Children's TLC Groundhog Run 2011

A day after an icy plunge into Longview Lake, I ran the TLC Groundhog Run again this year (3rd year in a row). The Children’s TLC Groundhog Run is believed to be the only 5k/10k race in the nation that is totally underground (in the Hunt Midwest SubTropolis). With a consistent temperature of 65 to 68 degrees, one can ditch the running pants, jackets, hats and gloves in favor of shorts and a tank top. Approximately 3,500 runners competed in this annual winter event.

Running partners Amy and Traci.
High school friend, Phillip


Greeted by my 3 biggest fan at the end of the 10K. :)

9th overall (600 women) 2nd in age group.

43:54 (7:04 pace)

Special Olympics Polar Plunge 2011

Yes, it was COLD. Yes, they had to take power tools and axes to the ice on Longview Lake, and Yes, it was a BLAST. Team SuperWomen were able to raise over $1300 together in support of the Missouri Special Olympics!


We make it look warm out...it was, in fact, not warm AT ALL!

Guess who started dance?

She cried when I said she couldn't wear her "tappy tap shoes" to school.



Nick cried when I told him he wasn't ever getting any "tappy tap" shoes....

As if we didn't celebrate enough....

We had cake Tuesday night as a family to celebrate Kate's birthday, again. :)

Celebration of Life-Stepping Stones Montessori

Kate had her turn at the Celebration of Life Ceremony to honor her 3rd birthday. I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how birthday's are celebrated Montessori style.

(And could I possibly have been more careless in my choice of snack? All the the children were stained pink and red)

Birthday Girl~Little bit of sugar, whole lotta spice!

I remember how quickly my little gal arrived in this world...all pink, chubby and with faux-hawk of jet black hair. Knowing she was most certainly my last child, I remember breathing in her baby smell, marveling at her tiny hands, kissing her amazingly soft cheeks, tracing the outline of her perfect lips with my finger and holding her close. They grow too quickly. I'm becoming more aware that three year old's don't sit for very long...I miss baby Kate sometimes. Always on the go. Although no longer a needy baby....she challenges me daily in new ways. She has growing
independence, free-will and the duality of being both a feisty and affectionate little girl.

I love her spirit.

Happy 3rd Birthday, sweet girl!

You are everything we had hoped for in a daughter and so much more. Having you in our lives has changed us profoundly. Sorry for the sappy post, but anytime your youngest has another birthday and you realize how quickly they are growing up.....you're allowed to be sappy!!!

My big cheesy 3 year old.

Post party blues!

Baking with my bestie

Kate was very grumpy after her nap, but we decided to remedy that by baking cookies together. Jonathan helped too...and Nick...well, he quietly dumped a carton of eggs on the floor behind me.

Snow, Snow..go away!

Okay, so maybe that's my chant. Not a big fan of winter, but the kids have had a blast with our Midwestern winter wonderland. We are fortunate that we have great sledding hills right in our own backyard...but one must be careful or you're dumped in the creek.

Snow Days

Snow days...it's a wonder how I ever got work done the days the kids were home...although, they were a welcome distraction at times, too.

Flashback Friday

She's almost THREE....how on earth does that











happen so fast?

He got her a Nook

A certain sweet man took pity on his wife who squinted to read 4 books within the past two weeks using a Kindle App on her BlackBerry. He went out last night and upgraded her to a color Nook and I think she's in love....and in trouble. Too easy to buy books. She really loves to read. Her friend may work well with the elliptical, too and that's multitasking at it's best!

Polar Plunge-Freezin' for a Reason

January 29th I join 4 other SUPER WOMEN (Wonderwoman, Batgirl, Flash and Robin) to support Special Olympics by taking a dip into the frigid waters of Longview Lake. Please consider supporting this wonderful organization by donating here: http://somo.org/Page.aspx?pid=194&frsid=6659

As a result of generous friends and family members, I have already raised $195 toward our team goal of over $900.