Summer Adventure!

Jonathan has been attending a 3 1/2 week long Summer Adventure Program at his new Elementary School in preparation for Kindergarten this fall. This boy LOVES school...even though he's up earlier to rise than normal, he's rearing to go by 8:00am and hurriedly tells me about his day when I pick him up at 3pm. Today his teacher, Mrs. Sneed, told me that Jonathan had such a great day and was twice recognized for setting a good example. He was able to pick something out of the treasure box (an orange sucker) and had the privilege to take one of the school's walkie talkies to the main office. (Not to terribly exciting for any adult, but he was soooooo proud of himself!). And as any parent would, we are proud to receive such good news!
First Few Days of Summer School Down!
This is a great group of kids! We are having so much fun!
We have been working on our name, building up hand muscles, and learning about farm animals.
We have also been practicing what a kindergartener does and how a kindergartener learns
Enjoy a few pictures of our day!

THANK YOU!! Mrs. Sneed

Addictions are genetic.

It's genetic.

I truly believe it.

Don't believe me?

Daddy introduced Jonathan to the Star Wars Lego Wii Game. He's hooked. He independently began playing for hours. We had to set some limits. We now have a new 8pm to 9pm rule.

(with some fine print disclaimer that doesn't apparently apply to daddy)

Summer Lovin'

While Jonathan enjoys Summer Adventure...Kate and Nick have been enjoying our own little backyard oasis. My two little fishes! (We have ventured out to the Community Center pool a couple of times....and whew, what a difference a year makes in not being petrified to be alone with all three around water). It's shaping up to be a great wet summer.

Another year older...another year wiser.

I thought that was true....but this parenting thing sometimes sucks the braincells right out of me. I'm so scatterbrained keeping up with it all! Sincerely. Almost forgot my own birthday.

Anyway....thanks Jason, for never making my birthday a dull day! Sleeping in, breakfast in bed, and day with my babies topped of with my favorite cake on which all of my kids blew out one candle each after a loud 2, 3 & 4 year old rendition of "Happy Birthday". Does it get any better than that?

Picnic-I heart summer!

We had a quick (unhealthy) Happy Meal picnic in the park...followed by a little fun in the sun and spray at the City Park Spray Ground...followed by three kids with diarrhea. Spectacular day. At least it started that way. :)

KC Balloon Invitational

A perfect night for a trek to KS last Sat. to see the ascent of hot air balloons and the beauty of dusk and the night glow of balloons all lined in a row. (I have A LOT of photos). Topped off the night with some DQ ice cream!

Welcoming a BFF's baby girl!

Welcome little Olivia. :) (Proud Parents, Jennifer and Phillip...and proud big sis, Sydney)

Ozark Greenways Adventure Race 2010

Where do I begin? Great camping experience...Jason and I dropped the kids off early Friday afternoon and headed to Richland to Gasconade Hills Resort to snatch up our favorite campsite and (yes, for the first year), pitched a tent instead of the comfort of our van. Jason made a great fire (well, started out great, then we needed dry wood). We made dinner over campfire and were later joined by friends Kevin and Katie. Kevin and I made a duo co-ed team this year and were and at 'em at 4:30am on Saturday to the pre-race meeting and picked up our course and checkpoint information. TWENTY SIX checkpoints and NO PADDLING again due to heavy rains and high water. This meant more running....in fact, it meant 13.5 miles of running just to start the race 55+ mile race...with a full Camelbak strapped on. That was fun. And wouldn't you know it, it happned to be the warmest day of the year. The rest of the trekking and biking took us to finishing in just over 11 hours. We finished 10th out of the the coed teams. And with all the team combined...over a 1/3 didn't even finish so we were quite proud of our finish...well, just to finish really. After 5 years of this race...retirement is calling.

We completed the Truman Lake Adventure Race at the end of April. I'll post pics of that race as well. It was a short race and completed it with Kevin, Katie, and good friend, Phillip Parks. With all the running Jason is doing, he promised me he would do that one with me next year! You can see a few pics (we are all in yellow!) in the above YouTube video.

NEXT RACE? Chicago Marathon in Oct. This gal is taking a break until July when I start to train. :)

Let's Play Ball!

We have been so blessed, despite this RAINY & GREY stretch, to have SUNNY practice days. And blessed that a Liberty teacher took the initiative to organize a league (A Leauge of Our Own) with 4 teams of 4-6 year olds. So far, Jonathan has really been enjoying his t-ball experience. They are in the learning stages of the game and his team, the Giants, start games in about a week. :) That ought to be entertaining!

He did it! Running with the Cows

That's right! My hubby finished his first 5K ever! I was so worried his first race (I say first because in my heart I hoped that it would not be his last) would be ruined by 50 degree temps and rain but he was quite the trooper and not only ran the race with enthusiasm, he placed 5th in his age group and 92nd over all (out of 340 people total). Time of 29:50. WOOT! He's ready to conquer another race already. I am SOOOOO very proud of him. I was sad that his race started 15 minutes after mine so I didn't see him start, nor finish...and I didn't get to see the boys run their first kids run either as I wasn't finished with the half marathon by then. Fortunately, they had a great cheering section...Gaga, Grandpa, Aunt KK and Uncle Mark braved the rain too in order to help & watch the little fellas do their best.