Do-over

So I didn't do so well with the 30 day blog challenge.  Sometimes it is tough to come up with things to say for a given prompt.

A 30 day PHOTO challenge, however... I'm all over that idea.  No words and I get to play with my camera.

Bring it on!

Rapunzel Effect

 With the release of TANGLED, came the obsession with long hair.  The only saving grace from Aspen insisting that her hair be allowed to grow to the floor is having to brush it after bath time.  She actually let me talk her in to getting it cut, and it is PERFECT for her, so easy to take care of, and (best of all) so easy to brush after bath.

End of an era & growing pains

Hard to quite describe the emotions and feelings of this past weekend.  My son finished his high school running career at state, running in the 1 and 2 mile.  This marks the end of a 3 year running era that has left his name in the books, Bear River high school with a cross country title, 2 regions championships, several individual medals and honors, and many ventures to fields and tracks across the state to watch him run.  He finished 12th in both races, but it wasn't so much the time or the place of his finish that brought out my emotions, as it was seeing him disappointed with his finish.  There is no more "next year" to prove himself or to do better.  How much more can he ask of himself than to put it all on the line at the end of the day?  Not much.  I am so proud of him and the running legacy he has left behind.  It has been a pleasure to watch him run, to cheer him on, to share in his nerves of every race.  He is not the most demonstrative child when it comes to affection, and I am a bawl baby, so while he keeps his feelings regarding the end of his running career to himself, I just cry.

Cry because I hate to see him disappoint himself.
Because I will miss seeing him race and run.
Because I fear he will put running away and lose the love of it.
Cry because my little boy full of attitude and sarcasm and spunk is moving on.
Because his summer will be spent 2000 miles away from me, working in Alaska.
Because life goes on and babies grow up.

As this marks an end of an era, a new one begins.  Wade ran this year as a freshman, and will be running again next year.  And three years from now, I'm sure I'll feel this way again... sad and excited to see him grow up and move on.
I love you guys!
You will always be my little boys.

4 more minutes...

Not sure how the number 4 was selected.  

When she wants more it is always "FOUR more minutes"

Time to turn off the tv.

"FOUR more minutes"

Lets get out of the tub and get you dressed.

"FOUR more minutes"

No more books tonight, time for bed.

"FOUR more minutes"

Time to go home (from a myriad of places)

"FOUR more minutes"

How do I resist that?

I can't.

New "Gobbles"

Aspen took a swim class in January at the local recreation center.  Before the lessons, she was not able to dip her face in the water, or anything close to swimming.  Two weeks later, she was able to dive to the floor of the pool, and do some version of swimming.

She has only gotten more brave and daring since I ordered the swim goggles, which she calls her "gobbles".  She loves swimming along where she is still able to touch the bottom, opening her eyes and looking at me under water, and grinning from ear to ear.  She is a little fish.

If at first you don't succeed...

1 lap remaining of 1 mile.  Wednesday May 11, 2011

Sometimes the most valuable lessons don't come from our accomplishments or achievements.  They come from what happens when things don't go the way we want them or planned them to go.

Brenden had region track at Ben Lomond High school this week, and was running the 1 mile on Wednesday and the 2 mile and 800 meter on Thursday.  I am a nervous parent, especially when I can not be at an event.  I think I called or texted him relentlessly that afternoon until he finally returned my call.  He was slated to take first in the 1 mile.  He WAS taking first in the 1 mile... at lap 3 (picture above) and as he was coming in to the final stretch of lap 4.  With 10 yards to go, he ran out of gas, and tripped and fell onto the track, with two runners one step behind him.  Only the top 4 runners in each event get to proceed to state finals.  Brenden, with his arm scraped up and his plans of winning now evaporated, got up from the ground, started running again, and still qualified for state by coming in 4th.

The next day he ended up squeezing out a win in the 2 mile in a tight race at the finish and qualified for the 800 by coming in 4th place, but for me, region this year was more about the race on the first day.  I am so proud of him and how he is such a determined person.   So amazed that he came back fighting the next day even more determined to make his mark and make up for his fall.  I love you bud.  Good luck at state next week!

START of 2 mile

LAP 3 of 2 mile race

LAP 5

Last 10 yards of 2 mile.

A bunch of FIRSTS

 We got to spend Easter in Ephraim with Hayden's parents.  We drove down early enough to make it to the egg hunt, but because of the weather, it ended up being more of a candy hand out.  Aspen had never done an egg hunt, never seen an easter bunny before, nor have we colored eggs before.  After the egg hunt we had breakfast at the bowling alley, and Aspen was not going to let us get out of there without playing at least one game.  It was so much fun.  She somehow thought that punching the bowling ball would help it get down the lane more effectively.  She ended up beating me by 1 point.  Beginners luck.