match and kept them on the whole time. I was just cracking up. She was so cute!!!!!

PUT YOUR HANDS UP...

This was before the hair and make-up even went on. She was so excited to be a princess.

SASSY!!!!

It was time for the fashion show. The lady asked if anyone knew the song "Party in the USA"?
Caitlin quickly raised her hand. Gracie and Madison had taught her a little dance to this song just recently. I wasn't sure that she would do it on stage in front of all these people. BOY was I wrong. Caitlin was the star of the show. None of the other little girls wanted to do it. Caitlin went up by herself and started really singing and dancing. She put her hands up, made butterfly motions, nodded her head and shook her hips. It was the most adorable thing that I have seen. The other girls just watched and then a couple decided to join in. They watched Caitlin and followed her every move. Several mothers watned to know how she learned that and I just replied that she has a 6 year old sister who loves KIDZ BOP!!!!!!

Caitlin was really singing the song here. PRICELESS!!!!! I wish that I had my video camera with me.

They were able to pick out their own frosting and sprinkles. She loved every minute of it. We are so sad that they are closing. She really wanted to have her 4th brithday party there. They are going to be doing home parties and we are trying to get it all figured out so that we can do a party at our house with all her friends. She really wants to sing "Party in the USA" again!!!!

She wouldn't let me wash off her eyeshadow before bed. She put on a matching night gown and was off to sleep.

Little Firefighter

Caitlin's preschool had a special visit from the fire department. She was so excited. They turned on all the sirens, lights, let the kids get inside the truck and even spray the water hose.

WOW!!! I even got a chance. They put it on full pressure for me. It was hard to hold it straight.

GO Caitlin!!!!!

Little Miracles Preschool - 3 year old class

13.1

Another half marathon DONE!!!!! It was a great run. This was a much more hilly and demanding course than the one in Lansing last fall. The training was easier this time, well, I guess I knew what was expected and didn't stress as much about doing my EXACT weekly plan. I used a combination this time of my 12 week plan from last time and a new plan that logs more miles. I knew several people who were doing this marathon as well. It was great to be able to talk running with so many ladies at the gym and my brother. Chad and I did several long runs together as well.
At the end of the 12 weeks of training, I had a bad foot and knee. Both were really hurting me. Ice, motrin and rest just wasn't doing it for me after my long runs. I was getting a little worried about it.
Let's just say that I was really anxious the day before the real thing. Luckily my great grilfriend invited me to a playdate at the park to get my mind off the run. I was nauseous Friday morning and just hoping that I could do this AGAIN!!!!
Friday night got me pumped. I picked up my packet and took the kids to their fun run. It was great to see the race excitement start. The kids loved the run and it was nice to cross the finish line.
Chad and Shannon came Friday night and the anxiety was building. I didn't stay up very late and went to bed praying for the rain to hold out. I woke up at 5:15AM and was feeling GREAT. Kellie came to pick up Chad and I and we were off.
The rain held off for the whole run. It was a great morning for a run - cool and overcast.
Brett, Shannon, Matt and all 10 kids met up at the bakery downtown. We would be running by at mile 3 and mile 6. It was amazing to pass all those fans. They definitely gave me something to look forward to.
Chad took off from the start and never slowed down. He is a rock star runner!!!!! Erica, Kellie and I were going to try to stay together. We had a great pace going and were really enjoying the run. We met up and passed a few other faces along the run. At mile 12, I still had energy left and decided to break from the group and run the last mile. They thought I was crazy and off I went. I was feeling like SUPER MOM!!!!! I started getting tired and then Chad was there. He came back to cheer me on. I must have looked tired, so he jumped back in the race to help me sprint to the finish. That was a great moment to have him run in with me. At the end, we all met up and we were so proud of our accomplishment. My time was a little slower (2 hours and 8 minutes) than the first run, but it was a harder course.
Brett let me take a long soak in the tub, grilled a great dinner and made a bonfire for us. The kids were a great cheering squad and I can't wait to do it again. Next time, I am going to work on my speed a little more...
I am resting my foot a little this week.
These donuts were worth the 13 miles!!!
Erica and I
My family. I couldn't have done it without them.
Chad, Kellie and I
Chad helping me sprint to the finish!!!!
ALMOST DONE!!!!!
MILE 6!!!!! It is still fun at this point.
10 of the best fans :) I love these kids!!!!
Mile 3 - still in denial about what is to come.

Chad the runner. He placed in the top 10% of ALL runners!!!!!

Life is SOOOO Crazy BUSY!!!!!

I don't even know where to start with what I have been up to lately. I keep waiting for time to slow down and it just speeds up. I do love this time of year though. I always forget what all our flowers and woods look like when it is green and buds all coming in. I love our yard in the spring and summer. I am a little addicted to gardening. Every spare second I have, I am out weeding, transporting flowers, and cutting back things. It has been a great stress reliever as well. Brett has even called it my therapeutic gardening.

