The Dirty Dash ...

So the Dirty Dash came to Eugene this year.  It was today, and the kids and I saddled up to go watch some friends run in it.  I had told the kids about the piglet plunge for kids, and they didn't want to do it ... then they wanted to do it ... then they didn't want to do it ... then they wanted to do it and I signed them up so they couldn't change their minds again!   It was a wonderful day for the race.  Everyone had a great time, and there is even excitement about doing it next year!

A much needed "reward" for waiting all day to do the race and not having planned enough to bring enough food and/or money to purchase food!  A real shaved ice ... boy, are they really good.

Just had to ....

... repost this picture of my Molly!  A couple of thoughts -- a.  look at how grown up and older she looks;  she is only 6 years old.  b.  look at that smile of complete happiness being in the water and running free as a child should.  c.  who does that tall lanky child belong to?  d.  look really hard and you will glimpse the crooked teeth and have sympathy on Kyle and I have much money spent on that grand smile.  e.  isn't that dress great - you want one for yourself don't you!

(okay, so it was a few more than a couple of thoughts!)

A quick overnight to the coast ...

 This was me on the beach ... very cold!

 This is Jack and how he feels about being at the coast ... putting a hex on the ocean

 Molly enjoying the waves

 The kids "surfing" the waves

 Jack swimming

Molly enjoying herself

A couple of facts ... it was 50 degrees outside, and who knows what the temperature of the water was that day, but whatever it was the kids did not seem at all bothered by the coldness.  It was a quick trip but it was worth the time and effort to get there just to see the smiles and complete joy it brought the kids to be there in the sand and water! 

The end of baseball...

Baseball is finally over!

We hosted a team cookout on Saturday to officially say goodbye to the Wildcat team.  It was a long season, but it was a grand season.  Kyle and Jack learned a lot about baseball.  Jack learned that there was a lot to learn about baseball!! All of the boys improved over the season.  I learned that I could make it through a season with joy and excitement.  I was a little worried that my childhood years spent at the ballpark might have damaged me beyond repair to enjoy Jack's season.

The kids and their teachers....

 Molly and Miss Anna

 Molly and Miss Kasey

 Jack and Mrs. Mikesell

Jack and Mrs. Selven

The kids have ended their school year with great celebration!  They had a great year, and each of them is looking forward to being in the next grade.  I have great plans for the summer to keep up with their reading and math work, but I guess only time will tell if I keep to my word.  They are excited about the new workbooks, and Jack is really into his reading ... so I have great hope!!  Of course, there will be plenty of play and summer fun along the way.

So I kind of forgot ...

.... to post what the rest of Mother's day looked like.  I just remembered tonight.  It was a sunny warm day, and the kids just begged to run in the sprinklers for the first time this season.  We obliged, and they were more then thrilled.  Of course with the sprinklers, comes the request to fill the water guns.  They had just grand day.  Enjoy ....

 Ready, aim, fire

 If you don't guard your guns, Daddy might pick them up and come after you

 Jack without arms, and not doing well with his sister successfully coming after him

 Jack finally getting his turn at shooting the gun

Then the weapons were put down for a little sliding practice ... Jack was sliding into "home" plate!

Budding artists...

Here is some more artwork that the kids created on their dry erase boards.  Molly just kept drawing and drawing, while Jack was reading to me.  At the end, Jack just had to get in his sports team drawing.  He told me that he did the Colorado State just like Kyle's logo on his hat!  Enjoy ....