Workout Buddies!

The past few weekends I haven't had the desire to get out and go for my runs alone.  Usually I'm happy to get out of the house and just let my mind wander, but lately I've just been yearning for a friend.  So one morning I asked Lexi if she would like to ride her bike along with me while I went for a run.  She ended up riding five miles with me!  I was pleasantly surprised by how far she wanted to go, and it was a lot of fun!  It was great having an opportunity to chat with each other without any distractions - a rarity in this house!  We've gone a few more times together since, and we both look forward to doing it more often.  It's really a lot of fun.  :)

What Was I Saying??

This evening at dinner Lexi asked us to imagine someone with cheeks so flabby that they could be stretched all the way over their eyes and touch their forehead. After we all imagined that, she suggested we imagine the cheeks were so flabby that they could be stretched all over the body. She went on in detail for some time about the exact course the flabby cheeks would take. (Think "The Family Circus" cartoon) Now, I do always try to listen with interest to anything my children have to say, but I'll admit that during her description of the cheek course my mind wandered a bit. Suddenly she paused and said, "what am I talking about??" Ahren and I shot each other that glance that says, "crud, you weren't listening either??" ...though not feeling terribly sorry about it since she clearly wasn't listening to herself either, when Zach, on the other side of the table, matter-of-factly replied, "the cheeks?" For Zach, this dinner table conversation was definitely one he could follow. :)

Extreme Field Day

This weekend, Lexi participated in an event called Extreme Field Day.  It was sort of like a mini Spartan Race for kids.  She was excited, but also a bit nervous.  She did not want to do it alone, or be alone at any point in the event.  Her friend Kaya agreed to come run it with her, and they even got a matching outfit for the big day!  Ben, Cassie and Sophie also came, and Cassie was in Lexi and Kaya's event.  

Everything started out great, and it was clear that the girls were having a blast!  They had huge smiles plastered on their faces the whole time.  But, unfortunately for Lexi, she fell off a balance beam.  When she fell, one of the course directors yelled to Kaya and Cassie to keep going.  Because they are rule followers, that's what they did.  Lexi did not want to continue alone even though she was not hurt.  So, Lexi didn't get to finish, which was a bit disappointing.  But she had so much fun that she is already looking forward to doing it again next year!  That's my girl!  

Cute girls ready to run!

The team's all here!

Under the wall!

There they go!

So much fun!

Through the mud!!

Happy kids!!

Zach only wanted to spectate...and eat flavored  ice.

Ben, Vann, Gino, Cassie, Sophie, Lexi, and Kaya.  They all had fun!

Zach and Andreas make their own obstacles.

Zach, Kaya and Lexi

It was a great day, if a little disappointing for Lexi.  Lexi finds this type of thing fun, exciting, and scary all at the same time.  I am so proud of her for getting out there, even though it didn't go as well as we had hoped.  She'll do it again another time and have a blast I'm sure!

Back to School!!

We always hate to see summer come to an end - especially one as fun as this one has been!  But September has finally arrived, which means it's back to school time!!

Lexi has an exciting return to school this year, as she'll be starting out at Franklin School!  She will be in class with her good friend Kaya, so she is not as nervous as one might think.  Franklin is a much bigger school than Thomson, but everyone we have meet there has been so nice, I'm sure the transition will be great.  Her first day of second grade went off without a hitch!

Ready for Second Grade!!

Good friends make tough transitions much easier.

Lexi is very happy with her new teacher, Mrs. Halloran, and I'm sure she is going to have another fantastic year of school! 

Zachary got an extra few days before his last year at New England Montessori began.  On Friday he went to an orientation for his new, Older Learners, classroom with his buddy Austin.  They had a lot of fun!  The best part was that he got to go back to Austin's house later and play with his awesome ride on toys!

Zach and Austin show off their play doh inventions.

Buddies!

Watch out!  Zach's driving now!

On Monday, Zach was ready for his turn at having a first day.  He was very excited, and ready to be in the big kid class at school with Miss Melissa and Miss Marcia.  He was a little nervous about leaving Mama, but ultimately had an awesome day at school.

Ready for Older Learners at NEMS!

Checking out the food coloring tray.

Both kids had great first weeks!  They were very happy, and as always, they got to spend some time with Gigi after school, while I was at work.  This week they made grape juice from the grapes from Gigi's grape vine.  So fun and so yummy!  What a great first week back!

Yummy juice!

Zach on The Hulk

"Mom, you know why The Hulk is so mad?"
"Why, buddy?"
"Because he ripped his pants!"

Wonder Woman!!

Another explanation from Zachary...

Do you know why they call her "Wonder Woman"?  Because she wonders who's a bad guy and who's a good guy.