Summer Catch-Up: Triathlons

This summer Eva and Jaden particiapted in TWO triathlons!  I could NOT have been more proud of my kiddos watching them embrace what these races have to offer!  I participated in my first triathlon, and while I won't be signing up for any Ironman races (like the one my brother-in-law just competed in AGAIN), I did enjoy myself!  

The first one the kiddos did was called a TRY-a-thlon.  I kind of laughed because I thought this would be a much more laid back tri than the one Eva had done in the past.  I was wrong!!!  This was was pretty intense and A LOT more competitive than the one done in the past!!!!!  The kiddos did amazing and even placed - which was crazy because it was Jaden's FIRST triathlon!!  

Jaden got to be a pretty good swimmer this year, but since this was his FIRST triathlon we had him wear a lifevest.  The amazing thing was that even in the lifevest he beat the other kiddos in his heat!

TRANSITION AREA!!  We are quickly learning how to make our transition areas faster!  One trick we learned at this race was to dump baby powder on your feet so your shoes slide on faster!  Eva has her game face on...

Eva finishing the race (her heat went before Jaden)

In this triathlon one parent could run with a child.  Eva didn't need it, but since it was Jaden's first Matt ran with him.  We quickly learned he didn't really need it either.  When Matt asked if he was doing OK he said, "let's go faster"...

Crossing the finish line like a boss!!

BOTH kiddos placed and got trophies!!  Eva got 3rd in her division and Jaden got 2nd!

The Eagle Lake Triathlon is the triathlon that Eva did last year.  This year Jaden joined her.  This triathlon is different than the first one because they must do the swim portion in the lake....and there is a LOT of seaweed.  Last year that really threw Eva off, but this year she was not only ready - she also warned her brother!!!  

Triathlon suit...check!  Goggles....check!  Swim cap...check!  Eva is ready to kick some booty!

Jaden was a little more hesitant with the swimming portion of this one.  He wasn't sure about the lake.  I was proud of him because he overcame his fear and dived in...then swam like a little fish!

She's OFF and she is on FIRE!!  No seaweed is going to stop her this year!!

Transition to the biking portion.  I love the look of determination on her face!!!

  

Done with the bike portion and she takes off running!!

Jaden (again in a later heat than Eva) takes off on his bike!!!!  

Crossing the finish line and giving high-5's on the way!

I loooove Jaden's face as he crossed the finish line!!  (I wish I would have got pics of him running, but I literally run around like a crazy person trying to see them at each transition phase)!!!

Awards ceremony for the kids.  In this triathlon everyone receives a medal and a stuffed eagle.

Eagle Lake was my first triathlon and I did it with my sister.  She is a seasoned pro, but was kind enough to stay with me for through all of it!  I had a lot of fun!!

Nicole and I waiting for our heat to start the swimming portion.  

I love our friend Greg standing on the pier watching all of us swim!!  I was worried about the swimming portion, but I did just fine with it.  Randomly, the biking portion (which was I WAS NOT worried about) was my hardest part.

On to the bike portion of the race...

Last, but not least, the running portion of the race...

Crossing the finish line...hand in hand with my sis.  Love her.

These triathlons added a fun and exciting element to our summer!!  We all loved participating in them (Matt has participated in the past, but didn't this year since he is training for a marathon).  Not only are they fun and exciting, but it's a GREAT way to encourage healthy habits in our kiddos!  We look forward to participating in more in the future!!  Eva has even been contemplating an IRON KIDS triathlon (the kids version of the Ironman triathlon my brother-in-law competes in).  This would be a big deal, as we would have to travel out of state for her to compete.

Also, have I mentioned I love my sister yet?  I do.  She was awesome pushing me harder and harder during this race.  Thanks Nic.

"All your life you are told the things you cannot do.  All your life people will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough.  They'll say you're the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this.  THEY WILL TELL YOU NO.  A thousand times no until all the no's become meaningless.  All your life they will tell you no quite firmly and very quickly they will tell you no...and YOU WILL TELL THEM YES".

