Another school year

Our lazy summer is over and it is back to school time...well two weeks ago it was but i am just getting around to blogging about it because like i said it was a lazy summer and i was lazy about blogging too!

This first picture is the first day that all four went back. Avery and Ethan went back for a half day first and then the next day they all went.

 The first day was a little rough for some to wake up. It hasn't gotten much easier since then for Ethan to open his eyes while he eats his cereal. He still eats his first bowl with them shut half the time but by his second helping he more wide awake!

 Ethan's first day of 1st grade!

 Avery's first day of 6the grade, first day of middle school!

 I do not have a picture of Trey beside with all 4 on his first day of 8th grade because when i realized i didn't have one, he wasn't the most cooperative...teenagers, i tell ya!

Raegan's first day of kindergarten. She goes half day and goes in the afternoon. She was so excited to go to school. She is a young kindergartner as she just turned 5 a week after school started.

 We borrowed one of her friends posters before school

 and then it was time to line up to go inside...

 She found her desk right away and then just sat there. She finally got some crayons out and started coloring her paper that was on her desk

 I didn't know if i would cry as i left my youngest at school but i did not. It might have been partially due to the fact i was chatting with other moms or partially due to having to hurry off to go get new tires on the van. I did have a little wave of sadness that my years of always having one home with me all day were over!

 Raegan has the same teacher that Ethan had last year.

They are all off to a good start. Avery has her locker down pat and besides getting lost every now and again has her classes down. Trey is enjoying being the oldest class at school, the top dogs. Ethan is adjusting to school lunches and figuring out what he likes and what he doesn't. Raegan seems to be making friends quickly and talks about one in particular a lot...her name is Avery...must make her feel at home :)

I have found plenty to do with my 3 hrs per day sans kids. The second day i went shopping and went and ate at Chipolte...it was a very relaxing afternoon! As the temps get cooler i am planning to get some of my running done after i drop Raegan off at school which will help free up some of my evenings.

It's gonna be a great year!

Salty Dog/Pup triathlon - part two

 Avery finished her triathlon with a smile! What you don't see in the pictures is her Grandma and whole cheering section cheering everyone in which i am sure brought on the smile! (along with the fact that she was almost done!)

 this photo below is the one that was taken by the Hutchinson News and was in the paper the next morning. The lady had asked my mom Avery's name and age so we looked the next morning to see if she was in the paper and sure enough...

 I was part of a team consisting of my sister Susan, who biked, Mandy who did the swimming and myself who ran...this was coming in to the finish line of the run

 Mandy is who i ran the half marathon with when i finally broke my 2hr goal that i had tried for several times. We will all three be running a half marathon in Hutch in September that we are all excited about...right Susan?? :)

 I love this picture of my niece Maggie cheering me in towards the end of the run...this day was so fun, so much family involved!

 I already put the other picture but this was the picture that her proud daddy captured of Avery finishing

 Avery and her cousin Maggie...i'm betting they will be having some more cousins join them next year!

 I was dying and catching my breath and Avery came over to tell me good job on my run. I missed a pr by 9 seconds in the 5k, but was still happy with the run.

 I had told Avery while we were out biking together training for the race that she may just inspire me to  attempt a triathlon! (i am NOT a swimmer!) So after the race she asked me "so, did i inspire you??" Yes, she did and i plan to complete my first triathlon next summer. She will have to share a few tips and pointers with me...one of which might be "don't forget to put your pants on mommy!"

 My sister June (middle) completed the whole thing. Way to go June. I will get to watch her complete another one in a couple of weeks as i am doing the running portion again for a team with a couple of her friends in the women's triathlon.

Salty Dog/Pup triathlon 2012 - part 1

Avery completed something her mom has not attempted yet...her very first triathlon! I told her while we were doing some training together that she might just inspire me to finally take the plunge and try one.

The girls from our family that took part in the triathlon...

 the morning started very early! we had to get to the park to be numbered, Avery had to have her bike checked (which is what the ok on her hand is for) and get her transition area all good to go.

 all set up and ready to go

 the "pups" waited in a certain area while the "dogs" lined up to get in the water and started competing

the girls were so excited!

 and then it was their turn! all the "dogs" were out of the water so the "pups" started to drop in the water. the swim for them was 100 meters

 there she goes...so much going on, i had to book it to catch her coming out of the pool area and was trying to pay attention to how many times my sister had looped around on the bike as i had to get to the transition are to run as part of our team. Everyone was on a different part of the race!

 here she is coming out after her swim and heading to the transition area

 getting ready to hop on the bike. She remembered everything but her pants so as she went biking by everyone she said "oh my goodness, i forgot my pants!" not that it was a big deal since some just stayed in their swimsuits but she was planning on putting some shorts on.

 my sister had told her just don't forget to take your helmet off before you take off running or that might be a little embarrassing...she didn't forget that and put her pants on before her run :)

to be continued...

Kids fun run

John and i signed up for a local 5k that also had a kids fun run with it. The kids run was free plus they got a medal and a t-shirt...can't beat that. With the Olympics being watched everyday by our family medals were very important to a certain 4 year old, and it was going to be "gold!"

It was 75% humidity and HOT degrees out morning of the run! John and i ran our 5k first and the kids run was held after.

 John and i and our two "littles"

 daddy stretching it out with the kids

 oops, out of order but John finishing the 5k, i'm pretty sure he said that run was torture!

 the kids lined up to hear instructions

 and they are off...

 Raegan did a great job...it was a half mile and she ran the whole thing with one little walk break!

 Ethan came flying in with the front couple of kids...he was running so speedy at the end i missed catching a picture because he was trying to get past the bigger boy! I think he might just have some competitive blood in him! He did his half mile in 3 minutes and i can't remember how many seconds but i was impressed!! Way to go Ethan!

 I love this picture, she was beat! This face pretty much sums up the day and how we all felt after running

Fun time with our little ones! I love to be able to get them involved, and not always just come watch mommy. In Oct they will be running in the KC kids marathon, where they complete 25.2 miles before that day and then run their last mile of the marathon downtown after the KC marathon. Always a fun time and Raegan is excited that she get's to do it this year!