5K...

No Way!

No, I did not run a 5K.

But I'll admit before we get started that I did download the "Couch to 5K" app on my phone.

I think it looks pretty, and no, I haven't used it yet.

It's only been 2 or 3 weeks.

Grandpa, now he did run a 5K.

We were so proud.

We got up extra early that morning to cheer him on.

BFF was walking the 5K that morning too for her Biggest Loser team.

I felt really bad for all the runners because it was a horribly hot and humid day, but that didn't stop them.

There's Grandpa running to the finish line...Go Grandpa, Go!!

And there's BFF.

I think we may have embarrassed her a little by cheering loudly.

We're proud to announce that Grandpa placed 2nd in his age division and received a medal for his great running.

The kids thought that was the coolest thing ever!

Congratulations Grandpa!!

Ketchup For Grumpy...

I've been a pretty lazy blogger lately.

Grumpy Phil lovingly scolded me for not keeping him up to date here 2 weeks ago at the football game.

Well, there's another game Friday, and I don't still want to be in trouble, so I'm going to play "ketchup" the next few days!

To get us started, here's a few random pics from a recent rainy day.

I'm sad to say my kids looked at me like I was crazy the other day, after it had slowly rained all day and they were getting cabin fever, when I announced that we were all going outside.

"But it's raining" they said.

"So what, go play in it." I replied.

See, I don't think I've mentioned, that Hubs hates bad weather.

I think bad weather is cool.

He likes to be cautious, and thinks you shouldn't shower if there's lightning...

I insist that no pregnant woman in labor wants a stinky nurse.

(and my goodness, if Jesus sees fit to call me home when I'm taking a shower in my fat nakedness, seriously, I don't think there's anything we can do about that...except maybe feel sorry for the EMT crew that has to show up and decide there's no hope)

But since we're both perfect and never argue,

that's never really been a problem.

Ace wasn't really sure about it all.

And since my kids are perfect too, Bug didn't mind at all that Ace was on her Hannah Montana bike.

Lastly, here's a random pic that JJ sent a couple of weeks ago.

Sweet Girl's growing fast, and is now taking steps.

And yes, she's not quite 10 mo. old.

And since I seem to be on an honesty role here tonight,

I'll end by adding that I think the girl needs a few more toys.

I can't figure out why she's smiling, I don't see a Barbie Jeep or a Nintendo DS anywhere in that pic.

(A Post In Which I Use Too Many Parenthesis)

September 28th is a big day.

8 years we've been our own family!

I didn't think when I got home this morning that today would be special.
Yes, it was our anniversary, but we both had to work.

See what happens when I think :)

I got a call from Hubs this morning as I was heading to bed after taking the kids to their respective places.

I was telling him Happy Anniversary, and that I was sorry we both had to work and couldn't spend the day together.
Then he laughed and told me to quit being sorry, because he was headed home.

I didn't believe him.

Not only was he headed home

(because in my book that was already amazing)

but he wanted me to sleep a little extra (yeah!!)

AND Gram was going to keep the kids for a couple of hours while we went out to dinner to celebrate!

The man is amazing!

I was so touched that he went out of his way to make what I thought was going to be a mediocre day special.

We had dinner at Olive Garden,

he let me order chocolate cake,

we reflected on the last 8 years and what would become of the next 42

(because I insist on being one of the grey headed couples still madly in love surrounded by their huge family celebrating a 50th anniversary, and yes, I'm going to wear a gold sequined fancy mu mu...I insist.)

we went to the store to buy Bug new dance tights...

because, despite the celebration, our Bug can't keep from getting holes in her tights.

(Come on, dreaming aside, we live in the real world.)

(And while I'm on a parenthesis kick, yes, Ace was jealous. I explained he didn't need any dance tights, and we threw out that bottom lip, crossed his arms, and proclaimed that he "NEEDED SOMPING TOO!")

So, Hubs, you've made it 8 years.

Dated me for 2.5

 (which was plenty enough time to have made you realize you would have been smart to run far away)

You are a great husband,

a wonderful father,
and I'm glad you didn't run away,

I Love You!

