Trot, Trike, Treasure Triathlon

Try saying that title three times fast!!

Smart Beginnings is a local coalition dedicated to making sure that all kids enter Kindergarten with the skills needed to thrive.   I became interested in them when I was teaching Preschool.  I stayed interested because I think they do great work and because I have kids in their demographic.  So when I heard about their latest fundraiser, I just had to sign up!!
The Charity Tot Trot was a Triathlon for kids ages 2-5.  The first part was a vehicle race; kid-powered vehicle, that it: scooter, ride-on toy, bicycle, etc.  The second part was a treasure hunt, and the last leg was a foot race. I registered both boys because I figured that if we got there and Benjamin didn't want to participate then we would have just made a nice donation to a charity that we believe in.  But if we got there and he wasn't registered, and wanted to participate, then we might be in trouble!

 We got there and got our registration information.  The boys both got a tag with a number on it, just like in a real triathlon. 

 Benjamin was supposed to ride his scooter, but whenever he sees Henry's bike he throws a fit for it, and some things just aren't worth fighting! Benjamin's heat (2-3 year olds) was first. I ended up pushing him on the bike because he can't reach the ground on it. I stayed in the back, so it wouldn't look like we were cheating!  When we got close to the part where he would have to put down the bike, I started telling him that over and over again: "Buddy, when we get up to that line we have to put the bike down and go look for a gold medal!!"  Did that work?? Not really. He still got upset when he had to put the bike down, but we bribed him with the gold medal.  He found that and put it around his neck, but then he wouldn't go to the finish line. He was upset because the CHick-Fil-A cow was standing at the finish line to meet the winners.  And he hates that cow!! I actually had to go over and say to the cow, "Mr. Cow, do you mind moving? You make my boy a little nervous and I think he's have an easier time finishing if you moved!"  Of course, the cow graciously moo-ved over (ya see what I did there??) and Benjamin finished the race!!
After that we walked around and looked at the vendor information they had. They had a little crossword-type puzzle and if you visited all the booths and had them sign your paper, you could turn your paper in for three chances to win some toys. The boys also rode around the parking lot a bit while we were waiting.

Then it was Henry's turn.  This is his "game face!"

 There were a lot of really big five-year olds in his heat (4-5 year old), but  we told him that the purpose was to have fun and as long as he had fun he would be a winner!  He rode his bike and I ran after him cheering.  Then he got off to get his medal and I kept cheering. Then he noticed how many kids were already in front of him and got a little bit upset, so I ran over with him and cheered even louder.  Then I ran behind him to the finish line. The whole time I was running, I was wondering if I looked like an idiot, but not really caring!! He finished the race and had Frances there to meet him. (She actually ran ahead of him for the last leg, it was kinda funny!) When I caught up to Henry, he had a HUGE grin on his face. "Mommy, I finished!! And I had fun!!  SO I WON!!!!"

 After Henry's heat they gave prizes for the top three finishers and started handing out the raffle prizes.  Frances won this Disney Princess Magic Rise Oven, which thankfully only bakes pretend pies and cupcakes.  

She was so excited, but it made Henry upset that he hadn't gotten a prize too.  Some sweet girl behind him came over and told him what an awesome job he had done and handed him two free ice cream coupons for McDonald's.  He felt better right away!
 So after all was said and done, that's where we went!

Friday Fill Ins

1. The tale is told of teeth marks in butter*.
2. Alaska is something that always makes me think of my ancestors.
3. To ensure the future, we must educate the present.
4. Reading is a fine thing.
5. It's never too late to learn something new.
6. I like to scribble notes on the back of an old receipt.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to baked chicken and movie night with the kids, tomorrow my plans include the boys' triathlon and Henry's soccer game and Sunday, I want to go to Mass and then relax!

*We tell this tale in our house, but I don't think I've ever written it down. Once when Frances was little (maybe 3 or 4) I was planning in baking some cookies (or maybe a cake). I left a stick of butter on the counter to soften while I was puttering around the house doing some other things. When I came back to start baking, I found itty-bitty teeth marks in my stick of butter. Frances tells this story to illustrate to people how much she likes butter!

You can play along (or just see other people's answers) here: 

Please leave a comment if you stop by!

World School Milk Day

Yesterday was World School Milk Day and Frances and Henry's school was chosen by the Southeastern Dairy Association as their promotional school. The kids were asked to dress up like farmers (or cows) and the school had farmers bring a cow and calf to the school to visit.  Henry got his picture taken with Miss Virginia ("She is sooooo pretty, Mommy!") and Frances was interviewed on the local news!  It sounds like they had a really fun day!

"Please, sir, may I have another waffle?"

My farmers! They couldn't wear their hats in the picture because Frances was borrowing Benjamin's and he would have flipped out.

Wordless Wednesday: Farmer Day Edition

10 Things Tuesday-Good Habits

Since last week was "Make Your Bed Day" I am making a list of

10 Good Habits We Have Started Recently

1. 30 minutes of cleaning every night
2. 1 load of laundry every day
3. Pre-Made dinner menu 
4. Eating breakfast at the table together
5. More fresh fruits and vegetables
6. Alternating TV times with chores for the kids
7. Better brushing and flossing
8. More walking for Mom
9. Packing lunches for school
10. Less computer/iPad time in the evenings

We still falter on most of these, but we keep going. It makes our house look better, our bodies feel better, our money go further, and our relationships work better. I also hope that I am teaching my kids good habits that will serve them well in adulthood.

What good habits are you working on?

Next week: 10 Bad Habits You are Trying to Quit

Weekend Recap

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.  It was...our weekend!!

