Good Neighbor Days

Our town's summer festival is Good Neighbor Days.  I bought the kids wristbands for the carnival rides.  They were much more adventuresome this year with the rides they wanted to ride.  I even let them do the swings this year.  In the past I have been opposed due to the large hole that is cut in the back of the seat that I had visions of them slipping through.  Elizabeth jumped at the chance, Grant passed an decided he was fine sticking with the spinning pumpkins!  They enjoyed having each other to ride the big rides with.  Grant's face is usually one of fear and Elizabeth can't stop smiling.  This mama bear almost pulled them off of one ride when the carnival operator had to go behind the scenes with a hammer in order to get the safety harnesses to stay down. I was having small heart pappiltations and Brandon was telling me to calm down, it would all be fine. Of course it was fine, but I decided it was time to take our cotton candy and go home while the children were all in one piece. Brandon wants me to order him a ride wristband next year!  

This was the harness issue ride

The classic spinning pumpkin patch!

EB's First 5K

Since I started running Elizabeth has been begging to run with me.  It was finally decided that she would try the 5K that our local community does during it's summer festival.  The weather was nice and warm one weekend in March so we signed up and began training. The the training started to slip. Either she didn't want to, the weather didn't cooperate, etc...we had lots of excuses.  Two weeks out we started getting after it again.  We tried lots of different methods, but in the end I told her "it's one foot after the other, JUST RUN!".  At one point I thought she said "If I make it to the corner, can I have a spritzer?"  I guess she actually said "Can I have a break?"

The night before the big run she had a very nervous tummy.  I assured her that was completely normal and that she would do great.  I also promised her anything she wanted at the fair if she ran the whole 5K.  I decided that probably wasn't realistic so I told her if she made the whole run without crying she could pick out any food item she wanted.  We ended up with cotton candy, which she shared with all of us!

The before...

She did awesome.  There was minimal walking and absolutely no complaining.  The weather was overcast and a little cool, really perfect running weather.  She was really proud of herself and we were really proud of her too!  She hasn't asked to do another one yet, but we will see what happens when next May rolls around!

The after...

Junie B. Jones

We took an afternoon off school and hosted our own cultural day.  The cultural theme was the performing arts in the form of a live theatrical production of Junie B. Jones.  We drive for over 3 hours (round trip) for an hour show, but the theatre is historic and adorable and the kids love it.  Of course when we told Grant our plan he declared he was not going (which really wasn't an option) so I did what any good mother would do and I bribed him with candy.  This kid will do anything for Skittles.  He tried his negotiating skills and asked for TWO bags of Skittles.  I held my ground, "one bag, young man, one bag of Skittles!"

And as a bonus, we made it on time.  Remember the last time we went for Fancy Nancy and showed up 40 minutes late?! We don't make the same mistake twice! We have decided perhaps we could look for local theater going opportunities closer to home :)

Mother's Day

The Sunday School kids assembled for their annual mother's day program.  It is always nice when they stand close to each other so you can get them all in one shot! 

Looking good boys! 

We didn't plan on both wearing white!  Best mom I could ever ask for!

I hate that my expression looks slightly annoyed - well I actually think they had just been arguing over the flowers, but love them to the moon and back!

Saying Goodbye

Our good friends recently were transferred to Australia.  Saying goodbye was pretty tough.  We have done so much with them throughout the years.  Jessica said "I've known your kids since they were babies!" We have made so many good memories together but I know that we still have a lot more to make! I thought we were all holding it together pretty well when we said our last goodbyes - well my sunglasses were firmly on my nose, but as we drove away Grant started to cry and by the time we got home the three of us were in a big hug in the middle of the hallway all sobbing.  Somedays I am really grateful for big yellow for paying the bills, other days I hate it for taking my friends so far away. Flip side - we have a great reason to go visit some really awesome places.

Our last dinner together

They once watched the local town's festival fireworks from the "clubhouse"

I tried to tell Gavin and Elizabeth to stand closer together that way when we pull this picture out when they go to prom they look like they like each other!

Spring Soccer

Oh let me count the many reasons why I loathe love spring soccer...
- it's cold
- it's windy
- it's wet

We almost avoided it.  On the last day of registration Grant says to me "aren't you going to sign me up for soccer?"  Did you want to play? I didn't know! Of course buddy, I will get you signed up!

The weather hasn't actually been all that terrible.  The first half we wore gloves and hats and wrapped ourselves in blankets.  Last Saturday we needed sunscreen.  It's hard to keep up this time of year with our climate.

The best part though is seeing the smile on his face.  This kid will run up and down the field with the biggest grin on his face.  The second best part is watching him on the sideline, paying attention to the game, and not balancing cones on his head and picking dandelions.  This is progress.

As an added bonus he scored his first goal this weekend.  You would think this might be easy to do, but apparently kids really enjoy just kicking the ball.  Literally just kicking the ball - not necessarily towards a goal, or a team mate, but just kicking it!  But soccer season is short and he seems to like it so everyone is happy!

My Birthday

My only request was a family game of tennis.  We played next to a playground so when the kids got bored Brandon and I got to have a match of our own.  It was a hard fought battle but he beat me.

36 is going to be a good year :)