May is always a busy month. Between having FOUR family birthdays to celebrate in the first week of the month, there is always Mother's Day and then my birthday. Also May seems to be the busiest month of the school year, or at least it feels like it is at the moment.
The kids have so many field trips, last minute projects and of course Tulip Time seems to creep into the mix as well. We have never been in the parades, but we do enjoy going to at least one of them during the festival.
Add Girls On The Run to it all and the big race being the day after my 40th birthday... I can hardly even think that far ahead. Plus, there is a scheduling conflict with the 4th graders going on a school field trip that will interfere with the day of the big race. So we tack on another 5k in Grand Haven the next day for the 6 girls who will be missing our regional race.
Memorial Day will bring a weekend in Ludington where we have reservations for the weekend...
I am thankful to be able to keep chugging though it all without breaking down. I may not remember all that I have to do or what I have been doing, but that's okay. Whenever I get down about it, I think back to the first May that I hardly remember... the one when Tristan was born.
So May will continue to be one of my favorite months. :)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
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Monday, April 25, 2011
It makes me proud! ~T2
We went back to riding lessons after taking the winter off. This has been Trinity's thing ever since she was little. We found Alicia on Craigs List and she has been amazing.
Trinity has graduated from riding Ace to riding Petey Parker. Petey is a speed horse and much more responsive than Ace was. There were a couple times that I was sure Trinity would be scared but then this is the same girl who fell off a horse last year and climbed back on. I really am so proud of her!
The title of this post is Trinity's response to my question of "How did you like going back to horseback riding?"
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Family Galore!
It is a quiet evening with everyone in the whole house asleep. Trying to rest up after a great week in New York.
The first part of the week was a quick but fantastic trip to visit my relatives. Believe it or not, I do have family. I only write that because I live so far away that my day to day life often consists of my hubby's family who are all great, but I don't often see the people who have known me my whole life and know where I come from.
While Jeff was taking this picture I get such a warm spot in my heart because while we were all saying "Cheese", my Tia Monica was saying "Whiskey". I adore my aunt. She has always been a lady who never seemed to raise her voice and always been even-keeled even when she was under the stress of losing my uncle last year. She is a strong woman and so fun to be with. It is always great to see her, the bonus is that she makes the BEST empanadas in the whole world! She spoiled us this visit as always.
We also celebrated my brother's birthday before we drove to camp. He works second shift so we went out for breakfast with him and my sister-in-law. A joke that he has with the kids is to ask them "Who is your favorite uncle?" to which the kids reply "Uncle Pete". Uncle Pete is technically Jeff's uncle, but ever since Tristan was small, he would ALWAYS reply Uncle Pete when David asks him this question. David just laughs and laughs.
The first part of the week was a quick but fantastic trip to visit my relatives. Believe it or not, I do have family. I only write that because I live so far away that my day to day life often consists of my hubby's family who are all great, but I don't often see the people who have known me my whole life and know where I come from.
While Jeff was taking this picture I get such a warm spot in my heart because while we were all saying "Cheese", my Tia Monica was saying "Whiskey". I adore my aunt. She has always been a lady who never seemed to raise her voice and always been even-keeled even when she was under the stress of losing my uncle last year. She is a strong woman and so fun to be with. It is always great to see her, the bonus is that she makes the BEST empanadas in the whole world! She spoiled us this visit as always.
We also celebrated my brother's birthday before we drove to camp. He works second shift so we went out for breakfast with him and my sister-in-law. A joke that he has with the kids is to ask them "Who is your favorite uncle?" to which the kids reply "Uncle Pete". Uncle Pete is technically Jeff's uncle, but ever since Tristan was small, he would ALWAYS reply Uncle Pete when David asks him this question. David just laughs and laughs.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Just say no...
Tonight at GOTR I had an interesting incident occur...
