Girls on the RUN

I am so late on this post because I have been trying to get more pictures of the actual race.  This experience is indescribable, but I'll give it my best shot.

FIRST...  I just found out that I got the liaison position for Mattawan for next year.  I officially start in January, but have already been making notes, thinking about what I want to change and trying to convince people to be coaches...

Madison was not as overly joyed about running a 5K as I had hoped...  I completely understand how running 3 miles isn't FUN for everyone, but I thought that since she has seen me do many races, she would somehow be more excited.

I was a little nervous about race day.  I was in charge of my team of 15 girls and I had no idea how Madison would do - especially after the tears the night before about her concern with the bombings at Boston.  Good news----  It was the best experience for both of us...

Shoe boxes, t shirts, bib numbers, bagels, bandanas, bananas, gatorade all ready and waiting for the girls to come bouncing down the hall and into the cafeteria ready to RUN>>>

Madison did great.  She was exhausted, but finished the race with a sprint to the finish line.  She even tried her best to lose me at the very end.

"Mom, I'm so excited that I have 2 more years that I can do this", were the best words to hear after the race from my amazing little runner :)

My great team

Mattawan's TEAM - 

Waldo Stadium

Hair painting... I passed on that one

Great friends

smile says it all -- so fun!!!

One proud MOMMY

Off to a Great Start!

My kids have only been off of school for not quite two weeks...  We have already jam packed those days with so much fun.  Summer vacation is so wonderful with three little kids and wonderful friends.

We started summer with two back to back pool parties to celebrate being OUT OF SCHOOL...  We also spent a day at Wyndy Pynes Farm and a week in St. Louis - I will post those separately!  I want these to be the days that my kids remember.  Lots of fun, staying up late, sleeping in, and keeping me VERY busy:)

Reeves' Pool

Rogers' Pool

Caitlin and Etsu

Dance Recitals...  I was never a dancer and sometimes WISH the girls would not be interested anymore, but when I see them in their recital, it always brings tears to my eyes.

The neighborhood GIRLS

The FINALE...

A great production!

GYMNASTIC Show...  Now this is what I really LOVE to watch!

Caitlin loves the medal that she got...

She was adorable

Park FUN...  The kids loved the rhinoceros noses!!!  I love it that the kids aren't too old for the park...  They played for hours.

A Moms' Life

The kids, Izzy and I took a road trip to St. Louis.  We love coming here to visit.  Last night was humorous to say the least.

I usually bring my queen size air mattress with me and sleep in the basement with the girls when we are here.  Of course, I accidentally grabbed the twin one when I was packing up instead..  I still could make it work, I just would have a little, squirmy girl in bed with me:). No worries!!!  The twin air mattress had several bunny teeth mark/holes in it and didn't hold air...  No worries, Madison volunteered to sleep on the bean bag chair.  Cait and I would share the futon...

1:00 in the morning, a little girl tapped me on the shoulder, yes, I actually just got into bed.  She had an earache.  I stumbled upstairs to find some Motrin and ear drops.  After locking Izzy in the bathroom so she wouldn't come upstairs and wake everyone else up...

Meds and ear drops in...  Just fell back to sleep and felt more taps on my shoulder! She was now lonely across the room on her bean bag...  I got up and pulled her over.  Back to bed ---  the third set of taps on my shoulder almost made me YELL...  Instead, I gave up my bed for the bean bag ---  it couldn't be that bad:)

10 minutes later and I changed my thought on that.  Lets just say, a 38 year old mom CAN'T sleep well on a bean bag...  My poor body had a hard time getting comfy...  The part that makes this humorous and the reason that I wanted to share this story is that all this time I was just happy that my two sweet girls were getting a great night sleep and they would be well rested for our fun day tomorrow...  When do moms stop sacrificing their bodies (and well being) for our kids????  I'm sure that answer is NEVER...

We are loving our visit with both of my sisters and cousins...  Sleep is overrated right???

A LITTLE Muddy!!!

BEFORE

Why do I love MUD RUNS????  I guess I was always the true tom boy that loves an adventure.  I did a local 5K last saturday to benefit clean water.  I did the run with 3 other girl scout moms.  It was so hilarious.  I usually only see these moms at more formal GS meetings and events.  It was so great to actually see them jump/ slide/swim in the mud.  We had a beautiful morning for the run.  I can't wait to do it again.  I am still scrubbing my feet --- I think I deserve a pedicure after that:)  I am trying REAL hard to convince these girls to do a tough mudder with me...  They aren't too impressed with the electrocution part!  It only hurts for a second.

AFTER

Last Days of School

Summer is here...  Boy, those last two weeks of school were really jam packed with parties, field days, programs, carnivals, ice cream, movies and crazy schedules.  I am glad that it is done.  However, Caitlin is still sad about not seeing her teacher everyday.  She did get off the bus on the last day in TEARS!!!!  We both adored her teacher, Ms. Snow, this year.

Field Day FUN for Madison...

Way to go GIRLS...  They beat the boys 3 times!!!!

Field Day fun for Blake...

Mattawan is an amazing school.  I am so happy that my kids get to go to such a wonderful place.  The FIFTH GRADE CARNIVAL was so great.  The whole later elementary really supports it and makes these kids feel special as they move on to middle school.  It was a fun day with these kids.  I luckily was in charge of PLINKO for a big chunk of my time.  Thankfully it was right next to the DJ and dancing section.  That was so fun to just watch these kids dance and FLIRT with each other... Oh middle school, how I have missed you so---  I've been away from the whole middle school scene for 5 years, but it hasn't changed a bit.  I LOVE that age...

TH
These boys made sure that I wasn't too lonely at my plinko station.

Dancing...  Blake really impressed me

Erica made this amazing cake for the class

Blake really wanted to just come home with me after the carnival and cook out.  We left the school about 2:00.  He wanted to grab an ice cream and then hang out at home with me.   We jumped on the trampoline and just chatted about middle school.  I shared with him how much I loved teaching 6th grade.  I am so lucky to have this boy :)

RollerWorld

Not sure that there is anything that says CUTENESS more than 10 little first graders at the roller rink.  These little girls showed quite the spunk.  They also were amazing little skaters and bladers.  I overheard them saying, "Let's show the teenagers how to do it"!!!!  Gotta love their confidence:)

Caitlin got to request a couple songs.  These girls could skate and dance!  It was a perfect birthday party place.  The girls could skate for a while then eat cupcakes, skate some more, open presents, skate, open more presents, skate and then finish with a sno cone!!!!