Wildcat Trek

Caitlin was so excited to do the Wildcat Trek with me.  She was a trooper the whole time that I was coaching Girls on the Run with Madison.  I definitely was making a big deal about GOTR being a special thing for Madison and I.  Caitlin and Blake never said anything negative or acted like they were feeling left out --- I love those kids!  However, Caitlin REALLY wanted me to run the 1.5 miles with her...

It happened to be the day after the 5K with Madison and the afternoon of my long run day.  Oh well, it was just 1.5 miles with a 6 year old...  She kicked my butt...  That girl can run.  It was so fun.  She surprised me with her speed, sprints, positive attitude and determination to finish.  I can't wait to run with her again.  After the run, I got to hang out on the playground with her.  It was a beautiful afternoon.  It is so nice to share my passion with my kids.  I sure hope to continue running with all 3 of my kids.

Cait was so excited to have this CUTE running gear to wear!

Mr. Wheaton - wonderful principal

BEST first grade teacher - Ms. Snow

I love this picture...  Caitlin is the happiest little girl that I know

Soccer CHICS...

This season of soccer was so CRAZY!!!  In between the snow, rain, and all of our other crazy activities we missed a few practices and games.  I always feel bad about that, but we can only be in one place at a time.

My girls are wonderful little soccer players.  You can't teach a kid how to be aggressive...  It is just instilled in them - thank goodness my girls have that.  It also helps that they can run fast and are determined to WIN!!!!!  I love watching them play.  I am a quiet parent on the sidelines though.  I love to give them support, but don't need to be yelling at them.

This season Caitlin loved being goalie...  I actually coached her a ton down in the goal.  I just stood behind the lines and would give her tips.  She rocked :)  Madison still loves her left forward position.  That girl surprises people with her awesome left kick - being a lefty sure has its perks on the soccer field.

AND...  I crazily signed up to be Caitlin's soccer coach next year.  I can't help doing things like that.  I drafted a great friend to be my assistant coach though:)  Sarah and I are going to have a fabulous little team of U8 girls...

Cutest GOALIE ever!!!!

Madison's team was UNDEFEATED for the season...

Grateful...

I'm not even quite sure where to start with this post.   I have just spent the last 10 weeks coaching Girls on the Run.  It is the most amazing program for 3-5th graders.  I had 15 sweet girls that have changed me.  I met with them every Monday and Wednesday from 3:45-5:30.

After attending a volunteer dinner with the program founder, Molly Barker, she urged us to think of one word to describe our experience the last 10 weeks.  GRATEFUL!!!!!  I am so grateful that I was able to coach these girls.  It was the perfect thing for me at this time in my life.  I left most every practice feeling so wonderful.  I have volunteered for so many things in my life, but this was definitely the most rewarding.  It is funny how I gained so much from this program.  I will be a part of this program for a very long time.  I would love to see this as my JOB someday...  A girl can dream right????  This program is way more than a running group for girls.

I delivered 20 lessons on self esteem, bullying, "bad" magazine advertisement, being happy in your own skin, healthy habits, community service, gratitude, friendships and qualities in friends.  We did a community service project -- 15 goody bags for all the support staff in the school.  Ran lots of laps. Received and gave LOTS of hugs and high fives. Did way too many ENERGY AWARDS.  Last, but not least, completed the most amazing race...

I sure hope these girls gained as much from this 10 weeks as I did :)  I can't wait till next year.

Meet my wonderful team of GIRLS!!!!

What makes our team BEAUTIFUL???

Practice 5K

Molly Barker

One AMAZING Lady!!!

Molly signed my shirt!!!

Duct tape flowers

Community Service Project

Fish Hatchery

I went with Madison and her third grade class to the wolf lake hatchery.  I was super impressed and think that it was my favorite field trip - and I have attended A LOT of field trips.

We got back stage tours of the facility and guided walking tours of the grounds.  Our tour guides were exceptional and love their jobs... So nice to see!!!

I even let Madison come home with me and skip some school.  It was a wonderful day with my favorite 3rd grader:)  These are the times that I am very thankful that I get to stay home with my kids and make great memories!!!

On the tour

feeling fish eggs

Sturgeon sure look funny

feeding the fish

BFF's

Super COOL Eliuk girls!!!

Painted Ladies

I love it that my kids are into science and nature.  I have always enjoyed being outdoors and grew up with TONS of animals as well.  Every year we have tried to raise something in the spring.  We did this exact butterfly EXPERIMENT before, but the kids really wanted to do it again.  I ordered our caterpillars and just waited for them to arrive.

My kids were just as equally impressed this time around as several years ago.  We just released all 5 butterflies.  It is a fun thing to do and I am always a little amazed as well to watch the life cycle.

Happy Mother's DAY

I felt very special and loved...  Blake, Madison and Caitlin are the three shining stars in my world!!!!  They were so excited about Mother's day that they came running in the house on Friday after getting off the bus begging me to open their gifts they made for me.  I told them that Mother's Day wasn't until Sunday.  They couldn't wait ---  adorable.  I hope they always have that excitement.  Their little homemade gifts are truly priceless...

Saturday night, Madison was asking me what I would like for breakfast in bed.  She wrote it all down.  However, when Sunday morning rolled around, they all decided that coffee in bed was better and then go out to my favorite breakfast place.  I was on board with their plan.

We ended up buying, assembling and playing on the trampoline all afternoon.

Caitlin's school had a special morning for moms as well.  Caitlin and I drew pictures of our selves and then Caitlin filled out a survey about me.  She knows me very well.

Caitlin is an amazing artist.  I am NOT SO GREAT...  She didn't say anything to me about my drawing, but told a friend of mine that I needed more detail in my drawing... SO true and funny!!!

Even with all of that, the one thing that touched my heart the most and I will treasure forever is a text that night with Madison.  Madison loves to text me goodnight.  Yes, I am sitting in the living room right below her, but it is super sweet.  Caitlin and Madison love to sleep with each other on the weekends.  It makes me feel so wonderful to see my kids appreciate each other.  Here is her text...

They also send me pictures of each other...  I especially love the "I KNOW RIGHT" response...

Spring Break in the "D"

Christy, Emily, the kids and I headed over to the Warner household on Wednesday.  We were spending 4 days there visiting with the cousins and Oma/Opa.  Christy and I stayed at a hotel.  My kids think that it is so special to stay the night in a hotel with a pool.  It is so cute!  Always makes me happy that little things still make my kids feel special.

We switched up kids one night.  All 5 girls came back to the hotel with Christy and I...  They had so much fun at the GIRLS ONLY sleepover.

Too many people in the suburban...  Aunt Christy had to sit on the floor!

Easter Bunny fun at Wendy's...  Nice PJ's everyone :)

3D movie fun

 I love this boy...

 Opa gave Blake the beloved helmet.  Blake thinks it is the coolest thing that Opa gave it to him.

 Kensington farm with Oma and Opa.  It felt just like old times.  Oma and Opa spent many trips here with the kids and I when we lived over there.

 Warner's love to play games...  Did I mention that we HATE to loose.  I guess Madison IS more Warner than Eliuk in this case.  She was determined to win...

 Guess who is winning????

 My girls love hanging out with Emily.

 Easter Egg fun.

My crazy towel head girls.  They always make me smile!