Worth a shot

I get really motivated to do something that I know in the back of my head will probably be a disaster.  But I ignore the little voice.  This was one of those times.  We packed up the truck with bikes and the bike trailer, drove for just a little bit and attempted to create a memory.  Marin's bike tire was flat by the time we got to our destination and Mesa was already a little annoyed.  Greyson bike helmet didn't fit and Ashton's chain keeps falling off.  SUPER!  I asked Aaron to find a flat stretch of road, but obviously we have different ideas about that.  Greyson squished in the trailer with Mesa and she hates being crowded.   Marin got on Ashton's bike and Ashton rode on the little contraption that can be hooked to mine.  Aaron has a nice road bike and my ancient mountain bike has one gear...horrible.  It felt like I rode for 5 minutes and I was done.  Going back downhill was great.  And now I can't download the picture, typical.

Review cont.

Mesa loved school this year.  I only made one trip to the school rather than several like the year before.  She had given herself a bloody nose and was a little too upset.  She came home at least once a week with a sweet note or a picture in her bag from someone in her class.  One girl even came up and gave Mesa a hug and kiss when she saw her at the store.  She absolutely loved her aide this year, Mrs. Stoddard.  She threw a fit one day when her aide wasn't there and she had a substitute.  Mesa has always been able to sense true compassion and kindness.  And I am so happy that Mrs. Stoddard is going to be the librarian at the new special needs school and Mesa will still get to see her.  Mesa has almost outgrown the bath tub because of her long legs.  She has been horseback riding this summer and loves it but comes home quite tired and sore.  I am so excited for the new school being built for all the special needs kids.  They will be getting new equipment and even a swing that will suit Mesa.  She loves when Aaron and I lay in bed with her and cuddle.  She is a wonderful blessing to our family.

 Last but not least, Greyson.  Describing him is difficult.  He is a tazmanian whirlwind of energy, spunk and curiosity.  He actually asked me today how to spell Teradactyl and I don't think that's how you spell it.  He is funny, defiant at times, very smart and has an amazing vocabulary.  He already has great interest in achieving things and wants to be involved in everything.  He wasn't a big fan of preschool this year, I think he just went for the toys.  He still has another 2 years at home before starting kindergarten and I better find something challenging for him to do.  He loves going to gymnastics and has been putting on his soccer cleats and shin guards to run around outside.  He absolutely will not pee outside. Weird!  He hates doing chores so it has become a powerful incentive to behave.  But he is dang adorable and I love his big, brown eyes.

A year in review

Marin was in third grade this year and in a new school.  It was her first year at Lincoln and I think she was a little nervous.  Her teacher told me that she is really quiet in class and very polite and kind.  Marins loves being creative.  Right now she is making bookmarks in the shapes of animals.  She made a piggy bank out of a liter bottle a few weeks ago.  If she has a few minutes of spare time, she is either reading or drawing.  I was so excited when she agreed to take violin lessons. She has even given a verbal mmmmmmkay to taking singing lessons. I am really excited for that!  She can sing well, but hates when people are looking at her.  This summer she is going to Alpine, Wyoming for a girls camp and taking a horseback riding course.  She was a trouper and tried out softball this year.  I think she played for social reasons only.    Aaron coached the team and it was quite the experience.  We are amazed constantly by her creativity and she is so excited that we have been approved to be a foster family and has high hopes that she there will be another little girl in the house.  She was asked to be the hare in the Aesop's Fables and loved hop, hop, hoping around for her part.

    

Ashton was in first grade this year, in the same class as Mesa.  He enjoyed school more than last year.  I came to volunteer once a week in his classroom.  Aaron and I took turns running pacers with him, he was proud of himself for reaching his goal of 50 miles.  He has loved making new friends.  He is reading very well and he is my biggest helper around the house.  We have read all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, although I do not like how lazy the kid in the book is.    I have realized that Ashton gets embarassed by things I was not aware of, like when I talk about him in front of other people.  He has actually taken me aside and told me not to do that! Ashton did really well in baseball this year and it was exciting to watch him play.  He had 4 premolars pulled last week and after coming home with 4 teeth for the tooth fairy, he realized one of his baby teeth was loose and pulled it out.  I don't know any kid who has lost 5 teeth in one day.  He went through a whole bottle of Tylenol with codeine because of the pain.  He still likes to be tucked in at night and uses a head lamp to read books in bed so he doesn't wake "the monster."  He is growing up way too fast.  Ashton has asked for a pocket knife because now he is big enough to have one and he also wants a suit for church!

Rub-a-dub-dub three men in a tub

Don't worry, they washed quickly.

MAKE A WISH

Mesa got an amazing surprise.    Her jogger came earlier than expected and I can wait to take her on a walk in it.  She is way too big for the normal joggers and so this one was custom made.  It folds great and it will be much easier to put in the car.  It's light and huge! They brought her a cake and balloons too.  Now if only the @#$* wind would go away...

Coolest ever!! It's only 8,000 dollars.

A year later

It's probably a sign of age when I see a patch of ice and I...

1. try to walk all the way around it

2. put down a gallon of ice melt

3. make the kids go first

4. have visions of rehab from breaking my hip

5. hold onto anything I can, like the hood on Ashton's coat.

35 years is painful sometimes, I used to pretend to ice skate over treacherous patches.