A Family Bike Ride

This is the post where I put in writing and admit that I set the bar too high.  We had a beautiful spring day and I thought we should load the bikes up and take a family bike ride on the local trail.  It is a 10 miles round trip trail.  The first 5 miles, up hill - last 5 miles, just coast and use your brake! So it is a gradual incline up and I actually thought all four of us on our own bikes could make it.  The bike trailer is officially collecting dust.  I kept it because I was sure Auggie would not want to miss cycling with the Paulis, but as it turns out she really doesn't care the buggy ride.  Well we made it 2 miles and the whining and complaining started.  Apparently, I stated many times "just say when you have had enough and we can turn around" and then would promptly turn around and say "we are going to the next corner, come on kids, you can do it!" Brandon finally put the kibosh on it and gave it the round it up motion and we headed back down the hill.  I was a little defeated, but we have all summer to conquer the bike trail!

This is the train at the playground at the bottom - they are all smiles now!

The Fairy Garden and Bench

Our neighbor got Elizabeth started on a fairy garden for her birthday a few years ago.  It has since grown as has their interest.  They love to play and rearrange the figurines.  Grant and I were out shopping one day and saw a gnome so I thought why not a gnome garden for him! They each had their own pots, but really like to play together.   Luckily (well unlucky really) our fountain had just  broken and I had forgotten to drag it to the curb for trash so I up-cycled! You are welcome mother earth :) And thus the birth of the fairy/gnome garden! The kids spend so much time standing by the garden playing.  It is adorable and reminds me that they are still little and imaginary play is so important! (Even if you don't have pants on! Grant might start a colony one day called "Pants are overrated!")

Before the moss

After the moss - sorry my camera lens needed cleaning!

I searched for a fountain replacement but came up empty.  Then I had the idea to put a bench in the area.  Some place I could sit while the kids play in the front yard.  I was told "Alison, no one will sit there!"  Just thought I would post some proof that people do sit there! And I have had friends come over and say "What a great idea!"  Bench success!

Daily Dose of Doodle

Our beloved Auggie continues to fill our family with smiles and laughs.  Here are a few pictures of her!

Action shot at the farm! 

Found some shade - it finally got hot!

Kisses for Grant

Look at his long legs! Yes, that is Grant!

After a long walk she got comfy in her kennel. I mean I guess she is comfortable - she choose to contort herself that way!

And we walked her up to the muddy paws dog wash last night. That was a treat! The blow dryer experience that Grant insisted she needed may have traumatized her forever! And the dead, decomposing nutria in the gutter scared us all! Never heard of a nutria - member of the rodent family and it was large! Gross.  Elizabeth later said "Seeing that thing made me feel dirty" In her defense all that was left was some gnarly fang teeth and ribs - the rest was covered in flies.  I couldn't even stomach an evening snack! 

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!