--Nike Ad

A Great Way To Bless Your Child's Teacher

I think we can all attest to the fact that teachers work hard....very hard.  The whole "must-be-nice-to-have-3-months-vacation" attitude is looooooong gone.  After being a teacher myself for nearly 10 years I know all-to-well the blood, sweat, and tears teachers pour into their classrooms and their students.

As a parent, I feel it is my responsibility to support my children's teachers in every way I can.  One way I do this is by providing a meal for each teacher once a month.  This idea was given to me by my amazing friend Sandy, who authored the book The Reluctant Entertainer.  If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.  I do not consider myself "recluctant" in the entertainment realm (in fact, we love to entertain in our home)....but this book gave me so many fresh perspectives on how food and hospitality can bring people together.

On to how I use meals to bless my children's teachers....

At the beginning of each school year I contact their teachers and explain what I would like to do.  I make sure that I explain to them that I would love to do this only if it will be helpful to them (I can assure you that I've never had a teacher turn me down, but I never want to assume anything)!  Ha!

I then try to coordinate a day (for example, the 2nd Tuesday of the month) that works for both teachers.  I often ask them if there is a day of the week that is hectic for them (maybe a day with meetings?  practices?) and try to shoot for that day.  I also make sure to ask if anyone has food allergies or taste preferences in the family (last year one of the teachers husband didn't care for garlic.  I tried to really take that in consideration while cooking for them so that the WHOLE family could enjoy the meal, and her teacher wasn't making other food on top of what I made).  

After we set up the day, confirmed any allergies, and taste preferences I just mark my calendar and do a rough draft of the meals I will provide each month.  Here are some ideas of meals I have made in the past...

Various Pasta Dishes (baked spaghetti, lasagna, gulash, etc)

Baked Enchiladas

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (great for the cold winter months)

Casseroles

I try to stick to things that everyone will like, but I also try to occasionally include something different.  Last year I made Sausage and Pumpkin pasta in the fall.  I wasn't sure how it would go over, but it was a hit!

I include extras (salad, bread, etc) with the meals that would be enhanced by it.  I also add dessert occasionally, but not every month.  I pick one month that I provide a ready-to-bake pizza (purchased from a local eatery), as well as one month that I provide a gift card to a restaurant.  To be completely honest, I often use these two ideas on the months that I am crazy busy (for example, spring break time).

When I cook I will often triple the recipe so that I make one batch of Eva's teacher, one of Jaden's, and then one for our family.  It makes it easier if our family just eats the same thing that night so I can get 3 meals done and only dirty the kitchen once!  Ha!

On the day that the meal is delivered we simply put it in the teachers lounge fridge with the teachers name on it.  She can pick it up before she heads home for the night.  It makes it simple for everyone.  If I am being completely honest, I also handle it this way because I am afraid that handing the meal directly to the teacher puts her in a position where she may feel she needs to lavish thanks on us.  I never want her to feel that way.  I do this because I love to and I have no desire to receive credit in any way.  I simply want to help.

I have done this for 3 years now and it has become a special part to our school year.  Eva and Jaden's teachers pour so much time, energy, and love into their lives....this is just a simple way to give back.

"In a world full of people who couldn't care less...be someone who couldn't care more"

--Unknown

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

These cutie patooties had their FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL yesterday!!!  Wow, summer just seems to fly by faster and faster every single year.  

Eva started 3rd grade this year.  She rules the school as the oldest grade in that building!!  Haha!  Jaden started Kindergarten this year.  He is SUPER excited to be at the same school as his sister (after this year, that won't happen again until high school)!!

Matt always drives them to school, but as they were loading in the car I maaaaay have got a little sad to see 2 of kiddos leaving for school.  I made the comment, "I kinda want to follow you guys to school so I can see you head into your classrooms on the first day..."

Jaden replied, "OK!"

That was all it took!!!  I rushed in,  grabbed Greyson and my car keys, and headed out the door!!!  

