I ran my first 5K this morning – complete with fire, cargo nets, hay bales, tires, hurdles, water slide, & lots of mud! What a great time with Lisa, Ben, Tim, Alex, Stacie, Jess, Brandon & Jake!
Anyone who knows me knows that I am definitely not a runner. In fact, I really despise it. However, when combined with obstacles & a great team, how can you not enjoy a race like this?!? Go Commando! Looking forward to racing again next year!
then perhaps they could tell me how this happened:
Nolan’s lower teeth used to sit in a row. Now, it seems one is out of alignment – pushed toward the front. *sigh*
I went downstairs for a minute and left the boys playing nicely in the living room. 30 seconds later, I heard screaming & crying. Nolan came down the stairs mumbling, “My tooth is loose!” Sure enough, one was wiggling, there was blood in his mouth, and he was sobbing. As a mom, any sign of blood in your kid’s mouth makes your adrenaline pump. You never know what you’re going to find. I was able to deduce that somehow Nolan’s mouth had a run in with Lincoln’s foot. Don’t ask me how. Unfortunately the two of them can’t recall how it happened either. All I know is we made our first emergency trip to the dentist this afternoon. Our little man should be just fine, but we have to watch things for the next couple of days.
We made it 5 years without an accident that warranted an unexpected trip to the doctor or dentist. Not a bad run, if you ask me!
We took the kids to the splash pad tonight after swimming lessons. That may sound a little redundant, but really it wasn’t. While Shecklet #1 is a fish in the pool, Shecklet #2 has not enjoyed his lesson experience. We won’t be returning him to the pool (in that setting) for a while.
Anyway…it was extremely hot & humid today, so after we exited the warm junior high pool, we headed for the cool water & “spider web” as Shecklet #1 calls it. (It’s the giant rope climbing structure at the park next to the splash pad.)
While we were there, we gave Shecklet #3 her first opportunity to swing. She loved it!
Lincoln had his last day of ECFE today. He had a great year! It was fun to watch him grow, learn, experience new things, and just spend one-on-one time with him each week. He really liked his teacher, Ms. Kelly. Here they are, just before we said good-bye one last time.
Dear Nolan,
Wow, 5 years! I can’t believe how fast time has gone. I suppose I may say that with each passing year, but it’s the truth every time. You have grown so much this year I can hardly believe it. You continue to grow in confidence and compassion and are such a funny and loving young boy. I am amazed at how much you absorb throughout the day and am grateful to be able to experience life through your eyes. I am so thankful to be your mother.
Today we began the day in the best way possible, thanking God for the gift of you at mass. When word got out afterward that it was your birthday, you proudly told people that you were now 5! And you held up your fingers to prove it 🙂 We stopped to pick up donuts (which has become a bit of a Sunday tradition) and a cappuccino (for me) and brought them home to share. Then I got started with frosting your cake. This year, I asked if you wanted a caterpillar cake (like the one we saw in a magazine) and you said yes. While I was frosting the cake, Daddy went to the garage to get your present ready. The look on your face when you saw your new red bike in the garage pure joy! Lincoln helped you check out every detail of it and you hopped on to check out the size. I think you have a great summer in store!
Our family & friends arrived around 2:30 for cake and ice cream. After singing to you, we dug in to the tasty caterpillar and then you went outside with Lincoln and our friend, I. A little while later, you asked if everyone could come outside to watch you open your presents. You did a great job sharing your new things. Your uncles helped you break in your new bat, glove & baseball and you also played a round of croquet with Nana.
I pray you always share that wonderful smile and welcoming personality with the world. Your Daddy & I love you very much and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this coming year.
XOXO
Mommy
My baby girl and I had our first girls’ weekend in FL. We had an early flight out on Friday morning and spent the weekend with Lois & Kathi. They have been patiently waiting to meet our little miss. This past weekend was extra special because Lois celebrated her 96th birthday on Saturday. I’m so happy we were able to be with her on her special day. She has known me since I was 4 days old and has loved me like a granddaughter. I am so thankful for her!
No trip to the Sunshine State would be complete without a trip to the beach. Ingrid wasn’t too fond of the water or the sand. I’m sure that will change in time. It was a wonderful weekend spent with fantastic ladies! I can’t wait to do it again!
While I was in FL, Jake sent me a recap of a conversation he had with the boys on their way to church this morning:
Nolan: “Look at those boobies. Blue footed boobies.”
Me: “Those are geese. Blue footed boobies live in the Galapagos Islands.”
Lincoln: “I want to go to Galapagos Islands and see the boobies.”
Nolan: “But we have to wait for mommy to come home.”
Just to give a bit of background, the reason this even came up is because one of the animal magazines the boys get recently featured the Blue Footed Booby. I can only imagine the restraint it must have taken Jake to keep from busting out laughing during this conversation. I love my boys!
We’re working on sitting up. So far, Ingrid is able to maintain a vertical position for a few seconds and then she leans forward or topples to the side. She loves the change in view from laying on her back or tummy. I can’t believe she’s 6 months old today! I think time goes much faster when you’ve already got kids running around. I’m trying to savor each milestone we have with our little girl. She has been such a gift. And the novelty still hasn’t worn off. The boys are simply enamored with her. It makes my heart smile.
Our sweet little miss has a new tooth! She has been grabbing my fingers and gnawing on them a lot lately. Well, today when she did so, I noticed something sharp on her bottom gums. wouldn’t you know, it’s a tooth!
Jake and I got up this morning and went to mass with Ingrid, letting the rest of the house sleep in. My dad was there as well. Afterward, my dad offered to take us to breakfast on main street. Jake told me to go and he would head back to the house to check on the boys. When we walked into the restaurant we found my brother and cousin Jared sitting at a table. We sat down and shortly after, Josh and his girlfriend, Jordan, joined us. My mom eventually joined us as well. Good food and good conversation.
After breakfast Jared took Tony & me to see Josh’s new house and dogs. Then we went back to Jared & Kyla’s to pack up, have lunch, and try to get a few pics of the cousins. Emphasis on try. (You may notice that Lincoln is missing from the little cousins photo – he wasn’t in the photo taking mood.)
I don’t know which group was more challenging to capture, the younger cousins or the older!
Finally, as we left town this afternoon we stopped to say one final goodbye to Uncle Joe. As we were pulling into the cemetery, Lincoln said to me, “Mommy, that sleepover was a blast!” It was really good to be with family.