St. Patrick's Day

The night before St. Patrick's Day, Guy and I set up a leprechaun trap (a stick holding up a shoe box with green treats underneath). The next morning Guy was apprehensive about lifting up the trap. He asked if the leprechaun would try to run away. The trap was empty except for a tiny treasure map. We followed the map down the street, onto a pathway, and over some rocks. Guy found the treasure marked with a rainbow under a bush.

Treasure = Candy and small toys! Guy said the leprechaun left us the map because we were nice and left him a treat.

I wanted something green for the front door and "Be Sweet" had a great idea:  http://amanda-besweet.blogspot.com/2011/03/pb-knock-off-moss-letters.html 

I first cut and glued this letter H.

 Then I covered it in green moss. Love it! I smile when I look at my front door.

We went as a family to the Town of Springdale for their annual St. Patrick's Day parade and festivities last weekend. It was a lot of fun, but we forgot the camera.

Potty Training Begins

Guy learned more about the letter W last week at Joy School. His teacher asked him to draw a picture of him doing something in the wind. He drew this picture:

He told me this is a picture of him dressed as Indiana Jones. He is holding a gun that is capturing the wind. I love it! We watched an Indiana Jones marathon on TV yesterday. I told Guy about the dinner scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He ran out of the room after they ate the beetles. He didn't want to see the eyeball soup.

I teach a community ed. class for 2-3 year olds twice a week and this week the theme was 'Sports.' We made tennis ball puppets and bounced them around.

I really like the face Guy drew on his puppet all by himself. What do you think about my double jointed thumb?

Sloan has started potty training and she chooses to do it in the nude. So, when we are home I let her run around naked. Guy asked to play in the backyard last week and this is how I found the kids.

The next day, Sloan helped me make brownies. (I washed her hands first.)

I am sure our dentist would die if he saw this toothbrush covered in chocolate.

Jack and I prepared for a weekend of running and biking by rolling out our muscles and the kids wanted to join in.

I ran a 50 mile relay with some of Jack's co-workers. My first leg was just over 4 miles and I did it in 34 minutes. My second leg was supposed to be 6.3 miles, but it was really 6.75. I wanted to die! My IT Band was hurting so bad. I started to cry when I saw Jack and the kids near the finish line. I am so glad they were there for support.

See my pain as I get closer.

What a great team! We finished 56 out of 98 teams.

Jack rode 46 miles of mountain biking yesterday to prepare for an upcoming race. He is awesome and I think he will do well because he has a lot of endurance.

Family Weekend

Family was coming to town, so I started cleaning. Sloan decided to empty the pantry and reorganize it for me. She is holding up a sweet potato.

My mom and my sister Charlotte drove down with Charlotte's cute kids; Cody, Ella, and Shelby. We tried to enjoy as much sunshine as possible. Here are some pictures at the park.

Guy and Cody

Sloan

Grandma Barbara pushing Ella, Cody, and Guy.

Charlotte striking a pose on the walk home.

We are gorgeous sisters aren't we!!!

We went to our club house pool one afternoon. Ella was so excited she took stepped in with her clothes in while we were gathering up our stuff to leave. Charlotte had to jump in with her clothes on to save her. She was OK, but it was a little scary. Then they had to walk home cold and wet.

Shelby, Ella, and Charlotte

Later that evening, my brother Dennis stopped by after driving his truck from the Mexico border. Jack took Dennis and the two boys to Laser Mania. Guy has been asking to go after he attended his friend's birthday party there.

Guy, Dennis, and Cody looking funny!

Cody, Jack, and Guy

The following day I ran my first 1/2 marathon. It was raining, but not too bad. I was so eager to get under 2 hours and I was on track the first 9 miles, but that was when my IT Band really started to hurt. I limped the last mile because my entire right leg was killing me, but I finished.

Time: 2 hours 7 min. Now to beat that time.

Valentine's Weekend

Guy made this Valentine in Curiosity Club

(a science class held at the Nature Center).

I made playdough with the kids and we marble painted hearts for Valentines.

On Saturday, the kids participated in the Tuff Kids Bike Criterion.

 Guy was awesome!

 We didn't need the ambulance, but Jack wanted to take a picture of Guy lying on a gurney.

 Sloan raced against a 3-year-old on training wheels. She was in lead at first, but was so excited about all the cheering that she slowed down.

 I got a little exercise too.

 We really had a great time as a family. We also got a little sun on our cheeks. The weather is getting warmer.

 The kids loved their metals.

Jack and I got Guy candy and two batman shirts for Valentine's. Sloan got Superman pajamas and a cute Superman shirt. Jack bought me a few shirts and chocolate covered strawberries. He is so great! I love my family.