When we got to the school Jaden had to go in the front door, but Eva (being the big kid she is) headed in a side door.  Matt said, "Give me a kiss, Eva!"  She maaaaay have looked at him like he was crazy and said, "BYE Dad!!!!" (oh the embarrassment of having to say goodbye to your dad at SCHOOL)!!

Yep, she is growing out of her britches that one.  May need a little reminder that is is EIGHT....not eighteen.  Stinker.

Jaden, on the other hand, happily walked into the school with us and we found his teacher.  I love her.  She gave Jaden a huge hug and helped all her little students navigate the craziness of the school lobby on their first day.

I was a little teary-eyed as I watched my little guy.  He's getting so big.  That being said, me being teary-eyed was a BIT different than the moms with Kleenexes SOBBING big ugly tears right there in the lobby.  

Oh my.  This mama felt like she was holding it together like a champ after seeing that.

We walked Jaden to his classroom and watched him walk in....and off he went.  A little tug at the ol' heartstrings, but I know he's in such good hands.  On top of that, he is ready.  Very ready.  

Greyson and I spent the day together.  We went grocery shopping, played with his toys, read books, and did a little cleaning.  Crazy how much less of a mess there is when it's just the 2 of us at home.  It was nice to be able to give him my undivided attention and he seemed to enjoy it too!  This mama also spent a lot of time praying for my kiddos....for their teachers....for their studies....for their friends.  It's a big day and I wanted it COVERED in prayer (gotta love my prayer group ladies that were doing the same thing for me, as I was for them, throughout the day).

I sat outside in the sunshine and waited for the kiddos to get off the bus....looooved seeing their smiling faces when they got home!

Eva could not tell me enough how much she looooooooooooves her teacher.  The reasons?  She is SUPER nice and SUPER organized.  Ahhhh....I love it.  Cracks me up that her organization skills are what stood out to Eva.  That's my girl.

Jaden talked allllllll about.....RECESS!!!  Haha!!  He loved that he could play with his sister for a little bit.  He also thought the activities they did during the day were fun and he loved gym class!

I'm so thankful for these two little monkeys.  So thankful that they had an awesome first day.  So thankful for the one little monkey I have left at home to keep me busy during the day with me.  I am truly blessed.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"

--Henry Stanley Haskins

Eva Marie

Whew!!  Finally Eva's turn for her special post!  The last week of summer break kept this mama pretty busy.  Without further adieu.....Miss Eva Marie.

I love your giggle.  You have the best belly laugh.

I love that you like things neat and tidy.  I rarely - if ever - have to tell you to clean your room. 

You love shopping....and so does your mama.  I love it when we find a store that we both like.  We were recently in Staples (Daddy and the boys were waiting in the car) and we found the stationary aisle with all the cute paperclips, notecards, and such.  Ummmmm.....let's just say the boys should not have let us run in there together.  They ended up waiting a bit longer than they probably wanted to.  What's a girl to do?!!  

You have shown an interest in photography and it makes your mama smile.

I love that you enjoy cooking and baking.  Yesterday you were flipping through a cookbook.  You found a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that looked good to you and asked if you could make it ALL by yourself.  I just sat there in awe as you made cookies from scratch COMPLETELY by yourself.  You even separated the used ingredients from the unused ingredients.  You amazed me.

I love that you refer to each of your brothers as "buddy".

You are a hard worker.  Always have been....and hopefully always will be.

I love that you love Taylor Swift....and because of YOU I have become a fan now too.  Going to her  concerts with you and having that special girl time are memories I will always cherish.

We have a special pact because we are the only girls in the family, and we need to stick together with all these boys we are surrounded by!

You love sports.  It's nothing you've been taught....it's simply threaded into God's design for you.  It makes me smile and I am so proud of your accomplishments.  

You willingly watch ESPN....which makes your Daddy grin!

You have dealt with anxiety in the past.  It's something you are aware you deal with, and something you are working to combat.  You work hard at it.  You can name the triggers now and usually know how to calm yourself down.  I'm soooooo proud of you for all your hard work with this.

I love that you still sleep with Doe-Doe and Eagle....every. single. night.

