K

All spruced up for his big day.

Kindergarten 2011

Maple Grove Elementary

Name tag and folder, it's feelin' official.

Pretty sure frenzied butterflies are sworming bout' now.

Deep breaths, Owen.

Holy....DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS!

It was tough leaving you, O....especially when you started to cry.

Mama didn't want to go, even when your teacher pushed/ushered me out the door, assuring me you'd be just fine.

I politely obliged and strolled Mr. Max right out into the hall, pretending to leave.

 

Then, real inconspicuously, I walked past your room a measly twenty times or so.

You were still crying.

I couldn't leave.

Max and I camped outside your classroom door for what seemed an eternity, ready to run in and whisk you away if need be.

Ya settled down.  Ya sang songs. Ya started to smile. 

Ya had a good time.

.....then it was just me and the Mr.,  feeling jealous of Kindergarten and your lucky friends who get to enjoy YOU the entire afternoon. 

Now Mr. Max, tell me.

How do you feel about Owen's new adventure and leavin' you home all alone with Mama?

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U huh. I thought so.

pumped up kicks

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Mama just couldn't commit this year to swim team's 5 days a week, early morning practices.
So this past summa' vacay, we did track instead.

That's right, we traded in swim caps and goggles for...

 pumped up kicks.

The kids looked forward to those Thursday evening meets. We spent hours out there in the smoldering heat picnicking, playing, and cheering fast feet across finish lines.

 Id like to think it was the opportunity of quality time with their parents my little sprinters enjoyed so much, but this mama AINT' NO FOOL.

It had something to do with earning shiny ribbons, and everything to do with the promise of a cool, sweet treat from DQ afterwards......

 that kept their little motors movin'!

Capitol Classic

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Fast, downhill course, fat medals distributed at the finish, and a rockin' after party.

The Capitol Classic is so................

OUR KIND OF RACE!

Ran their little hearts out, they did.

Girls ran first and out of almost 700 little ladies

ranging from age 7-14,

Miss Payton was SECOND to cross the finish line.

Miss Avery took almost 5 min. off her last year's time,

and Mr. Owen and his bestie, Cole....ran the entire way!

Sure regret not having any pics. of the junior racers in flight, but with Bob MIA, and me (the entire race) stuck in a hairy wrestling match with an ornery grizzly cub named, Max....

it just didn't happen. 

...

McCall on steroids

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(Talented Rush Blue, sweeping the tournament in Bend, Oregon...coming away once again, with a first place medal!)

Road tripped to Bend, just me and my soccer lovin' girl. Sipped soda and sucked the salt off sunflower seeds til' our swollen tongues felt numb against our notably raw cheeks. We shoulder shook and head bobbed to Jack Johnson, and before we knew it our wheels rolled into town.

We were immediately greeted by Mt. Bachelor and Jefferson, two snow capped peaks sitting above the city, welcoming us to picturesque Bend. Who knew? I certainly did not. I had no idea my weekend away with my girl would be spent in a place I can only describe as McCall on steroids.

We stayed in a little resort tucked back in the woods and nestled down by the river, a river who quickly became my friend as I woke early and joined her for a run along her curvy figure over and around dirt trails sprinkled with wild flowers and bulging river rock.

Most of the day Payton was busy with her team, this left time for me to just be. I took my book down to the pool and layed in quiet, uninterrupted, bliss almost giddy about the situation, me basking in sunshine with no kids, job, house to clean, or meals to cook. When I wasn't relishing in the serenity of aloneness I was joining the other parents for lunch, dinner, shopping, river floating, and site seeing, in a city that stole my heart and beckons me to return.

As extraordinary as being just "me" for the weekend was, without a baby on my hip, little ones at my feet, and a big, busy puzzle of daily chaos just a waitin' for my assembling,

the fabulousness was trumped by moments with HER.

Thank you, Miss Payton, for forgoing slumber with the rest of your team in a giant sea of silky, nylon bags accompanied by brightly colored pillow cases in the middle of the family room floor, to retire to my room, snuggle, chat, laugh and snooze... with me.

Thank you, Miss Payton, for running into my arms after each game and thanking me for being there and telling me how happy you were that I was.

Thank you, Miss Payton, for waiting in the middle of the river, paddling desperately to stay in place, screaming, "mom" and encouraging me to catch up so you could link your arm in mine and we could float the rest of the way, together.

I sure relished in my time "away" cheering my girl to victory in a city of grand beauty, building memories I'll not too soon forget, but quite honestly, Pay, it was the simple moments shared with YOU, that meant the most.

XOXOXO

MOM

G E O R G I A

Trips with our "Bronco Buddies" have become a tradition. We hit the big games together and scream, shout, and ROAR the Broncos to a victory. I don't know what it is about this time of year, this sport, this team, these friends, that brings us so much joy, but I must say.....THEY DO!

When growing up we would take a few family trips now and then. During the vacation my dad would refer to ALL of us as "fun seekers". Let's go "fun seekers", whose with me "fun seekers", what's next "fun seekers?" I always loved that chipper term and more so the man who delivered it. Among many of life's lessons my dad taught, ....Happiness can be found seeking fun with those you care about, is one of my favorites.

Guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks.

Thanks, "Bronco Buddies", for being some terrific, "fun seeking" friends!

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