Catching Up (Once Again)

You can't imagine the guilt I feel when it takes me a month to update my blog again! I've been thinking about all my readers (about six of you) and hoping you haven't given up on me! It's just a busy time for me. When I'm not working or working out, I'm with the kids...playing, cooking, cleaning, laundering, or finally, sleeping. So, once again, I apologize for the absence. I'm going to try to at least get a little something on more often!

So here's what went on between March 23rd and today, April 19th! : )

Easter Sunday at Grandma Vicky's House-

Maddy has the egg hiding down. She is sly and very good at hiding and finding those little ovals! Harrison, well, he isn't quite as interested in looking for good spots to hide eggs yet. He'll dump the whole thing in the middle of the yard and call it good. Though, I know someday he'll be as good as Uncle Jeff hiding those eggs. Uncle Jeff had way too much fun finding egg spots. We may be finding eggs for a few months!

The Easter Bunny brought the kids Easter "luggage" instead of baskets this year. How did he know we were going to need luggage for our trip to Seattle this summer? Smart Bunny!

Hannah's 3rd Birthday Party- Dalmatian Theme

Emma and Hannah are two of Maddy and Harrison's friends from daycare. Their mom, Hope, and I are friends, and we enjoy getting the kids together. Hope is a VERY creative birthday planner! She always has a theme and lots of fun activities to go with it. Maddy recalls all the parties she has been to planned by Hope. I'm thinking of hiring her for Maddy's next birthday ; )

Hope made the cake. The kids decorated "Dalmatian" cookies with chocolate chips. Harrison ate most of his chocolate chips before they could make it to the cookie.

Hannah, the birthday girl in light pink, and her sister, Emma, in dark pink. Two cuties!

St. Louis, MO

In April, I traveled to St. Louis with 70 middle schooler's for our annual Baseball Unit. We saw the St. Louis Cardinals win against the Colorado Rockies. The kids loved it! We also visited the Arch and other museums.

Beautiful Busch Stadium

We got there early enough for batting practice and some of the students were able to coax this Colorado Rockies player to throw them a ball every now and then.

This is me with our new Middle School Headmaster, Ann. This was her first year at our school and on this trip. She had a great time.

View from the top of the arch. The clouds and rain ruined the view a bit.

Students checking out the view from the top of the arch. I love this monument and never tire of going up to the top.

Raising money for Leukemia and Lymphoma

Yes, I'm STILL trying to raise funds to fight blood cancer. The day after I got back from St. Louis, I stood on one of the busiest corners in town and collected money for 5 1/2 hours from passing cars. Luckily, it was a gorgeous day...a tad bit windy, of course, but I raised $988 along with about 4 friends who braved the traffic to help me. It was quite an amazing lesson in people I must say. The people who gave the most (five and ten dollar bills) were people in the most beat up cars who looked like they could barely afford gas! I was amazed time, and time again, at how many bills they would shove into my bucket! The people in the nicest cars wouldn't even look at me. Very weird, but true. I couldn't have done this with out the help of Devon, Cindy, Amy and Megan, my closest friends, and co-workers! Thanks for giving up part of your Saturday to help with a great cause. Ok, now only $1200 more to go.....

Below is my new wetsuit that I will sporting during the 1 mile swim in the river at the Philadelphia Tri in June. It came with very explicit instructions on how to get it on. Let me just go on record saying that, "it ain't easy!" I barely got the thing on and there was no way I was going to get it zipped by myself! Our coach has said the team will be practicing how to put them on and take them off. This suit is not for the weak of heart! It is very constricting and you feel like you can't breathe with it on! The good thing about it is it will make me more buoyant, which is something I need during my swim! So, with some practice, it will become more comfortable...I hope.

Luckily, it will not be used tomorrow, Sunday, April 20th, for the Emporia Spring Migration Triathlon! This will be my first tri and I'm very nervous and excited all at once! If I can just make it through the swimming (400 meters), I'll be fine! The bike and run will be a piece of cake as long as I don't over do it during the swim. Wish me luck! I promise to post photos this week!