Finishing Strong

In years past, our church's preschool has raised funds for their scholarship program by having a multi-family yard sale. Our yard was host to that sale twice. It's a lot of work!! This year, the preschool board (which EJ is on) decided to try something new. 

I am so proud of him. The event was great and lots of fun. All his hard work and the work of many others, paid off.

 EJ kicked things off. The first event was a 1-mile kid's run on a lakeside path through the park.

 

Each runner got a t-shirt and race bib. The first official race for both Owen and Mason. Fun!

This was the home stretch. Can you tell he is one determined boy?

 

He finished second, but only by 1 second (if that). His time 6:48.5

Mason did awesome and finished in 9th place with a time of 8:07.2.

 

The board received awesome donations that were handed out as prizes. 

The 1st and 3rd place boys are brothers :)

 After the 1-mile run was the 5K. 

EJ would have participated if he hadn't been needed for tracking the finish times.

Next was the preschool dash. Boy, was I glad it took place on grass :)

Ryan is the one in red shorts with LOTS of face/forearm paint.

Avery just wandered around and buckled everyone's empty strollers.

After the preschool dash was our church's annual Easter egg hunt. I did not get a single picture. It was over in the blink of an eye. All in all, it was a wonderful family event. I am fairly certain the consensus is to do it again and of course there is a growing list of improvements for next year.

Let the Races Begin

My 2 oldest boys had a fun run today to raise money for their school's PTA. The fundraiser has taken over the last 2 weeks of school. That's all I will say about that. It could be worse. But I'm glad it's over. 

K-2 went first. Mason took it very seriously. He was pledged per lap (with a cap of 35 laps) He ran 36 :)

 

Ryan and Colin had their own races while we waiting for grades 3-5 to come out.

 

Avery did some leg stretches. Hilarious!

Owen took it very seriously too (surprise). I didn't stay til the end, but apparently he surpassed the 35 lap cap and kept on running for a total of 56 laps :) Don't worry grandparents, you only have to pay for 35 laps :)

I sure hope they have more energy left. They will be running a race for Ryan's preschool fundraiser tomorrow morning.

Special Buddies

Ryan had so much fun painting pottery in December, that he and I decided it would be a fun activity for his birthday. In lue of a party, he invited his best buddy, Colin, to join him. We stopped for donut holes on the way.

 They each picked a dog to paint. They both talk about wanting pet dogs ;)

Colin's mom, Erin, is one of my dear friends which made for such a fun double date. She has 3 boys, in very similar ages to mine, so we have a lot in common :)

Halfway through we realized Colin's dog was looking a lot like Clifford.

 Lissa graciously babysat Avery so I could fully engage with Ryan and his guests. Thanks Lissa!

These boys are only 6 weeks apart and they have been friends from day 1. It helps that they are each the 3rd boy :) They are quite a pair! I thoroughly enjoyed my extra time with Erin. Such a fun morning.

Ryan's 4th Birthday

Ever since my birthday, we've been counting down until Ryan's big day. He is so easy to please at this age, I love it. My mom brought donuts on her way into work.

My baby boy is four!

My parent's came over for dinner that night. Ryan could barely eat b/c he was so excited to open his presents.

It was the year of the animal. He wanted horses and dogs (real ones) so he got both (stuffed).

We had a quick intermission between dinner and dessert for Owen's "recorder" concert.

Owen is in the middle of the red class. See Avery below, in the bottom right hand corner :)

 

It didn't phase Ryan one bit to interrupt his party.

Afterwards we went out for frozen yogurt. Lissa and Tripp met up with us.

Ryan loves candy. He just adds a little frozen yogurt b/c that's what you are supposed to do ;)

Today, his preschool class celebrated him.

Some of his classmates shared why they like Ryan. So sweet!

He is still my most snuggliest one. I am going to miss that.

Happy 4th Birthday, Ryan!

Basement Reno (week 19)

I finished the stairs this past weekend. Painting the risers was definitely the most tedious painting thus far. I am so glad it's behind me. I have been wanting the risers on our main floor staircase, white, since the day we moved in (9 yrs ago). Now that I am so experienced ;) I am hoping to get to that soon. After all, once the basement is done, what will I do with all my spare time?

 

They are too glossy for my liking, but hopefully more durable.

The flooring went in on Monday. I can't tell you how excited we ALL were. It was like Christmas morning at 5 pm when the crew left. I was giddy all day knowing that progress in the basement was being made and NOT by ME :)

It's a vinyl product (water-proof) and very affordable. It only took the crew 3.5 hrs to do both rooms and the hallway.

It's basically move-in ready. We still need door knobs, shower door and some paint touched-up and the kitchenette counters, but the end is definitely in sight. Praise the Lord!