This is 6

I'm going to enjoy it, I hope he does too.

Mini Runners

Today was a pretty momentous occasion. Ethan and Lucy ran their first races! One of the local running clubs hosts a few series of races, including the "fall series" ( you may remember Mike running these back when Ethan was just a baby). During the fall series they also have a kids series that races at the same location, just a shorter distance. 
 I mentioned the races to Ethan and he was completely on board. He spent a few days training with his dad and then spoiled with new running shoes by his papa. And then it was race day!

Lucy only agreed to participate when she learned that her friend Aubrey would be running too

Add caption

Official running pose

Waiting for their fans (aka Grandma, Papa and Auntie)

 Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of Lucy's race. She preformed exactly as I had predicted, super excited till they said go and then freaked out. BUT she ran with her daddy and finished!!

Add caption

 Then it was the 4-5 year old's turn

Starting line, he's in there somewhere

Couldn't ask for a better view

Almost at the finish!!

And, of course, snacks for the finishers

This was, technically, the third race of the series, even though it was our first. The fourth and final is in 2 weeks, each race is a little bit longer than the last to build their endurance. We are all very much hoping to participate in that one. We couldn't be prouder of the kiddos, especially Ethan, he was committed to the training and didn't give up when racing. Who knows, maybe he takes after papa even more than we thought...

Fall Leaves

I have to admit, fall is not my favorite season. I love spring and summer when there's new life, the weather's hot and we can go on vacation!!
 BUT...
I do appreciate fall, it's just too short. The leaves changing color, the air turning crisp, the excitement of the pending holidays building. Oh and the sun sets earlier so bedtime can be adjusted accordingly.
This weekend we had just enough fallen leaves to rake into a pile and then smash through!

She is such a helper

First jump!

It is a beautiful season

Halloween is Coming!!

Halloween from the words of Lucy:

"Mommy's in the house and something died in there. Don't go in there, something's died in there"

Interpretation:

There's a house that we pass on a daily basis with blow up lawn decorations. One of said decorations is an outhouse with a sign on the side that says "it smells like something died in there" and a mummy pops out the door.
My daughter has been telling everyone about the "mommy" and the "house" and that there's something dead, I'm very concerned what people may think if she continues this after Halloween is over.

Halloween evidence from children:
Yesterday, at a play date, all the children were outside and suddenly came running in screaming "AHHH! There's a black widow spider!! AHHHH!!!"
Clamly (which is surprising because I hate all types of spiders and you're telling me black widow) I have them take me to the spider. After careful examination, I determined, it was indeed a living spider, but infact, it was a baby daddy long legs and the children were safe to continue playing outside. They still decided to come in and color.

New Routines

 Since Ethan started Kindergarten, we've been in a period of adjustment in our lives. We're figuring out how to live around his school schedule. He's doing a great job with the transition, I didn't realize how difficult it would be on Lucy and myself. It's just more time consuming than I had expected. Three days a week, our routine consists of; waking up and having breakfast, dropping E off at school, dropping Lucy off at Grandma's, going to work, picking up Lucy, picking up Ethan, going home and making dinner and lunch for the next day. We're figuring it out.
It's been such a blessing that one of Ethan's friends has a little sister just slightly older than Lucy, and, they get along. On the mornings that she doesn't want to go to drop him off, I just make sure to emphasize that her friend Aubrey will be there and then she's ready to go.

Lucy and Aubrey

To jump, or not to jump, the temptation is too great

We're still living up that last of our warm days, just on the weekends.
 These two have become such adventurers;

Four years ago

 

Still trying to lift too much

Going to Papa for boo boo inspection

Surrounded by jelly fish at the Imagination Celebration

We're also finding time to celebrate our marriage. This past August marked 8 years of marriage, 13 years of being in a committed relationship together. There's no where I'd rather be than with Michael, he is home. It feels good to be able to say that with stronger meaning than I could have imagined 8 years ago.