Friday night the "bigs" had a great program at their after-school center. Some quilting people came in and talked with the kids about quilting and making memories. Each kid then got to tell a story by making a quilt square with lots of different fabrics. Then they let the kids sew the pieces all together with a sewing machine.  Frances didn't get her turn yet, but they said they would be coming back for a few Fridays to let all the kids finish.  After the quilting, they served dinner-pizza for the kids and soup for the adults.  I picked a really spicy vegetable soup. After Henry ate his pizza, he wanted some soup too. He picked the same one I did! And he ate it!!
After dinner, we walked home and get ready for bed. I don't know about you and yours, but by Friday my kids are zombies! They are so busy during the week and even though they go to bed early, they are going, going, going from 7 am to 8 pm.

Saturday morning Henry had a soccer game.  He was worse this week than last week, but still better than last year. And I am not talking about his soccer-playing abilities! His behavior last year was awful! He never wanted to go out on the field and he only wanted to run around and jump on his coach. This year, he has calmed down a bit. He still acts a little crazy with Ken, who is assistant coaching, but Henry has always had a hard time sharing Mom or Dad with other kids. I am happy that he (mostly) goes out on the field and runs around.  Yesterday he even kicked the ball (technically, someone kicked the ball towards him and it bounced off his foot in the correct direction, but that's just splitting hairs!) He's got a great coach and a great team, so I am hoping he really enjoys this season!

After the game we went home and had lunch. We had plans to go to Oktoberfest that afternoon, so I told the kids they all needed to take a nap.  They did not nap, however, and we ended up staying home. That's one of my least favorite parts of parenting! Knowing what's best for your kids and having them not believe you. I knew that in order for us to have a good time at Oktoberfest that everyone would need to be well-rested. When the bigs don't sleep, they keep Benjamin awake and they keep Ken and me from getting a break. If we had gone, everyone would have been cranky and it just didn't seem worth it. Everyone was pretty upset about not being able to go. I just pray that they might have learned something from this.
Sunday I got to teach Henry's Sunday school class for the first time this year. I remember those kiddos from when they were 3 and now they are sitting in the big-kid chairs, writing their names and cutting paper with scissors!! I get such a kick out of watching these guys grow up!

And just for kicks, here's Benjamin singing the Turtle Song (with a slight bit of the ABC song mixed in):

Friday Fill Ins

1. I don't know what it's like to be truly in need; I only know that God always provides.
2. Various Meanderings would be a great title for my life.
3. A couple of weeks from now the weather will really be changing.
4. My living room contains any number of things.
5. I drove from home to daycare and then to work.
6.When I remembered that today was Friday, I was happy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the quilt project and pizza party at Second Home, tomorrow my plans include Henry's soccer game and Oktoberfest and Sunday, I want to teach Children's Church for the first time this year!

You can play along here: 

Having it all Together

I have set some goals for myself recently and been working on some self-improvement things. I have been trying to walk more, eat healthier and teach my children (and myself) good cleaning habits. I made a dinner menu that we are on the second cycle of and still tweaking.  I wear a pedometer, take daily walks and participate in friendly, encouraging smack talk with a co-worker who is also trying to get in shape. I made a two-week cleaning schedule that includes daily tasks as well as a 30-minute concentration on one room per night.  We've done well at all these things.  I feel better, my clothes fit better, my housed looked better...And there is the problem! I can accomplish all of these goals separately, but I can't seem to do them all at once. 
Three weeks ago, I was cleaning and eating well, but not getting in as many steps as I would have liked.  I made a point to concentrate on walking. I devised a route around this hobbled-together building that I work in that hits 10 different staircases and gets me about 1,200 steps in 7 minutes. I walked my butt off last week. I averaged 8,290 steps per day last week. And I know that because I keep track of it all on a spreadsheet on my computer.

 

I am on week 31 of keeping track and usually getting more steps than the week before. I felt like I had a good handle on the steps and dinners were nice and stress-free. I had all the groceries bought. I had all the recipes ready.  I tweaked a few things so we could take dinner with us the nights that Henry had soccer practice and Frances had ballet. I had the steps and the meals under control. Then I took a look at my house and got mad!

Right now there are 5 baskets of clean laundry in my living room, toys all over the dining room, clutter on my kitchen counters and laundry overflowing the hamper! I can handle two tasks, but apparently not three.  The thing that gets me is that they aren't unreasonable tasks. I don't think I am aiming for the pinnacle of motherhood here. I just want an organized, healthy family.  Is that supposed to be so difficult?? I feel like I can carry things in both hands, but I can't juggle. 

The thing is, I know better than to give up. One cookie does not completely ruin an entire diet, just like one day of sitting around too much doesn't ruin an exercise regimen, just like seven really full baskets of clothes doesn't ruin a clean house--well actually that doesn't work. I don't think you can have a clean house that involves multiple baskets of laundry in various stages of clean. What I guess I should say is that one messy living room does not ruin a plan for a cleaner house.  I will keep on trucking. I am moving in the right direction, and as long as I can keep sight of that things should be fine.

I think the cleaning thing will be coming together again soon. How do I know that? Because now meals seem to be falling apart. I shopped for all the things on our list and I have the plan and the recipes ready. But twice now this week, we've run out of essentials and had to run to the store again. Tuesday night it was milk and last night I got halfway through making pizza crust and ran out of flour!! I had 3 bags of sugar though!!

Maybe one of these days, we could have it all AND have it all together! (Although, "having it all" is one of my cleaning issues. I need to get rid of some stuff!!)

What personal goals are you struggling with? What goals are you achieving? Want an accountability partner? I can do that well!