I have spent the last three weekends over in the Detroit area visiting. My dad has had a rough few weeks and I have been trying to give them as much support and help as possible. Last weekend, I was at the hospital with them trying to get some answers. Please pray for both of them. It is really hard seeing them so down and struggling.

I love this picture of my dad. He looks so great here. This was actually taken on Easter. He was outside showing me his flowers and of course giving me advice on my own yard. I love getting their plants!!!! My kids have been amazing. Just this morning I got treated with breakfast in bed. Actually, Madison came in and sweetly told me that she made me breakfast. We have been working very hard on getting our kids to be more independant. I think that it is slowly starting to happen.

I have also been pretty busy with the kids science fair. It is on Earth Day. I am in charge of the whole Early Elementary School. I have about 100 entries. I have written out and alphabetized name cards, gone to many meetings (because I have never been to this in years past), recruited parents helpers, made signs and letters, called and emailed many parents back to give suggestions, and working on my own kids projects. Madison's root exhibit is mostly done. Blake's hasn't even been started. It is this weekends project!!!! We did explode the volcano once though.


Caitlin has been a trooper this week running many errands with me. She is finally feeling better. She actually went running across the backyard and yelled, "Mommy, I'm not sick anymore"! Before, she would have been coughing like crazy if she ran like that. SWEET CHILD!!!!!!!
Madison had a scare at the barn. We haven't been there since February. We took some time off because it was cold and then realized how much she loves it and used it as bribery for her behavior. It is the only thing that matters to her!!!!!! SO, needless to say, she hadn't earned it. This week was the week though. We were all excited. She was able to ride her favorite horse, STORMY! After a long brush, she headed out to the outdoor arena. All of a sudden the wind caught the lid of the garbage dumpster and flipped it over. It made a LOUD bang. The horse freaked out and jerked this way and that. Madison went flying right off the side and fell to the ground. It all happened so fast. My heart sank for a minute as my little girl lay on the ground and her instructor and another lady grabbed the horse. I was at the other end of the arena and could hear Madison crying. I started praying that she was OK. I didn't run over. Madison is more dramatic when I am around. She stood up and I felt much better. They came walking over and she gave me a big hug. We convinced her that cowgirls are very brave and just get right back on and ride. Every REAL cowgirl falls off at least once. She was still crying and not so sure about this. I ended up walking next to the horse holding onto her leg for one lap around the arena. THEN, she was off and running again. I am so proud of her. I would have never gotten back up on that thing. Remember, Brett and I are scared to death of horses.

Did I mention that I am also training for a half marathon????? It is next Saturday. I feel pretty confident and am in much better shape than the last time around. I have several girlfriends and even my brother running with me. Here is a picture of my brother and I running this winter. It has been fun running so many LONG runs with him.

Pajama Day

Caitlin was so excited that it was finally her turn to have PJ day at school. She found out on Tuesday that it would be the next school day on Thursday. She had to have asked me 100 times when it would be PJ time. Wednesday night she wanted to wear the jammies that she would wear to school. She thought that it would be so neat to not have to change her clothes in the morning. She smiled all morning waiting to go. Of course she chose a night gown with PRINCESSES all over it. She was also supposed to bring a pillow. She chose the Ariel pillowcase. I love seeing her get so excited about the little things in life!!!!!!

My Budding Scientist

I am in charge of the science fair at my kid's school. It has been some work, but I am enjoying being back at meetings with adults and doing "school" things again. I have also got to know the principal, secretaries and the other teachers much better now. The actual event happens on Earth Day.

Madison decided to grow plants. We bought a "ROOT VIEWER" so that we could see what the roots look like. She is also making a display board of all the different types of roots. We have been watering, observing and recording the growth. We are growing carrots, radishes and green onions.

Blake wanted to do a volcanoe. It fits him nicely right now - EXPLOSIONS!!!!! Of course I am not letting him off that easy. He is also going to be making a display board of the different types of volcanoes and how they form.

I have always tried to push science a little on the kids and this is a great way to get them started with displaying it. We have also just got our shipment of two bull frog tadpole. More info and pics to follow.

It was St. Patrick's Day - notice Madison's outfit. The green pants that I picked out weren't good enough. She needed her bright green shirt as well. She was cracking me up.

Our final product - now just GROW!!!!!!!

We are so happy that the sun has been out. The kids and I have done some yard work already and been to the park several times. I am enjoying running outside. I only have a few weeks until the half marathon. I am so ready this time. I have done five 10 mile runs!!!!!! I wasn't this ready for the last one. I feel more confident this time around as well. My foot is giving me a little problem again, but nothing a little ice, motrin and extra care can't handle.