Our talk today was about drugs. Keep in mind that the audience is 3rd - 5th grade girls. We talked about marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. I don't think we have ever had such a lively conversation. I have to say that I was amazed that the girls had so many questions. For example after being told that marijuana was a leaf that people rolled up and smoked, a little girl asked if what she should do when her parents burned leaves in the fall. We may giggle, but the serious side is that as a parent I realize that I do have to take the time to talk about these things.
My own daughter asked if all drugs were bad, as in the ones that doctors give you (Her concern probably stemming from the fact that she sees me take medicine everyday!). We took the time to explain that you don't take drugs that weren't specifically given to you by your doctor.
The talk about tobacco lead to several of the girls explaining that smoking leads to cancer and death. Try explaining to a bunch of young girls that these "drugs" are legal to adults over 18 years of age.
One girl had started crying after this discussion so I took her out and talked to her. My gut told me that something from the conversation had bothered her, but she just kept saying she missed her mom. I let her call her mom on my cell. It appeared that she didn't answer. I got her to stop crying, rejoin the group and she finished the session with an energy award for doing her best that day.
I noticed a mom was there early so I followed my little friend out to see if it was her mom who had come early, maybe noticing the call that she had missed. It was the mom and when I came close to let her know what had happened that day, I noticed the heavy smell of smoke.
Now I should have prefaced all of this by saying that if somehow cigarette smoking was not harmful and overall gross, I would be smoking as I type this. I'd rather have a cigarette than a drink and always have. It's a struggle and if there is a social situation, I will usually give in. Some of the best talks I ever had have been over a cigarette.
But it does make me contemplate why alcohol and tobacco are legal. I know that the argument could also be to outlaw Twinkies.
I know that my little friend is loved by a mom who came early to see if her daughter was okay. But could she be loved enough to stop smoking for her?
Could my kids be loved enough to stop smoking and drinking for them?
The funny thing is that the mom mentioned to me before she left, that she HAD answered the phone, but the girl didn't say anything.
I hope I give my kids a voice to say whatever they need to say to me, even if I don't like hearing it.
Our talk today was about drugs. Keep in mind that the audience is 3rd - 5th grade girls. We talked about marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. I don't think we have ever had such a lively conversation. I have to say that I was amazed that the girls had so many questions. For example after being told that marijuana was a leaf that people rolled up and smoked, a little girl asked if what she should do when her parents burned leaves in the fall. We may giggle, but the serious side is that as a parent I realize that I do have to take the time to talk about these things.
My own daughter asked if all drugs were bad, as in the ones that doctors give you (Her concern probably stemming from the fact that she sees me take medicine everyday!). We took the time to explain that you don't take drugs that weren't specifically given to you by your doctor.
The talk about tobacco lead to several of the girls explaining that smoking leads to cancer and death. Try explaining to a bunch of young girls that these "drugs" are legal to adults over 18 years of age.
One girl had started crying after this discussion so I took her out and talked to her. My gut told me that something from the conversation had bothered her, but she just kept saying she missed her mom. I let her call her mom on my cell. It appeared that she didn't answer. I got her to stop crying, rejoin the group and she finished the session with an energy award for doing her best that day.
I noticed a mom was there early so I followed my little friend out to see if it was her mom who had come early, maybe noticing the call that she had missed. It was the mom and when I came close to let her know what had happened that day, I noticed the heavy smell of smoke.
Now I should have prefaced all of this by saying that if somehow cigarette smoking was not harmful and overall gross, I would be smoking as I type this. I'd rather have a cigarette than a drink and always have. It's a struggle and if there is a social situation, I will usually give in. Some of the best talks I ever had have been over a cigarette.
But it does make me contemplate why alcohol and tobacco are legal. I know that the argument could also be to outlaw Twinkies.
I know that my little friend is loved by a mom who came early to see if her daughter was okay. But could she be loved enough to stop smoking for her?
Could my kids be loved enough to stop smoking and drinking for them?
The funny thing is that the mom mentioned to me before she left, that she HAD answered the phone, but the girl didn't say anything.
I hope I give my kids a voice to say whatever they need to say to me, even if I don't like hearing it.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Running...
