Half Marathon - Checked off the Bucket List!

My best friend Erika inspired me to run. We decided we would pick: a distance - a race - train separately and then come together for a weekend and RUN!!! We chose the Girlfriends' Half Marathon here in Vancouver, WA. So 13.1 miles YIKES, but Erika got me a training schedule and I started in full force. I realized this was the THING I had done JUST FOR ME alone since I have had Gabriel (ummm... like 5 years ago.) It felt GOOD. I like running, and I got quicker/stronger and LOVED the pounding of the pavement. I had time to think, be quiet, relax, talk to God, and on the longer runs run with my friend Angie. Oh how I loved chatting on our weekend runs as they grew from 6 miles to 7, 8, 9, and 10. Wow!! I really liked running and felt great!

So here Erika, Me and Angie are ready to leave. Gavin and Gabe are excited that it is Mommy's Big Race Day. Corey brought them to the finish line!!

Here I am crazy excited and ready to RUN!!! I trained so HARD!!!

That is me in the pink finishing the last stretch!!!

Heck YES!!! I made it and was greeted by my 4 favorite guys!!!

Me and my Bestie - Finished/Inspired and Tired!

OK, I might still be on CLOUD NINE! I ran 13.1 miles in 2 Hours - 17 minutes. I broke my goal of 2 Hr. 30 minutes!! Not too shabby for a 32 year old mama of 3!

Sweetness in Stripes

Mr. Sweetie Pie

Mr. Sassy Pants

These boys are so fun. Such personalities!!!

Mr. Big Shot

Mr. Hot Shot

Mr. Hot Sauce

Yes, Those boys are SWEETNESS IN STRIPES.

Letter B - as in BATS , BEARS , and Bees

Here are our art projects that reinforced our work with the letter B.

1. We started with some books on BEARs

We read Alphabears, some Berenstain Bears, Snow Bears, Polar Opposites.

2. Then we made some chocolate pudding because it is B-B-BROWN.

3. Next all 3 boys fingerpainted with brown pudding their B-B-Bears. (yes, they ate the rest after they cleaned up.)

**Fantastic Fine Motor and Sensory Skills**

4. We let it dry and I cut them out (during naps) and then we glued on B-B-Buttons for Eyes and Nose.

We also did a B-B-Bat painting project that was 3 D as we attached it accordian style to create a bouncy, boingy bat. We tried to use colors that started with the B sound.

We read 5 Little Bats... , and did a B handwriting sheet from

www.first-school.ws/theme/alphaletter_p/b.htm

**I used these for the bat Handwriting sheet and the bee sheet**
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphaletter_p/b.htm

Our Last project was the B Bee.

I cut out a "bubble" B. They practiced writing it with yellow and orange. Then they painted the Bee yellow. We let it dry, and I cut it out while they cut strips from black construction paper. They counted their strips and glued them on. We added wings, attennas and a face after we glued it on a piece of construction paper.

Here was our busy week.

**Our favorite book of the week was :

BUSY BEAVER

seriously funny book!!!!!

Letter A - A is for ANTS , Alligator & ACORN

So, I am doing for it. God willing- I will stick with it. I am doing Pre-School with my 2 youngest. I sat down, picked a letter of the week ( a matching theme or 2) and have begun.

This week we began with A is for Alligator and for 3 days did that theme with books and crafts, letter writing and science. This project was fun! We made A's , resembling Alligators.

1. We painted the sticks, let dry (while they cleaned up), had them cut some TRIANGLE teeth, and then hot glue-gunned our Alligator together. 2 tongue depressors down, 1 popsicle stick across HOT GLUE Then HOT GLUE the eye and teeth. EASY PEASY NICE AND EASY!!

These were quick, easy, effective and CUTE. ***The hand eye cordination is EXCELLENT through the painting and holding, cutting of the teeth and laying out the pieces to be glued by the MOMMA (me.)

Here were our main crafts : Alligator A's, Finger painted ANTS carrying A's (such a fun way to sneak in practice writingthe letter "A"!!!) and Acorns (for fall and the LONG A).

Our Acorns were so fun as we tore up old paper bags and worked on glueing. They were fun, but almost too tedious for our little guys.

They were "pooped" after all the tearing. Oh well, we survived!!

Watch for our Letter of the Week projects as I need some serious accountability.

FREEZING TIME.... just for a moment

Ahh... my sweet babes.

You are growing up so quickly.
It's not that I want you to stay little, it's just that all this growing means that I will see less of you sweet boys daily. You're little grins brighten up my day, and melt my heart.

Know that I am so proud of you boys though.

You 3 make me and your daddy so proud.

Your gentleness, kind hearts, politeness, good manners are superb. You 3 are our PRIDE AND JOY!

So, keep growing strong, healthy and in the LORD.

Continue making GREAT choices; be bold and explore. Know that you are loved deeply and we will always be your biggest fans. Know that we are so proud of you boys.

And know that God is with you, loves you, and desires to capture your heart.

First Days...

3 year old pre-school

Just a Baby right?


First Day of 4 year old preschool - Little Lamb pre-school

First Day of Elementary School... Grass Valley Elementary

Sept 6, 2011 Kindergartener

OK Bubba ~ you can stop growing now!!!!!!!!!!

Back to School Jitters....

So, Gabe is starting Kindergarten. I am thrilled for him. He is so ready. He is smart, loves to learn and is such a kind-hearted kid that makes friends. I KNOW that he will have a great, successful year. He is just that kind of kid that chooses to behave, work hard and finds success easily. Gosh he is GREAT! Still this little 5 year old and I have been slightly nervous, along with our excitement....

So I think that the best way to combat these situations is with books written by incredible authors who work through issues with such talent (and humor) that is calms the jitters.

Gabe and I were combatting the BACK TO SCHOOL jitters.

Here are so great books that we enjoyed. Our favorites were:

1. Seymour Slug Starts School

2. Eddie gets Ready for School

3. Boomer Goes to School

4. Little Bear Starts Kindergarten

5. First Day

6. Dino Pets Go to School

7. Amelia Bedelia First Day of School

8. Back to School Tortoise

We loaned these from the local library, but also read our own collection of the Kissing Hand & the Berenstain Bears Back to School.

How do you handle your child's jitters? I love new tips.