(and can't wait to go shopping for my gold sequined mu mu...

you're stuck with me for at least 42 more years!)

How To Spend Your First "Day Off"...

More appropriately titled...

How NOT to spend your first "day off"

So, today is my first "day off".

By that I mean, no work, no kids, no husband.

Just me with a whole5.5 hrs of free time.

Here is a list of ways I wanted to spend today.

1.)long nap

2.)shower...uninterrupted

3.)nice lunch at Panera Bread

4.)pedicure

5.)go to Hobby Lobby and not have to tell anybody not to touch anything

6.)anything else leisurely in the quiet.

Here is how I got to spend my day so far...

Bug to school by 8am.

Home with Ace (his school doesn't start until 9, so we usually just hang out for a while at home before he goes.)

He was riding his bike, running around with Libby, then decided to play baseball.

Without too many gory details, I threw a bad pitch, which Libby chased after at the same time Ace swung the bat.

It was ugly, Ace was hysterical.

Hubs, the one with all of the emergency calmness and training, is at work.

So, after a emergency trip to the vet (that cost me what my pedicure would have), I'm spending my highly anticipated "day off" at home.

Eating a cold sandwich with just meat and cheese (because I really need to go to the grocery store)

BTW, I'm not a fan of the sandwich.

Doing loads of laundry.

Observing my slightly medicated dog for:

seizures,

abnormal activity,

vomiting,

Oh, and I'm supposed to keep her calm all day.

Which won't be a problem until about 3:15 when I come home with the kids.

I've decided to just be thankful that things weren't worse.

And hope that Ace didn't figure out that I forgot to feed him breakfast in the midst of assessing the dog, calling Hubs and the vet, and trying to find a clean shirt appropriate to wear "to town".

Oh, the life!

Hope you all are having a good day!

Tales From the Wee School...

So, Ace has quite the personality.

He can be quite the goofball when he's not running around like a crazy kid.

So, today I was quizzing him about school.

I know from letters home that there is a theme every week with a bible story, bible verse, letter, shape, etc...

He's a typical male...I knew I was going to have to fish for any answers.

So, without fishing all I can get is they "pwayed pwaydoh".

"What about your Bible story today, what was it about?"

"Da one wif Jesus and da puppy!"

"Really?!?"

"Yup!"

"I don't think there's any Bible stories with a puppy in them babe!"

"Yep, there is!"

So, I found his folder.

Bible story: Jesus and the little children

Nursery Rhyme: Where has my little dog gone

Letter: A (even though he insists that the picture they colored is a Crocodile and not an Alligator)

"Oh, I really like the song "Where has my little dog gone" will you sing it with me."

"I don't know it."

(starting to be silly now)

So I started singing it and he joined in when I "forgot" what came next.

And on a totally unrelated note...

while typing here on the the couch Ace and Hubs are bowling on the Wii.

Ace totally just called Hubs a "titty baby!"

I love that kid!

A Good Weekend...

Before I get going on our weekend...

Here's Ace's 1st day of preschool picture.

He hates pictures,

but thankfully, loves preschool!

I am so thankful that we found this preschool.

So, long weekend, lots of fun!!

(and unfortunately, not a lot of pics...bad blogger here)

Friday night Gram and Grandpa came over for dinner and the weather was gorgeous.

I've actually started to remember how nice it is to live in the country since the temps have dropped down to tolerable!

Ace enjoyed showing off his baseball skills and talked Hubs into letting out our dog Jenna who loves nothing more than to retrieve all of the balls and wait for more to be hit.

I'll have to video it sometime...she's very focused.

Saturday morning the kids and I enjoyed sleeping in, had PW cinnamon toast (YUMMY) for breakfast and decided on a whim to call up Aunt Bec and K to see if they had any plans for the day!

Lucky for us they didn't, so we loaded up and headed to their house.

We went to lunch at a place called the Mellow Mushroom, and all organic pizza place...

This was a cow in front

and K and Ace hanging out...

I am so thankful that K is very patient with kids.

