Mud Run!

Our first experience with a mud run was yesterday! It would only be natural that our outdoor summer weekend plans of The Drought of 2012 would be filled with a plethora of rain. Don't get me wrong, the rain was much needed and appreciated. But I believe we jinxed ourselves on that one.

Post mud run!

The first three or so miles of our 10K were rained-filled and actually really fun! Then we met up with the 5K runners (which were abundant) and were slowed way down. The obstacles started, and we did everything from army crawl through mud pools to climb wooden walls to cross muddy creeks and slide down into a mud bath. If it weren't for the drought, those mud pools would have been more like thick mud pits. I'm sort of glad that the mud didn't stick for even more weight!

After cleaning up, I volunteered at my work's annual golf tournament while Chris worked on some homework. I literally sat/stood on hole 14 by myself giving trivia questions to the 24 teams that came through for nearly six hours to put up with intoxicated, sometimes rude people. That was more than enough for me. Think I'll pass next year. But I did enjoy a nice dinner afterwards with Chris!

Thanks Mom & Dad for watching the girls so we could enjoy the whole day to ourselves!!

The Note

I was doing great. There was so much going on around the house. Busy, exciting first day of school. And I was brave. Then two minutes before we headed out the door I grabbed the envelope that read "Ava, open this on the morning of your first day of school." I got to sentence #2. The waterworks had begun. Couldn't even get the words out. My big Kindergartner looks my direction as if saying "What is wrong with you??" Time to get the Kleenex. I knew the mascara waited for a reason. Mrs. Woita, what were you thinking? That the brave Mom wasn't going to cry when reading this??? Hahaha. Anyway, after struggling to read these few sentences, we headed off to school for pictures and more tears. And four days later typing this, I'm still not brave.

Little A won, Mommy lost. :)

Another Hot Wordless Wednesday :)

And The School Bell Rings Again

Where did the time go?? Days like these make me want to add another baby to the family. Briefly. Mine are soooo grown up!!! Feeling nostalgic today. Today marked the first day of class for the public schools in town. Following work even I had new student orientation for the new college I'll be attending starting next week. Big day for all of us but E. Yes, I rocked my baby a little longer tonight. Stay little, my precious E!!

Loved, loved, LOVED hearing the stories of the day from the girls. Little A was beyond excited. We got to hear all about the fun song she learned, the marshmallows that made them quiet, the lunchtime process, her hot lunch menu, recess time and her beautiful blue kissing hand that I have already filed away for her scrapbook. Big A successfully again found her locker and remembered her locker combination. She has a teacher named Mrs. Darling and was placed in three diff classes for seventh grade. New schedules to learn and friends to make. The first of many school papers have been completed, signed and safely tucked back into backpacks. And everyone is sound asleep but me. Time for bed before another big day for all! Many, many more stories to follow indeed!!!

Our kindergartner and seventh grader

Lucky to have these beauties :*)

Braver than Mommy for the first day of Kindergarten

Lining up with her classmates

Mrs. Woita's classroom line

Another Family Birthday Party :)

My niece had her 6th birthday yesterday, and we helped her celebrate at her house. The kids had water balloon and pinata fun even if it was cooler weather than we have been acclimated to recently.

They have a few hungry baby squirrels living in one of their trees

Baby squirrels

E and the pinata

Little A beating the pinata

Happy Birthday at the County Fair

The county fair once again came for Little A's birthday. We split the day by going to check out all the livestock late morning. Then back home for lunch and nap and work for Mom. And finally back to the fair for the Midway attractions after work and dinner. Everyone was worn out after this fun-filled day!

First to see the animals...

Then the Midway rides with Mom...

Tornado!

Made a new friend and rode the ferris wheel with her

This girl talked her mom into the zero gravity ride! Yikes!

Pinkalicious/Gymnastics Party

There was the 2012 Olympic gymnastics and there was Little A's birthday party. A gymnastics party is a lot of fun! Our birthday girl loved it. Pretty sure her little sister loved it just as much. E tried everything just like the big kids. We were blessed to have my entire family come to town and spend the rest of the evening celebrating at our house. Thanks to everyone who attended and enjoyed the evening with us!!!

Zip line! One of my favorite pictures from the day!

Little A trying the foam pit!!

A's good daycare friend diving in the foam pit

A sweet friend of ours on the rope swing!

Party friends at A's gymnastics party!!

5 candles for a pretty special 5 year old

A super fun Pinkalicious party!!

Homemade Party Souvenirs!