The Graduate

Last Tuesday, was Abree's last day of pre-school.... an exciting and sad time for me. I'm excited for her to go to Kindergarten, but I'm sad that my baby is growing up. In the Fall, I will have several hours to myself EVERY week day. Oh my, what shall I do??? I think I'll figure it out. :)

A "Race for the Cure"

Last July, I started "running" for the first time in my life. I consistently "ran" (walk/jogged) about 3-5 times a week until about November/December. At that time, I was experiencing some minor health issues and took several months off to recover. During those few months I gained back 10 of the 30 pounds I lost. NO GOOD.

With a little motivation from a good friend, I decided to start running again. This time I decided to do the "Couch to 5K" program. Using this program, you are supposed to be able to go from your couch to running a 5K in 9 weeks! I am hopeful, but realistic, to know that I started WAY out of shape, so it may take me a little longer than 9 weeks to complete the program. I'm ok with that.

Three weeks into C25K, I was presented an opportunity. "Scentsy" offered to pay registration for anyone who wanted to participate in the "Race for the Cure" 5K. I knew I wasn't ready to run a whole 5K, but I couldn't pass up FREE registration and an opportunity to hang out with some cool people in our ward. So I signed up and ran extra hard the few days before the race.

Many of us met early at the church and then headed to the fairgrounds to get picked up by a shuttle bus to the actual racing area.

There were A LOT of people waiting for the fairground shuttle. It looked like we might not all make it before the race started. We were slightly concerned.
Someone was on the ball, and sent for extra shuttle buses. We got on, and arrived in good time before the race.

"Yay...we made it on!"

It was a chilly overcast day, with a little breeze.
Good for when you were running. Bad for when you were sweaty from running or waiting around.


Even after arriving at the starting line, we waited.... and waited and waited. We spent more time waiting, then running that day. :) Oh well.
Finally, there was a count down and then we were off... kinda. At first, we shuffled around trying not to trip on the person in front of us. Eventually the crowd thinned enough to jog. I jogged a little and walked more. I was definitely NOT prepared to run the whole time yet.

After the race, we enjoyed a breakfast of bagels, yogurt, milk and fruit and then we headed home.

Successfully battling the returning shuttle bus crowds, I arrived home to see my children scurrying around. I was met by 2 of them on the front porch. Treyson was funny. He said, "So mom, how was your race?...ummm...Is that a new shirt?...ummm... What's in your bag?....ummm." I asked him if he wanted me to wait outside for a few minutes. He thought that was a good idea. He and Abree kept me company until "the coast was clear".

On the sidewalk, leading to our front porch, Taylee had written encouraging quotes from each kid, in chalk. They had also drawn me some chalk pictures.

When I finally got to go inside, this is what awaited me...

"Yay! Mom!"

Taylee had drawn the sign. It was so cute. There was a little note telling me to look closely and try and find each one of my kids in the sign. I found Abree in the A holding a sign that said, "Go". Treyson holding on to the M (with an M sign). Taylee riding a roller coaster around the O (with an O sign). Rylee singing in the last M (with an M sign). Putting it all together it said,

"Go M-O-M".

Across the bottom, were pictures of other racers and me crossing the finish line. There was so much detail and thought put into it. I LOVED it!

Also awaiting me were these yummy chocolate cookies and a CLEAN house! My kids are awesome. They even let me take a (mostly uninterrupted) nap, before continuing on with the rest of the day.

My kids keep referring to the 5K as a marathon. I try to explain to them that it is no where near as big as a marathon.... 3.2 miles compared to 26. They will be so disillusioned when they actually figure it out some day. :)

Taylee Turns 11!

Taylee started her day off finding a "heart-attack" all over her school desk. I snuck into her classroom the night before, so she could be surprised in the morning. Then she and her class, went on a Civil War re-enactment field trip. The field trip took up most of the day, which made for a great day at school.... or not at school as the case may be.

For her birthday dinner, Taylee had requested BBQ chicken and peas (who knew?) and an ice cream sandwich Butterfingers cake.
The cake consisted of layers of ice cream sandwiches, Cool Whip (with vanilla pudding mix) and crushed Butterfingers.

To finish, I "frosted" it with regular Cool Whip, then topped it with crushed Butterfingers and a chocolate drizzle. Sound yummy? Check this recipe out.

I wrapped Taylee's presents in the Sunday Comics. She thought it was SO COOL.

She's so "green" and doesn't even know it. :)

Her dad knows the way to her heart.... he gave her a set of "Percy Jackson; The Lightning Thief" book series and a "Daddy-Daughter Book Club" coupon. They plan on reading the series together and then having their own fun by discussing the books and how they differ from the movie.
I wasn't invited and I'm totally fine with it. Greek mythology and the fantasy genre are totally their thing, not mine.

He also found this "Pirates of the Caribbean" book for her.

Roller blades was another one of her favorite gifts.

Have I ever mentioned that she's an adrenaline junkie?

Happy Birthday Taylee!

You are a unique, wonderful part of our family. You've brought adventure, creativity and spice to our lives. We love you very much.

Homework

This school year, Taylee has had a book report and project due each month.

This month, she had decided she wanted to make a diorama.... but not just an ordinary shoebox type diorama....we had decided to make a terrarium!

Taylee is our granola, hippy, flower-child. She loves nature, creation and recycling. She's always trying to grow something, but feels she has bad luck in it. Usually a sibling or neighborhood child are the demise to her young seedlings. Undaunted, she was willing to try again.

We created little figurines and props out of "Sculpey", then gathered the supplies to make the terrarium diorama.

Take a look at this scene and tell me if you can guess the title of her book?

Hints:

It's a children's classic.

A robin helps find a key.

This character's name is Mary.

There's something secretive behind the door.

If you guessed, "The Secret Garden" you are absolutely correct!

Isn't it adorable?

Peach Cobbler

It was Monday....

and we all know what that means....

Family Home Evening!

Abree was in charge of TREAT.

She pulled up the step stool and went to work making peach cobbler. I restrained myself (mostly) and let her do the baking.

Good job Chef Abree..... the cobbler was delicious!

I meant to take a picture of the final product, but it was half eaten by the time I remembered. :)

Pinewood Derby

Thursday, Treyson participated in his first Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. It was the same night as Daisylyn's party, so we had to divide our efforts. The guys went to the derby and the girls went to the party.

Looks like there were some really cool cars there. Treyson was quite impressed with one that looked like the Batmobile and one that had Spiderman decals.
On your mark.... Get set..... GO!

Treyson's award was the "Hold on for your Life" award. His car was a luge guy.

Along with the certificate, each boy received a cool plaque. It says, "Pinewood Derby 2010" , has a place for the car to sit and can be hung on the wall.

While walking out to the car to go home, Jason thought how well Treyson had done, that night, about not dropping his car. And then just as he finished his thought, he heard *SPLAT* "Dad..HELP!" and then saw a derby wheel roll across the parking lot. With the drop, a piece had chipped off and broken the wheel axel area. The wheel will no longer stay on the car. Oh well..... it almost made it home in one piece.