Back to Basics 2011

Today was the 3rd annual 'Back to Basics' run in our town of Bloomfield, IA. Many local businesses come together and support this 5 mile/5k/and 1 mile youth run. Caden and Macy participated in the 1 mile and I in the 5 mile. It was so much fun! I had tears in my eyes watching my kids cross the finish line. They did a great job. There was a train halfway in case kids needed a ride back. Macy said, "I started to cry and I really wanted to get on the train, but I just kept going!". Yah!! What a trooper! It was fun watching all of the little tykes, not just my own.

Caden was the 2nd or 3rd boy to finish.


Macy was not too far behind him!!


My Father-in-law also participated in the 5 mile. I got 1st place in the 30 year old girls and he got 1st place in the 50 year old males. He and I both enjoy running, he is a joy and encourages me!!

So much fun!!

And they are off.....

4th grader, 2nd grader, Kindergartener.....

It's quite the week...as most households, we are off to another year of school!
Wow! The years pass by and these kids keep growing. I am so thankful to be their mommy and most of all to have invested their earliest years at home. No regrets, that is my motto! Caden and Macy had their first day of school on Tuesday. This was an easy transition, because they know the ropes. They know the bus routine and they know the school, so they were ready for this adventure to begin!



I have to share the beautiful countryside, where we watch for the bus to arrive!


Julia and Noelle enjoyed their last two days of playing together as "best friends"...as they call themselves. We watched for the bus to arrive home at 4:00 to greeted Caden and Macy, as I am coaching constantly to Julia..."See...this is exactly what you will do." She is oblivious!!!


Until her and I get to go see the real deal. We visited her teacher and classroom together...she was all confident until we stepped into the school and she saw the lines and lines of kids....LOTS of kids!!

And she gets shy!! I'm thinking, "NOOOOO!"

However, God shows up in many small ways during our hour at school. She comes out of her shell and really takes to her teacher and is proud to now be in the "blue" group!



And there is a glimpse of the bus coming in the distance! And that beautiful scenery!

They are off! No tears for momma....maybe just a few sniffles! I am thankful for Josh's words as he left for work this morning (MY STEADY HUSBAND!)--"You be content and happy today. You have done your job and she is ready.".

Julia has the same Kindergarten teacher that Macy had. Macy made this card for Julia at supper last night. So, So cute! Once again, the Lord showing up!

Our family enters a new season! 3 kids in school, 1 at home! I am looking forward to this year. Noelle and I will be buds, and we will love it when that bus comes home at the end of the day. I am thankful, so thankful how God prepares our hearts for changes.

Imagination.....

Noelle came into the house from digging in the dirt and says to me, "I found something with a horn coming out of its nose. I think it is a dead Triceratops. I will go get it for my collection!".

1st Annual "Horse Games at Grandma's"!

Here we go.....

School open house....we got to visit the classrooms, put supplies away, and meet this years teachers. Yah! 4th grader and 2nd grader-big stuff! This is an old hat for these two. I am happy for their new adventure and ready for them to GO! Next week you will hear about the Kindergartener in the house--that is a whole different story!

Two Extremes

Anyone who really knows my 4th child - this post will not surprise you! My camera captured the two extremes of her personality all in one day. She will love all of the momma time while the other three go to school this year. I don't even think she will miss them, I think she will enjoy having the toys to herself and mom one-on-one.

Dubuquers

Friends since 2001, we met at Village Inn in Cedar Falls, and we've never been the same since....I'm talking about my friend Jamie Steele. Jamie and her precious kids came to Southern Iowa to hangout for a day/night. A trip to the Lumberyard, a drive around the county to see the kids' school and a few of the Lumberyards projects, homemade pizza, water balloons, enjoying the scenery, encouraging each other and hashing out a marriage book....were all included in our much needed time together.



Love you, Jamie! We'll visit you in the big city next time!!

One last Hoorah.....

CAMPING!!! The kids have been asking to camp ONE LAST TIME this Summer. I packed up the car...told Josh to meet us at a campground after work...the kids and I spent two days just hanging out and tent camping at a local park. It was so nice to have different scenery and little distraction from enjoying time together. Josh ended up having to work late both nights, so he joined us for fire and smores and sleeping in the tent--that was a bummer, we missed him...however, MOM proved to her kids that she can "rough it" without Daddy!!

We had a coon attack at dusk. The coons were rampade little creatures searching for food! See my kids-trying to sneak up on a baby coon! They are actually oowing and awwing at how cute it was!! Ewwww.....OK-I'll rough it, but I won't be friends with a coon!!



Tired, sleepy children! They are so fun!

Hmmm....what is left to do this Summer?! There are a few more things on the kids' list that we will try to get accomplished!

Omaha Zoo

Genesis 1:24-25 "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And is was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that is was good.

We had one big creature lesson with a weekend trip to the Omaha Zoo.
From this beautiful parrot...

to this big Rhino....

Upclose and personal with a Bear...

Fun with Dad and Pop (high priced pop, I might add!) to keep us cool!!

Of course, not a perfect trip w/out at least one kid deciding to cop an attitude for the day....can you tell which kid!??

Praise the Lord...for the random sprinkler systems--the only times she did not whine!!


We touched an Alligator Taxidermy.

Gorillas and Monkeys definately ranked as favorites of the day!

And big brother steps up to the plate...he carries #4 to the car--mom and dad were DONE IN for the day!

Oh what memories....they will last for a lifetime and make us smile!