Ok so everytime I say "Running" in my head it sounds like Forrest Gump.
Girls On The Run has been a blast. I am starting to fall in love with 26 girls who all seem to get along and while it is sometimes crazy to get them to all be quiet (at the same time), they encourage each other which I think is great!
Each meeting we talk about things like healthy habits or feeling good about ourselves even when people criticize things like our hair or our clothes. As a mom, I often gloss over these types of things because I assume they already know, but as a coach I know they can't be told enough times that they are precious and special.
Lately I've been a little frusterated with myself because aside from starting to train for a 5K (which for me is probably a bigger deal than it is to most), I have been starting an exercise program with Jeff at home that leaves all my muscles like jello!
So wish me luck as I try to balance both. My heart is with the girls right now. They are so sweet and encouraging to me as I putter along.
Girls On The Run has been a blast. I am starting to fall in love with 26 girls who all seem to get along and while it is sometimes crazy to get them to all be quiet (at the same time), they encourage each other which I think is great!
Each meeting we talk about things like healthy habits or feeling good about ourselves even when people criticize things like our hair or our clothes. As a mom, I often gloss over these types of things because I assume they already know, but as a coach I know they can't be told enough times that they are precious and special.
Lately I've been a little frusterated with myself because aside from starting to train for a 5K (which for me is probably a bigger deal than it is to most), I have been starting an exercise program with Jeff at home that leaves all my muscles like jello!
So wish me luck as I try to balance both. My heart is with the girls right now. They are so sweet and encouraging to me as I putter along.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Life as a third grader
My Trinity turns 9 years old tomorrow. Tonight I let her have a couple friends spend the night. It ends up that one gal had to go back home at night because of ballet lessons in the morning, but we got to squeeze in some fun before she left!
We went to Build A Bear and managed to walk out of there with three Peace Bears and one horse. Trinity was gracious enough to let little sister Tessa tag along and she was having the time of her life watching her big sis be a total GIRL!
The girls sang, watched Camp Rock 2, listed to Hannah Montana, Camp Rock 2 soundtrack and Kids Bop 19. We had pizza, went to Build A Bear, Justice, Claires and made a pitstop at McDonalds for some snack size McFlurries. There were many "Girls Rule" cheers and while I drove to and fro, I tried to keep an ear out to hear who was cute and who wasn't. Who was the favorite Jonas brother and how the three girls thought they could have been sisters with their dark hair and brown eyes.
Jeff and Tristan went to some friends for some BOY time (I love that a first grade boy called to invite my husband and son over for a play date!) Another blessing!
When Jeff and Tristan made it home, the kids played some Just Dance 2 and other Wii games while Jeff and I just sit around and try to make the kids giggle at some silly joke or another.
It's 11pm and I'm beat, I don't expect the kiddos to sleep anytime soon (except for Tessa who is sacked out on the coach). Now it is time for High School Musical 3...
We went to Build A Bear and managed to walk out of there with three Peace Bears and one horse. Trinity was gracious enough to let little sister Tessa tag along and she was having the time of her life watching her big sis be a total GIRL!
The girls sang, watched Camp Rock 2, listed to Hannah Montana, Camp Rock 2 soundtrack and Kids Bop 19. We had pizza, went to Build A Bear, Justice, Claires and made a pitstop at McDonalds for some snack size McFlurries. There were many "Girls Rule" cheers and while I drove to and fro, I tried to keep an ear out to hear who was cute and who wasn't. Who was the favorite Jonas brother and how the three girls thought they could have been sisters with their dark hair and brown eyes.
Jeff and Tristan went to some friends for some BOY time (I love that a first grade boy called to invite my husband and son over for a play date!) Another blessing!
When Jeff and Tristan made it home, the kids played some Just Dance 2 and other Wii games while Jeff and I just sit around and try to make the kids giggle at some silly joke or another.
It's 11pm and I'm beat, I don't expect the kiddos to sleep anytime soon (except for Tessa who is sacked out on the coach). Now it is time for High School Musical 3...
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