Your sleep habits mirror my own.  You are more of a night owl and then, if given the choice, would snuggle in bed a bit longer in the morning.  The boys in our family are not like that.  I'm looking forward to some fun times with you in your teen years when you and I are the only ones up late at night.  Midnight run to Target for shopping and giggles anyone?!

You got a Rip-It Stick for Christmas (or maybe it was your birthday?) last year.  You couldn't figure out how to ride it.  This spring you randomly saw a girl riding one when we were running errands and that was all it took.  You got home, got on your Rip-it Stick, and didn't get off until you got the hang of it.  I LOVE YOUR DRIVE!!!  When you want to do something, you are not going to back down.

You love to compete in triathlons.  I love watching you.

I love that your favorite colors are hot pink and navy.  SUCH awesome colors!!

I love you Eva Marie.  I love everything you are....and everything God is creating you to be.  You amaze me and I'm soooo proud to be called your Mama.

Jaden Stone

A few days ago I posted about all the special things I love about Greyson at this age (you can read post below this post), and today is Jaden's turn.  Here is what I love about this big guy at this very moment...

I love that you love to snuggle.  You are - hands down - the biggest snuggler in the family.  You love to worm your little tootsies between my legs and get all cozy.  Often you will say to me, "Mommy, can I snuggle you because you are so warm and cozy right now".

You love to be read to.  Nearly every night you will walk into the living room with books in tow and ask if I will read you a story.  You are starting to read on your own, and I know in the next year you will gain a lot of reading skills.  I'm cherishing this special time reading TO you while I still have it.

You are my rule follower.  After giving you instructions you will diligently do what has been asked, and then double check two or three times to make sure you are doing it correctly....unless it's cleaning.  Then you seem to find a million other things that are more important.

I love that you still let me pick out your clothes every single day...and never ever complain.

You have an amazing imagination.  I love how your mind works when you are playing!  

You could play legos for hours.  Literally.  

I love the way you pronounce the word "movie".  You will say, "mommy, can I watch a mouvie?"  You have no idea that you say it so cute, but now daddy and I (as well as Aunt Toll and Tripe) say it the same way.

You are not swayed by others.  If friends are making bad choices I can trust you 100% to do the right thing.  That is HUGE Jaden Stone and I hope you continue along that path for life.  On a side note, the friends pictured above are all good apples and I think that may be the stinkin' cutest picture ever of all you boys!!!

This summer you have FLOORED me with your swimming skills!!!  Last summer you were terrified to go in the deep end even with floaties on.  This summer you are swimming with no floaties like a little fish!!!  You worked hard at swimming lessons and your hard work paid off!!

You are soooooo good with your little brother.  You watch him and take care of him.  You play with him.  You even are willing to change his diapers.  When I say, "Oh buddy, you don't have to do that" you respond with, "But Mommy, I want to".    Today you had a friend over and I was changing a pretty dirty diaper.  You walked right up and grabbed the diaper to throw it away....never even thought twice about it.

You are inquisitive.  You ask questions....a LOT of questions.  Sometimes I don't always know the answer, but I always enjoy hearing what is on your mind.

You make your daddy and I laugh (and sometimes pull out our hair) because you would most likely lose your noggin' if it wasn't fastened on.  I'm not sure how you lose things so fast....it's definitely a skill.  We recently spent all day looking for your flip-flops only to have you lose the sweatshirt you had been wearing!!

When you are sleepy you get very chatty.  It's cute.

You are excited to start Kindergarten because you'll see Eva, but hesitant to start because you won't be with me.  So precious.

You are a good eater and usually VERY willing to try new things.  I don't worry about trying new recipes with you because you are always willing to give them a shot!

You did your first triathlon this summer and I was FLOORED.  Absolutely FLOORED.  You were amazing and came in 2nd place!

You have started football practice.  I love watching you because on a day-to-day basis you are so very gentle....but I see an aggressive side of you when you play football.  That's good!

We love YOU Jaden Stone.  You are such a bright spot in our daily lives....so full of love and laughter. Thank you for all that you are and we can't WAIT to see all that God has in store for you!