He is going to be a great daddy one of these days!

My kids are in love with him :)

(of course he's had a lot of practice, being the oldest of 5 boys!)

And, of course,

Aunt Bec always gets smiles!

After a great lunch, we headed to the botanical gardens.

Ace was very upset that we took him to a "Walk Park", he wanted to go to a "Play Park".

2 lessons from the botanical gardens...

1.) Leave Ace at home next time.

2.) Bring a blanket, and a picnic next time.

There were so many awesome spots to just spread out a blanket and hang out while the kids run around!

We will definitely be going back there

(hopefully when its more in bloom).

I was all excited when I left...

I actually remembered to grab my good camera and some extra batteries!

Only to discover when we got there that I didn't have a memory card in it!

Geez!

You guys should be very thankful for the camera on my phone...

without it you would never "see" us :)

That kid has to climb on everything!

This one was thrilled to find a big flower that matched her outfit!

Sunday we enjoyed a good morning at church.

This was our first official "promotion day"

I almost cried when I realized that I no longer have a child in the nursery.

Ace was promoted a few months early with all of his friends.

After church we headed to Granmother and Pop's house for a huge family lunch/bday celebration.

We had the best time!

There were tons of kids playing in "Granmother's park"

and we had a big, good old fashioned hen fest on the back porch.

At one point there were 4 generations of "hens" laughing and having a great time!

I love my family!

Monday we just laid low.

Hubs went bird hunting before we got up,

we headed out to the "Stuper Target" for a few things,

then BFF and her family came over to hang out.

Hubs cooked burgers on the grill, I broke down and cooked some of the black-eyed peas from our garden (and I'll just say YUM!).

Gram told me to bring the to a boil, then simmer them for hours, and she was right!

Then, while the kids played, we played Skip-bo...but as teams.

It was so much fun!

And, I haven't figured it out yet, but the guys won both rounds.

They always rallied at the end of the game after BFF and I kicking them to pieces to start out.

So, today was back to normal.

I've enjoyed being in our school routine, however, I'm seriously contemplating 4 day preschool next year.  (Yes, I see the irony in crying about it one week and dreaming about it the next.)  Ace got very used to having Bug around all summer, and is quickly driving me nuts.

He's bored.

Gram said that when JJ went to school Jrod was so bored he went out and got an imaginary friend.

I still remember "Mike".

He got Jrod in a lot of trouble :)

I don't necessarily need any trouble, but geez!

Anywhoo, that's enough about me...

Hope everybody had a great long weekend and is settling back into their weeks too!

This and That...

First, an update on Wee School...

He loves it!

Monday he came home very excited and told me all about his day.

Wednesday, he wouldn't even hold my hand on our way in!

Where, oh where has my shy mommy's boy gone?

I am so proud of him!

Speaking of,

get a load of my new favorite pic...

My mighty hunters!

On another note, while that pic was being taken, Bug and I headed out on what she calls a "girl date" to help ease a few of the hurt feelings she had from being left behind.

I don't know why she couldn't hunt.

She wouldn't need a gun,

that girl could talk a whole flock of birds to death in a matter of a few minutes :)

So, we headed out to one of our favorite restaurants that she calls "Cheese Soup"

we're talking about her day at school, upcoming start of dance classes and anything else that comes to mind when she pronounced, very matter of factly, and in her very best Texas Twang...

"Mom, isn't this just great! 

Two girls just sitting here,

havin a good time,

just eatin their soup!"

I'll admit it, I giggled.  Then quickly told her I thought it was really great to have a little time away from the boys!

I did, however, decline her request to move on to mani/pedi's after dinner.

(Bug loves "those girl dates where they paint your toenails")

I hope she always is up for "girl dates"growing up...

such fun and special times!

I'm amazed at how much personality is packed into that sweet girl!

We proceeded, after dinner, to pick out her new shoes for dance, 

then called JJ and went by to see Sweet Girl's new tooth.

I am so glad she waited until her mommy and daddy were home for that big event!

Hope you all have a great holiday weekend!